Welcome to Bali's bohemian hotspot.
Imagine Canggu as a maze of uber-cool hangouts, beautiful health cafes, some of the best yoga temples in Bali and long stretches of beach plus some emerging boho beach clubs you will surely want to visit to sip a cocktail or two.
Bali’s new hipster spot is popular among expats and surfers and increasingly for yogis who like to stay closer to the ocean than Ubud and anyone who's over the crowds of Kuta and the fanciness of Seminyak.
Canggu is visibly for a younger crowd but families find some gems here too, and it's definitely a nice spot for a romantic getaway too, if you're planning a trip to Bali with your other half for a vacation or your honeymoon.
Read also: The Ultimate Travel Guide To Seminyak, Bali
Stay in superb modern villas between lush green rice paddies, take a snap at one of the many graffiti-covered walls.
Then, go check out the many shops and little markets selling individual hand-made stuff instead, and yes, there are some mainstream souvenirs here too.
Finish a great day by getting pampered from top to toe at one of the many affordable spas.
Canggu is fairly spread out and it will never feel crowded.
Well, except for the occasional queues at the infamous ‘shortcut' or when everyone is headed to the beach to watch one of Bali's stunning sunsets.
The Ultimate 3 Day 2 Night Canggu Itinerary
Day 1 – Canggu for first time visitors
- Brunch at the Shady Shack
- Surf the Waves of Batu Bolong Beach
- Shop up a storm at Love Anchor Market
- Watch the sun set and visit the Old Man (the bar of course!)
Start your day with a healthy breakfast at one of my all-timefavourites, The Shady Shack.
This breezy cafe does not only serve amazing coffee and breakfast but also has a great atmosphere overlooking the rice paddies.
Read also: The 9 Best Places To Eat In Canggu, Bali
After breakfast, head down to Batu Bolong Beach or alternatively Echo Beach to catch some sun rays which is best done mid-morning before it gets too hot.
If you feel a bit more active, rent a surf board from one of the many shacks around the beach and hit the waves.
As the sun gets too hot, have a browse around Canggu's main street, Batu Bolong, as there are plenty of shops (with air-con!) and make sure you stop by Love Anchor Market, open 7 days a week for souvenir shopping. Make sure you bargain your prices here!
Have lunch at Betelnut Cafe, it's right next door.
Alternatively to shopping, relax at Golddust Spa and get a massage, facial or pedicure. Soo good!
Finally, it's time to head back to the beach to watch a dreamy Bali sunset.
There are actually a few different Canggu beaches, so you can take your pick:
- Batu Bolong Beach often called Canggu Beach, the main beach in Canggu near Old Man's Bar
- Neylan Beach, between Batu Bolong and Berawa, it's a little quieter but has some nice huts to sit
- Berawa Beach, great spot to watch the surfers and close to Finns Beach Club
- Echo Beach, which has great little huts where you can get cheap drinks, near La Brisa Beach Club
- Pererenan Beach, a more local beach with fewer tourists
As you can see, there are plenty of beaches and also beach huts to grab a cold coconut or ice-cold beer from. I recommend you head to Batu Bolong Beach for your first Canggu sunset.
If you don't like sitting on the sand, hang out at Old Man's Bar and gaze over the beach and ocean from here.
If Japanese fusion is your thing, JI Restaurant should be your dinner choice tonight. Come a little earlier and sit on the classy rooftop terrace and simply watch the sunset in style from here. A very romantic choice!
Day 2 – Take a deep dive into Canggu life
- Breakfast at Crate Cafe
- Eat all things plant-based at Peleton Supershop
- Visit one of Canggu's great beach clubs
- Party it up with amazing surf & skate vibes
Mornings at the buzzing Crate Cafe are the best. You will love this hipster hangout with its industrial-chic look and on-site boutique.
Oh, and did I say the breakfast is amazing and so affordable, you will want to come back again and again.
Come early to get a spot, it usually fills up fast!
In the morning, it's time to get creative – or active, your choice!
- Canggu offers jewellery classes at House of Alaia
- Go bouldering at Bali Climbing Bouldering Gym Canggu
- Join a live-in cooking retreat set in a luxury pool villa or street food tour with Will Meyrick, a former Sydney chef
If you can still eat, I recommend you take a dip over the shortcut to visit Peleton Supershop.
If plant-based food is not your thing, opt for the nearby Cinta Cafe. Then, browse some stunning homewares at Bungalow Living.
Take the afternoon to head to one of the up and coming beach clubs in Canggu.
Finns Beach Club is probably the most sophisticated choice, while La Brisa and The Lawn are both a more laid-back boho choice, which I both love!
COMO Beach Club is another luxurious choice featuring an infinity pool and impeccable service.
All beach clubs in Canggu are perfect to spend the whole afternoon and watch another perfect sunset over a drink and dinner.
If you're looking to party later on, many of the beach clubs have live music and entertainment at night too.
Alternatively, head to Pretty Poison, Deus Ex Machina or Gimme Shelter.
All of them have parties on different days of the week.
Day 3 – Canggu has so many hidden treasures
- Get your yogi on at The Practice
- Have breakfast at Born Bright
- See the best rice paddies in all of Canggu
- Farewell Canggu (You will be back!)
Go for an early bird session of yoga at The Practice, a great studio in the heart of Canggu.
You will love the structure it is set in and surely walk out relaxed and energised to kick-start your last day in Canggu.
Canggu has so many gems, you could spend a lot of time here and still discover new places.
On your last morning, I recommend you head outside of the main roads of Canggu to the village of Pererenan, which is closely adjoining to the beaches of Canggu and is often also counted towards Canggu.
The rawness and Balinese traditions make this part extra special and different from the rest of Canggu.
I love taking a drive on the other side of town and have breakfast or brunch at Born Bright.
I have loved this cafe from day one, when they only just started and hat a small hut in another location.
They simply have the most welcoming staff, amazing coffee and delicious food creations. Fresh, full of flavour & affordable!
SUPER SECRET TIP!
If you truly want to see untouched rice paddies, I have a super-secret tip for you, where you can find rice paddies as long as the eye can see, with nobody around but the locals working in the fields – this secret is only revealed in my Canggu Itinerary e-book.
Getting a visa for Bali
Upon your arrival in Bali, you may be eligible for a free visa (visa exemption).
Check if you are among the countries that get a free 30-days visa, just note that this cannot be extended.
Otherwise, you'll pay a small fee (around US$35) for a Visa on Arrival, also valid for 30 days, which can be extended once at the Immigration Office in Bali for another 30 days.
Social, Tourist or Cultural Visa holders can stay up to 60 days, which can be extended 3 times for 30 days each, but this is only issued by an embassy outside of Indonesia.
Getting to & around Canggu
Canggu is about 20km from Ngurah Rai International Airport and depending on the traffic the trip from the airport to Canggu takes about 50 minutes to 1 hour, sometimes more if traffic is heavy.
The taxi fee for this trip should cost you between IDK 200-300.
You can book yourself a safe airport transfer before you arrive right here.
Renting a scooter is a fast, easy and cheap way to avoid the major traffic in Bali, however be mindful that traffic is crazy and you need to be experienced.
And remember, even experienced scooter drivers get into accidents, so it's best to get travel insurance!
Otherwise, a good option, if you don't want to drive yourself, is the popular GO-JEK app where you can order rides similar to Uber, either as a car or scooter. Blue Bird Taxis is another safe option, but are getting increasingly harder to get around Canggu.
Many of the local taxi drivers don't like seeing ride-share apps being used so you will see big signs prohibiting them.
Despite this, they can still be ordered, sometimes you just need to wait longer, but they are almost always cheaper than going with a local cab.
Where to book tours & hotels?
Canggu Tours
Canggu has a lot going for it and if you do want to explore it with a local guide to hear all the insight stories, I highly recommend you do that!
No matter if you're eyeing to do a scenic horse ride along the beach, eat all the food on a food tour, a bicycle tour through the rice fields, join a surfing lesson, or want to organise a dedicated photoshoot or picnic at sunset – I love and recommend Viator to book all your tours, day trips, sightseeing tours and transfers!
Accommodation – Villas & Hotels
There are many epic hotels and private villas in Canggu to choose from.
I'll list my top choices below, and if you want to have a look yourself, I always use Booking.com or Agoda.com.
They are both great and trustworthy booking platforms with flexible cancellation policies and I have booked dozens of hotels through both all around the world.
Best places to stay in Canggu
Ametis Villas
Ametis Villas are next level when you're looking to book a villa in Canggu. It's an easy 2-minute walk to the beach, plus you get a private pool set within the beautiful tropical garden and private butler service will fill you to your heart's content.
The Haven Suites
Upscale hotel with a wonderful infinity pool, airy restaurant and direct access to the beach. You will love The Haven Suites if you're
looking for a luxurious stay a little away from all the hustle bustle and enjoy more privacy.
Frii Hotel
Best place to stay in trendy rooms at affordable prices in a hotel with a primarily young crowd and lots of surfers. Two pools, a rooftop bar with ocean views and within walking distance of the beach and the main street of Canggu.
Bali Must-Pack Items
Don’t Go Without Travel Insurance!
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