Bali's Cliffside Charm - Uluwatu Temple
On our second day in Bali, we explored Uluwatu Temple, one of the island’s most sacred and breathtaking temples. Perched on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean, the temple is not only a spiritual landmark but also a popular spot to witness Bali’s famous sunset. Like many visitors, we timed our visit to experience the mesmerizing Kecak dance performance at dusk.
The Kecak dance, rooted in the ancient Hindu epic *Ramayana*, is a captivating retelling of Prince Rama’s battle to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana. What made the performance truly astonishing was its lack of instrumental music—unlike most traditional dances that rely on gamelan orchestras, the Kecak dance is accompanied solely by the rhythmic chanting and vocal percussion of a choir of about 70 men. Their synchronised chants of *“cak-cak-cak”* created an almost hypnotic atmosphere, drawing the audience into the story’s intensity and drama.
Before heading to Uluwatu, we stopped by a local coffee tasting spot where, for just 50,000 rupiah, we sampled a variety of Balinese coffees. It was a delightful experience, allowing us to savor unique flavors, including Bali’s famous Luwak coffee.
For dinner, we visit a, a charming spot known for its traditional Balinese cuisine. The meal was a perfect conclusion to our temple visit, giving us a taste of the island’s rich culinary heritage after immersing ourselves in its cultural and spiritual traditions.
You have to see this show! It’s really phenomenal. Just be aware of the monkeys at Uluwatu Temple; one stole my cellphone right out of my hand.
Astonishing sunset. Interesting show. The sounds are very unique. The monkeys there are aggressive.
The Uluwatu Kecak Dance is a traditional Balinese dance performed in the Uluwatu area on the island of Bali, Indonesia. The kecak show is a traditional Balinese dance known for its dramatic choreography. A wonderful show of traditional kecak dance with swirling flames and vibrant cultural costume.
I think it's OK. If you don't have any specific plans, you can go and have a look. It's best to go at sunset.
While visiting Uluwatu, we watched the Kecak Fire Dance as the sun was setting. It is an amazing cultural show with dramatic performances, and there is a story behind it. Because it is so popular, we needed to get there early to queue for tickets. Tickets start selling at 4:30pm, and we stood in line for over an hour to get tickets for the 6pm sunset show. Definitely worth it. The amphitheater was completely full.
oh this was the highlight of Uluwatu. It was very entertaining and interesting to watch the cultural show. One of the must to do things in Bali.