Landmarks in Bali

We visited the Uluwatu Kecak (Fire) Dance, and the setting alone makes it worth considering. The amphitheatre sits right on the cliff edge overlooking the ocean, and it truly is one of the most beautiful places in Bali to watch the sunset. If you’re interested in experiencing traditional Balinese culture, this is a fantastic opportunity. A word of advice: use the toilet before you go. The facilities were memorable for all the wrong reasons — definitely something to avoid if you can. There are also quite a few monkeys hopping around, similar to Monkey Forest, so take the same precautions. Don’t bring food, keep a firm grip on your sunglasses, hats, and anything loose. We watched monkeys steal items from several people. The amphitheatre faces the sunset and the stage, making it a stunning backdrop for the performance. For Western visitors, though, be aware that the storyline can be a little confusing, and the chanting can feel repetitive. We noticed many Westerners leaving even before the show officially began, possibly overwhelmed by the crowds or unsure of what to expect. We chose to stay until the end but left one or two minutes early, which was the perfect strategy — it allowed us to avoid the huge queues of people and the heavy traffic leaving the venue. With hundreds of attendees each night and only one main road in and out, expect congestion and delays. Overall, the dance itself is culturally fascinating, the location is extraordinary, and sunset is breathtaking — just go in prepared, manage your expectations, and plan your exit cleverly.

The booking was very straightforward. The e-tickets from the cell phone were exchanged for tickets at the entrance to the theater. We were there 2 hours before the show started. And had enough time to see the temple and the grounds.