If you are planning a trip to Bali, then you might be wondering “Is Uluwatu Worth Visiting?”.
You’ve probably heard the rumors about its breathtaking cliffs, legendary surf spots, and postcard-perfect temples, but what you don’t hear is its high prices, remote location, and difficulty getting around.
I’ve recently been to Uluwatu and I want to share with you whether this famous Bali destination’s pros outweigh its cons. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if this slice of paradise is the right fit for your next trip!
Pros of Visiting Uluwatu
1. Amazing Surfing Opportunities
Consistent waves, jaw-dropping cliffside views, and a thriving surfing culture are what make Uluwatu Bali’s premier surfing destination.
Uluwatu Beach is one of the main surfing beaches, with powerful waves consistently battering the white sands of the shore. Be careful of the strong currents and surf breaks like the fairly shallow reef.
Padang Padang Beach is a good beach to come to if you are both a beginner and also more experienced.
Different sections of the surf cater to people of various skill levels. Because of this, it’s a great beach to come to if you like beach hopping and fancy meeting like-minded people over a few drinks or some food in one of the Warungs.
2. Beautiful And Quieter Beaches
Uluwatu’s beaches are so much nicer in comparison to the rest of Bali.
Gorgeously soft white sand, rugged cliffsides, and beautiful blue water that is completely transparent. Nyang Nyang was the best beach for me and a must on your Uluwatu itinerary.
It was a steep path down to the beach but once you arrive, a small warung makes way for white sand as far as the eye can see and exposed rocks with the looming cliffside in the background.
Another gem of a beach in Uluwatu is Bingin Beach. After a scenic drive (or ride) through the small villages of Uluwatu, walk in between the restaurants and you’ll end up right on the rocks of Bingin Beach actually underneath the warungs.
Dreamland Beach is also nice and has just been renamed New Kuta Beach.
3. World Class Accommodations
Many luxury resorts and hotels have taken full advantage of Uluwatu’s lush cliffs and perched themselves right on top, providing lucky guests with jaw-dropping views out into the Indian Ocean.
Alila Villas Uluwatu Bali is one of these, nestled on top of the cliffside with numerous expansive private luxury villas all designed in an authentic Balinese style. If you’ve got the cash to splash, staying at the Bulgari Resort Bali is one of the most luxurious experiences you can have on the island.
A huge expanse of Bali private pool villas and mansions set within sprawling grounds make for an elegant and high-end option, again with panoramic views out into the ocean. If you’d like beach access, then Karma Kandara is another superb option.
Located along Bali’s ‘Billionaire’s Row’, the resort is worth visiting and famous for not only being five-star luxury but for the memorable cable car needed to get down to the private beach.
📚 Read More: The Most Stunning Water Villas In Bali!
4. Stunning Beach Clubs
Bali’s beach clubs are known for being some of the best in the world, and one of the best on the entire island is located in Uluwatu – Sunday’s Beach Club.
Tucked away within its little private cove, Sundays Beach Club provides a wonderful tranquil beachside oasis with a plethora of super comfy beanbags, loungers, and cabanas right on the beach for you to enjoy.
Table service comes as standard with the tastiest of international cuisines. If you want the best views Uluwatu has to offer, then a trip to Ulu Cliffhouse is an absolute must.
Sat on top of the cliffs like a bird’s nest, this beach/pool club has all of the luxuries of a five-star resort, but with an inviting upscale ‘beach club’ atmosphere. Dozens of day beds line the pool area and for a little slice of exclusivity, there’s even a little private beach for you to enjoy.
5. Incredible Uluwatu Temple
My favorite part about Uluwatu is definitely the Uluwatu temple. It’s situated on top of a high limestone cliff facing out into the Indian Ocean.
This remarkable feat of architecture and engineering is not only a significant spiritual sight for the Balinese locals but also a fascinating insight into traditional island life where visitors can watch the famous Kecak fire dance.
Uluwatu Temple is so significant in Balinese Hindu culture, that it represents one of only six temples that are believed to protect the island from evil spirits, hence its important geographical location.
Once inside the temple grounds, you can explore freely, seeing some of the intricate Balinese carvings dotted around before heading over to the fire dance performance.
The temple is certainly worth visiting on any Bali itinerary.
6. Much Cleaner and Quieter Than the Rest of Bali
One of the main benefits of visiting Uluwatu is that it is much quieter than the other main tourist hotspots.
Of course, the lesser-visited areas of Bali in the north are also just as quiet, but Uluwatu is only a 20-minute drive from the craziness of Denpasar.
It’s much more spread out and as a result feels far less frantic. This is great if it will be your first time riding a scooter in Bali, not only because there is less traffic on the road but also because the roads are so much wider and usually pretty empty.
It makes getting from A to B fairly relaxing and stress-free.
Another bonus of visiting Uluwatu is that it is also much cleaner than the rest of the island, in particular, Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu because it’s an area that is much larger and less busy than these congested towns.
You only have to visit the Uluwatu beaches to see a huge difference. There’s barely any rubbish on them at all.
7. Gorgeous Sunsets
Uluwatu is one of the best places on the entire island to watch the sunset. They are renowned for their serene beauty, with the area’s dramatic clifftop locations giving you the perfect unobstructed platform for viewing the deep orange sun disappear into the Indian Ocean.
Uluwatu Temple is probably one of the best spots for a sunset viewing. The temple’s silhouette against the changing colors of the sky creates a scene that you’re guaranteed to remember for a long time.
Bingin Beach, Thomas Beach, and Padang Padang Beach are Uluwatu’s best beaches for sunset, with all three being perfectly positioned west.
There’s something very special and therapeutic about laying on one of these beaches with a Bintang beer and the sound of the waves crashing down, watching the sunset.
Cons of Visiting Uluwatu
1. Quite Far From The Rest of Bali
Due to its location on the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu is the furthest south you can go no matter where you are on the island.
The main tourist areas of Kuta and Seminyak are not particularly far away, but it’s the traffic that can make it seem like an age away.
It may take you anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get to both destinations. The traffic is usually always a nightmare in and around the Denpasar area so leave with plenty of time to spare if you’ll be passing through.
Further up the coast heading northwest is Canggu, which can take up to an hour and a half if you will be traveling during the day. Ubud, in central Bali, will take you anywhere from an hour and a half to 2 hours and beyond.
2. Hard To Get Around
One of the downsides of Uluwatu is that it is virtually unwalkable.
The further south you go in Uluwatu the quieter things become and there are no pavements for pedestrians.
Whilst your destination may only be 20 minutes away via scooter, this could take up to 2 hours on foot, and with many unlit roads, this is not advised.
You will need your scooter to get around Uluwatu which could be a deal-breaker if you haven’t ridden one before.
The one saving grace for visitors to Uluwatu is that Grab and Gojek (the equivalent of Uber in Bali) are prevalent in the area, so you should be able to source a ride.
3. Attractions Are Too Dispersed
Again, this is similar to the last point, but you may find it difficult to get to and from Uluwatu’s main attractions because they are very dispersed.
Uluwatu is fairly large as an area so other than at Uluwatu Temple, you may find it difficult to get a Grab or Gojek if you are out in the boonies.
There’s no main ‘center’ of Uluwatu so to speak either, it’s a collection of smaller villages that have become larger over time with the development of the island.
If you don’t have access to a scooter, you should have a proper trip planner and consider making an itinerary that groups attractions in order of proximity to minimize the hassle of traveling.
4. Lacking Nightlife
Tying into the fact there is no ‘center’ so to speak, Uluwatu is generally known for being much more laid-back than neighboring hotspots of Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.
The tranquil atmosphere is a lot more relaxed and focuses more on good food, gorgeous beaches, and stunning clifftop views.
With that being said, there are still some options for those seeking nighttime entertainment.
The beach clubs in Uluwatu all generally stay open fairly late allowing you to watch the sunset and drink well into the night, and there are several bars high up on the cliffs like Single Fin Beach Club and Ulu Cliffhouse both with a lively atmosphere.
5. More Expensive Than Other Parts of Bali
Uluwatu is unfortunately considered to be slightly more expensive than other areas of Bali mainly due to the fact it is more upscale with more luxurious resorts and hotels than anywhere else on the island.
You’re always going to pay a bit of a premium on things like food and drink when you have the stunning clifftop views that many establishments in Uluwatu have, not to mention the type of clientele that the luxury resorts attract.
Is Uluwatu worth visiting even though it’s more expensive? Definitely so.
So, Is Uluwatu Worth Visiting?
Uluwatu is definitely worth visiting. Whether you’re a surf enthusiast, a history buff, a sunset chaser, or just someone looking for an idyllic escape, Uluwatu offers something for everyone.
It’s not just about the enchanting Uluwatu Temple or the pristine beaches; it’s the overall vibe of tranquility and the unique experiences that make this place truly special.
However, travelers visiting Uluwatu should have some mental preparation for how hard it is to get around, the high prices, and a lack of nightlife.
Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means if you book or make a purchase through the links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! The money will help run this site! Thank you!
