Bali has increasingly become famous as a surf and beach destination for many tourists worldwide. The significant demand for tourism has made the island grow at a fast capacity. If you haven't been to Bali, you might perceive it as a small beach town in Indonesia, but once you are there, you will quickly realize how large it is and with all its traffic, making it from one place to another takes a little bit more time than expected. So, if you feel like exploring many parts of Bali, you should stay there longer to have enough time in each part or choose only one or a couple of locations if you are there for a short time. On this blog, we recommend checking out Uluwatu as it has many perks, including being close to the airport if the traffic is lighter. So, while you are there, here are five things you should do in Uluwatu.
If this isn't your first rodeo surfing experience, Uluwatu will be a paradise, where you can surf in different surf breaks and navigate its crowds. The quality of these waves is spectacular, and that is no wonder this island has become the famous surf spot it is today. Make sure you get a motorcycle rental with a board rack if you plan to travel around the town with your own board to check the surf or if you plan to surf multiple locations. Sometimes, finding a rental bike with a surf rack isn't the easiest thing, so if this is a burden, do not worry; there are beaches with surfboard rentals right in front of the ocean. This way, you can enjoy the surf for a couple of hours and then leave driving without the hustling of transporting your board.
If you are a beginner, there are a lot of surf schools you can hire right on the beach as well, and they will teach you all about the white way or smaller waves. If surfing is new to you, Uluwatu might be your first spot to try surfing. I am sure you will enjoy it! Uluwatu Beach, Bingin Beach, Padang Padang, and Dreamland are some of the best beaches to find rentals and lessons: pack water, a snack and sunscreen as the weather gets pretty hot.
Uluwatu is located on the West South side of Bali, and it is a town on top of a cliff that overlooks the ocean. Its beauty is undeniable, and neither it's the amount of beaches it has. If you do not like surfing, you can spend one day on the beach or choose one to relax and do a proper beach day. A lot of these beaches are friendly to have a swim in the ocean and are sandy; just be aware that after you pass the sandy part, there will be reefs making it a bit rough on your feet, so just be careful and get dips in the water preferably as the tide is rising. When the tide goes low, you can see the reef that gets covered in water.
Most of the beaches will have beach chairs and umbrellas, and they usually have owners who are locals who charge about 100,000 IDR for one chair the whole day. Having some cash on you is recommended, as not everyone will have a way to receive payments on a card. But if you feel like saving some money, you can always find more quiet spots if you walk around to find shade and lie on your beach towel. While enjoying a beach day, you can enjoy some refreshing drinks and food on the beaches. Some of them have some restaurants or local vendors. While you go swimming or walking around, take care of your belongings, as there are wild white monkeys around who like to steal some objects; take them.
By now, you know Uluwatu is a cliff, which makes it a great place to look over the horizon and enjoy the sunset. The views are unique, and there are many opinions on how to spend golden hour and sunsets. Choose to have dinner at a restaurant that outlooks the ocean, like La Terraza, or choose amongst all the options on Uluwatu Beach. Consider spending the sun at the beach or playing in the water; if you're lucky, your accommodation will have a straight view of the ocean so you can watch it then. Bring your camera and take a few shots of how amazing the scene looks. Picture a sunset on the horizon with beautiful waves breaking out the back and enjoy the show surfers will provide.
If you're an early morning riser, you might as well want to catch the sunrise. It's absolutely stunning and the best way to wake up and feel refreshed. Since Uluwatu also has its East side exposed to the ocean, we are lucky to have both options to enjoy the dawn and dusk of the sun on this Indonesian gem.
One of the most beautiful things about Indonesia, and more so Bali, is that you will know you are in Bali as their culture is well-known just by cruising the streets. Indonesian culture takes so much pride in its traditions, so take advantage of the chance to get to know it. Visit the Uluwatu temple for a stunning view of the cliff and ocean. This place has Indonesian architecture that makes it feel like you are in a whole other world. The fantastic temple is located within a white monkey forest so that you will encounter many of them. Just be cautious and stay focused on your belongings as they take things like sunglasses and dangly stuff you might have on your hand. You can explore and find other small temples that are quieter and less touristy around Uluwatu. Uluwatu temple charges a fee to enter, and you must wear a skirt, which you'll find available at the entrance.
Indonesia has delicious local food, and the best place to try it is at a Warung. These places are small restaurants with food made by locals, and they have a vast selection of different dishes. The food remains simple, with proteins like tofu, tempeh, chicken, fish, other meats, and a variety of rice and veggies. The condiments and species added to them make them a yummy food. Try the peanut sauce on their site; it is delicious! There are many Warungs around Uluwatu, and their price is very reasonable compared to Western restaurants. Think of a Warung like a buffet; you get to choose what you put on your plate, and you will be charged by the amount of varieties you choose. This is a fantastic option when you are trying to eat local food, eat cheap, and want to get packed and take your time with food.
When you adventure to Uluwatu, you have five things to keep on your list. Enjoy the Indonesian experience in Bali while embracing the fact that it is busy—just be patient and make the most of it! I recommend getting a scooter and roaming around, or if you don't feel like it, you can hire motorcycle taxis at a low rate to move you around. We hope you have a fantastic time in Bali!
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