Canggu is the most famous place in Bali, for its parties, cafes and fancy brunches. It is the place where most tourists stay. I planned to stay there for 3 or 4 nights and ended up spending only one day, because it was totally out of my vibe. On the other hand, Uluwatu was a place that I fell in love as soon as I arrived. Without a doubt, my favorite place in Bali, which is why I chose to stay there for 6 days.
Quality-price: Breeze Hidden Village by Bukit Vista – very well located, you can easily get to any part of Uluwatu by motorbike. I stayed in the cabins, which costs around €55 per night, but there are cheaper rooms. The rooms are super spacious, fully equipped, with a great bathroom, an outdoor kitchen for all guests to use, daily filtered water and, most importantly, the hosts are amazing, you definetly have to meet them. Wayan is incredible, very concerned, always available, and the rest of his family, although more reserved, is also very sweet. Without a doubt, I gained a family in Bali.
Canggu is the most famous place in Bali, for its parties, cafes and fancy brunches. It is the place where most tourists stay. I planned to stay there for 3 or 4 nights and ended up spending only one day, because it was totally out of my vibe. On the other hand, Uluwatu was a place that I fell in love as soon as I arrived. Without a doubt, my favorite place in Bali, which is why I chose to stay there for 6 days.
Quality-price: Breeze Hidden Village by Bukit Vista – very well located, you can easily get to any part of Uluwatu by motorbike. I stayed in the cabins, which costs around €55 per night, but there are cheaper rooms. The rooms are super spacious, fully equipped, with a great bathroom, an outdoor kitchen for all guests to use, daily filtered water and, most importantly, the hosts are amazing, you definetly have to meet them. Wayan is incredible, very concerned, always available, and the rest of his family, although more reserved, is also very sweet. Without a doubt, I gained a family in Bali.
Getting to Uluwatu was probably the most difficult and longest journey of all. Coming from Lombok, you have to drive from Kuta Lombok to Bangsal Port (which takes about 2 hours), take a boat to Padangbai (in Bali), take a bus/shuttle to Jimbaran (an area close to Uluwatu) and then call a Gojek or Grab to Uluwatu (you can also call a car, not just motorbikes). This whole process takes about 8 hours, so I recommend you to plan a full day for this trip, because you will leave in the morning and will arrive only in the afternoon, or late afternoon (depending on delays) to Uluwatu.
The boat trip is quite bumpy, but of course, it always depends on the sea conditions; but the day I took this trip the sea was really calm and yet I felt really bad. Therefore, I recommend that if you tend to get seasick, you take a motion sickness pill beforehand.
It was Riyanto who took care of all this bookings (driver who took us from the port to Kuta Lombok - contact him if you want: Riyanto: +62 823-4113-8755), with the exception of the Gojek that we called from Jimbaran to Uluwatu. Everything costs 950,000 rupees for 2 people (€56 - €28 each).
To get around Uluwatu you should, without a doubt, use Grab or Gojek The apps are very intuitive, the trips are extremely cheap and each driver is cuter than the last. They are always super friendly and have the most hilarious stories ever. As soon as you tell them you are from Portugal, their eyes light up, cause they are all huge fans of CR7.
Almost the entire day will be spent traveling from Lombok to Uluwatu.
Take your time checking in and enjoy the evening by going to one of the restaurants, bars or parties I recommend below.
1. Le Cliff Bali: a hotel with suites overlooking Padang Padang Beach, which also has a restaurant/bar. I highly recommend it for breakfast or lunch, the place is very welcoming, the view is incredible and the coconut water is great.
Tip: if you enter through Le Cliff to Padang Padang Beach you won't have to pay the beach entrance. Just go downstairs and you'll be on the right side of Padang-Padang. Walk a little, pass through some rocks and you'll be on the beach;
2. Padang-Padang Beach: the best-known beach in Bali, mainly for surfing and for being the setting for the beach scenes in the film Eat Pray Love. It's not my favourite beach in Bali, simply because it's small and if there's a high tide and lots of people (as usual), there's not much space on the sand. The entrance for this beach is 10,000 rupees (€0.59). It is very simple, not very tidy or well-maintained and there are a lot of monkeys. However, the vibe is incredible, with very young people, mostly surfers, and at the end of the day, everyone gathers on the beach for the sunset. There is usually music, beach parties, or groups of people getting together, who end up creating their own party. It's a great opportunity if you're in the mood to meet people.
I highly recommend it for surf beginners. There are several schools, even if it's just for renting boards, and the waves are not as strong as on other beaches.
1. Blue Point Beach/Pantai Uluwatu: in my opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali. The scenery is completely unbelievable. There is no entrance fee, unless you are going on your own motorbike. If you are using Gojek or Grab, they will leave you at the “toll” entrance, so you don’t have to pay anything. You have to walk a litle bit to get to the beach, but it is totally worth it. There are lots of little shops, surf schools, restaurants and bars along the way. Surfing here is also great, although it is always full of surfers.
As soon as you get to the beach, you will see a totally Instagrammable spot, usually with queues for photos, but don’t think that’s all, because to actually get to the sand, you have to pass under several rock formations. The beach is even more beautiful at low tide, especially because the crystal clear water allows you to see its corals and small natural pools;
2. Single Fin: restaurant/bar/beach club on the top of the beach (right beside the entrance). It’s great for lunch, but I highly recommend going at sunset, because it has a really cool atmosphere. It’s always full of people, it has a young atmosphere, a DJ, an incredible view to the ocean and a breathtaking sunset. A beer costs 70,000 rupees (€4.20) and a cocktail is around 130,000 rupees (€7.80). A little above the average for Bali, but it’s totally worth it. There’s also a swimming pool that can be used with some kind of consumption.
1. Dreamland Beach: the beach with the most turquoise sea I've seen in Uluwatu. There is a parking right at the entrance (for which you have to pay 5000 rupees (0.29€), but if you go by Gojek or Grab you don't have to pay. There are some surf schools, but the sea here is rougher, even for diving or swimming. There is a really cool beach bar that is not expensive. It is a great place to spend a relaxing morning;
2. Thomas Beach: about 15 minutes by motorbike from Dreamland, this is one of my favourite beaches. There is no entrance fee, but to get to the beach you have to go down some stairs (the view is stunning all the way down). The water is completely crystal clear and practically without any waves. There are some rocks, but something irrelevant considering all the scenery. There are not many restaurants/bars, but I went to Rocky Warung to eat a typical Nasi Goreng and it was great. Tip: if you enter through Le Cliff to Padang Padang Beach you won't have to pay the beach entrance. Just go down stairs and you'll be on the right side of Padang-Padang. Walk a little, pass through some rocks and you'll be on the beach;
3. Main street (reference point: Tiny Social Club) to take a stroll through the various shops, cafes and restaurants. There is no shortage of options, but I will mention the ones I recommend the most below.
Take a Gojek Car to Canggu. I recommend that you only spend one day here, simply because it was the place I liked the least. However, if you don't want to go through this process of traveling and traffic (Canggu is a traffic jam and the trip that supposedly took 1h30, in my case, ended up in 3 hours), enjoy this day in Uluwatu. Canggu is totally chaotic, very dirty, the beach is bad (compared to those in Uluwatu), it smells bad, only tourists, commercial parties... the atmosphere is totally different from the true spirit of Bali. It reminds me a bit of Oura, in Albufeira.
If this is what you are looking for, stay longer, if it is not really your thing (like it wasn't mine), just stay for 1 day, and in that case, here it is the Itinerary:
1. Crate Café: go straight to this café for breakfast. The place is really cool, the vibe is incredible (there are several long tables to be shared by people who don't know each other) and the food is great (I paid 105,000 rupees for a great bowl and an ice latte - €6.28);
2. Love Anchor: walk along “Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong” (it's one of the best-known streets in Bali, full of shops, cafes, restaurants and markets) until you reach Love Anchor. It's Canggu's iconic market, all made of wood, full of little shops and restaurants. Don't expect a market full of really cheap stuff, because that's not the case. It has really cool stuff, but it's completely designed for tourists. You can find much cheaper markets throughout Canggu. However, it's totally worth a visit. It's open every day from 9am to 10pm;
3. Echo Beach: one of Bali's best-known beaches, as it's one of the best spots for surfing and for its elevated bars with privileged views of the sea. The sand is completely black, the beach is very wide and has a stunning sunset. It's not stunningly beautiful and it smells a bit bad, but compared to all the beaches in Canggu it is, in my opinion, the most worth it (mainly because of La Brisa);
4. La Brisa Bali: a beach club with breathtaking decor, completely sustainable, which combines a wilder side with a charming and relaxing one. More than a place, it's an experience. It has a completely diverse menu, several pools and even a spa. It´s great for spending the day or for a sunset party. The entrance price depends on the type of event that is happening that day and on the place you choose to sit. It has an exceptional Sunday market, with organic and natural products, that supports local farmers and small local businesses;
5. Kynd Community: a totally Instagrammable café, but it's much more than that. It's part of the School of Kyndness, that teaches tips and tricks for delicious healthy meals, and also has numerous recipe books. The food is great and it has a pleasant terrace;
6. Tanah Lot: a temple built on rocks in the middle of the sea. It can be visited at low tide, but at high tide it can only be seen from afar. I strongly recommend visiting it at sunset. It is open every day from 7am to 7pm and the entrance fee is 60,000 rupees (€3.59);
Return to Uluwatu.
1. Palmilla Bali/ Melasti Beach: a beach club right above Melasti Beach that is completely unreal. It has direct access to the beach, a pool overlooking the sea and a privileged view of the cliff that overlooks the beach. The entrance fee is 100,000 rupees (€5.98), but it is totally worth it to spend the day there. The coconut water is delicious and the whole menu looks great, but I highlight the mango bowl, which is truly out of this world. The beach is beautiful, one of my favourites. Extensive sand, white sand, crystal clear and very warm water. To enter this area, whether just to go to the beach or to one of the beach clubs, you have to pay an entrance fee of 12,000 rupees – €0.71 (even if you go by Gojek or Grab).
Note: if you are using Gojek or Grab, they can drop you off right at the edge of the beach, but for the pick-up, they cannot pass the toll, so you will have to walk all the way up (it is quite a distance). In this case, if you do not have your own motorbike, ask for a ride. One of the locals will give you a ride without hesitation;
2. Nyang Nyang Beach: where I saw the most incredible sunset in Bali. It is undoubtedly a difficult beach to access, but it is totally worth the effort. If you have your own motorbike, it is ok, but if you are using Gojek/Grab, they will drop you off at the top of the beach (after paying an entrance fee of 10,000 rupees – €0.59), and to get to the beach, you will have to go down much further. I ended up asking for a ride, because going down on foot seemed practically impossible to me (not only is it far, but it is also very steep). The beach is not good for swimming, as it is very rocky, but it is great to go in the late afternoon to watch the sunset.
1. Alchemy Yoga Center: perfect for starting the day with a yoga class and an amazing breakfast. A yoga class costs 150,000 rupees (€8.97), but it depends on the type of class you choose. The space “breathes” Bali, it is always full and has a very young atmosphere and great vibes. The food is delicious and all plant-based;
2. Shred Culture Tattoo: an experience like this deserves to be remembered for life (not just in our memories) and Shred is a very trustworthy and hygienic tattoo shop. The tattoo line is super thin (just the way I like it) and the smallest tattoo costs 1,000,000 rupees (€59). You can book your appointment through their Instagram (@shredculturetattoo_bali);
3. Bingin Beach: when you arrive, you have to walk a little through narrow alleys, but as soon as you start to get closer, you will realize the paradisiacal beach that awaits you. I went straight to one of the beach bars (The Sun & Surf Stay) and ended up staying there to eat and drink something. The place is small, but it's beautiful, the food is great and the prices are very reasonable. You can easily go down the stairs, take a dip and return to the terrace. The beach is small (compared to the previous ones), but it is spacious; there are lots of dogs, several other really cool bars, the water is crystal clear and the sand is white. Watching the sunset drinking a bintang (the best beer in Bali) is a must.
(choose according to the parties/programs that are going to happen on the days you´re there)
- Savaya Bali: with the famous (and deserved) title of best club in Asia and 9th place in the world, it is a club on a cliff right above the sea, with a breathtaking view. It is an experience from the beginning to the end, and although it is open from 1pm to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, I totally recommend you to go between Friday and Sunday, as there are always sunsets or out-of-this-world parties. I was lucky enough to catch a “Zamna” party and it was amazing. You must go before sunset, to see it in this incredible setting;
- Tiny Social Club: it is a day and night social club, where you can have breakfast or have drinks at night. The menu is super diverse, the cocktails are very good (and very different) and there is usually a DJ. This portuguese place is delightful and there is always a cool crowd;
- Il Salotto Bali: an Italian restaurant with a very pleasant terrace, great food (don't miss the truffle potatoes) and a really great atmosphere. There is usually a DJ inside (especially on weekends), so after dinner, the atmosphere is really great. The prices are a little above the average for Bali, but it's totally worth it;
- Lola´s Cantina Mexicana: A mexican restaurant with delicious food, really cool decoration, delicious food and super affordable prices. I dare to say it is on my top 3 Mexican restaurants. It has snooker, which creates a very relaxed and convivial atmosphere and has really cool parties on Fridays, which last until late. During dinner, they have a huge “party”, with small rockets and Mexican hats. A really cool atmosphere, with younger people;
- Single Fin: I already mentioned it above, but I'll mention it again here, because besides being a great place to have lunch or watch the sunset while having a few drinks, there are also some parties that last until late on specific days of the week. Just check out the program on their social media;
- Rock Bar Bali: I ended up not having the chance to go, but I have great reviews. More expensive than usual in Bali, but it’s worth it for the dreamy view. It’s an open-air bar on top of cliffs, with a more chic and formal atmosphere than the others;
- Uluwatu Kecak Dance: a show that happens every day at 6pm (1st session) or 7pm (2nd session) at the Uluwatu Temple. I recommend that you buy a ticket in advance (150,000 rupees – €8.96) to go to the 6pm session, because watching this show with the sunset in the background is absolutely magical. The show combines music, dance and Balinese cultural tradition with a male choir, that produces rhythmic vocalizations in conjunction with choreographed movements and dramatizations. The stage and the landscape intensify the experience.
