Uluwatu Temple in Bali: tickets, opening hours and the Kecak dance at sunset

Uluwatu Temple stands on a sheer cliff above the ocean at the southernmost tip of Bali. Uluwatu is one of the island's six main sea temples, and admission costs 60,000 Indonesian rupiah (as of 09/2026, Pura Luhur Uluwatu website). Every evening at 6:00 PM, the Kecak fire dance begins at the edge of the cliff.

Most tourists come to Uluwatu for the sunset, not the architecture. Although there is plenty to see here: three courtyards of dark stone, gates with intricate carvings, and a forest of monkeys along the path to the viewpoint.

We've put together the opening hours, ticket prices, and safety rules so your trip goes smoothly. We'll also cover how to get there from Kuta and why it's better to book a taxi in advance.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission from them at no extra cost to you.

Uluwatu Temple: what you need to know

💡 In short:

• The temple is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, adult admission is 60,000 rupiah (as of 09/2026, temple website).
• The Kecak dance starts at 6:00 PM, tickets cost 150,000 rupiah and are sold separately (as of 09/2026, temple website).
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official website.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's six main sea temples. The largest crowds gather before sunset near the ticket office and the amphitheater. These key numbers will help you plan your visit in just a couple of minutes.

History and legends of Uluwatu

The exact age of the temple is unknown. Most researchers agree that Pura Luhur Uluwatu was founded over a thousand years ago. One version attributes the construction to a monk who also created other shrines on the island, including Sakenan. Another names the holy hermit Dwijendra as the founder.

According to legend, one of the monks chose Uluwatu as the final stop of his pilgrimage. He attained enlightenment and vanished, and lightning struck the cliff. In 1999, lightning did indeed hit the temple: some of the structures burned down, but they were restored.

© GeoffClarke · CC BY-SAPhoto: GeoffClarke, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Today Uluwatu remains an active place of worship. During religious ceremonies, tourists are not allowed inside, so check the ritual calendar in advance. For locals, the temple remains a place of prayer, not a museum, and respect for tradition is valued here.

What to see in the complex

The Uluwatu complex consists of three courtyards of dark stone. The walls of each are covered with carvings, and stone gates with elephant heads on the sides stand before the entrances. The main gates are decorated with carvings of leaves and flowers, and stone steps lead from them to the center of the temple.

Small trees along the paths provide shade, and at midday without shade it gets tough. The path runs along the cliff, so you constantly hear the sound of the ocean.

© Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The inner courtyard of the temple is paved with stone and open to the sky. Near the northern entrance stands an ancient wooden building, and to the west there is another gate. Beyond it begins the next courtyard with a statue in the form of a huge head and a wooden structure on the edge of the cliff. From here you get the best view of the ocean, and you'll definitely want to linger.

Exploring the walls and ancient towers of Meru takes 20-30 minutes. If you want to walk the entire trail along the 70-meter cliff, allow 45-60 minutes (as of 09/2026, uluwatutemple.org). The trail is narrow in places, and after rain the steps get slippery, so wear comfortable shoes.

Next to the complex lies a monkey forest. The monkeys live around the sanctuary year-round and are not afraid of people at all. Most tourist mishaps here involve them, so they deserve a separate mention.

Uluwatu monkeys: how to keep your belongings safe

A large colony of long-tailed macaques lives around the temple. They know very well how to get something out of a tourist. The monkeys go after anything shiny: phones, glasses, earrings, and sometimes they snatch a scarf or a sun hat.

According to the temple's information website, 5 to 10 smartphones go missing from visitors every day (as of 09/2026, uluwatutemple.org). Keep your devices zipped inside a bag, and take off your glasses and jewelry in advance.

© Anandajoti · CC BY-SAPhoto: Anandajoti, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

You can only feed the monkeys with food purchased on the grounds, and only in the presence of staff. Temple attendants help retrieve stolen items: usually the item is bought back from the macaque with fruit. Do not try to grab your phone back by force, the animal may bite.

Kecak dance at sunset

In the evening, a performance featuring the traditional Kecak dance takes place on the edge of the cliff. The show starts at 6:00 PM and lasts about an hour. A group of 50-100 men in white loincloths sits in a circle and rhythmically chants "chak-chak" with no musical instruments.

It is based on an ancient prayer ritual and the story of the Ramayana. The performers are not professional artists but residents of nearby villages, and the show only benefits from that. Before it starts, the audience is given brochures describing the scenes.

© Krisdenna · CC BY-SAPhoto: Krisdenna, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The arena seats about 1,200 people, and tickets often sell out by 5:00 PM (as of 09/2026, temple website). Arrive by 4:30 PM to get seats in the upper rows: from there you can see both the dancers and the sunset over the ocean.

A ticket to the show costs 150,000 rupiah and is sold separately from temple admission. Kecak dance tickets are best bought in advance, especially in high season.

Opening hours, tickets, and rules

The temple is open every day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Adult admission costs 60,000 rupiah, children aged 4 to 12 pay 40,000 rupiah (as of 09/2026, official temple website). Parking costs another 5,000 rupiah per car.

A dress code is mandatory: shoulders and knees must be covered. If you need a sarong, it is provided free of charge at the entrance along with a sash. Bring cash in rupiah, as the card terminals at the ticket office sometimes do not work.

Uluwatu temple tickets with date selection are easy to book online, so you do not have to wait in line at the entrance.

How to get to Uluwatu

The temple is located about 25 km south of Kuta, on the Bukit Peninsula (on the map). By car or scooter, the drive takes from 40 minutes to an hour: it all depends on traffic, and after 5:00 PM the Bukit roads come to a standstill.

A scooter rental costs about 70-100 thousand rupiah per day (≈5-7 $) (as of 09/2026, uluwatutemple.org), and you need an international driver's license. Insurance is usually arranged separately, so check the terms before renting.

From Kuta, Seminyak, and the airport, it's more convenient to go by taxi, Grab, or Gojek, or with a private driver. There is almost no public transportation, and buses don't run after sunset. You should leave early and book a return transfer, otherwise there will be few available cars after sunset.

Uluwatu Temple on the map

A point on the map helps you plan your route in advance and allow time for traffic. Temple coordinates: 8.83° S, 115.08° E.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter Uluwatu Temple?

For adults, the ticket costs 60,000 Indonesian rupiah, for children aged 4 to 12 it's 40,000 rupiah. There is a separate 5,000 rupiah fee for car parking.

When does the Kecak dance start?

The main performance starts every evening at 6:00 PM and lasts about an hour. Arrive by 4:30 PM to have time to buy a ticket and get a seat in the upper rows.

Do I need a sarong and what about the dress code?

The temple requires covered shoulders and knees. At the entrance, a sarong and sash are provided free of charge, so you don't need to buy them specially. It's better to keep the sarong on in the amphitheater as well, since the arena is located inside the temple grounds.

Are the monkeys in Uluwatu dangerous?

The macaques are more thieves than aggressors. They snatch phones, glasses, earrings, and hats, and according to the temple's info site, 5-10 smartphones fall victim per day. Attendants help buy items back for fruit, so put away anything shiny in advance.

How do I get to Uluwatu from Kuta?

The direct route is about 25 km and takes from 40 minutes to an hour depending on traffic (on the map). Buses hardly run here, so take a taxi, Grab, or a car with a driver. Book your return transfer in advance, as there are few available cars after sunset.

In short: what to book

If you only have one evening, get a ticket for the 18:00 Kecak dance and arrive by 16:30. If you want to walk through the whole complex without the crowds, come in the morning: the temple opens at 07:00. If you are traveling with kids, allow at least two hours for the visit and keep phones in zipped pockets.

The sunset on the edge of the 70-meter cliff is worth planning your whole evening around. Choose tickets and tours for Uluwatu in advance so you don't waste time at the ticket office.