I have been to Bali three times, and each time it felt like a completely different place. Some parts are all polished beach luxury, others feel busy, loud — sometimes even a bit chaotic — and then there are those that simply feel calm.

Three trips don’t make me an expert, so I will keep this personal. And, for now, my favourite is Uluwatu.

Maybe it is just timing (lately everything feels a bit overloaded), or maybe it is the charm of the place itself. But it is true — Uluwatu feels like the kind of destination where you do less, but feel much better.

So if your idea of a perfect trip looks like long mornings, good food, a bit of movement, and a lot of switching off (preferably with a spa somewhere in between), this is your place.

Here is how to spend time in Uluwatu — properly.

I have been to Bali three times, and two of those trips ended up falling in the rainy season — not on purpose. The first time, I had just no idea. The second, we booked it almost on a whim and packed within a few hours.

So, what is it actually like?

Honestly, it isn't that dramatic. I am used to heat anyway, so I didn’t really notice any major downsides — but even if you aren't, it is still very manageable. Most of the rain comes at night, which, if anything, makes it feel nicer. During the day, it rained once for about 15 minutes, and even that just felt part of the Bali mood.

Yes, it gets quite humid. But Bali has such a relaxed energy that it barely bothers you (maybe your hairdresser would disagree, but there is no point stressing over your hair in the morning anyway).

One real advantage? Prices. Rentals during the rainy season can be at least 30% cheaper than in peak months. That said, the “official” best time to go is from late May to September — the dry season, with sunny days, lower humidity and almost no rain.

My take? Don’t overthink the season. Each one has its own rhythm, and Bali works in all of them — it just depends on what kind of experience you are after.

Unfortunately, one of the most beautiful beaches with a great surf spot has recently been cleared — quite literally. Following new regulations, many of the structures in the coastal zone were demolished, and for now it feels a bit unfinished.

That said, Uluwatu still has plenty of solid surf spots that work for both beginners and more experienced surfers.

One thing to keep in mind: most beaches here aren’t sandy. You will often be dealing with rocks and reef, which can be a bit of a challenge — especially for your feet. I definitely underestimated that part, skipped proper surf shoes, and ended up with scratched feet for the rest of the trip.

Spots for lessons or rentals:

A quick note from personal experience:

Trying something new can feel a bit intimidating — especially when you are standing on the beach watching confident surfers casually running into waves that already look quite intense.

But here is the thing — Bali is built for this. It really doesn’t matter if you have never surfed before. There are hundreds of surf schools, and “it’s my first time” is probably the most common thing they hear. And they know exactly how to guide you through it in a way that feels safe (and, importantly, fun). So don’t overthink it — just go for it.

Usually, within your first couple of lessons, you will manage to stand up on the board, which is honestly enough to get you hooked. The more technical bits — paddling, timing, reading the waves — come later, once you have already fallen for it.

Uluwatu is packed with cool cafés for every budget and vibe, so I am not entirely sure my recommendations even matter — if you know your way around Google Maps, you are probably already sorted.

But there is one thing about Bali: not every place has proper AC. You might get some light ventilation, which is perfectly fine if you are casually having breakfast in a bikini — but if you are planning to sit and work, it isn't ideal.

So here is a small, reliable list — places you can count on depending on your mood, just in case Google Maps lets you down or the descriptions are not particularly clear.

Cool breakfast and lunch spots:

Alchemy Uluwatu — Beautifully designed, with a little “all you need for yoga” store right next to it. Just one thing to keep in mind: it is fully vegan. So if you are craving a classic egg omelette, this might not be the place — but the tofu one is actually surprisingly good.

Analog Uluwatu — A place with comfort food done in a way that makes you want to take photos of everything.

2 Roots — A cute spot with a design that reminds me of the UAE’s beloved Angel Cakes café. The food is also good, with the Korean brunch being a must-try, but you will still find all the classics.

FLEUR Café — the kind of place that just feels right for breakfast, with quite literally a tree growing in the middle of the space.

Hidden gems for dinner (easy on the budget):

Hidden gems for dinner (a bit more elevated options):

Hedonist Space — this is the kind of place that leaves you with mixed feelings: it feels a bit extra, but the food is amazing, the atmosphere is very “dinner night”, and the shisha is actually one of the best I found in Bali (which is rare).

YUKI Uluwatu — the kind of place you need to book in advance, especially on weekends. Great drinks, fresh sashimi, and overall really solid Japanese food.

Places that are good to work at (good coffee + actual AC):

BAKED Uluwatu — This spot could easily sit in the breakfast section — it is that good. But it wins here because, alongside the good food, it has proper AC. Big bonus: the coffee is genuinely very good.

SODA Café — This is the place where you will see people on Zoom calls all the time. The only thing — if you stay for a while, they will ask you to order food, not just coffee. Easy to do though, as the prices are really affordable.

Monday (coworking + café) — This spot is literally designed for work. Fast Wi-Fi, good coffee, and no pressure to leave. You can stay as long as you need.

% Arabica — This is that global café you probably already know, just adapted to Bali. Open, green, minimal. Surprisingly comfortable to work from, even without full walls.

Bali is full of those fashionable gyms, Instagrammable Pilates studios, boxing classes — pretty much any sport you can think of. And honestly, that is probably why everyone ends up looking like a slightly unreal, sun-kissed version of a Greek god or goddess.

So even if you arrive with a very firm plan to lie on the beach and do absolutely nothing, give it a day or two — you will start feeling the urge to move. And when that moment comes, here is a small, reliable list of spots so that motivation doesn’t go to waste.

Gyms:

Yoga & Pilates

Bali is one of those places where movement and recovery go hand in hand. You surf, train, stay active — and then properly switch off. That is where the spas come in.

Part of the appeal is the price (often two or even three times lower than in Dubai), but it is also the level of service. Treatments here feel considered and unhurried. So here are my top three places in Uluwatu.