The Ultimate 3 Day 2 Night Canggu Itinerary
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 hipster spot is popular among expats, digital nomads 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.
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 boutique shops and little markets selling individual hand-made stuff, and yes, you'll find some mainstream Bali souvenirs here too. Finish a great day by getting pampered from top to toe at one of the many amazing spas in Canggu.
Canggu is fairly spread out but in the main parts, it can feel quite crowded. Especially around Batu Bolong and along the 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 sunset and visit the Old Man (the bar of course!)
Start your day with a healthy breakfast at one of my all-time favourites, The Shady Shack. This breezy cafe not only serves amazing coffee and breakfast but also has a great atmosphere overlooking the rice paddies.
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!
Alternatively to shopping, relax at Spring Spa or 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, a great spot to watch the surfers and is 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 (my fav!)
As you can see, there are plenty of beaches and beach huts to grab a cold coconut or ice-cold beer. I recommend you head to Batu Bolong Beach or Echo Beach for your first Canggu sunset.
If you don't like sitting on the sand, hang out at one of the bars up from the beach, such as the iconic 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: Join the Canggu Beach Club Life
- Breakfast at Crate Cafe
- Eat all things plant-based at I am Vegan Babe
- 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, that 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 Canggu Jewelry Making Classes
- Go bouldering at Bali Climbing Bouldering Gym Canggu or try yourself at Padel
- Join a live-in cooking retreat set in a luxury pool villa
For lunch, I recommend I am Vegan Babe in Echo Beach or nüde cafe Berawa. Afterwards, 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. There are parties every day of the week in Canggu!
Day 3: Discover Canggu's hidden treasures
- Get your yogi on at The Practice
- Have breakfast in Pererenan
- 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 bamboo 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 having breakfast or brunch at one of the little cafes there, such as Woods or Brunch Club.
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. Head to Seseh!
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 250-400. 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!
Read my full guide on renting a scooter in Bali here.
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.
After living in Canggu, I also wrote an in-depth guide about all the best areas and hotels here.
Best places to stay in Canggu
Adult Only: Ametis Villas
Ametis Villas is 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.
Check availability & best rates
Luxury Hotel in Berawa: Swarga Suites
Upscale hotel with a wonderful infinity pool, airy restaurant and direct access to the beach. You will love Swarga Suites if you're
looking for a luxurious stay a little away from all the hustle bustle and enjoy more privacy.
Check availability & best rates
Luxury Hotel in Batu Bolong: The Slow
This hotel is for all the design and Instagram geeks. Think big rooms with floor to ceiling windows, lots of natural light, private plunge pools and native wood furnishings. Plus a short 10-minute walk to the beach and super attentive staff.
Check availability & best rates
Budget Stay: 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. You can also read my review of staying at FRii Hotel Echo Beach.
Check availability & best rates
Book Your Trip To Bali
Book Your Flight
I recommend using Skyscanner as the easiest way to find and compare the best airfares to Bali.
Book Your Hotels & Villas
My top pick for finding the perfect accommodation is Booking.com, as they guarantee the best room rate available, plus you get free cancellation on most bookings.
Book Your Tours & Activities
I like finding and pre-booking tours with Get Your Guide and Viator. You will book with instant confirmation, great customer support, and free cancellation for many activities.
Access Money Overseas Without Hidden Fees
I highly recommend getting a Wise account to withdraw money in Indonesia, pay for meals on the Visa card, or shop in Indonesian rupiah. With Wise, you always pay the real exchange, so you never pay more than you need to.
Stay Connected Anywhere
Getting an eSIM card from Airalo eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, so you can easily switch between mobile networks in over 190 countries worldwide without expensive roaming fees.
Don't Go Without Travel Insurance
Travel with confidence, knowing that Hey Mondo, my preferred travel insurance provider, has your back. Don't let illness, accidents, theft, or cancellations ruin your trip. As a Breathing Travel reader, you also get 5% off any policy purchased!
Canggu Itinerary – Final Words
I love Canggu! Sure, it's gotten A LOT busier since I first visited in 2016 and sometimes I secretly wish I hadn't written about this hotspot at all to keep it to myself. But honestly, there are still quiet and hidden spots to discover if you stay out of the main part Batu Bolong.
I hope this Canggu itinerary has inspired you to visit and plan out your perfect days in one of Bali's hotspots.
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