Good to know is that Canggu has grown a lot in recent years. What was before a quiet fisherman’s village close to nature has today become a busy town with lots of things to do and see. The town is especially popular among yogis, surfers, creators, and digital nomads. There’s quite a lot of tide in Canggu, so make sure you choose the right time to surf. The waves are best in the morning (expect the beaches to fill up already at 6 am.) From 4 pm to 6 pm is also a popular time to surf. Here are some well-known surf spots in and around Canggu:
Pantai Batu Bolong (Batu Bolong beach): Beginner-friendlyEcho beach: IntermediateBerawa beach: Beginner-friendlyGadon beach: IntermediateKedungu beach: All levels
FYI: The Canggu beaches are not as beautiful as those down south in Uluwatu. They can actually be quite rough, and the water is often too wild to swim in. Perfect for surfing, but not so perfect for swimming. During my time in Canggu, this became my favorite time of the day. There are many bars and beach clubs to catch the sunset from, and my personal favorites are listed below. Some of my favorite beach bars:
La Brisa: La Brisa is, according to me, the best beach bar in Canggu. It’s located at Echo Beach and consists of several tree houses, with pools and seating areas on different levels.Finns Beach Club: This is actually not a favorite of mine, but since it is the biggest and most well-known beach club in Canggu, it deserves a place on the list. Finns Beach Club is more expensive. There are no entrance fee, but a minimum spending limit for day beds. If you’re down for a party, this is a good place to go.Times Beach Warung: A relaxed beach bar located at Batu Bolong beach.The Lawn: Also located at Batu Bolong beach. The Lawn is a bigger venue, with a pool and several different seating areas.Cabanon: Cabanon is a smaller beach bar located at Berawa beach. Grab a beer and enjoy the sunset from one of their bean bags.
You can find any type of cuisine in Canggu. Sushi, Mexican, Italian, all vegan restaurants, hipster cafés and lots and lots of smoothie bowls. During the month I spent in Canggu, I tried at least one new restaurant each day. Here’s a selection of my favorites:
Manggis in CangguCrate CaféSecret SpotWOODSShady Shack
As a bonus you get my favorite coffee shops too:
Hungry Bird coffee roastersBAKED.Copenhagen
Tanah Lot has become a popular tourist attraction, and even though it usually counts as one of the best things to do in Canggu, I thought it was a bit overrated. If you choose to go, you should definitely go during sunset. The golden hour is supposed to be amazing there! Dozens of stalls are set up, selling everything from organic food to home decor, upcycled fashion and jewelry. Don’t miss the food stalls at the very back of the venue. Restaurants from all over Canggu come here to serve their food. You can find everything from yummy ice cream to Vietnamese pho and freshly grinded coffee. I suggest you come to La Brisa Sunday market hungry! The market is open from 10 am to 4 pm. There’s no entrance fee, and La Brisa is easy to reach by motorbike or car. This is definitely the best market in Canggu! Here are some of my favorite shops:
Haze & Glory: An eco-friendly brand that prioritizes sustainability. You’ll find a lot of high-quality cotton and linen clothes here.Bamboo Blonde: The Bali lifestyle brand with shops all over the island.Love Anchor Market: Not really a shop but more of a market. The place is filled with local vendors selling clothes, jewelry, hats, and decor.
Here are some Canggu yoga studios I’ve tried and can recommend:
Bliss Yoga Club: The funniest yoga class I’ve ever attended! The instructor is a lovely Russian woman who helps each participant reach their full potential. Each class ends with tea and handstand practice. See the schedule on their Instagram. The first yoga class cost 100 000 IDR, then you have to pay 150 000 K for each class.Pranava Yoga: Cozy studio, but a rather advanced class. Not for the beginner. Classes cost 110 000 IDK. Desa Seni: Desa Seni offers a relaxed atmosphere, away from the hectic Canggu traffic. The yoga classes are held in their garden and with professional instructors. They charge 140 000 IDR per class.
When you had your fun at Deus, you should move over to Black Sand Brewery. This place is normally jam-packed with beer-loving expats on weekends. Grab some food and a beer, listen to music and enjoy the view of the rice fields. If you’re more of a cocktail person you should head to The Shady Pig, an old-fashioned, glamorous British bar that serves unique drinks in the heart of Berawa. When Black Sand closes at midnight, everybody continues to Revolver for some late-night dancing. Here’s a list of recommended spas:
AMO spaTherapyGold dustSpring massageNü Beauty Cartel (manicures, lashes and brows)
Bali has no developed public transport system. The easiest way to get to Canggu would be by car or motorbike. A fair price from the airport to Canggu by taxi is 150 000 IDR. There are loads of taxis just outside the airport. If you want, you can also download the app Grab and order a taxi yourself (it’s normally cheaper through Grab!)
Hire a scooter or a motorbike
You can rent scooters everywhere around Canggu. We rented through Local Customs, and they were very professional and helpful. The scooter rental prices have gone up lately. Daily rental would cost you from 80 000 IDR and up, depending on what scooter you want. The monthly rental can be anything from 1 500 000 IDR to 3 000 000 IDR. The traffic can be quite hectic in Canggu, and the roads are small. My best recommendation is to drive slowly and always keep your eyes on the road.
Grab and Gojek
If the idea of getting on a scooter makes you nervous, you can always hire a driver. The apps Grab and Gojek offer taxi services with both scooters and cars. This is a common way of getting around in Canggu, and it’s very affordable, safe, and quick. In Bali, there are only 2 seasons: dry season (April to September) and wet season (October to March). During wet season it can come a rain showers from time to time, but they usually pass over quickly. If you want luxurious resorts, hip beach clubs, and trendy restaurants, you should choose Seminyak over Canggu. However, if you’re are looking for a laidback, creative hipster vibe, then Canggu is your obvious choice.
Batu Bolong: Batu Bolong is the main area in Canggu, where most of the shops, trendy restaurants, and bars are located. I thought this area was a bit too busy, but if you prefer to have walking distance to a wider selection of restaurants, this is a good choice. Berawa: A few years ago, Berawa was the calmer, more upcoming neighborhood. Today it’s filled with great restaurants and shops and is almost as busy as Batu Bolong.Pererenan: Pererenan is a more peaceful neighborhood, but very upcoming. New cafés, restaurants, hotels, and coworking places pop up each month – and the many construction sites indicate that more are on the way. I really liked the calmness of this area, and the fact that you’re only five minutes away from Batu Bolong makes it very attractive.
