What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Bali?
I’ll give you a few seconds to ponder…
Surfing. Monkey-filled temples. Waves. A never-ending summer. A tropical paradise where everyone is happy and beautiful. Sexy vibes and laid-back desires. Picture this and you’re seeing Uluwatu. That’s exactly what we saw when we recently spent 3 days in beautiful Uluwatu.
Situated in the very south of Bali on a rocky peninsula called The Bukit, Uluwatu is what most people envision Bali to be. Yet it’s not overrun compared to places like Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu farther north. Uluwatu remains perfectly chilled and absolutely serene, and we were honestly very surprised at how unpretentiously cool Uluwatu is.
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We really enjoyed Uluwatu and we can definitely see ourselves coming back here the next time that we are in Bali. Before coming to Uluwatu we were in Amed, (our all-time favourite spot in Bali), over on the East coast and the vibe is very similar to there, yet totally different. Amed is all about snorkeling and diving and is very low key, while Uluwatu has that same low key vibe but with a tinge of trendy-boho and it’s all about the surf.
While you can come to Uluwatu on a day trip from Kuta or Seminyak to visit the temple, you should really stay longer. For first-timers, give yourself 3 days in Uluwatu to really kick back, beach hop around the peninsula, soak up all that surf vibes and eat at all the trendy places.
How to spend 3 days in Uluwatu
You don’t really come to Uluwatu for things to do. If you’re looking for sightseeing and shopping, Ubud is the place to be. You come to Uluwatu to swim, surf, relax and have a good time. If you need a guide on how to do that…then…sorry we can’t help there.
But we can show you what we did and where we ate during our 3 days in Uluwatu, and you can do with that whatever you want.
Explore the Bukit by Scooter
To fully enjoy your time in Uluwatu you must get yourself a scooter. A scooter gives you the freedom to go where you please, and nothing says Eternal Summer quite like scootering from one stunning beach to the next. Apart from that, it is simply too hot and humid to walk anywhere. Trust us, you do not want to walk.
Every accommodation in Uluwatu can hook you up with a scooter and they are dirt cheap too. We paid Rp60k per day, which is less than US$5. You’ll see little stands next to the road where they sell bottles of Absolut or Jack Daniels filled with petrol. These bottles go for about Rp10k.
The roads around Uluwatu are in very good condition, and traffic is light. Still, we don’t recommend riding a scooter anywhere if you don’t know how. The main road, Jalan Uluwatu, which connects Uluwatu with Jimbaran and Kuta is very busy though, so be prepared for that. And you should always wear a helmet.
If you can’t ride a scooter, get yourself a car with a driver for the whole day, since there are not that many taxis in Uluwatu.
A scooter is your Freedom Machine, and little back roads will take you to some of the best beaches in Bali, trendy cafes and eateries and even places that you didn’t even know you were looking for.
Dreamland Beach
We plugged Dreamland Beach into Google maps, and Jin navigated while I drove the little winding roads until we reached a headland overlooking Dreamland. After being quite disappointed with the beach in Canggu, Dreamland lived up to its name. Clean blue water, nice surf and yellow sand are all we really need from a beach, and Dreamland delivered.
After finding some shade where I could park the scooter, we walked down to the beach. There are plenty of sun chairs and umbrellas, which go for Rp100k per chair for the whole day. Unless you’re planning on spending the whole day here, it is a complete ripoff. There might be some shade under the cliff if you don’t want to pay for the umbrellas.
The beach here is long and wide, and bobbing up and down with the waves is just great. Dreamland is also one of the famous surf beaches of Bali, so if that’s your thing and the swell is in, better come check it out.
Padang Padang Beach
Little Padang Padang beach, just down the road from where we stayed, is another great beach for surfing and beach bumming alike. This was our go-to beach during our 3 days in Uluwatu since we could walk there from where we stayed. (We COULD walk but we didn’t. You scooter in Uluwatu).
It feels a little like a secret beach, as you have to walk down small steps wedged in a crack between two huge rocks. Large trees provide lots of shade. The shallow waters are great for simply floating around, or there is good surf a little further out.
If coming here by scooter you’ll need to pay Rp 3 000 for parking and Rp 5 000 per person to enter the beach.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu’s only real tourist attraction is the Uluwatu Temple. One of Bali’s six most sacred, this temple is of great importance for Hindus. While Hindus come here to pray, tourists flock here for the fantastic views from the cliff during sunset and the nightly Kecak performance.
All visitors must wear a sarong to enter the temple complex and is included in the ticket price (Rp 50K). The temple itself is actually off-limits to non-Hindus, which is a little disappointing but totally understandable.
Talk a stroll along the cliff’s edge and watch one wave after the other roll in. There are hundreds of cheeky macaques everywhere in the gardens and along the cliff. As cute as they may look, be careful that they don’t snatch your phone or camera while you’re trying to get that perfect shot.
If you’re lucky and the weather plays along you might be rewarded with one of Uluwatu’s famous sunsets.
Where to Stay in Uluwatu
Uluwatu is quite stretched out along the cliff, which makes it a long town if that makes sense. This can make it hard when deciding where to stay. We wanted to be as close as possible to the beach since that is the reason why we came to Uluwatu.
Finding a good mid-range option was a little difficult. Uluwatu is definitely geared either towards the upmarket, villa visitor or the surfing bunkbed-is-my-castle crew. Eventually, we found Padang Padang Inn which was right by the beach with the same name and within our budget.
Padang Padang Inn’s best feature is its gigantic swimming pool. We’ve never stayed anywhere with a pool this big. We did spend a lot of our 3 days in Uluwatu either in or next to this incredible pool.
The location also can’t be beaten. One of the best beaches in Uluwatu is right on its doorstep and there are plenty of good restaurants nearby. It’s about halfway between Uluwatu temple and Dreamland, which also makes it a perfect base to explore the Bukit from. They have a fleet of scooters with helmets which they rent out for Rp60 per day.
The included breakfast is very forgettable. One breakfast here was enough to convince us to rather eat somewhere else. We stayed here in February, which is the low season and we enjoyed it. However, we got the idea that it might get pretty noisy here during the high season. I think we are getting old.
Padang Padang Inn would be a great choice for the younger crowd who like a solid mid-range option in a great location.
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Where to Eat in Uluwatu
The food in Uluwatu is just fantastic. Instagrammers who use hashtags like #foodie or #foodporn will love eating in Uluwatu. You’ll definitely spot fewer Nasi Goreng and Bakso and the like on the menus and a lot more smoothie bowls or smashed avo toasties. Eating in Uluwatu is a trendy yet relaxing and delicious experience.
Here are the places where we ate during our 3 days in Uluwatu. All of them are great choices, so do yourself a favour and go give them a try.
Mana Uluwatu
Swanky Mana Uluwatu is just a short ride away from Uluwatu temple and is a great place for sunset drinks and dinner. The atmosphere at Mana is something really special and makes for a fantastic dining experience. If you have something special to celebrate, Mana would be our top choice.
There is also a nice pool and poolside bar which guests can enjoy. So if you want to, you can spend the whole day here.
The menu has tempting South/Central American, Asian seafood and vegan options. Everything on the menu sounds really good. The portions are on the small side (but beautiful and very tasty) so getting a few dishes to share is a good idea.
We ordered the Crispy Pork Belly Tacos and Seared Blackened Tuna Tacos which got the two thumbs up from us. Especially that pork belly taco! As soon as the food arrived though, we realized that it was not going to fill us up, so we ordered a side of cassava fries.
For exceptional service, food and views and classy but laid back vibes, definitely go and check out Mana.
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Sugar Rock
Lovely Sugar Rock is our favourite place to eat in Uluwatu and we came here twice during our 3 days. Of course, the food is dynamite, but it also has a nice deck outside between all those tropical plants, friendly staff and a nice atmosphere.
Jin had one of the best tenderloin steaks she’s ever had here. I think it was the creamy mash though that swung her into ecstasy. Our server recommended the fish of the day, which made my day.
On our second visit, I had the steak because it was just so good the first time and Jin had the pork ribs. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, so we also ordered the eggplant-miso bowl and dessert! Their signature dessert, the peanut chocolate bar, is the granddaddy of Reese’s peanut butter cups. We justified this by telling ourselves that it was our last meal in Bali.
Sugar Rock will definitely see us again the next time that we are in Uluwatu. We will come back for the tasty dishes, good sized portions, friendly service and good prices. We think that Sugar Rock has the best value for money meals we’ve had in Uluwatu.
Nau Tapioca House
The prize for the most colourful plate of food and the best dessert goes to Nau Tapioca House near Thomas beach. Nau specializes in healthy Brazilian food and the vibes are as friendly and tropical as in Bahia.
Tapioca pancakes are the big draw here, as the name suggests and you can design it to your liking. Start by choosing a base of either pink, green or white tapioca. Then choose your filling before choosing your 2 choices for sauces.
Jin had the pink (beetroot) tapioca with beef tenderloin and blue cheese. I had the green (spinach) tapioca with coconut and pumpkin shrimp. Both were good, but the beef one was the king here.
Also, try the cheese balls. They are typical Brazilian snacks and they taste as good as they sound. Hot and gooey deep-fried cheese balls and spicy sauce have never really disappointed anyone now, have it?
The Famous Lemon Pie can rightfully claim its title. This frozen lemon meringue pie is THE BEST. Period. Full stop. Eat this pie. You can thank us later.
The Place With No Name
Yes, this place has no name, it says so on the sign. Apparently, you don’t need a name to be one of the most popular places to eat in Uluwatu. The place with no name is always full, from breakfast until they close at night. We came here for breakfast since the breakfast at our place was not good and it was right next door.
I had the pancakes which were good, but the real breakfast of champions here was Jin’s frozen mango bowl. Yummy food, decent coffee, cool AC, friendly service and upbeat breakfast vibes sure are the reasons why this place doesn’t need a name.
Jimbaran Fish Market
There is no better place for seafood dinner in Bali other than Jimbaran Fish Market. While you can eat here all day long, it really comes alive at sunset.
Jimbaran is only 13km or so from Uluwatu but it will take you at least 40 minutes to get there by scooter. The road between Uluwatu and Jimbaran is extremely busy with traffic though, so be prepared for that. If you’re not confident riding a scooter, it’s better to get a taxi.
Once you get to Jimbaran, you have 2 options. You could either go to one of the seafood restaurants and sit at one of the tables on the beach. There are thousands of them. You could sip sauvignon blanc or a cold beer while watching the sunset. You’ll order from a menu and your server will bring it right to your table.
Option 2, is a true foodie experience and this is what we did, is to go to the actual fish market. You’ll find the fish market on the northern side of Jimbaran, by the jetty and the boats. You’ll easily spot the market with all the commotion and parked scooters at the jetty where the road ends. Park your bike and dive into the market.
Buying your fish
The covered market has rows upon rows of seafood in all shapes and sizes: snapper, barracuda, grouper, tuna, swordfish, lobster, crab, shrimp, prawn, clams, scallops, you name it. Walk through, touch the fish, smell it, look if the gills are nice and fresh. That’s all part of the process.
The choice is quite overwhelming. Once you have decided what you’re getting, agree on a price, weigh it, pay and carry it out in a plastic bag. It’s a good idea to get different seafood from different stalls since they usually sell only fish or shrimp or shells. When you have everything you want, head out of the covered market and find a place to cook it for you out on the street.
This is what we got:
- 1kg of tiger prawn – Rp 170k
- 10 scallops – Rp 20k
- Large grouper – Rp 51K
Eating your fish
The little streets surrounding the fish market is jammed with little kitchens that will prepare your seafood for you. These little restaurants charge you per kilogram and will prepare your seafood to your liking. The best way for us to have fresh fish is having it grilled (bakar) over the fire. They could also stew it with ginger and other spice or deep fry it. Just tell them how you want it and they will make it happen
Hand over your bags of seafood, grab a table and get yourself something cold while your fish is getting grilled. We also ordered some rice and vegetables.
We asked for half of the prawn to be grilled with BBQ sauce and the other half with Lemon-butter-garlic sauce. And yes…it was FANTASTIC! The fish was crispy and burnt to perfection on the outside and juicy and moist inside. The spicy sambal sauce made the ice-cold beer taste even better.
We paid Rp 20k per kg for the cooking.
For us, this is what eating at a fish market in Indonesia is all about. Sitting at a little table out on the street, surrounded by friendly locals, no-frills, but the food is dynamite and our wallets and bellies are happy. Do not miss eating at the real fish market in Jimbaran!
Uluwatu: the Long & Short of it
Uluwatu is now one of our favourite places in Bali, and we will definitely come back here again in the future. It is everything that we need for a good beach holiday. Whether you spend 3 days or an eternal summer in Uluwatu, you are sure to fall under her spell.