Karang Boma Cliff
Bali, Indonesia
Uluwatu Temple, Bali
i
Photo: GeoffClarke, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsThe essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- Daily, roughly 7:00–19:00
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Entrance fee
- ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000 foreign adult, less for children; sarong included
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Kecak dance
- Separate ticket, ≈ IDR 150,000; children 3–9 ≈ IDR 75,000
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dress code
- Knees and shoulders covered; sarong and sash handed out at the gate
- Monkeys
- They grab sunglasses, phones and flip-flops — bag everything
- Location
- Pecatu, south-west Bukit; ≈ 26 km from Kuta, ≈ 21 km from the airport
Key facts
70 mthe height of the cliff the temple stands on
Sourcei
English Wikipedia11th centurythe Javanese sage Mpu Kuturan expanded the temple
Sourcei
English Wikipedia16th centuryDang Hyang Nirartha added the padmasana shrines
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1 of 9Bali's directional temples, and the only sea temple among them
Sourcei
English WikipediaLuhur'ascent': Nirartha is said to have attained moksha here
Sourcei
English Wikipedia6 pmapproximate start of the clifftop kecak; a second show runs in high season
2 sourcesi
English Wikipediaheybali.infoMacaqueslong-tailed monkeys at the temple trade stolen items for food
Sourcei
English Wikipedia≈ 4 kmto Padang Padang Beach
Sourcei
OSRM routeUluwatu Temple entrance fee
There's no official price list online, and 2026 sources disagree: a foreign adult pays IDR 50,000 or 60,000, children roughly IDR 30,000–40,000. The ticket includes a sarong and sash. Parking is a few thousand rupiah extra. Pay at the gate — carry rupiah cash, as card machines aren't something to count on here.
The kecak dance is a separate ticket, sold at the stage box office on the day or online through ticket resellers in advance. In high season it sells out, so buy yours as soon as you arrive or the day before.
What you actually see at Uluwatu
The draw here is the setting, not the buildings. A paved path runs along the clifftop in both directions from the entrance, with a low wall between you and a sheer drop to the surf. The classic shot — the temple perched on the tip of the headland — is from the southern section of the path.
The inner courtyard and main shrine are for worshippers only, as at most Balinese temples. Visitors see the carved stone gateways and tiered meru roofs over the wall. Expect crowds in the hour before sunset; mornings are far quieter.
Uluwatu kecak dance: time and tickets
Kecak is a Balinese dance drama based on the Ramayana: dozens of men sit in circles chanting 'chak-chak' in place of an orchestra while Rama, Sita and Hanuman act out the story in the middle. At Uluwatu it's staged every evening in an open-air amphitheatre on the cliff, with the sunset behind the performers, and ends in a fire scene.
It starts around 6 pm, with a second show around 7 pm in busy months (unofficial — confirm at the box office). Tickets are about IDR 150,000 for adults and IDR 75,000 for children aged 3–9. Seating on the stone tiers is unreserved, so arrive 40–60 minutes early to get a seat facing the sunset. The show runs about an hour.
Things to see at Uluwatu Temple
- The temple on the headland — best seen from the southern clifftop path.
- The clifftop walk — both directions from the gate, ocean views all the way.
- Carved stone gateways and shrine roofs over the courtyard wall.
- Sunset over the Indian Ocean — the sun drops straight into the sea.
- The kecak dance in the cliffside amphitheatre, every evening.
- Surfers below — the Uluwatu break is right under the cliffs.
How to get to Uluwatu Temple
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Kuta or Legian — about 26 km south, 30 minutes on an empty road; at sunset traffic, allow 1–1.5 hours.
- From Seminyak — about 27 km; from Nusa Dua — about 23 km; from Jimbaran — about 16 km.
- From Ubud — about 54 km, roughly an hour on paper and usually 1.5–2 hours in practice.
- From Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) — about 21 km. There's no public transport: use a taxi, Grab, Gojek, a scooter or a hired driver.
- Rides are scarce after the kecak ends — ask your driver to wait or book your return in advance.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
The temple and clifftop path take 1–1.5 hours; with the kecak, plan on about 3. For both sunset and the dance, arrive by 4:30–5 pm: walk the path in daylight, buy your kecak ticket, then grab a seat.
For quiet and photos without a crowd, come in the morning, before 10 am. The monkeys are just as active then. The Bukit is hot and shade on the path is limited, so bring water.
Is Uluwatu Temple worth it?
Yes, if you want one postcard view of Bali: a temple on a cliff with the sun setting over the ocean. With the kecak dance it's one of the best evenings on the island.
YesGo's take: the temple itself is largely closed to visitors, and the cliff edge gets packed at sunset. If crowds put you off, go in the morning and catch a kecak elsewhere. And take the monkeys seriously — people who pack their things away beforehand leave with everything they came with.
Before you go
Ready: 0 of 5Tick off what's ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Bali temples compared
Temples on Bali rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Saraswati Temple | 45 | 30 min | free; dance ≈ IDR 100,000 | 40.9 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ubud Monkey Forest | 36 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 130,000 | 39.5 km |
| Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) | 35 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 40.6 km |
| Batuan Temple | 29 | 45 min | donation or ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 34.6 km |
| Tanah Lot Temple | 26 | 1 h 30 min | IDR 75,000 | 23.2 km |
| Taman Ayun Temple | 26 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 30,000–50,000 | 33.4 km |
| Gunung Kawi | 25 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000 | 51.6 km |
| Tirta Empul Temple | 24 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–75,000 | 52.5 km |
| Ulun Danu Batur Temple | 24 | 1 h | ≈ IDR 35,000 | 69.7 km |
| Goa Lawah Temple | 24 | 45 min | ≈ IDR 30,000 | 52.3 km |
| Uluwatu Templeyou are here | 23 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000 | — |
| Ulun Danu Beratan Temple | 23 | 1 h 15 min | IDR 100,000 | 62.8 km |
| Besakih Temple | 22 | 2 h | IDR 150,000 | 64.8 km |
| Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven) | 20 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ IDR 100,000 + shuttle | 77.3 km |
| Geger Beach | 20 | 2 h 30 min | free or ≈ IDR 5,000–10,000 | 15.4 km |
A day on the southern Bukit
Beach time at Padang Padang, the view from Karang Boma Cliff, then Uluwatu Temple and the kecak at sunset. Add it to your trip — YesGo will set the timings and transfers.
- Padang Padang Beach2 h · ≈ IDR 15,000
- 55 min walk from the previous stopKarang Boma Cliff45 min · ≈ IDR 10,000–20,000
- 16 min walk from the previous stopUluwatu Templeyou are here1 h 30 min · ≈ IDR 50,000–60,000
3 places · about 5 h 26 min with walks · 71 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- Take off sunglasses and earrings in the car — the macaques go for them at the cliff.
- The best view of the temple is from the southern end of the clifftop path.
- For the kecak, arrive 40–60 minutes early and sit facing the sunset.
- Bring water: the Bukit is hot and the path has little shade.
- Pair it with Padang Padang Beach, 4 km away.
Questions
How much is the Uluwatu Temple entrance fee?
About IDR 50,000–60,000 for a foreign adult — sources disagree — with a sarong included.
How much is the Uluwatu kecak dance?
About IDR 150,000 for adults and IDR 75,000 for children aged 3–9, on a separate ticket.
What time is the kecak dance at Uluwatu?
Around 6 pm at sunset, with a second show around 7 pm in high season — confirm at the box office.
Can you go inside Uluwatu Temple?
No, the inner courtyard is for worshippers only. Visitors walk the clifftop path.
Are the Uluwatu monkeys dangerous?
Attacks are rare, but theft is common. Pack away glasses, phones and jewellery, and don't feed them.
What should I wear to Uluwatu Temple?
Clothes that cover shoulders and knees; a sarong and sash are provided at the gate.
How do I get to Uluwatu Temple?
By taxi, Grab, Gojek, scooter or driver — about 26 km from Kuta and 21 km from the airport.
Is Uluwatu Temple worth visiting?
Yes for the cliff views and sunset kecak, but you can't enter the temple itself and sunset is crowded.
How long do you need at Uluwatu Temple?
1–1.5 hours for the temple and path; about 3 hours with the kecak dance.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Uluwatu Temple: cliff height, Mpu Kuturan and Nirartha, directional temple status, monkeys, kecak
- heybali.info, January 2026 — temple entry and kecak box-office prices (unofficial)
- pickyourtrail.com and water-sports-bali.com — foreign visitor entry fee (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q1381933 — coordinates; OSRM routing — distances
Top YesGo picks: Bali
Saraswati Temple
Bali, Indonesia
Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung)
Bali, Indonesia
Ubud Art Market
Bali, Indonesia
Campuhan Ridge Walk
Bali, Indonesia
Blanco Renaissance Museum
Bali, Indonesia
Ubud Monkey Forest
Bali, Indonesia
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Bali, Indonesia
Luwak coffee plantations
Bali, Indonesia