Your Ultimate Guide to Uluwatu
Uluwatu is known for being a surfer’s paradise with a laid-back vibe and amazing coastal landscapes. It is ABSOLUTELY my favourite area to stay in Bali.
Uluwatu is a lot quieter than places such as Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta and yes there are lots of luxury clifftop resorts with a high price tag but there are also plenty of stunning accommodation options and things to do for budget travellers.
So here is my budget friendly guide for solo travel in this amazing corner of the island of the gods.
How to get to Uluwatu
The best way to get to Uluwatu from the airport is a taxi or private transfer (most accommodations offer this service for a small fee) it takes roughly 45 minutes depending on traffic and the time of day.
When you walk out of the airport after the baggage claim you will see a stand with taxis. Be sure to agree on a price before accepting the ride. It should cost roughly 25k – 35K IDR depending on the time of day.
Getting around
The best way to get around in Bali is by scooter. The roads in Bali are narrow and crowded and scooters are by the cheapest and fastest form of transportation.
Scooters are available for hire all over the island for around $5-$10 per day (a lot of accommodations have this service also). If you don’t feel comfortable driving a scooter yourself, you can also use Gojek or Grab which are rideshare apps which have options for cars or scooters (Be aware that Gojek and Grab are prohibited in some areas of Bali so drivers won’t pick you up). Rideshare trips on a scooter will be roughly $1-$3 for a short trip.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
I booked through Booking.com and this was the MOST magical place I have ever stayed. Disclaimer this place is very popular so you will need to book at least a month or so in advance. They also have a steep set of around 100 stairs that lead down to the accommodation so not for people with weak knees (They do have a bellboy service for your luggage so you don’t have to lug it the whole way down).
This property is cut into the cliffs and at high tide, the waves crash just below the deck where you can enjoy a drink or some food. At low tide, you can walk down a small set of stairs straight onto a semi-private beach with crystal-clear water.
There are twin share dormitory-style rooms for $38 per night or you can get a range of private rooms starting from $149.
They have a restaurant (the cocktails are amazing! Try the coconut sour) and they also offer Yoga and Surfing lessons daily for an extra fee.
I stayed here for 4 nights and it was the best location I have ever stayed in Bali.
Le Cliff is right next door to Dream Sea but has a higher price tag but is worth a look if Dream Sea is booked out.
You can book Le Cliff here.
This property is only 700m from Bingin Beach. The rooms start at $100 per night and are bungalow-style. This is a quiet property with only a small number of rooms which gives it a relaxed vibe. It is a great location and walking distance to plenty of attractions and restaurants. They also have scooters for hire for those who want to get out and explore.
This lodge is located a 5-10 minute drive from all of the main beaches in Uluwatu. Rooms are $24 a night for a private double room. They offer guests yoga and permaculture classes during their stay.
This little container hostel has a cute surfer vibe. This is by far the most budget option with dorm rooms starting at $12 per night and private rooms from $28.
Things to do in Uluwatu
Explore the cave and have a Bintang at Suluban Beach
Suluban Beach is one of my favourite places in Bali. The easiest way to get to the beach is to start at Single Fins and continue down the stairs to your left. You will pass a number of small shops and warungs on your journey down. You will eventually reach a set of concrete stairs that lead you down to the beach.
There are usually one or two locals with a small cooler of Bintangs or cold drinks set up in the cave section before the main beach.
If you are seeking more than just a Bintang or want to see a unique view from atop the cliffs once you enter the cave area you will see a set of stairs leading up the opposite side. These stairs lead to a warung perched on top. It even has a pool!
Be sure to check the tide before coming as some of the beach access is cut off at high tide.
There are lots of interesting caves and coves to explore and if you are adventurous enough you may discover the shipwreck along one of the hidden beaches.
There is a 5k IDR parking fee at the entrance to this area
< me exploring the caves around Suluban
> my friend on our way up to the warung on top of the cave
Watch the sunset from Single Fins
Once you’ve walked all the way back up from Suluban Beach treat yourself to some ice-cold refreshments at Single Fins.
This restaurant/bar has amazing clifftop views and spectacular sunsets. It is slightly cheaper than western standards but is expensive compared to some of the local warungs surrounding it. Single Fins definitely has the party vibe, especially on Sundays and is popular with surfers and travellers.
If you are looking for a quieter experience with fewer people then just take the stairs to the right below Single Fins and watch the sunset from one of the local bars.
Sunbathe at Thomas Beach
Be prepared for another huge fight of stairs! But the reward of crystal clear waters and white sand at the end will be well worth it!
I recommend packing a book and renting one of the many sunbeds that line the shores (roughly 50k IDR). Bintangs or coconuts can be bought to you from one of the small stores and locals offer massages for a cheap price.
The water here is crystal clear and the tide stays relatively high all day. I spent the entire day here enjoying the water, my book, a few Bintangs and even had a 45-minute foot massage all for less than $20 AUD.
Party at Ulu Cliffhouse
Perched on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean is this stunning beach club. Ulu Cliffhouse is another great place to watch the sunset in Uluwatu (honestly there isn’t really any bad place!)
This trendy bar/restaurant has a number of different seating options (some with minimum spends). International acts often perform here so be sure to check out their website to see what’s coming up during your stay.
Go surfing at Padang Padang Beach
Uluwatu is a surfer’s paradise! But there are plenty of waves here for beginners also. This beach is a great place to get surfing lessons for dirt cheap.
It is best to arrive early in the morning before the beach gets packed and this is usually the best time to surf.
To get to the beach you have to walk through a temple, down a small set of stairs and through a rock crevice. It is quite breathtaking.
There is a 30k IDR entrance fee to access the beach.
Have a seafood BBQ and watch the sunset at Bingin Beach
Bingin Beach is another great place to spend the day exploring. The water is crystal clear and there are plenty of restaurants and bars along the shore to stop and explore.
The Lucky Fish Lounge has tables down on the beach and each night they host a seafood BBQ with coolers of fresh fish where you walk up and choose the fish you want, they weigh it and charge you based on the weight. I loved this experience!
Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Fire Dance
The Uluwatu Temple dates back to the 11th century (possibly even earlier) and is perched atop a 70-meter cliff. ‘Ulu’ meaning lands end and ‘watu’ meaning rock it is a fitting name for this temple.
If you are driving or scooting here there is a 1500IDR parking fee which is paid at the gate and the entry fee for the temple is 50,000IDR for adults and 30,000IDR for children. This entry cost includes a sarong or scarf for entry to the temple. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing.
You can choose to walk the temple grounds yourself or you can hire a guide for 100,000IDR. The added value of having a guide is they are skilled at keeping the temples cheeky monkeys from stealing your belongings.
The monkeys inhabiting the temple are well known for stealing visitors’ sunglasses, hats and even phones. We saw a monkey steal a gentleman’s prescription glasses while we were there and thankfully our guide was able to get them back by bribing the monkey with biscuits.
The temple draws a crowd in the late afternoon as the cliffside temple is a stunning spot to watch the sunset and is also the location for the Kecak Fire Dance. The show starts at 6 pm and is held daily. it is recommended to get to the entrance around 5 pm if you want the best seats. Tickets for the show are 150,000IDR.
See the GWK statue
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue also known as the GWK statue is a 122-meter-tall statue located inside the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural park.
To put the size in context the Statue of Liberty is 93 meters tall and Christ The Redeemer is only 39.5 meters tall. The structure took 28 years to be completed.
The cultural park and statue aren’t in Uluwatu itself but are only a short drive. It cost 80,000IDR for entry to the park. There are plenty of other monuments and gardens to explore in the park and they even hold a cultural performance every hour on the hour after 10 am.
They also have a museum where you can get photos taken in traditional Balinese dress with various backdrops.
Check out the abandoned Boeing 737
The abandoned plane was situated in a field for years and became a popular tourist attraction. it was rumoured that a businessman was planning to make a restaurant inside but ran out of money. There are actually a number of abandoned planes spotted around Bali.
In 2021 one of the planes was relocated to the cliffside above Nyang-Nyang Beach. hoping to lure tourists to the area to get a photo of the plane perched on top of the cliff and in the future, the plane is going to be turned into a villa for the adventurous traveller.
