Canggu, Bali  is one of the most up and coming spots in Indonesia – if not the whole of South East Asia.

When I first visited Canggu waaaaay back in 2014 on a surf trip, there was little more than rice paddies, surfers and a few local warungs and restaurants.

But Canggu has exploded in the last few years and it’s now THE place to be in Bali – with everything from luxury villas, surf camps, beach clubs and up-market restaurants, attracting celebs, influencers and a whole lot of hipsters!

So if you’re busy planning a trip to Bali, here’s my Canggu Guide – with everything you need to know from the best hotels, and the best places to eat, to the best activities and day trips.

…time to get your ‘Gu on!

 

Canggu Bali Guide – Everything You Need To Know About Bali’s Hipster Paradise

Where Is Canggu?

Canggu is situated on the West Coast of Bali, roughly 19km from the International Airport and north of spots like Kuta (15km away) and Seminyak (10km away).

 

How Do I Get There?

From The Airport

If you’re flying into Bali and heading to Canggu, I’d recommend sorting an airport pickup in advance as the last thing you want to do after a long haul flight, is deal with the bombardment of the airport taxi setup! Hit my buddy Budah up on Whats App on +62 819 9785 1578 for an airport transfer of 250,000IDR (US$17/£13/AUD$25) and tell him I sent you his way! If you also need a SIM card on arrival, let him know and he can sort you out with that too.

From Kuta/Seminyak/Ubud/Elsewhere In Bali

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Bali, also give Budah a shout and see if he can help you out. Otherwise download the Grab App on your phone – it’s the Uber of Asia and you’ll be able to get the best price. Again, the local taxi guys will be well overpriced unless you can convince them to do it on the meter.

 

The Best Time To Visit Canggu

As with the rest of Bali, the best time to visit Canggu is during the dry season if you want the best of the weather and also the surf.

Staying during the wet season does make Canggu a lot quieter and cheaper, but be aware of the monsoon showers!

• Dry Season = May to September
• Wet Season = October to April
• Peak Season = July and August (great weather and surf but the most expensive and busy months)

 

Top Hotels

When it comes to finding the best hotels in Canggu, there are plenty to choose from! Whether you want affordable and comfortable, or outright luxurious, here are some of the top Canggu hotels to check out;

Click on the links to check the latest rates and availability.

• Frii Hotel – on the road parallel to Batu Balong so walking distance from everything. Great hotel option for 20-35’s as it attracts a younger crowd.
• Eastin Ashta – one of the newest hotels in Canggu. Lush pool and walking distance from the beach.
• Aston Canggu – a super popular option due to the fact that it’s only a 1 minute walk from Old Mans and the beach
• COMO Uma – this absolutely stunning hotel down towards Echo Beach is stylish and sustainable. A great option for those looking for chilled vibes right on the beach front. They’ve got an in-house surf school too.
• LV8 Resort – down towards Finns, LV8 is slap on the beachfront with an epic infinity pool, boasting some truly gorgeous suites, including some with private pools!
• Hotel Tugu – want something a little more traditional but with all the comforts of a high end hotel? Hotel Tugu is the place to book.

Expect to pay anything from 300,000IDR (USD$20/£16/AUD$30) upwards for a hotel in Canggu, with higher end options like Eastin Ashta setting you back around 1.4millionIDR (USD$97/£76/AUD$140)

As with most places in the world, there’s a huge spread of prices so use the map below to check out some of the options around Canggu.

Got any Canggu hotel recommendations? Add them to the comments and I’ll check them out!

 

Booking.com

 

Top Guesthouses

Fancy something a bit more budget friendly and local? Well there are some epic guesthouses in Canggu to choose from. Dont be fooled by the term guesthouse either, some of these come kitted out with pumping A/C, great locations, pools and super fast wifi. They’re like mini hotels!

Click on the links to check the latest rates and availability.

• Hello Canggu Homestay
• Laksmi Guesthouse 
• Nari Homestay
• V&V Guesthouse 
• Putu Guesthouse
• Kayuri Guesthouse
• June Guesthouse
• Pondok Canggu Homestay

Guesthouses tend to work out cheaper than traditional hotels, but again there’s a huge range for all styles and budgets. Budget options around Canggu can be found for as little as $20AUD per night for a private double, just be aware the closer to the beach you get, and the nicer the setup (including pools!), the more pricey it gets.

If you’re staying long-term, guesthouses are the way to go though, and most will offer weekly and monthly rates.

Personally, I recommend booking a night or two to start with (to check it out!), and then hunt around whilst you’re here as you’ll get better rates negotiating in person. Just be aware that getting a room long term in peak season can involve a bit more effort and a higher price range though.

Got any Canggu guesthouse recommendations? Add them to the comments and I’ll check them out!

 

Top Hostels

Want something a bit more social where you can meet some new travel buddies? Well these Canggu hostels have awesome locations, great facilities, and are the perfect budget friendly option.

Click on the links to check the latest rates and availability.

• The Farm
• Layday Surf Hostel
• Kosone Hostel
• Yana Guesthouse (they now have dorm rooms + privates)
• Mojo Surf Camp & Hostel
• 68 Rooms

Again, prices on hostels vary a lot, from budget dorms to luxurious boutique hostels – so no matter what your budget you’ll be well catered for.

Got any Canggu hostel recommendations? Add them to the comments and I’ll check them out!

 

Surfing In Canggu

Canggu first came onto the radar when surfers started exploring the coast of Bali – drawn to the area by the abundance of fun, punchy waves. Now Canggu has a huge bustling surf scene so dont expect uncrowded waves anymore! That being said, there are some super fun surf spots in the area which will serve up waves for all levels and styles.

Batu Bolong

The main surf spot in the area, this sits right in front of Old Mans Bar and is one of the most consistent waves in the area. Loved by long boarders this wave can also be fun on a shortboard when the swell picks up, and is surfable on most tides. Beware of the crowds here though, and there’s also a lot of surf lessons going on!

Berawa

If you want to escape the crowds of the main part of Canggu, this punchy section down towards Finns Beach Club is good fun. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to be empty, but there are plenty of peaks to choose from.

Old Mans

Between Batu Balong and Echo Beach lies Old Mans (confusingly NOT in front of the bar with the same name!), which offers up slightly more punchier waves than Batu Bolong and is semi-reef.

Echo Beach

One of my personal favourites in the area, Echo Beach offers up both a reef and a beach break. The reef works best on a mid-tide and serves up some super fun lefts. There’s only one take off spot though so best to avoid it if it’s crowded. On the other hand, the beach break offers a variety of peaks and is heaps of fun too.

…and if you really want to escape the crowds, the further north out of Canggu you get the more empty the waves!

 

 

Top Surf Camps

You can’t come to Bali without learning to surf and there are plenty of surf camps to choose from! Whether you just want to give it a try with a single lesson, get stuck into a more intensive week long surf camp in Canggu, or even start an epic surf trip here. Surf camps are a great way to also meet new travel buddies too!

• Mojo Surf – my personal pick out of the surf camps on the list, they run some epic Bali surf trips too!
• Solid Surf Camp – these guys even do a full surf instructor training course!
• Kima Surf
• LaPoint
• Stormrider
• Dreamsea Surf Camps

 

Things To Do In Canggu

1. Learn to surf – well you cant come to Bali without hitting the waves can you?!
2. Tanah Lot – visit the famous Balinese temple, a great spot for sunset
3. Day trip to Ubud – if you’re based in Canggu make sure you hit Ubud for a day and visit the rice terraces and monkeys
4. …or Nusa Penida – another epic one to fit in if you’re not in Bali for long, stunning island vibes and manta rays!
5. Explore on a moped – hire a moped for a few days and get out amongst the rice fields and coastline for a beautiful drive
6. Eat – there are so many awesome places to eat in Canggu, more about that in a moment though!
7. Party at Old Mans – no trip to Canggu is complete without partying until the early hours at Old Mans
8. Sip cocktails at the Lawn – get all sophisticated amongst the hipster crowds with an espresso martini at the Lawn
9. Sunset on the beach – simple, cheap, it has to be done!
10. Get your “OM” on – there are plenty of yoga classes in Canggu so why not detox and find some mindfulness time?
11. Hike Mount Batur – depart from Canggu at 2am and hike the famous volcano for sunrise, absolutely stunning!
12. Spa day – indulge yourself in some pampering or simply work out those post surf aches with a back massage.

 

Canggu Beach Clubs

The Lawn

Canggu’s premier beach club and the place to be seen (if you care about those kinda things!) expect lots of felt hats, circular glasses, moustaches, and flowing gala dresses here! Complete with infinity pool, DJs, and Instagramable cocktails it’s worth checking out, although you may be rather shocked at the bill!

Finns

If you fancy kicking back at a beach club that’s slightly more relaxed and less of a hipster-scene than the Lawn, then Finns fits the bill.  Make a day of it with the table or day bed service, enjoy the pool with swim up bar, and enjoy a cold drink as you watch the surfers in front.

Alternative Beach Club

Technically not a beach club (hence the name!) as it’s not on the beach – this stylish white washed venue boasts an inviting pool, boho restaurant and heaps of weekly events. From movie nights on the projector screen to free yoga. But lets be honest you’re heading there for a refreshing dip and to enjoy some cocktail at the pool bar!

COMO

Sleek, sustainable and beautiful to look at, Como Beach Club is part of the COMO Uma Canggu Hotel and looks absolutely stunning. Much less party vibe than Finns or the Lawn, this is an epic spot to kick back and take in the sunset in style.

ALSO READ: My Bali Beach Club Guide

 

Best Places To Eat In Canggu

Shady Shack

One of the most popular hipster breakfast joints in Canggu. Healthy, tasty and great vibes, although not the cheapest place on this list for breakfast!

Crate

My favourite spot to eat in Canggu, Crate offers the perfect balance of healthy food, epic portions and value for money, with most mains only 55,000IDR. Benz Eggs or Peas Please are my go to dishes, washed down with a cold coconut.

Taco Casa

If you want some awesome Mexican, head to Taco Casa, I highly recommend the wet burrito. Tasty, quick and with great portion sizes too, you wont go hungry here.

The Compass

This American inspired menu is full of all the tasty treats, including an epic Mac and cheese. It might sound a bit unexciting but their cheese sandwich and tomato soup is freaking incredible! Oh and if you’re a fan of Bloody Marys, try out their loaded ones – complete with burger slider and bacon!

Warung Nonni

If you’re on a budget this is the place to head. You can grab a few dishes from the local buffet option and get a solid feed for around 25,000IDR (USD$1.7/£1.3/AUD$2.5), or try one of their mains (the Japanese Curry is epic!) for around 40,000IDR (USD$2.7/£2.20/AUD$4).

Wash it down with a lime and mint frost, nom nom nom!

Warung Varuna

Along with Nonni this is another awesome option for budget feeds! They have a really solid selection of nasi campur (the local buffet) – but this place does get really busy, so be prepared to line up. They do also have an upstairs seating area too.

Grass Terrace

On the road parallel to Batu Balong (and right next to the Eastin Ashta Hotel) is Grass Terrace which is a hidden little gem in Canggu. Not only does it do incredible value food (their avocado hash brown brekkie is amazing!) and really good coffee but their 241 happy hour runs ALL day AND night!

And alongside that they offer free shisha from 3-6 …winning!

Mason

Highly recommended by my buddy Nadine who has been here for a long time!  “just GO. Omg mouth orgasm. Lamb, chicken, pork belly & barra” …recommendations don’t come much better than that!.

 

Vegan Friendly

• I am Vegan Babe – All vegan Cafe – FAVE
• Shady Shack – Vego/Vegan Cafe – YUM
• Plant Cartel – Hangover & drunk vegan
• Peloton Supershop – All vegan
• In The Raw Beach Garden – Organic, vegan, veggie and meat – JUST GO
• Give Cafe – Vegan Nasi Campur – EPIC

 

Where To Party

One of the best things about visiting Canggu is the social scene, and there are plenty of spots to party in town. Whether it’s a Sunday Session on the beach, or the best happy hours in town, here are some of the best places to party in Canggu…

Old Mans

This is THE party place in Canggu and their epic happy hour attracts a solid crowd for sunset. They do some awesome live gigs here too and if you want the biggest night out in the ‘Gu, head here for their infamous “dirty ol’ Wednesday”.

• Best night = Wednesday,
• Happy hour = Daily 241 happy hour 4-6

Deus

Great for a feed, and also for DJs and letting your hair down – including FREE tattoos on Tuesday….yup you read that right! Give yourself some time to browse through the huge range of sexy custom surfboards and motorbikes too.

• Best night = Sunday, but Tuesday is also good with free tattoos and tacos!
• Happy hour = 241 drinks 5-7pm daily

Luigis

Is it a pizza restaurant? Is it a bar? Is it a club?! Well it’s kinda all three! Arrive early and get some epic happy hour food and drinks deals and then stay for when the DJ kicks things off and it gets pumping!

• Best night = Monday
• Happy hour = daily happy hour 4-6 (50k pizzas and 50k cocktails)

The Lawn

Want to really experience the Canggu hipster scene? Then this is the spot to head to. Sleek, stylish and with a price tag to match, the Lawn is one of the fanciest places in Canggu to head for a drink

• Best night = Friday
• Happy hour = Friday happy hour until 11pm for half price cocktails, beer, and pizza

Sandbar

Ah good old Sandbar! No matter where you start your night in Canggu, the chances are you’ll finish it off here dancing on the beach. Sunset is also epic here with bean bags on the sand, live reggae tunes and laid back vibes.

• Best night = Saturday
• Happy hour = 3 cocktails for 100k and 3 beers for 50k 4-7pm daily

Pretty Poison

Slightly out of Batu Bolong and just opposite the shortcut (more about that later), is this epic grunge bar – made famous by their Thursday night sessions where you can grab a cold beer and watch locals and travellers alike tearing up their skate bowl…very Dog Town and Z Boys!

• Best night = Thursday
• Happy hour = daily happy hour 4-6 (50k pizzas and 50k cocktails)

 

Co-Working Spaces In Canggu

Canggu is a hotspot for digital nomads these days – the mixture of beaches, value and high speed wifi make it the perfect place to work online, whether you’re a blogger, influencer, web designer, videographer or simply running your own online business.

And with this surge in popularity, a few epic co-working spaces have popped up – offering lightning fast wifi, Skype booths, weekly seminars and networking events!

So if you’re looking to get some work done whilst you’re here, check out these spots;

• Dojo
• District
• Outpost
• Tropical Nomad

A couple of them also offer co-living packages too, so if you’re heading to Canggu and really want to get networked in and work alongside some other digital nomads, they might be well worth checking out.

Tribal

Looking to find the perfect place to hustle, work, rest and play? Welcome to Tribal Hostel, the world’s best co-working hostel, situated in Bali – The Island of The Gods!

Located just minutes from the beach, Tribal is a very special hostel… With sleek, custom designed private and dorm rooms to ensure a good night’s sleep, Tribal is Bali’s newest and most modern hostel and comes with a twist… Check out the MASSIVE coworking area with dedicated booths, plentiful power sockets, high-speed wifi and super tasty coffee and kitchen to fuel a day’s hard hustle!

Need a quick screen break? Soak in some sun and relax in the infinity pool or hit the billiards table for a game of rapido pool. There’s always plenty happening down at Tribal so rest assured, if you’re looking to find the perfect place to blend fun and hustle, Tribal truly has everything you need…

 

 

Yoga Classes

Canggu is packed with all things hippie, so it’s no surprise that it’s a hotspot for those looking to get their “om” on! There are a few different options and yoga styles, but these are some of the most central and popular;

• The Practice – right in the centre of Canggu offering traditional Tantric Hatha yoga
• Serenity Yoga – great low cost classes for all levels
• Samadi – Ashtanga and Mysore yoga, they also do a monthly unlimited pass
• The Chillhouse – a weekly schedule catering for Vinyasa, Hatha Flow, Kundalini and Yin
• Ecosfera – Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Ashtanga

All the above yoga studios in Canggu offer one-off class prices, as well as package deals for those staying longer, so if you’re planning on attending a few, it’s well worth getting a pass to save some money!

 

Scooter Hire and The Shortcut

If you’re based in Canggu, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get around is hiring a scooter. You can grab them from most guesthouses or there are plenty of hire places around if not.

Expect to pay around 50,000IDR per day (less if you hire for longer) and you’re off!

Filling up is an experience in itself – you’ll notice plenty of random little places along the roads with bottles (usually Abolsute Vodka!) filled with colourful liquid. Simply pull over, ask for a couple of bottles and they’ll fill up your scooter! It’s super cheap too, with bottles selling for 10,000IDR, 30,000IDR worth should last you a week!

Be Safe!

Let’s be a bit safety conscious here – A LOT of people go into holiday mode in Bali and dont bother wearing helmets. And to be honest I’m throwing it out there and saying it’s because they want to look cool.

Well that’s pretty f*cking stupid if you ask me – scooter riding in Bali and Asia in general is pretty sketchy at the best of times, so please, please please make sure you get a decent helmet. It should be included in your scooter hire anyway. Grab a sticker from Safety is Sexy for it too!

*Rant over*

The Shortcut

Also, if you’re scooting around Canggu the chances are you’ll hear about or encounter “the shortcut” – a road that links Batu Bolong with Berawa just across from Pretty Poison. Just be aware that this is probably the most hectic stretch of road in the area, with straight drops either-side into the rice paddies and plenty of pot holes!

Technically it’s meant to be a one way street for cars, but this is Bali and rules aren’t exactly followed so be aware! Be cautious, and if possible avoid it at peak times like 9am or sunset.

I’ve seen both cars, mopeds and people falling off the side so play it safe!

 

How Much To Budget For Canggu

Accommodation – This is going to be a huge deciding factor in how much you need to budget for Canggu. There’s everything from huge luxury villas to quaint guesthouses, hotels and hostels. If you’re looking for a clean, comfortable and modern guest-house, budget around AUD$30-40 per night

If you’re staying long term (1 month +), the same guess house will drop to around 200,000IDR (USD$13/£10/AUD$20) per night for the monthly rate.

Food – much like accommodation, eating is going to have a big impact on your overall budget. Local warungs will provide a solid feed for under 35,000IDR (USD$2.5/£1.90/AUD$3.50) whereas restaurants will be anything from 70,000IDR (USD$4.80/£3.80/AUD$7) upwards. My advice – mix it up as the local food is incredible and will help keep your overall spend down.

Activities – the activities around Canggu (including day trips elsewhere in Bali) cover all price points. Here are some average costs of the main ones;

• Ubud day trip = 600,000IDR (USD$41/£32/AUD$60) up to 5 people
• Surf lesson (local) = 400,000IDR (USD$27/£21/AUD$40) per person
• Surf lesson (surf camp, fully certified instructor) = 720,000IDR (USD$50/£40/AUD$72) per person
• Mount Batur hike = 600,000pp (USD$41/£32/AUD$60) based on 3 people sharing or 400,000IDR (USD$27/£21/AUD$40) based on 6 sharing
• Tanah Lot day trip = 350,000IDR (USD$24/£19/AUD$35) up to 5 people
• Yoga class = around 130,000IDR (USD$9/£7/AUD$13) or discounted for bulk booking classes
• Nusa Penida day trip = 800,000IDR (USD$55/£43/AUD$80) per person
• Back Massage = 110,000IDR (USD$7.50/£6/AUD$11) for 60mins full body

Scooter hire – daily, you’ll be looking at paying around 50,000IDR (USD$3.50/£2.70/AUD$5), or if you hire for a month around 800,000IDR (USD$55/£43/AUD$80) which brings it down to 26,000IDR (USD$1.80/£1.40/AUD$2.60) per day. Rates are always negotiable so ask around, and if you’re there for a week plus always ask for a good chunk off.

 

Other Spots In Bali To Check Out

If you’re not just restricting yourself to Canggu, there are plenty of other awesome places to visit across Bali – including;

• Seminyak – Canggu’s older brother, with heaps of hotels, restaurants and beaches to enjoy
• Kuta – glorious chaos! Super close to the airport and home to some massive nightclubs and night life
• Ubud – the yoga capital of Bali! Also famous for rice terraces and the Monkey Forest
• Tulumben – great for chilled out vibes and the perfect haven for scuba divers
• Nusa Dua – if you’re heading to Bali for a honeymoon or want an all inclusive holiday, it’s ideal
• Bukit Peninsular – a surfer’s paradise with world class waves like Padang Padang and Uluwatu
• Nusa Lembongan – just a short ferry ride from Bali, island vibes and epic surf
• Gili T – a 4 hour ferry journey but incredible sunsets, beach parties and more island vibes

For a full run down of the best places to visit in Bali check out this blog post.

 

Canggu Video Roundup

Want to see what Canggu is really like? Check out this awesome video roundup covering hotels, food, scooter rides, co-working spaces and more!

 

Have you visited Canggu?

Any recommendations or suggestions to add in?