Uluwatu, at the southern tip of Bali, is best known for Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a Hindu temple perched on a 70-meter (230 ft) cliff above the Indian Ocean, where the kecak dance is performed at sunset, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism. The temple has no official ticketing website: fees are paid on site and change, so bring cash and check at the entrance.
Uluwatu also means beaches at the foot of the cliffs and famous surf spots. This page focuses on what can be verified: the temple, visiting rules, safety by the sea and the exact sunset time month by month, calculated by us. To plan the rest of your stay, see our guide to visiting Bali.
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Uluwatu: key facts
- The temple: Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a place of worship on a 70 m (230 ft) cliff — checked on 24 October 2026 on indonesia.travel
- Kecak: dance performed at sunset, on an open-air stage near the temple.
- Prices and hours: no official price list published online by the temple; posted and paid at the entrance.
- Dress: modest clothing is advised on the official tourism page (checked on 11 November 2026 on indonesia.travel).
- Monkeys: the Ministry of Tourism advises keeping an eye on your belongings.
- Sunset: between 6:07 pm (May) and 6:46 pm (January) according to our calculation.
The Uluwatu temple
Pura Luhur Uluwatu is first of all a place of prayer. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism describes it as a sacred temple standing on a cliff of about 70 meters (230 ft), surrounded by a small forest inhabited by monkeys, with a strong spiritual atmosphere. The most sacred areas are reserved for worshippers: visitors stay on the cliff paths and esplanades.
Rules to respect
- Wear modest clothing, covering shoulders and legs, as the official tourism page advises.
- Do not disturb ceremonies and prayers: they take priority over visiting.
- Do not climb on walls or go beyond the barriers at the cliff edge.
- Put away glasses, hats, phones and open bags: the monkeys readily grab them. Do not feed them.
- Bring rupiah in cash for the entrance and the show.
The kecak dance at sunset
At Uluwatu, kecak is performed facing the ocean as the sun sets, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism indicates that by arriving around 5 pm, you can watch the kecak.
As the sunset time changes through the year, we calculated it for the 15th of each month. Bali is on WITA time (UTC+8), with no daylight saving time.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6:11 am | 6:46 pm | 12 h 35 |
| February | 6:22 am | 6:45 pm | 12 h 23 |
| March | 6:23 am | 6:33 pm | 12 h 09 |
| April | 6:22 am | 6:17 pm | 11 h 55 |
| May | 6:24 am | 6:07 pm | 11 h 43 |
| June | 6:31 am | 6:08 pm | 11 h 37 |
| July | 6:36 am | 6:15 pm | 11 h 39 |
| August | 6:29 am | 6:18 pm | 11 h 49 |
| September | 6:13 am | 6:16 pm | 12 h 03 |
| October | 5:56 am | 6:14 pm | 12 h 17 |
| November | 5:48 am | 6:19 pm | 12 h 31 |
| December | 5:55 am | 6:33 pm | 12 h 38 |
Our reading: the gap between the earliest sunset (6:07 pm, in May) and the latest (6:46 pm, in January) is about 39 minutes. If the show times are fixed, the light is therefore not the same in every season: in May, the sun disappears earlier.
Tickets: on site or via a reseller?
Temple entry and the kecak show are paid on site. Resellers offer kecak tickets or « temple + kecak + dinner in Jimbaran » tours with transport: check that the show ticket is included, the pick-up time (to arrive before the crowd) and the cancellation terms.
Beware of sites that present a ticket office as « official » for the temple: we found no official online ticket office as of 24 October 2026.
Beaches, surf and safety
The Bukit peninsula, where Uluwatu is located, is lined with limestone cliffs with beaches below and waves popular with experienced surfers. Access to the coves often goes down steep steps.
The U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026) notes that several U.S. citizens have died in the past year due to scuba diving, surfing and drowning incidents at sea in Indonesia. Uluwatu’s waves are for confirmed surfers; beginners should take an instructor and a suitable spot. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026) advises checking a dive operator’s credentials and making sure you are covered by insurance.
Checklist before heading to the temple
- Check the sunset time on the day (table above) and leave accordingly.
- Plan modest clothing.
- Have rupiah in cash for the entrance and the show.
- Put glasses, hat and phone in a zipped bag before entering the monkey area.
- Book your return transport in advance, as demand is high when the show ends.
- Bring water and a light: night falls quickly at these latitudes, around 6 pm all year.
Also keep in mind that the site is an active place of worship: during ceremonies, some areas may be closed to visitors, and priority always goes to worshippers. If a procession passes, step aside and avoid flash photography.
Getting there
Uluwatu is on the Bukit peninsula, in the south of Bali. Official sources publish no public transport information and no travel times, which vary greatly with traffic, notably at sunset. Think about the return: after the kecak, many visitors leave at the same time.
When to go
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism places the dry season from April to October. Bali’s climate normals and our month-by-month verdict are on the page the best time to visit Bali. The neighboring island, reached by boat, has its own page: visiting Nusa Penida.
Preparing your visit
- Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, to be paid on the official Love Bali website.
- Entry requirements: see entry requirements for Indonesia.
- Internet: our travel eSIM guide.
- Insurance: travel insurance guide.
Common mistakes
- Arriving just at kecak time, when the Ministry of Tourism advises coming around 5 pm.
- Holding glasses and phone in your hand near the monkeys.
- Coming without modest clothing or cash.
- Swimming at the foot of the cliffs without information on currents.
- Underestimating the traffic jams on the way back.
What to see nearby
- Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali.
- Nusa Penida, by boat from the southeast coast (see our Bali guide).
- Borobudur, in Java, for another major religious site.
- Lombok, east of Bali.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunset at Uluwatu?
According to our calculation, between 6:07 and 6:46 pm depending on the month (Bali time, UTC+8). The table above gives the time on the 15th of each month.
Do you need to book the Uluwatu kecak dance?
The ticket is bought on site; resellers also sell tickets or tours. Arrive early: the Ministry of Tourism suggests coming around 5 pm.
What should you wear to visit Uluwatu temple?
Modest clothing, covering shoulders and legs, as the official tourism page advises.
Are the Uluwatu monkeys dangerous?
They readily steal glasses, hats or phones. Put your things away and do not feed them. To stay connected on the island, see our eSIM in Bali guide.
Can you swim at Uluwatu?
Some coves allow it in calm seas, but the U.S. State Department reports several drowning incidents at sea in Indonesia: ask locally and avoid swimming in heavy swell.
Our sources
- indonesia.travel (Indonesian Ministry of Tourism): page « Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Spot Sunset dan Tari Kecak Favorit » and Komodo guide (dry season), consulted on 24 October 2026 (dress advice re-read on 11 November 2026)
- Bali Provincial Government, Love Bali portal (tourist levy), consulted on 24 October 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Indonesia country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026): water-sports and drowning incidents (text read on 26 October 2026)
- UK FCDO, Indonesia foreign travel advice (GOV.UK, updated 18 September 2026): diving (text read on 26 October 2026)
- Sunrise and sunset: Destination de Voyage calculation, NOAA solar algorithm, Asia/Makassar time zone, coordinates of Uluwatu temple, on the 15th of each month (year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Prices, hours and safety advice change: check the official websites before you go.