Come rain or shine, the show must go on. This statement has never been more true than for the kecak performance at Bali’s Uluwatu Temple.
As Bali is at the height of the rainy season, tourists attending shows must be prepared to get rained on!
Uluwatu Temple is the most famous place in Bali to watch the incredible Balinese cultural show, the kecak. The story tells the tale of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, the triumph of good over evil.
Over the last few nights, tourists have enjoyed the show despite the torrential rains. Tourists haven’t been deterred either, as even though the heavens have been opened, the Uluwatu Temple amphitheater has been nearly at full capacity.
The Manager of the Tourism Attraction Management of the Outer Area of Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Wayan Wijana, said that the Kecak Dance is performed twice a day, come rain or shine.
He shared, “The Kecak Dance is one of our main generators. If the first show with a capacity of 1,200 is fulfilled, the second show tends to decrease due to the weather, with a decrease of around 3-5 percent.”
He added, “When it rains, the dancers still perform in the rain because we use an open stage. Visitors are still enthusiastic with the colorful coats that we have provided.”
Wijana continued “In the future, we hope to have a representative place so that the kecak dance performance can continue to run well, both in the rainy season and the dry season. Another option that we are currently studying is the use of automatic tents that can be opened when it rains.”
Tourists traveling anywhere in Bali in the next few months should always carry their waterproofs with them.
There is no need to invest in bulky waterproofs; a simple plastic poncho is generally enough to keep the worst of the rain at bay.
These basic waterproof ponchos can be bought at almost all corner stores and supermarkets, and cost anywhere from IDR 15,000-50,000.
One big thing to be aware of when planning a trip to watch the kecak on a rainy evening is that all tech gear and valuables should be wrapped up in a waterproof bag or left in a safe at your accommodation. There are no lockers at Uluwatu Temple Amphitheater.
In the event of seriously bad weather or storms, Uluwatu Temple reserves the right to cancel a show on the grounds of public safety.
While watching a kecak show in the rainy may at first feel like a less than ideal set of circumstances, don’t let a little rain ruin this bucket list experience. In fact, many feel that the added watery element only adds to the drama of the show.
The kecak is best known for being the fiery Balinese cultural dance, and at Uluwatu Temple Amphitheatre, the show is set against the backdrop of of the Indian Ocean and surrounded by the famous Uluwatu Cliffs.
Booking tickets for the kecak performance ahead of time is highly advisable as both showings are sold out most evenings.
Tickets can be booked via online tour sites, and package deals often include hotel pick up and drop off.
The performances start at 5.45 pm and 7 pm every day and last around an hour. Tourists are advised to dress modestly and remember that the performance is held within the Uluwatu Temple complex, a deeply sacred site for Balinese Hindus.
Tourists must wear a sarong and sash while visiting the temple complex. More broadly, it is advisable to bring your own, though there are both sarongs and sashes available to rent at the entrance.
As the rainy season rolls on in Bali, tourists are advised to keep a close eye on the weather forecast while they are planning day trips and activities.
The Bali Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency posts weather warning updates on its Instagram account and published a weekly tourist weather forecast for the most popular regions of the island.
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