experience bali activity
A SEA TEMPLE ON THE BUKIT CLIFFS
Uluwatu Temple and Kecak Fire Dance
Clifftop sea temple at Pecatu, with an evening Kecak on a separate ticket.
Uluwatu Temple is a Balinese sea temple on the limestone cliffs at Pecatu, open daily from 07:00 to 19:00, with a Kecak fire dance performed on the clifftop stage from 18:00 on a separate ticket.
Highlights
Cliff-edge grounds above the Indian Ocean at Pecatu
One of the sea temples regarded as guarding Bali
Kecak fire dance from 18:00, performed with no instruments
Open from 07:00, so a morning visit avoids the sunset crowd
Location
Uluwatu
Duration
1-2 hours for the temple, plus an hour for the Kecak
Price Range
IDR 60,000 adult and IDR 40,000 child for international visitors, Kecak ticket sold separately
Full Description
Pura Luhur Uluwatu sits on a limestone headland at Pecatu in South Kuta, on the Bukit peninsula south of the airport. It is one of the sea temples Balinese Hindus regard as guarding the island, and the grounds run along the cliff edge above the Indian Ocean, which is what most visitors come for as much as the shrines themselves.
The temple is open every day from 07:00 to 19:00. Entry for international visitors is IDR 60,000 for adults and IDR 40,000 for children, and IDR 40,000 and IDR 30,000 for domestic visitors. A sarong and sash are required to enter and are handed out free at the gate. The entrance ticket does not cover parking or the Kecak.
The Kecak fire dance runs on the clifftop stage from 18:00, on its own ticket, with the gate to the amphitheatre opening at 16:00. The performance uses no instruments at all: the rhythm comes from a large group of men chanting in unison, acting out the part of the Ramayana where Rama and Sinta face the demon king Ravana. Long-tailed macaques live in the grounds and are practised at taking sunglasses, hats and phones.
Our Review
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Includes
✅ Access to the temple grounds and the cliff path
✅ Sarong and sash, handed out free at the gate
❌ The Kecak fire dance, which needs a separate ticket
❌ Parking
Not Suitable For
Anyone hoping for a quiet visit at sunset, when the stage and car park fill up
Visitors on a tight schedule, since Bukit traffic around the show is heavy
What To Bring
Cash for the entrance ticket and the Kecak
A bag that closes, for anything the macaques could take
A light layer for the evening wind on the cliff
Know Before You Go
Open daily 07:00 to 19:00
Entry IDR 60,000 adult and IDR 40,000 child for international visitors
Sarong and sash are compulsory and provided free at the gate
Kecak from 18:00 on a separate ticket, amphitheatre gate opens 16:00
Macaques in the grounds take sunglasses, hats and phones
Not Allowed
Entering the grounds without a sarong and sash
Pets
Where to Stay
Pecatu: best for surf breaks.
Bingin: best for cliffside guesthouses.
Ungasan: best for clifftop resorts.
Padang Padang: best for beach access.
Balangan: best for a quieter beach.
Jimbaran side: best for airport proximity.
The ideal itinerary for local activities
Watch the Kecak dance at sunset
Visit the clifftop Pura Luhur Uluwatu
Surf or watch the Bukit reef breaks
Walk down to Padang Padang Beach
Take the road down to Melasti Beach
See the caves at Suluban Beach
Have sunset drinks on the clifftop.
Base yourself near Uluwatu Temple on the Bukit
Uluwatu Temple is one of the things to do in Uluwatu, so start with hotel prices and pick a base near the surf or the temple end of the Bukit. Then check activity packages, since most trips to Uluwatu pair the temple with a second experience nearby. Finally, price a car: the beaches are a drive apart and taxis are scarce on the Bukit. The three links below go straight to each.
frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Uluwatu Temple take?
Allow 1-2 hours for the temple grounds and the cliff path, and another hour if you stay for the Kecak, which runs from 18:00. Travel time on the Bukit around the show is the part people underestimate.
What time does Uluwatu Temple open, and when is the best time to go?
The temple is open daily from 07:00 to 19:00. A morning visit is the quietest, while the hour before the 18:00 Kecak is the busiest. Across the year, the dry season from roughly May to September has the steadiest weather.
How much does Uluwatu Temple cost?
Entry is IDR 60,000 for international adults and IDR 40,000 for children, and IDR 40,000 and IDR 30,000 for domestic visitors, according to the temple's own site. Parking and the Kecak fire dance are not included and are paid separately.