Uluwatu Temple is located at the south point of Bali on a very tall limestone cliff overlooking the ocean. This is one of Bali’s nine key directional temples and although it is small in stature, the views are just spectacular.
Upon entering the complex, you will notice many monkeys who call the temple grounds home. They are quite friendly and not at all scared of the tourists so a word of warning; hold onto your belongings and don’t let them bite you. They can be quite badly behaved and even aggressive so please beware, especially if you decide to make this visit an family affair with small children.
Once out near the point and walking along the temple wall, you will have an incredible 360 degree view of the Indian ocean. If you are susceptible to vertigo or at all afraid of heights, we suggest not to lean too far over the edge to have a look, it is very very high above the waves crashing on the rocks.
If you are lucky enough to be there at the right time, you may witness the traditional Kecak dance performed by a group of talented locals. If you aren’t a fan of large crowds then we suggest heading there before midday, after that there will be a steady flow of tourists vying for photo ops. Of course the most popular time to visit is just before sunset, as hundreds of people congregate to witness the very famous and colourful Balinese sunset. It is a truly beautiful sight if you can stake out a spot along the wall to see it.
The climate in Uluwatu is quite dry in stark contrast to the rest of the island and the terrain is also very different, with a distinct lack of rice fields and coconut palms, but instead low lying scrub and rocky uneven ground.
To enter Uluwatu Temple, you will be require to dress demurely. If you have come straight from one of the many local beaches then there are sarongs for hire at a small cost. The entry fee per person is IDR20,000 for an unlimited amount of visiting time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73GaQo6u4SY
