Canggu, Bali offers travelers a balance of the contrasts that make Bali a favorite destination. It’s a neighborhood where the ancient traditions of rice farming and intricate Hindu ceremonies mix with modern fashion boutiques, creative restaurants, and low-key nightlife. Where flowering trees line roads through the rice terraces that all lead to the ocean and the roofs of small temples peek over every wall. It is close enough to Seminyak and Kuta to visit on impulse – 20 minutes or so – but far enough away to have the relaxed vibe of an older Bali.
Where is Canggu Bali? You can see on our interactive Canggu Bali map.
Canggu is on Bali’s west coast, about 20 km northwest of the airport and about 10 km northwest of Seminyak, so it is about half way to the famous Tanah Lot temple. The neighborhoods of Berawa to the south east of Canggu and Pererenan to the northwest are often informally considered part of Canggu.
Canggu has a rural feel with a lot of open space and views across rice terraces to the ocean. Restaurants and shops dot the area, but are mostly clustered around two beaches. At Echo Beach, restaurants built on a breakwater next to a massive ornate temple give a close up view of expert surfers charging waves breaking over shallow reefs.
Batu Bolong Beach also has beachfront warungs (local style restaurants) and lots of newer restaurants and shops on Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, the street leading away from the beach. Deus Ex Machina, a restaurant, music venue and motorcycle/surf/fashion shop near Batu Bolong has contributed a lot to the relaxed but chic Canggu aesthetic that is Bali’s own special version of hip.
There are over thirty restaurants within a few hundred meters of the two beaches offering great variety, quality and value at a range of prices. Standouts around Batu Bolong include the traditional Balinese Nasi Campur style buffet at Warung Ibu Mi, with plates from around $1.50 to $3 depending on your appetite and La Barraca, Canggu’s best Italian restaurant. On the Echo beach side, Echo Beach House Beach Barbecue’s fresh catch choices and diverse tapas-inspired menu continues to draw crowds. Count in neighboring Berawa as some review sites do and you have over 100 restaurants to choose from.
You’ll also find surf shops, fashion boutiques, galleries, massage services, bicycle and scooter rental, and a couple lovely ocean front bars that sometimes feature music but don’t get too loud. There are a couple pharmacies, small laundries and convenience stores. ATMs are available on Jl Raya Canggu, the main road a couple kilometers from the beach, and 200 meters back from Echo Beach. For families (or adults who really take care of their inner child) Canggu Club offers trampolines and a water park as well as gym facilities.
Canggu is relaxing, but there is a lot to do. See our upcoming articles about things to do in Echo Beach, other beaches in the Canggu area, and surfing in Canggu.
