Motel Mexicola Opens Its Boldest Venue Yet on the Cliffs of Uluwatu

Motel Mexicola has come a long way since it first opened in 2013, when Seminyak was just emerging as one of Bali's most vibrant lifestyle destinations. Unsurprisingly, its vibrant interior, lively atmosphere, and unapolegitcally loud Mexican spirit quickly captured the island's imagination, becoming a destination as much for its energy as its cuisine. More than a decade later, that beloved legacy continues with a bold new chapter in Uluwatu.

Soon, the iconic Seminyak destination welcomed a second chapter in Canggu, with a design narrative inspired by the colorful culture of Yucatán. Think thatched roof, age-old traditions, and vibrant colors.

Now, more than two years in the making, its most ambitious chapter yet has arrived.

Last Friday, Motel Mexicola Group officially opened Motel Mexicola Uluwatu, its third Bali venue and, by every account, its biggest. Set on a 2,500-square-metre site along Jalan Pantai Bingin on the Bukit Peninsula, the venue is built to seat up to 350 guests and trades the group's usual references for something new: Baja California, the rugged Mexican peninsula known for surf towns, desert cliffs, and seafood eaten practically straight out of the ocean.

From Baja to Bukit

The build comes from Mexico City architect Carlos Cole, who also shaped the look of the Seminyak and Canggu venues. For Uluwatu, he's leaned on the architecture of Baja's old Spanish missions—weathered stone, sweeping archways, and shrines spread across a run of connected indoor and outdoor spaces. More than 65 custom tile designs are worked into the property, and longtime collaborator Brent Smith, the Australian artist behind murals at the other two venues, has covered Uluwatu's walls with a fresh set of his own.

Guests arrive through a 21-metre bell tower that funnels straight into the main bar, before opening out into an asador-led kitchen, DJ booth, stage, and a collection of intimate two-seater nooks for anyone after a quieter corner of the party.

Founder and co-owner Nicolaza Que Pasa said Baja has always represented a different side of Mexico for her — one that is "fresh, wild, unpretentious and deeply connected to the ocean." She added that Uluwatu's own laidback, wave-driven rhythm made it a natural fit for the theme, and that the project set out to introduce guests to a side of Mexico they hadn't encountered before through Motel Mexicola's previous venues.

Even from the opening night, we get the sense this place is going to become Uluwatu's new go-to for a proper night out. The mariachi band and dancers set the tone early, the crowd spilled out from the bar to the dance floor, with strangers becoming friends over flowing drinks, shared plates, and a fiesta that carried well into the night.

Where To Find It

Motel Mexicola Uluwatu now sits alongside the original Seminyak venue and Motel Mexicola Canggu, home to the garden hideaway Jardín Paraíso, as the group's third distinct take on Mexican hospitality in Bali. Each venue draws on a different region of Mexico while keeping the same throughline — bold design, live entertainment, and food and drinks built for a night that doesn't end early.

Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.117X, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Phone: 0811-3889-8000
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