The Kecak fire show is a special ceremony that everyone should experience in Bali Indonesia. The traditional performance combines song, dance, and theatre, all with an epic sunset as your backdrop! So what else can you expect watching the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple? We’ll give you the rundown on how to get your tickets, the history of the event, and even where to see monkeys!
Kecak Fire Show Info
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm Nightly
Dress Code: Conservative dress but sarongs are also provided at entry.
Location: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali
Uluwatu Temple Dance Tickets
When arriving at the Uluwatu Temple you’ll want to grab your tickets to the Kecak fire show right away. However, they don’t actually go on sale until an hour before the show starts (around 5pm) and will quickly sell out.
People will start lining up earlier than that between the temple and where the Kecak fire dance stage is located. Don’t worry, if you can fight your way through the local tour guides you’ll be first in line!
Between when you get your ticket and the start of the show at 6pm, you’ll have plenty of time to walk around and explore the famous temple.
Book a private driver if you prefer to have transportation and tickets arranged for you. This includes Kecak Fire Dance tickets and a round trip private transfer from your hotel.
You can also choose for the driver to take you to Jimbaran Bay for dinner before returning to your accommodation.
Story Behind the Kecak Fire Show
Before you can understand the Kecak fire dance you first need to know the story of Ramayana. Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic that was written sometime in 5th century BC about the return of a prince.
Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, won the hand of the beautiful Sita, but then was exiled through the evil plotting of his stepmother. When Princess Sita was kidnapped in the forest by King Ravana of Lanka, Rama goes with an army of monkeys to get her back!
Crazy story right? That’s the short version of a very complex tale, and the background for what you’ll see at the Kecak fire dance in Uluwatu.
Witnessing the Kecak Fire Dance
This legendary performance at the Uluwatu Temple is a combination of Kecak chants with dance with theatre mixed in. It comes from an ancient Balinese ritual of Sanghyang, which combines the sacred dance with repetitive chanting.
Interestingly enough, the show was actually created by a German man in the 1930’s! Walter Spies was a musician and painter who studied the Kecak, and adapted it to the story of Ramayana.
There are so many things that separate this from anything else we’ve seen before. Despite it being a musical show, no instruments are actually used.
The voices and rhythm of the dozens of Balinese men carry the presentation and expressively tell the story. The characters and costumes blend with unique Bali sound and create an evening you’ll never forget!
Uluwatu Temple Dance Sunset
The sunset at the Uluwatu Temple is one of the most magical you’ll ever see! Watch in awe as the orange and red colors flow through the sky, stretching over the colorful costumes as singing and dancing commence.
Towards the end of the show the stage will be set ablaze, enhancing the colors even more as they blend with the fire. With so much intense action going on at the Uluwatu fire show the beautiful sunset can’t be overlooked. Do your best to take it all in!
Kecak Fire Dance Uluwatu Tips
Tickets: It costs 40,000 IDR (around $3 USD) to enter the temple, and another 100,000 IDR for your fire dance ticket. They don’t take credit cards so make sure to bring enough cash.
Beat the Heat: With the way the temple is positioned perched high on the cliffs it gets extremely hot. The seats at the Uluwatu fire show also face directly into the sun so you’ll be sweating it out until sunset. Pack plenty of water and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat so you don’t fry.
Three Steps Coffee: This is a nice cafe that’s located right next door to the temple. It can be a great spot to grab a drink or bite to eat before heading in. You can check out more of the best restaurants in Uluwatu here!
Dress Code: Like any other religious temple in the world you’ll want to dress conservatively for the Uluwatu Temple dance. Still, even if you don’t wear pants or a dress they pass out traditional sarongs as you walk in. These special garments are actually used to protect visitors from evil spirits so be sure you put yours on!
Uluwatu Temple Monkeys: Watch out for the monkeys at the Uluwatu fire show. The infamous primates are EVERYWHERE, and will 100% steal your valuables.
A man working at the temple told us there are six separate gangs of monkeys, and over SIX HUNDRED of them in the area in total. They are known to hang out near the cliffs until sunset, and then move to the parking lot as everyone is leaving. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Have questions about the Kecak fire dance or want to share your own experience? Comment below and let us know!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Helpful Indonesia Articles
Bali: Uluwatu Beaches – Bali Warung – 20 Facts About Bali
Nusa Islands: Nusa Penida – Nusa Ceningan – Nusa Lembongan
Gili Islands: 20 Gili Islands Tips – Gili Islands Ferry – Gili Air – Bali to Gili T Ferry
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Where To Stay Around Uluwatu Bali
Ultra Luxury – Alila Villas Uluwatu – If you have some money to spend and want a taste of luxury near Uluwatu Temple, this is the spot for you! Most villas include private pools and incredible views of the ocean.
Fun Vacation – Village Bali – Add a fun twist to your Bali vacation with the fun and colorful decor. This hotel is located perfectly near Padang Padang beach.
Boutique Hotel – Hari Indah Boutique Hotel & Spa – Upscale bed and breakfast surrounded by a beautiful jungle setting. On site spa & restaurant, Bali decor, and a fun swimming pool!
Relaxing Stay – Davu Sundara Villa Uluwatu – A family run guesthouse with large rooms that overlook a lush jungle swimming pool. Quiet and relaxing area just outside of the main hustle of Uluwatu.
For more places to stay in Uluwatu Indonesia you can explore the latest prices here!
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Indonesia Travel Planning
Flights: We always find deals using Skyscanner and Kayak. That’s how we got flights from Singapore to Bali for $60 USD, and Bali to Surabaya for less than $40!
Accommodation: Compare competitive sites for hotels such as Booking.com and Agoda. Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Transportation: 12Go is where we look first in Asia for ferries, trains, buses, and transfers! From speed boats to the Gili Islands and bus transfers around the country.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for activities all over Bali. We recommend taking a sunrise Mount Batur hike with breakfast, an authentic cooking class in a local village, and the Ubud waterfall tour!
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without being covered. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Here’s all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Caught the Kecak Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple last summer, and it was absolutely breathtaking! Such a unique cultural experience. These tips are super helpful, especially for first-timers. And yes, those monkeys are quite mischievous; I had to hold onto my bag tightly!
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That’s awesome! We loved it, too. Those monkeys are a bit crazy though haha!