Pura Luhur Uluwatu sits 600 feet above the sea on the peninsula of the Bukit and is one of Bali’s most spectacular temples, most often visited at sunset as it is one of the most photographed cliff temples on the island. The temple is about 20 km from Denpasar, but everyone will know where it is so you will have no difficulty getting there. The inner sanctum of the temple is magnificently perched on the edge of a step cliff that towers above the powerful wave below. The best views from the temple are from the northern and southern sides. There are many sign posted cautioning tourists to beware of the monkeys, instructing visitors to take off their sunglasses, hide their cameras and pocket their jewelry.
These signs are there for a very good reason, as occasionally the monkeys do get aggressive and there have haven even been suggestions of collusion between the thieving monkeys and the Balinese “finders” who offer to retrieve your possessions – for a finder’s fee of course. Uluwatu is one of the six most important Sad Kahyangan temples in Bali. It is believed that is location on the most south-western point of the island serves to guard the Balinese from the evil spirits of the ocean.