Canggu is an enchanting little coastal town, and it’s no wonder that its popularity is increasingly growing – especially among the hip and laid-back crowd. It has that chill, zen-out vibe but at the same time offers a plethora of activities and things to see. Being a town where travellers can easily feel like a part of the community, it’s effortlessly drawing in digital nomads, yoga enthusiasts, and anyone else eager to explore the rich Balinese culture.
Unlike the typical southern beaches with white sand, Canggu beaches are sexier with its sparkling black sand from Bali’s volcanos. The weekend usually gets very crowded here, and most of the streets in the Canggu area transform into the island’s coolest hangout spots.
Hit the Waves
For some, no trip to Canggu would be complete without surfing. That explains a lot of scooters with surfer boards around the area. It is indeed a good place to surf for beginner to advanced surfers. Here, you can take a cheap lesson or rent surfboards in various sizes right by the beach. Surfboard rental is between IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per day, but you can bargain for a better deal for short hours of renting. There are 3 popular beaches among the surfers; Berawa beach, Batu Bolong Beach and Echo Beach – all lie on the same stretch of sand.
Berawa Beach is suitable for seasoned riders. Consisting of one long beach break with a couple of small scattered reefs, this beach is the famous one, not just for the surfers but also for leisure travellers. The best time to surf is during the dry season when the seawater looks clean and the wind flows from the east to the west, creating ideal waves for a surfing adventure. With right and left wave direction, the wave can sometimes be relatively powerful and reaches up to 6 feet, making it quite a challenge for the intermediate surfers. The best to surf is at mid-tide.
If you happen to be in Berawa, Citadines Berawa Beach Bali is a stone’s throw from Berawa Beach and is surrounded by many cafes, restaurants, retail, and leisure options. This property is the only aparthotel in Berawa and is designed with an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional Balinese styles with lush greenery and social spaces. Offering studio-type units, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and a Presidential Suite with a private pool, all rooms are fully-furnished with serviced kitchen. Their apartment units can be converted into private workspaces, offering a conducive and creative environment for digital nomads to work. For pet lovers, Citadines Berawa Beach Bali is also a pet-friendly property with a pet-only playground on the rooftop for guests and their pets. Other facilities available are a fitness centre, meeting rooms, children’s playroom, swimming pool on the ground floor and rooftop, Sky Lounge on the rooftop, and even a laundry room.
Go Exploring on a Bike or Scooter
There are some truly amazing places to stay in Canggu, and wherever you find yourself, you’ll have a lot to see and do. But to truly make the best of your trip and get to feel the pulse of this wonderful village, make sure to go all the way to the opposite end of where you’re staying – it’s small enough to cross and you’ll have refreshing sites along the way. A scooter or a bike is the best way to get around Canggu, and incredibly cheap as well – just make sure to wear a helmet and watch out on the road, because it gets pretty hectic. Make sure you take a ride through the path surrounded by tranquil rice paddy fields which lead from Berawa to Batu Bolong.
Indulge in Delicious Food
Whether you’re a vegan or really love all kinds of meat, Canggu offers a wide array of amazing dishes for all the foodies out there. There are plenty of little roadside warungs where you can get all kinds of meals for just a couple of dollars. Eat at the warungs where you see plenty of locals eating and you’ll know you’re getting the real deal.
Take Yoga Classes
You’re basically in yoga heaven, so grab this opportunity, no matter which level you’re at. You’ll find so many yoga centres and places to take classes, many of them integrated with the accommodations. You can try all kinds of different yoga styles and even see how you like ‘surfer’s yoga’, a really great combo. Yogis far and wide come to Canggu to participate in yoga retreats, so consider signing up for one when planning your trip.
These are our must-dos for Canggu, but it’s such an inspiring and inviting place that you’ll undoubtedly find more. There are many cafes with great vibes to visit, so just head out and immerse yourself into the whole scene – you’ll make some friends, enjoy yourself, learn something new, and surely find a favourite spot that you call your own.
Rules of Thumb
- Avoid wearing flashy jewellery that can make you a target for thieves
- Bring enough cash in your pocket
- There are no lifeguards in the beach area, so make sure you swim sober
- Keep a lookout for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous
- For surfers, take the time to observe from a good vantage point on the beach and map out a general surf plan
