16 of The Best Things to Do in Uluwatu, Bali

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Last Updated on April 21, 2024 by sydabroad

Looking for the best things to do in Uluwatu? This guide is for you! 

If you enjoy white sand beaches, clifftop views, relaxing beach clubs, and world-class surfing then Uluwatu needs to be on your bucket list. 

Uluwatu is a laid-back town located on the southwestern tip of Bali and one of the most amazing travel destinations in Indonesia. In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Uluwautu, where to stay, how to get around in Uluwatu, an interactive map with all the locations mentioned in this article, and more. 

I recently visited during a backpacking trip around Southeast Asia and this was truly a dream destination. If you are a beach lover, you need to visit! 

Looking for more Bali guides?

• The Perfect 3 Days Ubud Itinerary
• The Best Beaches in Uluwatu
• The Best Hotels in Uluwatu
• A Guide to The Best Beach Clubs in Uluwatu

Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Uluwatu, Bali. 

The Best Things to Do in Uluwatu – The Basics 

Currency = Indonesian Rupiah 

The currency in Indonesia is the Rupiah (IDR) 

1 USD = 15,416.80 Indonesian Rupiah

You’ll find that some restaurants and cafes will accept card payments but you do need cash to travel around Bali. Cash is useful if you need to tip a guide, split a restaurant bill, or shop at a local market. You can find ATMs in town. 

Language = Bahasa Indonesia 

Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia. In Bali, there are three main languages spoken on the island: Indonesian, Balinese, and English. 

I suggest brushing up on basic Balinese phrases to be polite. I love using the Duolingo app to learn languages. However, because Bali is pretty touristy and a digital nomad hot spot, you’ll find that it’s relatively easy to get around with English. 

Phone & Internet 

Phone and internet can be spotty around the island depending on your location, especially in remote locations. However, if you are in the town center of places like Uluwatu, Canggu, or Ubud, you’ll find many cafes with fast and reliable wifi.

Bali has become one of the top destinations for remote workers, so overall, the island has a great infrastructure for digital nomads. Most hotels and villas will also have wifi. I suggest double-checking with your accommodation.  

Daily Budget 

Bali is a relatively affordable place to visit. Especially compared to destinations in the west. The average budget for Bali is about $25 to $40 per day. However, travelers have spent as little as $15 per day by spending time at the beach and eating local food. 

Tipping in Bali 

Tipping is not customary in Bali, however, a small amount of change is always appreciated. If you choose to tip, an amount of 10% to 15% is generous. Or a small amount such as 10,000 to 20,000 IDR is polite to leave. 

Can You Drink The Tap Water?

No, do not drink the tap water in Bali. 

US citizens will need a visa to enter Indonesia. You can either purchase a visa on arrival or online ahead of time.

The 16 Best Things to Do in Uluwatu

1. Spend Time at a Beach Club 

One of the best things to do in Uluawtu is to visit one of the many renowned beach clubs in the area. I have a full blog post all about the best beach clubs in Uluwatu but a couple of my personal favorites are Sunday’s Beach Club and Palmilla Beach Club. 

Typically beach clubs in Uluwatu will have a minimum spend to access daybeds and lounge areas. If you are spending the day, it’s well worth it since you’ll be purchasing food and drinks. This is certainly one of the most relaxing ways to spend a day in Uluwatu. 

Read more about the best beach clubs in Uluwatu here.

2. Relax at Nyang Nyang Beach 

Nyang Nyang Beach is a hidden gem near Uluwatu. It has pristine white sand and bright blue water. It’s more secluded than other beaches making it less crowded than many other beaches in Uluwatu. 

To access the beach will be a bit of a walk from the parking area. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes. You can also visit the abandoned airplane here (more on this later in the article). 

3. Watch The Sunset at Rock Bar 

Rock Bar Bali is arguably the best place to watch the sunset in Uluwatu. Rock Bar is located at AYANA Hotels and sits 14 meters above the sea. It’s ranked as one of the world’s best bars making it a must on your Uluwatu itinerary. 

As you can imagine, it fills up fast. Especially during the high tourist season. Sunset reservations at Rock Bar are only available for AYANA guests however, walk-in guests are still welcome to enjoy the Rock Bar sunset – you just need to get here early.  

Smart attire is required here. Keep this in mind if you are planning to visit after being at the beach. 

We visited on a busy weekend evening and unfortunately, Rock Bar was booked. If you are trying to visit on a weekend, get here super early.

4. Nyang Nyang Beach Airplane and Shipwreck 

At Nyang Nyang Beach in Uluwatu, an abandoned Boeing 737 airplane sits near the edge of Nyang Nyang cliff. This serves as a unique photo attraction in the area. They do have plans to turn this into a luxury villa. 

You can also visit the famous shipwreck (which is technically located at Nunggalan Beach about a 1 mile walk from Nyang Nyang Beach). This shipwreck now makes for an amazing photo and unique Instagram spot in Uluwatu. Sitting at the top of the shipwreck makes for an amazing view.  

Looking for the best beaches in Uluwatu? Check out my guide with all of the best beaches to visit in Uluwatu.

5. Suluban Beach 

Suluban Beach, also known as Blue Point Beach, is famous for its unique entrance through a cave and bright blue waters. It’s a great spot in Uluwatu for surfers and beach lovers. Here you’ll find scenic views, cliffside cafes and local eateries, occasional events, and the best photo opportunities. 

6. Uluwatu Cliff (Karang Boma Cliff) 

Uluwatu Cliff, also known as Karang Boma Cliff, is one of the best viewpoints in Uluwatu. Karang Boma Cliff is the perfect spot to watch the sunset. 

To get here, you’ll either need to rent a scooter or hire a driver. There is an entrance fee for Karang Boma Cliff of 10,000 IDR and an additional fee if you want to fly your drone. 

7. Have Dinner at The Cave

Do you want a unique dining experience in a 25,000-year-old cave? The Cave by Chef Ryan Clift is a restaurant located at the Edge in Uluwatu, Bali.

The Cave is a 22-seat restaurant offering set 7 to 10-course menus with optional drink pairings. This cave was discovered in 2013 during the construction of the property. To preserve this cave, a team was assembled to make it possible, and is now turned into a one of a kind dining experience.

You need to make a reservation well in advance considering it’s such a small restaurant. My friend, my sister, and I went to the dinner second seating at 9 PM and had the standard 7-course meal (which turned into 11 courses). 

Not only was the food amazing but there were light show intermissions and a break to explore the cave. This is hands down the most unique dinner experience I’ve ever had. And some of the best food. I do think this experience was well worth it. 

8. Single Fin

Single Fin is great for breakfast, lunch, or even a night out. It’s situated on the cliffs overlooking the renowned Uluwatu surf break. This makes Single Fin an amazing sunset spot in Uluwatu. 

They have live music on Wednesdays and Sundays, Check out their website for other events happening during the time of your trip. 

9. Padang-Padang Beach 

Padang Padang Beach is one of Bali’s most famous surf spots and is also well known for being featured in the movie, “Eat, Prey, Love.” It’s located on the Bukit Peninsula with white sandy beaches and amazing surf breaks. 

10. Bingin Beach

Bingin Beach is another popular beach in Uluwatu located on the Bukit Peninsula. You’ll find incredible views, great surfing conditions, and a laid-back atmosphere with several cafes and accommodations. 

Bingin Beach does tend to get busy, so I suggest visiting early in the day.  

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11. Dinner and a Night Out at Tabu

In my opinion, Tabu is a must to add to your Uluwatu itinerary. It’s a restaurant and club. The cuisine is Mexican and Japanese-inspired and it’s delicious. Near the end of the night, Tabu turns into a club. Perfect for a fun night out! They call it Uluwatu’s first “supper club.”

12. Drifters Market on Sunday

If you are in Uluwatu on a Sunday, make sure to head to Drifter’s Market. Located at Drifter’s Surf Shop, every Sunday they have a market with local produce, baked goods, and other fun things you can shop for. A great spot to pick up a souvenir. 

There are also so many cute boutiques in town. Shopping in Uluwatu is a good way to spend a rainy day.

13. Balangan Viewpoint

Another amazing sunset spot in Bali is Balangan Beach’s viewpoint. There are two main viewpoints here, the most popular is a small edge that overlooks the sandy beach and the turquoise blue water. 

The second viewpoint is a large platform covered in vines. This viewpoint is located a little further down the beach. Here, you have a view of the picturesque coastline. 

It’s best to visit earlier in the day because during sunset there will typically be a handful of wedding photographers working here. 

Are you visiting Ubud during your trip to Bali? Check out my 3 day Ubud itinerary here!

14. Uluwatu Temple 

Uluwatu Temple is located 70 meters above the Indian Ocean and is one of Bali’s most scenic temples. 

Not only will you find panoramic views from Uluwatu Temple, but you’ll also get to experience traditional Kecak dance performances. Make sure you keep your personal belongings close, there are monkeys here that may grab your things. 

The entrance fee to Uluwatu Temple is 50,000 IDR. Have your shoulders and knees covered – you are typically able to rent sarongs if not dressed appropriately. 

15. Watch a Kecak Fire Dance 

As mentioned above, you can experience traditional Kecak performances at Uluwatu Temple. During sunset, around 6 PM, on a cliff-top amphitheater in the Uluwatu Temple complex, you can see this iconic dance performance. 

Tickets cost 150,000 IDR (10 USD) per person. I suggest buying tickets early because they usually sell out. Purchase tickets here.

16. Surfing in Uluwatu 

Surfing is certainly one of the best things to do in Uluwatu. Surfers visit Uluwatu from all over the world to experience world-class surf breaks. If you are new to surfing, you’ll want to start on easier beaches such as Dreamland or Padang Padang. 

Book a surf lesson in Uluwatu here. 

Map of the Best Things to Do in Uluwatu

When is The Best Time to Visit Bali? 

Bali’s dry season is between April and October, typically the best time to visit to enjoy dry weather. The months of April, May, September, and October are great months to find reduced rates and fewer people aka less crowded beaches and roads. And the traffic in Bali is no joke. It’s insane. 

I visited in July which is considered one of the best times to visit Bali in terms of weather but it ended up monsoon-ing in Uluwatu basically during our entire time here. Honestly, there’s not much to do in Uluwatu if it’s storming so pray for good weather when you visit! 

How to Get to Uluwatu 

Uluwatu is located about 45 minutes from Denpasar International Airport (DPS). You can book a Grab or hire a driver. Contact your accommodation to set you up with airport transportation. They can usually provide this and you’ll have someone waiting for you with your name on a sign. 

Traffic in Bali is insane at times. Keep this in mind if you plan on visiting nearby cities. 

Heading to Thailand too? Check out my Bangkok itinerary for first time travelers here!

How to Get Around Uluwatu

The easiest and most efficient way to get around Uluwatu is to rent a motor scooter. However, if you are not comfortable with your scooter-driving abilities (like me) use Grab, Gojek, or a private driver to get around. 

Both Grab and Gojek are essentially like Uber in Western countries. This is how I got around Bali most of the time. If you want a day full of activities, I suggest hiring a private driver. This will be most efficient and hiring a driver for the day in Bali is affordable.  

Best Restaurants in Uluwatu

• Drifter Cafe: Fresh, healthy meals. 
• Mango Tree Cafe: Clean, tasty meals. 
• BGS Bali (coffee): Great coffee. 
• The Cashew Tree Collective: A delicious breakfast and brunch. 
• Alchemy: You can build your own acai and chia pudding bowls here. 
• Bakery: The best pastries.  
• Bartolo: European cuisine.  
• Warung: For local Indonesian cuisine. 
• Tabu: For Mexican, Japanese, and a fun night out. 
• The Cave: The most amazing dinner experience. Make your reservation at least a month in advance. 

Where to Stay in Uluwatu

From the Pecatu area, all major things to do in Uluwatu are about a 20-minute drive. There are plenty of villas and hotels in this area. 

If you are looking for a quieter area, stay down south in Ugansan. This is where many of the popular day clubs and beach clubs are located. Read all about the best places to stay in Uluwatu here.

Find a place to stay in Uluwatu here. 

And that’s a wrap on the best things to do in Ulwatu. I hope this travel guide helped you plan your trip to Uluwatu. If you have any questions about Bali, comment below or DM me on Instagram.

Recommended Tours in Uluwatu

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