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Getting ready for your Bali holiday? A visit to Canggu, Bali is an absolute must if you are heading to the Island of Gods. It is hip, has some of the best waves, and is home to some of my favorite restaurants in Bali.
How to plan your Canggu holiday, where to stay, and what to do in this post.
Holidays in Canggu, Bali
Table of Contents
The best Canggu Neighborhoods
Echo Beach
For a long time, Echo Beach was synonymous with Canggu for me. Since I was without a motorbike I was restricted to this part of Canggu and I wasn’t missing anything. There is a beach to surf at, some great beach BBQ restaurants with a killer sunset view, Shady Shack within walking distance as well as a couple of yoga studios.
I honestly feel these days Echo has gotten a bit quieter as travelers have moved over to the cooler Batu Balong or hip Berawa. Honestly, I don’t think it matters. There are still plenty of yummy restaurants around, apparently good waves, fun and fancy COMO Beach Club and La Brisa, and some beautiful accommodations. If you get all of this without the crowds even better.
Batu Balong
Next to Echo runs Munduk Catu followed by Batu Balong. Batu Balong, however you define its borders, is the beating heart of Canggu and the area is as buzzing as it gets. Some cool, some kitschy boutiques, some of the hippest restaurants in Canggu like Mason and newly opened Billy Ho, Old Mans, the Lawn, and Times Warung are all in Batu Balong. On the beach, you will find plenty of surfboard rentals and the coolest kids that hang out waiting to catch the perfect wave.
In terms of accommodation, you can find both, fancy hotels and budget backpackers in Batu Balong. Don’t expect peace and quiet though – this is the Canggu neighborhood for nightlife.
Jalan Nelayan
I guess Nelayan has always been there but is still a somewhat new Canggu discovery. I ended up there by sheer coincidence during my last stay and loved it. Not only because I found the best homestay (Krisna Homestay, details shared below) but also because it is home to Zycle. I quickly dubbed the Nelayan “Gym Alley” because there is not only Zycle, the coolest spinning studio on the island, but also the infamous Body Factory and Canggu Studios.
The beach is still quite undeveloped, a nice change from all the beach club bonanza on the other Canggu beaches. It is not really suitable for swimming but you can definitely catch some waves and watch the fisherman. You can also hop on a boat from here to Uluwatu.
In terms of restaurants, it probably isn’t the best area in Canggu but newly opened Kynd is on Nelayan as well as some nice cafes and everyday eateries. While I wouldn’t go to ZIN Cafe purely to eat, it is a great option for a free coworking space and at Serenity Eco Guesthouse you will find more vegan delights, yoga classes, and the cheapest massages.
Berawa
Honestly, I never considered Berawa when I was in Canggu because it is just a bit too far for my liking. To get there from any other part of Canggu you will need to brave the dreaded Canggu Shortcut. Oh well. I dare say it is worth it.
Newly opened Copenhagen Berawa is here as well as Mosto and Dough Darlings (always a reason for a trip in my books). There are also some great bar and nightlife options and popular Finns. Also, the whole area just looks lovely and vibey and there are some great boutiques worth checking out. And all in all, Berawa is not as busy yet as Batu Balong so come quickly and check it out. Apparently, the waves are also superb here!
Where to stay in Canggu, Bali
There are plenty of accommodation options for hotels, homestays, and hostels in Canggu. Though to be honest, if you are on a tight budget your options will be limited. Even dorm beds are usually not available for less than $15 and you will need to forego a beachfront location. And if you want to splurge – the sky is the limit.
Here are some of my favorites on where to stay in Canggu for all budgets:
Small budget:
A7 Guesthouse / Tucked into a little quiet side road this guesthouse has everything you may need at a really good price. There is even a small kitchen and a little pool in the back and rooms are comfortable with good aircon, wifi, and an ensuite bathroom.
Krisna Homestay / I liked Krisna so much that I extended my stay by a week. The rooms are tiny, to be honest, but have a great shower, aircon, and wifi, and each has a little patio. In the morning hot water for coffee or tea is provided, and there is a huge pool on the property.
Find a room at Krisna Homestay
A little fancy:
Kalapa Boutique Resort & Spa / If you are looking for a resort in Canggu to relax and do yoga, Kalapa is the place for you. All rooms sport traditional Indonesian architecture and interiors and are so very beautiful.
There is a small spa on the property, they offer yoga multiple times a day and also have their own restaurant. And while you are a bit far from the ocean they do have two pools to make up for it.
Rama Village / This belongs to the owners of Krisna and is a bit fancier, perfect if you are sharing with a friend or partner. The rooms are spacious with comfy duvets and individual small outside sitting areas. You can also use the big pool on the grounds.
Sleep like a princess:
The Slow / I love the aesthetics of the Slow, the coolest design hotel in Canggu. Tropical brutalism means lots of concrete mixed with wood and natural fabrics both in the lobby and in the rooms. They suites are huge by the way and the ground-floor rooms even have their own spacious pool.
Read more:
If you prefer a Canggu Airbnb or VRBO you can find some great options here.
Things to do in Canggu
To be honest, Canggu, Bali is not known for its sightseeing or as a cultural hub. If you want that you can check out my Ubud guide.
Even the picturesque rice paddies had to make way for all the cool eateries and entertainment options because this is what Canggu does best. And of course, there are the black sanded beaches and quite a few good waves the area is known for.
All in all, I would say Canggu is the perfect place to make a home for a few days, get some work done if you need to, work out, get pampered, and of course my personal favorite – eat at all the great Canggu restaurants!
- Chill at a Canggu beach club / Check out Finn’s, the Lawn, COMO, La Brisa, or Echo Beach Club
- Work out / Spinning at Zycle, Yoga at Samadi or Serenity, Gym-Bro-ing at Bodyfactory, Kickboxing & Aerobics at Canggu Studios, Padel at Jungle Padel
- Visit Tanah Lot Temple
- Just work / Hit a coworking space like Zin Cafe or Tribal
- Catch a wave / Surf at Echo Beach, Batu Balong, and Berawa all have rental shops in the vicinity and you can even take classes
- Reach new heights at Bali Climbing
- Take a trip to Uluwatu by boat from Nelayan Beach with GoBoat.id
- Cool down at the Taman Segara Madu Water Park
- Have a sundowner / Really anywhere on the beach. When in doubt get a cold Bintang from the Indomart and just sit in the sand.
- Pamper yourself / Get your hair done at Trove, waxing at Espace, eyebrows at Glo, nails at Spring Spa, and massage at Desa Seni
Read more:
Where to eat in Canggu
Want to know where to eat and drink in Canggu? Here are some of my favorite cafes and restaurants. For more foodie inspiration check out my Canggu restaurants and cafes guides below, or book this tour for some Instagrammable inspiration:
Best Cafes in Canggu
- Crate Cafe / The hippest cafe in town, come early to get a table or face a wait – regardless, the food is worth it.
- Shady Shack / Vegetarian and vegan delights in a garden setting. Try the Nori Bowl!
- Copenhagen / Danish morsels served on a board with your choice of protein, sweets, and savory dishes. Come for the waffles and the Danish rye bread.
- Kynd / A pink vegan favorite has arrived in Canggu. Come for the cute setting, and stay for the incredible bowls.
A FOODIE’S GUIDE TO THE BEST CANGGU CAFES.
Best restaurants in Canggu
- Mosto / A hip natural wine bar with some amazing east meets west dishes to go with.
- Skool Kitchen / My favorite place in Canggu with amazing over-the-fire cooking. Sit at the kitchen counter to watch the show.
- Mason / The classic hipster restaurant in Canggu and still a cool crowd-pleaser. Don’t leave without trying the quail!
Practical tips for your Canggu holiday
How to get to Canggu
Canggu is in the Badung Regency of Bali and approximately 18km from Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar. That may not sound like much but unfortunately, the Canggu traffic is notoriously bad. It will take you at least an hour to get from the airport to Canggu, more if you arrive during rush hour.
Depending on your driver it should cost you about Rp 300k. If you don’t have a private driver and don’t want to argue with taxi drivers, I recommend you pre-book your transfer.
Getting around
While Canggu isn’t huge getting around can be tricky as only few connecting roads will allow you to quickly get from Echo to Berwawa. There are a some shortcuts but again those are notoriously bad with traffic. Unless you need to get somewhere and have a lot of luggage you are best of walking or taking a motorbike.
I recommend you rent your bike from a local shop or hotel. If you are unsure of the Bali traffic you can also take some scooter lessons in Canggu.
I don’t know how to ride a bike and don’t have a valid license so I usually use Grab and GoJek. What was once quite tricky in Canggu due to the taxi mafia is now incredibly easy and cheap. I have both apps in case I cannot find a driver with the first but honestly, there are so many drivers these days, you shouldn’t have a problem. And yes, they will all bring an extra helmet for you.
Money
Many places have added the option to pay by card since Covid but especially smaller warungs and homestays will still prefer cash. There are a few ATMs in Canggu – I usually use Google Maps to find the closest one. Keep in mind that they do run out of cash sometimes so don’t wait too late if you need a larger amount.
Bali Visa
I highly recommend you get your eVisa before you come to Bali. I didn’t which ended up costing me twice as much time at the airport when I had to wait in line for my Visa on Arrival.
You can extend both the eVisa or your VOA and I recommend you chat to Bali Visas to have them help you. Obviously, this will cost a bit more but this way you only have to go to immigration once and they will handle the rest. They do have an office in Canggu.
You will also need Bali tourist tax these days which is 150 k (about $9) and you can do so before your arrival on the Love Bali website.
