Calling all sunset chasers! Bingin Beach, Bali is an excellent place to watch the sun sink behind the Indian Ocean. And that’s without you having to push your way through crowds in the tourist hotspots of Kuta and Seminyak.
But a trip to Bingin Beach isn’t for everyone. The only way to get there is by taking a steep scooter-only road or tackling steep stairs, making Bingin best suited for people with good mobility and an average to high fitness level.
A sense of direction helps too.
But if, like me, having an internal compass wasn’t in your cards, fear not. I’ll show you how to get to Bingin and give you tips on what to do once you’re there.
Accessibility Note: Bingin Beach isn’t wheelchair accessible. If you’re a wheelchair user, check out our guide on accessibility in Bali for ideas on things to do there.
What Is Bingin Beach Known For?
Bingin Beach is known for excellent sunset views, large waves for surfing, and being a challenge to get to. A younger crowd often hangs out there, no doubt because of all the stairs involved to arrive.
You may hear locals referring to Bingin as Pantai Bingin. That’s because “pantai” is the word for “beach” in English.
You can add that to your list of Indonesian words learned!
Where Is Bingin Beach, Bali?
Bingin Beach sits in the Uluwatu region on the Bukit Peninsula. If you’re new to Bali’s geography, that’s the southern part of the island.
Unlike many beaches in Uluwatu, a town backs directly up to it. So, you’ll get to observe local life in the humble Pecatu Village and see the restaurants, shops, and accommodations that they’ve built into the side of the cliff on your way to Bingin Beach.
Padang Padang Beach and Dreamland Beach are the nearest popular beaches to Bingin. Below is a map showcasing Bingin’s location.
If you choose to use Google Maps, keep in mind that it’ll often refer to Bingin as “Pantai Bingin” when you’re searching for it in Indonesia.
Bingin’s Distance From Other Bali Destinations
Below is a chart showing how far Bingin Beach is from several popular tourist towns in Bali.
| Route | Driving Time |
|---|---|
| Ubud to Bingin Beach | 1 hour, 45 minutes |
| Kuta to Bingin Beach | 1 hour |
| Seminyak to Bingin Beach | 1 hour, 10 minutes |
| Canggu to Bingin Beach | 1.5 hours |
Here’s a fun fact: Did you know it’s faster to travel around Bali by scooter than by car?
Keep that in mind when you’re figuring out how long it’ll take you to arrive at Bingin Beach. If you choose to go by car, you’ll need to tack on extra time.
Does Gojek/Grab Operate at Bingin?
Gojeck and Grab both operate at Bingin Beach. Pick-ups and drop-offs are allowed, although it’s unlikely you’ll find a driver willing to go down the steep, narrow, scooter-only street to meet you at the beach’s base.
So, it’s best to climb up the staircase from Bingin and call a Gojek or Grab from Pecatu Village.
Given that Pecatu Village is off the beaten path along a pothole-filled dirt road, you might have to wait ten minutes or more for your ride.
I encourage you to give your driver a good tip for the wear and tear they’ll put on their vehicle, especially if you’re traveling during the monsoon season.
How to Get to Bingin Beach
Getting to Bingin Beach requires either going with a private tour guide who knows where they’re going or winging it, asking locals for help as you navigate Pecatu Village’s small and often dirt streets.
I chose the latter and managed fine. Much of this is thanks to how many Balinese have a grasp of English for basic communication. And during the moments when that’s not enough, there’s always Google Translate.
The good news is that I had a data connection during my entire time at Pecatu Village and on the staircase to the beach. So, you should be able to rely on your phone for GPS support.
I intended to give you a detailed guide on how to access Bingin Beach.
But as I was (trying) to get to Bingin, I realized you wouldn’t be able to follow whatever directions I gave you; street signs are non-existent and using chickens on the side of the road as reference points is hardly ideal.
So this is the boiled-down advice I can offer for how to get to Bingin Beach:
- Get dropped off at the closest entrance to the Bingin Beach staircase.
- Take a left at the fork.
- Take the next right (it’s only a handful of feet away).
- Follow the stairs down, and look for signs to point you in the right direction.
I contemplated whether to share such vague details with you. But hopefully, they give you a base.
The bottom line is this: Follow the staircase down.
Any downward stairs should eventually lead you to the beach or a dead end at a beach-view hotel or restaurant.
There are several moments when you’ll have more than one staircase to choose from. Look for a sign pointing the way to the beach—they’re few and far between, but they help when you find them.
If you don’t see a sign, choose the staircase that looks more like the main path.
Finally, don’t be surprised if the staircase takes you through restaurants. The restaurant staff is used to lost-looking tourists wandering past their kitchens.
You can expect the hike to Bingin Beach to take 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your pace. Allow more time for going back up the cliff, though.
Entrance Fees
There aren’t any entrance fees to visit Bingin Beach.
However, I encourage you to bring some small change if you want to purchase a meal or drink. Most small businesses in Bali don’t accept credit cards.
Parking At Bingin
There’s a Bingin parking lot at the top of the cliff in Pecatu Village. The cost is 2,000 IDR for scooters and 5,000 IDR for cars.
From there, the locals will point the way for you to find the top of the staircase where you can start the hike down to Bingin Beach.
Bingin’s Amenities
Unlike some secluded beaches in Uluwatu, like Nunggalan and Green Bowl, Bingin Beach offers several amenities. They include:
- Restrooms
- Restaurants and bars
- Accommodations for various budgets
- Beach beds/umbrellas
You can also expect to encounter some local vendors on the beach. However, it’s nothing close to the constant flow of vendors that you’ll find in Kuta or Canggu.
What to Do at Bingin Beach
If you’re ready to visit Bingin Beach, Bali, below are some of the top things to do there.
1. Watch the Sunset
Bingin Beach is one of the best places in Uluwatu to watch the sunset. That’s because it has a privileged location on the westernmost side of the Bukit Peninsula.
In contrast, other Uluwatu beaches, such as Pandawa Beach and Melasti Beach, have a more southern-facing direction.
Every night, the restaurants at Bingin prepare for adventurous travelers who make the hike down to the beach. You’ll be able to grab a table in the sand, eating fresh seafood as you watch the sunset.
Just remember that staying in Bingin for sunset means you’ll need to hike up the staircase in the dark. I recommend bringing a flashlight, although much of the path receives light from restaurants and accommodations bordering much of the staircase.
2. Surf
Experienced surfers flock to Bingin’s beach because of the left-hand barrels that form over the coral reef. The best Bingin surf happens at middle to low tide.
However, take care of the coral. It’s sharp and has caused several surfers serious injury.
Because the waves are often strong at Bingin, it’s recommended that only advanced-level surfers attempt riding its waves.
3. Try a Bintang
Bintang is Indonesia’s local beer, so it’s a must-try when you’re in Bali. And there’s no better place to take your first swig of it than at Bingin Beach.
Fear not if beer isn’t your thing. As you’re exploring where to eat in Bingin Beach, you’ll encounter many restaurants and bars offering an array of cocktails and wine.
While Bintang isn’t a party beach per se, it draws a younger crowd. Be mindful of how much you drink, as you’ll need to tackle the stairs to return to your scooter/car.
The staircase can also get super slippery when wet.
4. Walk the Shore
Bingin isn’t usually a good beach for swimming, given the reasons I covered (though the day I visited the waves were calmer). But it offers a long stretch of white sand beach where you can take a stroll. This is one of the best ways to appreciate the limestone cliffs that loom over the beach.
Admittedly, exploring Bingin on foot isn’t a walk in the “beach.”
Deep sand, broken pieces of coral, and small stones can do a number on your feet. So, you might find it more comfortable to explore the beach with a pair of sandals with thick soles.
Trash at Bingin Beach
According to National Geographic, only about 50% of Bali’s garbage goes to a landfill or recycling. The remainder eventually ends up in the ocean.
On top of that, as much as 60 tons of plastic wash up on shore in the Kuta Beach region during the monsoon season.
Of course, much of this isn’t from Bali or even Indonesia. But the sad fact remains that it’s common for garbage to pile up on the island, including at Bingin Beach.
Many locals do what they can to try to keep Bingin Beach as trash-free as possible. But, for now, it’s a problem beyond what a small town can realistically manage.
So until governments implement a better waste management system in the Southeast Asia region, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of garbage at Bingin Beach.
What to Bring to Bingin Beach
If you’re ready to visit Bingin Beach, below is a packing list of items to help you prepare:
- Water
- Snacks
- Small change
- Sunglasses/hat/sunscreen
- Umbrella (it rains during the dry season too)
- Flashlight (if you stay for sunset)
However, Bingin Beach is a fine place to wing it. Since there are so many restaurants and shops along the staircase and at the base of the beach, you can buy essentials on the spot.
Bingin Beach Accommodation
Whether you’re searching for a Bingin Beach villa or want to rent your own house, many accommodation options exist on the side of and on top of the cliff.
Below are some accommodations worth considering.
Villa Mahi Mahi Bingin: A small property containing boutique villas. Book the Beach Shack if you can—it’s anything but a shack and has private ocean views.
BoHo Bingin Beach: A more economical B&B. BoHo is a small Balinese chain that strives to combine local culture with comfort.
Bingin Cliff House: A 4-bedroom private home that overlooks Bingin. It’s a popular choice and pricy, but you can split the cost with up to eight guests.
Melali Bingin: A quiet boutique hotel located off a small road in the village. It has a contemporary design and plenty of tranquil garden spaces for relaxing.
The reality is that these are just a few of the Bingin Beach hotels and villas you can choose from. You can even book a homestay in the village if you’d like a more local experience.
FAQs About Bingin Beach
If you’re still doubtful about visiting Bingin Beach, read on to see if I answer your questions.
Is Bingin Beach safe?
As a solo female traveler, I felt very safe at Bingin Beach. In typical Bali fashion, the small jungle town felt free of dangers and was free of street harassment. I also passed several people on the staircase. Plus, shops and restaurants were always nearby.
Psst! Check out my guide on safety in Bali for statistics and insights from my experience as a solo female traveler.
Can you swim at Bingin Beach?
It’s usually not a good idea for the casual water goer to swim at Bingin Beach. The waves are often strong, the currents can be fierce, and the coral can cut up your hands and feet. That said, there are times when the waves are calmer and safe for swimming.
Can you see monkeys at Bingin Beach?
I didn’t see any monkeys at Bingin Beach, but it’s likely possible. Wild monkeys are common throughout Uluwatu, and they tend to gravitate to where the jungle meets commercial areas (assuming they’re used to humans feeding them).
When is the best time to visit Bingin Beach?
The best time to visit Bingin Beach is during the dry season of April to October. If you’re a surfer, aim to surf Bingin in June, July, or August. That’s when you’ll encounter the largest and cleanest barrels.
Have Your Camera Ready
Bingin Beach, Bali is unlike any beach you’ll encounter in the Kuta region. It has a more laid-back vibe and draws in travelers who appreciate good surf and sunsets.
Do you have questions about visiting Bingin? Leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help.
If you’re on the fence about the best-fit beach for you, check out my guide on the top 11 best beaches in Uluwatu. I’d also love to hear about your favorite beach finds in the comments section.
P.S.—Have you heard of Bali belly? If your stomach is feeling off from eating one too many plates of nasi goreng, you might have a bout of it. Check out my article on Bali belly for details.
