If you’re heading to Bali for incredible beaches, epic surf, and jaw-dropping sunsets, Uluwatu needs to be on your itinerary! This beautiful part of the island is what most travellers are looking for when they step off the plane, but don’t realise it and end up on the less picturesque beaches of Canggu & Seminyak. In this Uluwatu Travel Guide, I’ll tell you exactly where you need to go and what you need to do to have an incredible time in this stunning part of Bali.
Stretching across a stunning coastline of cliffs, hidden beaches, and laid-back surf vibes, Uluwatu sits on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, just south of the airport. The west and south coasts are packed with must-visit beaches, while the east side leads to Nusa Dua, which has a totally different feel (and won’t be covered here).
Where you stay in Uluwatu matters—a lot. The area is spread out, with pockets of restaurants, bars, and surf spots scattered around beaches that are 15–30 minutes apart. Choose a busy spot, and you’ll have everything at your doorstep. Pick a more secluded area, and you’ll have peace and quiet but need to hop on a scooter just to grab a coffee or milk for your breakfast.
Keep reading for my latest Uluwatu Travel Guide for 2025 – and find out where to stay, what to do, and how to experience this part of Bali the right way.
Quicklinks
The Uluwatu Cheat Sheet
Want a quick guide to the best things to see and do? Here you go:
Enjoying the sunset views from a Bingin infinity pool
- Best time to go: May – September
- Best way to get around: Rent a scooter
- Best Beach: Melasti
- Best Sunset Spot: Karang Boma Cliff – no crowds, insane views
- Best Food Find: Suka Espresso – best brunch vibes, top coffee
- Best Hidden Gem: Thomas Beach – secret entrance, white sand paradise
- Best Deal: Eat at local warungs for incredible food at a low price.
- Best Budget Accommodation:
- Best Luxury Accommodation:
When To Go
Uluwatu has a tropical climate, meaning it’s warm year-round, but the seasons affect rainfall, crowds, and surf conditions.
Dry season (May – October)
This is when you will find Uluwatu at its best. Expect sunny weather and minimal rain (although you can expect some showers in May). Temperatures will be a comfortable 27–30°C. This is your window if you’re here for the best beach days, surf, and cliffside views.
Rainy season (November – April)
You can expect a lot of rain with some sunshine peeking through. Temperatures are similar (28–31°C), but humidity is much higher due to more cloud coverage. The best way to describe the rainy season is unpredictable. You may get a few days of sunshine, but you can just as easily have days of non-stop rain. The worst months tend to run from mid-December to mid-February. Uluwatu isn’t your best bet if you’re visiting during this time. You’re better off heading to Bali’s greener regions like Munduk, Kintamani, Sidemen, or Ubud, which thrive in the rain.
If you would like guides for each of those areas, comment below!
In Summary: If you want perfect sunsets, dry weather, and fewer crowds, aim for the end of April, May, September, or October. If you’re chasing big waves, July and August are prime. And if you’re looking for budget-friendly deals and don’t mind the rain, the wet season might be worth considering!
How to get around
Getting around Uluwatu isn’t as simple as walking from place to place—this area is spread out, with beaches, cafes, and sunset spots scattered across the cliffs. The best way to explore is by renting a scooter, which allows you to hop between locations without relying on expensive taxis. Scooter rentals cost around IDR 70,000–100,000 per day, and you’ll need an international driving permit to stay on the right side of the law. Usually, you rent these through your accommodation.
If riding isn’t your thing, apps like Grab and Gojek work for short rides, but availability can be hit-or-miss. There is a bit of a taxi mafia in Uluwatu, where app taxis are banned, and you have to hire local drivers who charge double/triple the price. You’ll see ‘drop only’ signs at some beaches and drivers waiting to take travellers back home. It’s unavoidable but a little frustrating. Private drivers are also an option, but they can be costly and impractical for quick stops unless you’re doing a full-day tour.
The best strategy is to stay in the right area—Bingin, Padang Padang, or Uluwatu Central – so you’re close to everything and can limit unnecessary driving.
Tip: After ordering a bike on a taxi app, message the driver immediately to ask if they have a helmet. That way, you can cancel and request a new driver if they don’t.
Where to stay in Uluwatu
Bingin
Bingin Beach
*UPDATE August 2025*: Unfortunately due to decisions made by the local authorities, accommodations and restaurants on Bingin Beach have been torn down. The beach is now very different than it was when I wrote this post, which is so disappointing as I loved Bingin. I’m not sure what the future plans are, but I’ll keep this post updated when I find out. For now, it might be best not to stay here*
My favourite part of the area to stay is Bingin Beach, a laid-back surfers’ paradise. This area reminds me of Positano; the beach is at the bottom of a high cliff, with 190 steps winding down the cliff in different directions to reach the sand. As you walk down, you’ll find accommodation and restaurants dotted throughout your path.
Staying here means walking at least a couple of hundred steps per day. This puts many visitors off staying here and is partially why this beach has kept its charm and has not been overdeveloped like nearby beaches. During the day, you can try a surf lesson, hang out at the beach or get a massage. At sunset, restaurants drag tables onto the sand and cook freshly caught fish on the BBQ. There’s often live music, and many people come from other beaches for the evening, so there is a nice vibe here.
Accommodation ranges from simple and cheap to boujee and expensive. There are no resorts, just apartments and small hotels or guesthouses. This is a charming spot to stay if you want to indulge in the laid-back Uluwatu vibes and be removed from the more commercial side of Bali.
Recommended Hotels
- Villa Tortoise (€78 per night): This recently renovated spot overlooks the beach. It is very reasonably priced for the area, and double rooms are available.
- The Hidden Escapes (€115 per night): This tiny home is perfect if you want something on the beach and super simple.
- Meja Bingin Beach (€119 per night): This is a relatively new spot, so the price is excellent! These boujee beachfront rooms and suites are decorated in classic Bali style.
- Mia Sari Beachfront Studio (€130 per night): Stay at this pretty one-bed villa for a little more privacy.
- The Shrine House at Bingin Beach (€240 per night – 2-bed): For a group of 4, you can stay at this villa with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, equipped with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and a hot tub.
- Bingin Beach House (€360 per night—3-bed): This 3-bedroom villa has a spacious living area and gorgeous sea views, making it ideal for families or large groups. It costs about €60 per person if you fill it up.
Suluban
Suluban Beach
This beach has a similar vibe to Bingin Beach, but it’s more accessible, so it’s a bit busier with more upmarket places to eat and stay. You won’t find many families in Bingin (due to the steps), but you will find more here. During weekends, the bars are busy with people travelling from Canggu and Seminyak for a night out at Single Fin, a Sunday institution in Uluwatu.
The beach is pretty and great for taking photos, but it’s not the best spot in Uluwatu for laying out on as it’s rocky and only accessible during low tide. Suluban beach is an entry point for surfers who want to hit the water, and is only accessible via steps. You can sit out when the tide is low, but otherwise, the sea comes almost up to the steps. If you want to lay out, head to nearby Thomas Beach.
The reason to stay around here is to be close to things to do and see, like:
- You’re near Uluwatu Temple, which is gorgeous for sunset and watching the nightly Kecak Dance
- Single Fin is here, which is super popular for sunsets and their Sunday sessions.
- Mason, Ulu Cliff, La Baracca, Lola’s, Mana, and other very popular restaurants are all in this area, so you are spoiled for places to dine out.
- There are many pretty sunset bars on the cliff, where people crowd each evening, so there’s a bit of a vibe.
- The main street has boutiques and stores, which offer great shopping.
- It’s an 8-minute drive to Padang Padang beach, which is much nicer but not the best area to stay in.
- Le Cliff, a beach bar that has recently become very popular, is nearby.
Overall, Suluban is excellent for anyone looking to explore and doesn’t mind not having the most beautiful beach on their doorstep. If you want to party, beach hop, eat out and shop, it has a little of everything.
Recommended Hotels
- Waroeng Surya Home Stay (€30 per night) and D’padang (€45 per night) are very simple, low-budget options on the Padang Padang side of Suluban.
- Three Monkeys Villas (€60 per night): A simple double room in this well-located guesthouse is perfect if you’re on a budget. They have a villa for €65 per night.
- Yoga Searcher Bali (€125 per night): This adults-only resort is perfect if you want to practice yoga during your stay in Uluwatu. They have their own Yoga Shala on site.
- Ria Uluwatu (€125 per night): This cute, boujee-looking hotel is between Padang Padang and Suluban Beaches and is a very Instagrammable spot.
- Elemen Uluwatu Villas (€175 per night): I love the look of this stylish villa, which is within walking distance of many of the popular eateries and shops in Uluwatu.
- IKIGAI Uluwatu Beach (€190 per night): This relaxing resort is a luxurious and upmarket option.
- Villa Wanderlust (€240 per night – 2 bed): Get a 2-bedroom villa with a private pool for just €60 per person per night.
Ungasan
Melasti Beach, Ungasan
This area is on the south coast of the Bukit Peninsula, where the seas are much calmer than the west coast beaches above. Here you will find Melasti and Green Bowl beaches, two of my favourites! This is where to go if you want crystal clear, bright blue water and white sand. However this a much quieter area so there won’t be much in the way of nightlife or things to do aside from beach hopping.
The southern beaches are such a gem at the moment, but I did see a lot of construction on our last drive around here—so go as soon as you can, as this may change. There aren’t many beachfront/beachside accommodation options, so you’ll stay around 10 minutes drive from the beach. It’s good to have a car or bike if you’re here.
I love this part of Uluwatu. While the area has many beautiful beaches, the ones on the west coast have big waves, which make swimming dangerous at times. The beaches around Ungasan are really calm, and the water is crystal clear. The beaches on the east coast are similarly beautiful but have been taken over by big resort chains, who now ‘own’ most of the beaches. So these are some of the last open gorgeous swimming beaches in the area.
Stay here if you prioritise swimming, sunsets, and exploring by car/bike and don’t mind laid-back evenings or driving 20 minutes to dinner. While there are some luxury hotels in Ungasan, it is also a great budget option. You’ll get excellent value for money on accommodation and food/drink.
Recommended Hotels
- Villa Melasti Wardana (€50 per night): This simple property is within walking distance to Karma Beach and just 1 km from Melasti. Solo travellers seemed to feel very safe here, judging by the reviews.
- Twinseas Villa (€70 per night): A great budget option, this is a clean and simple spot to stay. It’s a little further from the beaches (16 mins from Karma, 2km from Melasti). It gets excellent reviews from past guests!
- Salty Breeze Bali (€75 per night): For something boujee on a budget, stay in a Salty Breeze treehouse for the night. This place is secluded, so you will need a bike!
- Villa Savita (€155 per night—3 bed): This property is very new, literally has just one review as I write this, but it is great value and very close to the beach. This three-bedroom villa has stunning views and a private pool. It may be a good option for a family.
- Villa Karuna (€650 per night – 4 bed): For larger groups, this four-bedroom villa is a great deal. The villa has a private beach area, rooftop swimming pool, spa facilities, fitness centre, sun terrace, garden, restaurant, bar, and free WiFi throughout. If you fill it up, it’s just €78 per person.
- Umana Bali (€660 per night): This luxurious 5-star hotel offers suites with private pools in a very swanky setting. It’s less than 1 km to Melasti and a 10-minute walk to Karma Beach.
Where to Eat & Drink
Uluwatu is chock full of amazing places to eat and drink. In 2020, lots of people moved down here from Canggu, and so many of the popular cafes and restaurants from there opened on the Bukit peninsula. Here are some excellent places to eat and drink; you’ll find everything below on my Google Maps list here.
Best restaurants for a luxury / fine dining dinner experience:
Best restaurants for a nice dinner/date night:
Best Cafes for brunch or Lunch
Best warungs for local food
Best beach clubs
- Palmilla, White Rock Beach Club, Ulu Cliffhouse, Oneeighty, Savaya Beach Club, El Kabron Beach Club, Tropical Temptation, Magus Warung.
Best Beaches in Uluwatu
Sunsets in Uluwatu
The main reason to go to Uluwatu is to check out the incredible beaches. Here are my top recs to check out while you’re in Uluwatu. I’d recommend going to as many as possible; they really are all quite different!
- Bingin Beach
- Dreamland Beach
- Nyang Nyang Beach
- Green Bowl Beach
- Melasti Beach
- Suluban Beach
- Thomas Beach
- Padang Padang Beach
- Nunggalan Beach
- Pantai Gunung Payung
These are all tagged in my Google Maps List. You can just save this list to your app, and the pins will appear on your account.
Solo female traveller tips for Uluwatu
- Gyms, yoga studios, surf lessons and craft workshops are great ways to meet people in Uluwatu.
- Guide Your Travel has a weekly newsletter with a ‘Meetups This Week’ section. They share organised meetups around Bali, including Uluwatu, where you can meet other travellers on the island.
- I recommend renting a bike if you’re comfortable riding one. It’s safer to have your own transport here, especially at night.
- If not, always use taxi apps Grab or Gojek to hail a bike or car. Don’t take a lift from any drivers on the street, even if they are wearing green branded jackets.
- At night, when you get a Gojek or Grab, share a ride-tracking link with someone on WhatsApp. This can be done from the app and shares your current location, destination, and pickup point.
- Don’t stay in a remote location; choose Bingin or Suluban to stick to the safety of crowds.
- A surf camp could be a great way to meet people at your accommodation. These social guesthouses and hotels offer group surf lessons and usually have a community-focused vibe that makes it easy to chat with fellow guests. Ocho, Kala, and Tregge Surf camps are popular choices.
- Get a local Telkomsel SIM or an eSIM so you can stay online and contactable at all times. For eSIMS, I recommend Airalo. You can use my code STEPHMYLIFE3 for $3 off).
- Get travel insurance. Anything can happen when you’re travelling, so make sure you are insured. I am currently insured with SafetyWing and highly recommend them.
Uluwatu Top Things To Do
Here’s a list of some iconic things I think you should do while you’re in Uluwatu:
- Spend the day at Sundays Beach Club, a gorgeous private beach club accessed by cable car. Arrive early or book ahead if you want to get a space, as it gets busy. Check tides ahead of time and go when the tide is out; otherwise, they have to remove many of the beanbags, and it’s harder to get a spot.
- Go for dinner at the Rock Bar – this is beautiful for sunset.
- Eat at Gooseberry. It’s gorgeous in the evenings. It’s usually quiet, so it’s great for a date night. Call ahead and book a table outside if you can.
- Laze at Melasti, and go to Palmilla Beach Club.
- Go shopping at the Sunday Market at Hatch.
- Go to Single Fin on Sundays for their weekly party.
- Try a surf lesson at Bingin Beach.
- Watch a Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple – this is on each evening at 6pm.
- Book a sunset table at Malini.
- Catch a DJ set at Savaya Beach Club.
I hope my Uluwatu travel guide helped you to prepare for your trip! It truly is a stunning part of Bali, and if you’re looking for great beaches, sunsets and smoothie bowls – it should definitely be on your list!
