You shouldn’t be surprised at all. Many first-time visitors to Bali have not even heard of this beautiful village called Canggu. It’s unsurprising, really – especially when rampant developments are taking place in popular tourist hotspots such as Kuta and Seminyak. I mean.. It took my fifth trip to Bali before I finally stayed put in Canggu. Guilty as charged.
If you make the effort to venture a little further away from the tourist bubble, you will discover an almost unspoiled laidback coastal village.
Canggu is one of Bali’s best destinations and I wish I knew that earlier.
Boasting scenic rice paddies and black-sand beaches, Canggu’s unique geographical landscape is actually quite a BIG deal.
In Seminyak, there are only beaches. In Ubud, there are only rice fields. But you get the best of both worlds in Canggu! No wonder many have described Canggu as ‘Ubud by the Sea’. You could easily transit from beaches to rice fields within mere minutes. We recently spent a few days in Canggu and it was such an enthralling experience.
Canggu, Bali Itinerary | Day One
Getting to Canggu from the airport: Canggu is approximately an hour drive from Ngurah Rai international airport (also known as Denpasar). To save yourselves the painful hassle of haggling with aggressive cabbies, we do suggest you arrange a private car to pick you up.
A one-way journey to Canggu starts from S$21.30 (excluding tolls) and you can book it directly from Klook.
1. Warung Kelapa Surf Canggu – Even first-timers can pick up surfing
Never surfed before? Don’t worry. It was our first time surfing too – so we totally understand your concerns.
Despite having zero surfing experience, we still managed to ride the waves!
The toughest part of surfing wasn’t standing/balancing on the surfboard, but paddling out to the sea.. Your abs and arms will be crazily sore within half an hour. Now you know why surfers have such toned physiques. Surfing felt like a combination of snowboarding and yoga – but three times more tiring.
We hired a private instructor and rented a surf board from Warung Kelapa Surf Canggu at Batu Bolong Beach at 350,000 IDR per person for two hours. You should be paying around that rate too.
Canggu’s Batu Bolong Beach is perfect for beginners because the waves are a lot smaller and friendlier. P.s. Beginners do NOT attempt to surf at Uluwatu because Uluwatu’s waves are meant for advanced surfers.
Address: Jl. Pura Dalem, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
2. Hotel Tugu Bali – Check into one of Bali’s best 5-star hotels
Hotel Tugu Bali is one of the most luxurious and interesting hotels in the Island of the Gods. Located just a stone’s throw away from the beach, the beautiful property will blow you away with its traditional Balinese architecture, antique collection, five-star amenities, unrivalled hospitality and the BEST breakfast.
Forget about cookie-cutter hotel rooms. Every suite in Hotel Tugu Bali is unique. We stayed in Hotel Tugu Bali’s Rejang Suite, which was located on the second floor of a Javanese house. The spacious suite — spanning across 75 square metres — also features a private spa area, which boasts tranquil views of the sea.
Address: Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Pantai Canggu, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Canggu Kuta Utara, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
3. Warung Djamoe Spa – Enjoy a free* traditional Balinese massage
*If you book at least two nights directly from Hotel Tugu Bali’s official website, you will receive awesome exclusive perks such as a welcome beverage of your choice, free daily breakfast, US$50 credits and an hour complimentary massage for two!
A perfect package for a couples retreat.
Speak to the hotel concierge and make the necessary arrangements to massage your fatigue away.
If an hour isn’t enough for you, you could also pay a premium to indulge in crazily pampering spa treatments such as the 5-hour Royal Javanese Palatial Pampering and 8-hour Treatment of The Southern Sea.
Address: Located inside Hotel Tugu Bali
4. Lobby Verandah – High tea featuring Indonesian local treats
Complimentary high tea is served to hotel guests from 4:30pm to 6:00pm every day at the lobby of Hotel Tugu Bali. Seize this opportunity to sample a plethora of sweet Indonesian treats in bite-sized portions. The selection of local desserts varies every day and offers travellers a glimpse of Indonesia’s rich and diverse culture. Complement your sugary indulgences with freshly brewed local tea or coffee.
5. Ji Restaurant – Watch the sunset from a reconstructed 311-year-old temple
Ji Terrace by the Sea is located on the third storey of Ji Restaurant Bale Sutra. The rooftop bar-cum-restaurant is a popular destination for sunset chasers.
Advance reservations are recommended to secure the best seats.
Scenery aside, the contemporary Japanese establishment serves whimsical Asian-inspired sundowners, and delicious authentic Jap nosh such as deep-fried prawn tempura, wagyu beef on hot stone and fresh salmon belly sashimi. Click here for their drinks menu and click here for their food menu.
Don’t forget to order their bestselling Coco Sexo (120,000 IDR) – a rum-based coconut cocktail infused with vanilla and passion fruit. Get your cameras ready for the smokey (literally) cocktail, inspired by Indonesia’s volcanoes.
Address: Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu Beach, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
6. The Lawn – Super stylish beach club in Canggu
Located across Hotel Tugu Bali is the ultra famous beach lounge called The Lawn. You definitely would have seen photos of A-listers posing on The Lawn’s daybeds or by the sunset deck on your Instagram’s explore feed at some point in time. Having said that, bear in mind that a smart casual dress code applies after 7pm.
We didn’t grab drinks at The Lawn or join the party due to lethargy. Is this what mid-20s feel like!? However, we heard heaps of good stuff about The Lawn.
Note to self: Will drag my lazy ass to The Lawn the next time I visit Canggu!
Address: Jl. Pura Dalem, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
Canggu, Bali Itinerary | Day Two
Does Uber work in Canggu? If you haven’t heard, Uber has already ceased its operations in Southeast Asia. Its equivalent – called Grab – is unfortunately completely banned in Canggu.
7. Breakfast by the lotus pond – Enjoy a lavish brekkie at any time of the day
Hotel Tugu Bali’s breakfast is truly exceptional. We read plenty of online reviews prior to our trip, and are pleased to say – its brekkie has indeed lived up to its hype! Another amazing part about staying in Hotel Tugu Bali is that..
You can enjoy your hotel breakfast any time and anywhere.
I know this sounds too good to be true, but… This means that you jetlagged travellers can even have your breakfast lunch at 2pm!
Breakfasts during vacations should be a relaxing experience, not a maddening one! And Hotel Tugu Bali certainly understands this important factor for holidaymakers. Picture this: You don’t have to wake up early and race to the breakfast buffet stations anymore. You are also able to choose your breakfast venue i.e. breakfast in bed, by the pool, in the lobby, inside the cabana and the list goes on. How awesome is that?
Have breakfast inside a cosy little hut by the hotel’s serene lotus pond.
The comprehensive variety of food is quite overwhelming, but we are so glad we ordered the signature Magic Potion Power Breakfast Bowl and the Nasi Goreng. The former is a refreshing blend of banana, chia seeds, honey and raw cocoa, topped with coconut flakes, mango, strawberries and roasted granola. The latter: Indonesian fried rice served with a sunny-side up egg, chicken, tofu, beansprouts and tempeh.
8. Tanah Lot Temple – A sacred religious landmark in Bali
Just a 30-minute drive from Hotel Tugu Bali is the iconic Tanah Lot Temple. The beautiful ancient Hindu temple is one of Bali’s most photographed landmarks.
Interestingly, Pura Tanah Lot is located around 300m from the shore – which means that it is only possible for people to cross over to the temple at low tide. However, only Balinese natives are allowed to enter the religious monument.
Although foreigners are not allowed into the temple, the stunning scenery of waves crashing against the rock formation is worth making a special trip for. Also, did you know that the rock structure Tanah Lot is situated on is actually a third artificial? Restoration was mandatory due to the inevitable coastal erosion.
Address: Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 8217, Indonesia
9. Nalu Bowls Dojo Bali – Treat yourselves to an acai bowl
Nalu Bowls Dojo Bali is only a three-minute walk from Echo Beach in Canggu, hence making it a popular pit stop for surfers. Every refreshing smoothie bowl here is prepared with locally sourced ingredients and freshly baked granola. Bestselling bowls include Mavericks, Uluwatu and J-Bay (from 65,000 IDR each).
Address: Jl. Batu Mejan No.88, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Bandung, Bali 80316, Indonesia
10. Batu Bolong Beach – How can anyone resist the pretty crimson skies?
Return to Batu Bolong Beach in the evening and take a leisure walk by the shore. One thing I really liked about Batu Bolong Beach is that it was surprisingly free from touters! I previously had a very bad experience at Kuta Beach – the touters were so aggressive that I felt uncomfortable even just strolling around the beach.
The explosion of sunset colours is a lovely sight to behold. Sometimes the best things in life are really free.
Address: Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
11. Bale Agung – Experience the Royal Tugudom Dinner fit for kings & queens
While we will never be royals, we finally got a taste of the royal Balinese lifestyle. And this was only possible at Bale Agung’s Royal Tugudom Dinner. Say what?
The Royal Tugudom is an out-of-the-world cultural dining experience. It has successfully combined Balinese dance, regional Indonesian food and its history into an elaborate dinner. Immerse yourselves in an extravagant charade, where traditional dancers and soldiers usher your squad to a glorious 15-course feast.
Dine atop the longest and oldest marble top in Indonesia with your entourage. From grilled lobsters, Balinese minced fish satay to slow-roasted Balinese duck, the amount of food is enough to keep the merrymaking go on all night long. The Royal Tugudom is by far the most memorable meal we had in Bali.
An advance three-day booking is required to prepare this impressive royal meal.
Address: Hotel Tugu Bali, JL. Batu Bolong Beach, Badung, Canggu Beach, Denpasar, Bali, Canggu, North Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Canggu, Bali Itinerary | Day Three
Should I visit Canggu? Canggu’s close proximity to beaches, rice terraces and the iconic Tanah Lot Temple make it an ideal three-day stopover for adrenaline junkies and culture enthusiasts.
It is equally great for travellers who love the laid back lifestyle of doing absolutely nothing. Sunsets here are one of the most beautiful, and it’s free from throngs of tourists (for now)!
12. Kuda P Stables – Ride a horse in the rice fields
After scouring the Internet for affordable – and safe – horse riding sessions in Canggu, I finally decided to proceed with Kuda P Stables. The stable stood out with its wallet-friendly prices and positive reviews.. Which was very reassuring for a first-timer like me! Yes, I have never ridden a horse until this Canggu trip.
Due to time constraints, I only had enough time for 30 minutes of horse riding. Note that Kuda P Stables has three different horse-riding packages and prices start from S$19.80 per person. Click here for the packages’ full details and rates.
Helmet and shoes are provided – so don’t worry if you only brought flip flops.
Note that the 30-minute and 1-hour packages do not include pick-up services. However, you could arrange hotel transfer services with Kuda P Stables upon confirming your tour with Voyagin. It only costs 50,000 IDR for pick up and drop off.
Tip: Book directly through Voyagin for cheaper rates and a free cancellation policy (2 days in advance)
Address: Gang Sabana, Banjar Kang Kang. Canggu Bali, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80117, Indonesia
13. Dine in the cabana – Order the Mie Kocok Tugu
On our last day in Canggu, we decided to have our scrumptious breakfast brunch inside the beautiful cabana located on an upper deck. The cabana overlooks the beach and was a surprisingly breezy experience (despite Bali’s sunny weather).
By now, we have tried all four smoothie bowls and the clear winners (to me) are the Magic Potion Power Breakfast Bowl and the Green Paradise Power Breakfast.
The Mie Kocok Tugu looks underwhelming, but surprise, surprise… It was divine! Homemade egg noodles are served with broccoli, black mushrooms, roast chicken in a piping hot broth. A must-order if you dig Asian noodle dishes.
Lazing inside the cushioned cabana, relishing in mouthwatering smoothie bowls and gazing at the glistening horizon… We ended our Canggu trip on a high note.
Here is a google map of all the places featured in this 3D2N Canggu, Bali Itinerary:
Download this 3D2N Canggu Itinerary in PDF file here or word doc here.
Disclaimer: We were guests of Hotel Tugu Bali, but all thoughts and opinions remain our own. We last visited Canggu, Bali in May 2018 and are not liable for any inaccuracies. Do email us at thekeepersmap@gmail.com if you spot outdated information. Thank you!
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