is uluwatu the new canggu?

From Surf Town to Global Destination

Canggu’s rise happened gradually. Surf culture attracted travellers, followed by cafés, restaurants, boutique hotels, coworking spaces, and eventually a much larger international community.

Uluwatu is developing differently.

Its dramatic cliffs, beaches, surf breaks, sunsets, and relatively spacious surroundings have already made it a favourite with travellers. But the area is now becoming more than a place to visit for the day.

More accommodation, dining concepts, wellness experiences, and lifestyle businesses are creating reasons for visitors to stay longer.

Why Are People Heading South?

One of Uluwatu’s biggest advantages is that it offers something that can feel increasingly difficult to find in Bali’s busiest areas: space.

The landscape is more open, the coastline feels dramatic, and many parts of the Bukit still have a stronger connection to nature.

At the same time, visitors don't have to sacrifice comfort.

The area now offers a growing selection of restaurants, beach clubs, boutique stays, wellness experiences, and entertainment, making it increasingly attractive to travellers who want both convenience and a sense of escape.

Uluwatu Is Getting More Investment

The development of a destination can often be seen through what is being built around it.

In 2026, Uluwatu and nearby Pandawa were identified as priorities for tourism revitalisation, including improvements to amenities and supporting infrastructure.

New lifestyle developments are also appearing around the area, adding restaurants, retail and hospitality concepts to the existing tourism scene.

That doesn't necessarily mean Uluwatu is becoming “the next Canggu.”

It may simply mean that Uluwatu is becoming Uluwatu — a destination with its own identity.

So, Is Uluwatu the New Canggu?

Not exactly.

Canggu is known for its cafés, digital nomad culture, nightlife and dense lifestyle scene.

Uluwatu has a different appeal. Surfing, beaches, cliffs, sunsets, wellness and a slower pace are much more central to its identity.

And that difference could be exactly what makes it attractive.

Rather than replacing Canggu, Uluwatu may be becoming the alternative for travellers who want a different version of Bali.

What Happens When an Area Becomes Popular?

There is an interesting pattern that happens across Bali:

1. First, travellers discover an area.
2. Then restaurants and accommodation follow.
3. Infrastructure improves.
4. More people hear about the destination.
5. And eventually, property demand begins to follow the wider tourism movement.

Uluwatu is still developing, which makes its evolution particularly interesting to watch.

The question is not simply whether it will become more popular. It's how it will grow.

Will it retain the open landscapes and slower atmosphere that made people fall in love with it in the first place, or will popularity eventually change the character of the area?

For now, Uluwatu appears to be entering an important new chapter. And if Canggu taught us anything, it is that today's emerging destination can become tomorrow's global hotspot.