Should You See the Uluwatu Kecak Dance? My Experience & Insider Tips

While planning my own trip to Bali, I read some very mixed reviews about watching the traditional Kecak fire dance at the Uluwatu temple. Several reviews said it was over-crowded and “too touristy”, while others raved about the incredible performance and spirituality of the dance.

While I definitely agree that it was a popular experience, and, because of that, there was a large crowd, I also thought it was a very special experience:

The chanting of the music engulfs you, the fiery sunset feels like it’s a part of the performance, the dancers have such elaborate customers and precise movements… I forgot I was surrounded by so many people during the hour-long performance!

Plus, I firmly believe the dance cured my jet lag! 😉

In this article, I’ll break down my personal experience with the Uluwatu Kecak dance, what you should expect, and why I recommend it!

Everything You Need to Know About the Uluwatu Kecak Dance

My Experience at the Uluwatu Kecak Dance

Picture this, my friend and I landed in Bali at 12pm after 30 hours of traveling, we were stuck in traffic and had an hour long transfer from the airport to the hotel, and we were barely functioning by the time we got to lunch at 2pm.

We debated staying in after lunch, and to put off exploring Bali until the next day, but eventually decided to head to the Uluwatu Temple around 4:30pm.

Need ideas for your time in Uluwatu? Read this 2 day Uluwatu itinerary!

We got in line for tickets to the Kecak dance — the line was long, and it took us about 20 minutes to secure our tickets for the earlier show.

After walking around the temple a bit to enjoy the beginning of sunset over the ocean and the majestic cliffs and narrowly avoiding a few monkeys, we made our way to the auditorium with the rest of the audience.

The first fire was lit and a few minutes later the show began…

First Impressions of the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple

Now, I did enough research prior to my trip to know that this performance was a traditional Balinese Dance retelling the story of a prince trying to save his wife from the evil king of another kingdom…

But I really didn’t look much further into the experience. Safe to say I was shocked when about 50 shirtless, chanting men came out on stage at the beginning of the performance.

Once I got over the initial shock, I realized the the chanting was the “music” to which the performance was set, and it was really very beautiful… if a little bit lulling in my jet lagged state. 😴

The start of the show is really very calming, and I appreciated all of the fine and intricate details on the costumes of the dancers who came out after the chanters.

The body moments of the dancers was different from anything I had seen; between the chants and the dancers, I was mesmerized!

Chaos Reigns at the Kecak Dance As the Sun Sets Over Uluwatu Temple

As the sun got lower and closer to the horizon, the dance started to heat up…literally!

Out of nowhere, the Monkey King character joined the stage and kicked fireballs all around with what felt like wild and chaotic movements (though I’m sure they were actually choreographed)!

The show became so dramatic with faster, louder chanting, massive movements, and even some audience participation!

My friend and I were sitting front and center in the audience so my view wouldn’t be blocked — perks of being short — and all of a sudden my friend was pulled into the show and given a mask to dance with the monkey king!

As an audience member, I loved it! But for him, unsuspecting and half-asleep from travel, it was definitely a shock!

It all ended okay, as looking back he also thought it was a hilarious and unique experience to be included in the performance!

After the show, we grabbed a quick meal and called it an early night. I’m so glad that we ended up going to the show for many reasons:

• I loved the unique cultural experience and watching my friend be a part of the dance.
• The sunset backdrop of the show was incredible.
• It forced me to stay up long enough to not experience jet lag the rest of my trip!

The Kecak fire dance was unlike anything I’d ever seen!

What to Expect at the Uluwatu Kecak Dance

The Setting

The most well-known Kecak Dance, and the performance I saw, takes place at the Uluwatu Temple. However, if you prefer to watch the performance somewhere else in Bali, these are some other top locations for the dance:

• Tanah Lot Temple
• Ubud (several smaller, more intimate shows)
• GWK Cultural Park

The Performance

The chanting of 50-100 men is used as the basis and “background music: for the story. The speed and volume of the chants evolve with the storyline.

Outside of the chanters, there were a several female characters dressed in intricately beautiful dresses for their costumes, one male character playing the prince, and one character playing the evil monkey king.

The Vibe

The performance starts very calmly — it’s almost hypnotic — with the initial chants.

As the story progresses into the main conflict, the chants get louder, faster, wilder… the Monkey King joins the stage with kicks, jumps, and flips.

It really becomes a bit chaotic towards the end of the dance; you can feel the tension as the prince and king battle!

Audience Interaction

One word of warning for anyone who is a bit more shy or not interested in going on stage — don’t sit in the first couple of rows!

There were just a few minutes during the battle scene where the dancers pulled in a couple audience members, and all of the participants came from the front of the auditorium.

Tips for Seeing the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple

Get Your Tickets in Advance & Arrive Early

Since watching the Kecak Dance in Uluwatu is one of the most popular things to do in Bali, I’d highly suggest grabbing your tickets in advance rather than on-site at the Temple.

This tickets are specifically for the performance in the amphitheater of the Uluwatu Temple, but you will have to purchase a separate ticket for entrance to the temple grounds. Temple entry costs 50K IDR (~$3 USD).

It’s definitely possible to get your tickets right before the show, like we did; however, we were stuck in line for 20 minutes which we could have spent walking the temple grounds, appreciating the architecture, and enjoying the views of the cliffs that the Temple sits on.

Plus, we went during shoulder season in April when there are fewer crowds, so there is a strong chance that in the high season, tickets would sell out in advance!

For the best experience, plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour prior to the performance slowly walking the grounds, appreciating the views, and taking any photos you want!

Book your tickets for the Uluwatu Kecak Dance here!

Dress Code for the Uluwatu Kecak Dance

Since the performance is held inside a temple, you’ll want to dress modestly by covering your shoulders and your knees.

Sarongs are provided at the Uluwatu Temple. As you enter, you’ll be shown how to wrap it around your waist, so the main thing to worry about is covering your shoulders with your own clothing prior to arriving at the temple.

Timing for the Uluwatu Kecak Dance

The Uluwatu Temple hosts two, one-hour performances each evening: 6pm and 7pm.

I personally think the earlier time — 6pm — is the better option.

Because Bali is so close to the equator, the sun always sets between 6pm and 6:30pm; so if you opt for the 6pm performance, you’ll be able to see all of the stunning sunset colors as the backdrop to the show.

I felt like this really added to the show, and I was super happy we picked the earlier time.

However, the benefit of picking the later time slot is that you can walk the temple grounds as the sun is setting over the cliffs, and you’ll likely have fewer people walking around the grounds at the same time since most tourists will be watching the first performance.

Also, since the 7pm show is done mostly in the dark, the fire aspect will feel more dramatic and enhanced with the backdrop of the night sky.

So, if you prefer fewer crowds and are okay enjoying the sunset from other spots in the Uluwatu Temple, the later show could be better for you!

Crowds & Traffic at the Uluwatu Kecak Dance

I’ve already briefly touched on the crowdedness you’ll experience when coming to the Uluwatu Temple for the Kecak dance… this is expected with it being a popular tourist activity.

But what you may not have considered is the traffic leaving the performance. Because our Uluwatu hotel was nearby, we were able to walk a couple minutes outside of the Temple and then order our Grab ride shares which arrived within a few minutes.

Once our drivers found us, they were able to avoid some of the heaviest traffic leaving the temple since they were on scooters!

It was definitely a huge perk to be based nearby! If you’re farther away from the Uluwatu Temple, you may have a harder time finding a scooter driver to drive you back to your hotel.

Need to book accommodation for this trip? Read my guide on where to stay in Uluwatu!

So, Is the Uluwatu Kecak Dance Worth It?

Yes, the Uluwatu Kecak Dance is a huge tourist attraction, but I believe that there is a reason for that:

If you want a cultural experience that feels truly different, this is a performance that you won’t forget!

It’s unique, tells a wonderful story, and it doesn’t feel too long… even for the jet lagged! 😅

I thought it was the perfect first night activity in Bali and definitely suggest you get your tickets in advance!

Or, if you want to pair the performance with a longer tour of the southern part of Bali, this tour will take you to incredible viewpoints, relaxing beaches, a cultural park, and wrap up with the Kecak performance!

I thought the Kecak Fire Dance in Uluwatu was the perfect activity for the first night of a Bali itinerary! If you’re looking to plan the rest of your trip, ready my 10 day Bali Itinerary next!