Canggu, Bali, Indonesia: Top Things To Do

The 10 Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali

Canggu is the up-and-coming area in Bali where the young and hip prefer to stay while on vacation. Filled with cute, Instragrammable coffee shops and tons of boutiques, everything you need is right there! The beaches of Canggu have ideal surf breaks and lively bars with comfy lounge chairs. Canggu is an ideal choice if you are looking for a neighborhood that is less crazy than Kuta, and more hip than Seminyak.

If you’re wondering what there is to do in Canggu, then read on for our favorite things to do in this trendy area of Bali!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).


Know Before You Go

  • The currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and at the time of writing, the exchange rate was 14,294 IDR to $1 USD.
  • Many restaurants and bars add a “service charge” to your total bill. Check it before leaving an additional tip.
  • There are very few sidewalks around Canggu so it’s not exactly pedestrian-friendly. Most people choose to rent a motorbike and drive everywhere they need to go.

Getting to Canggu

Canggu is located on the Western coast of Bali, just north of Seminyak. From the Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), it takes about 45 minutes by car to reach Canggu. Don’t bother trying to negotiate with the aggressive taxi drivers who will undoubtedly try to rip you off, use the Grab app instead. It’s the SE Asia version of Uber.

Getting Around Canggu

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Panama Kitchen & Pool

Unfortunately, Canggu isn’t very pedestrian-friendly. Sidewalks are virtually non-existent and you’ll need to be mindful of motorbikes zooming by on the narrow roads. Most people choose to rent a motorbike to get around town.

Your hotel or guesthouse will almost certainly offer motorbikes for rent and if they don’t, you can find rental shops on almost every corner. Expect to pay around 50,000 IDR per day for a motorbike rental in Canggu.

If this is your first trip to Bali, then you’ll likely find the lack of traffic rules a bit overwhelming. Just try slowly and defensively and you should be fine. You also may want to avoid the Canggu “shortcut” that connects Berewa and Batu Bolong. It’s a very scenic road that is flanked on both sides by Canggu’s rice fields, but it is dangerously narrow with sharp dropoffs on both sides. Driving the Canggu shortcut is not advised for inexperienced motorbike drivers.

If you would prefer not to drive your own motorbike, then just download Grab or GOJEK, they are the Ubers of SE Asia. Keep in mind that there is a taxi mafia in Bali. The taxis don’t want Grab or GOJEK encroaching on their business. Apparently, they’ve gone so far as to smash the windows of Grab drivers as a scare tactic. So don’t be surprised if you call a Grab and the driver either must cancel or asks that you move to another spot as they may not be allowed in that area.

And the easiest way to get around Bali if you’re traveling as a group is to hire a private driver. I loved our driver in Bali, Dewa Astika – you can reach him on WhatsApp at (+62) 813 38 30 8239. He typically charges 500,000 IDR (~$36 USD) for a day of driving. This works great for trips further away from Canggu, such as exploring Uluwatu. It’s also perfect for traveling from Canggu to Ubud (or vice versa) because you can see several sights along the way.

Where to Stay in Canggu, Bali

Best Hotels to Stay in Canggu Bali Indonesia: Exotica Bali Villa Bed and Breakfast

Exotica Bali Villa Bed and Breakfast

Exotica Bali Villa Bed and Breakfast is a gorgeous villa with teak furniture and modern decor. You’ll love the pristine outdoor pool and its close proximity to Batu Bolong Beach. Rooms are spacious, beds are super comfortable, and bathrooms have perfectly picturesque stone tubs for relaxing!

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Best Hotels to Stay in Canggu Bali Indonesia: Theanna Eco Villa and Spa

Theanna Eco Villa and Spa

Theanna Eco Villa and Spa offers beautiful, traditionally decorated villas with private pools. You can take advantage of the free bicycles or the free shuttle service to the surrounding area. The staff here are wonderful and will take care of anything and everything you need. Indulge yourself in a day at the relaxing spa during your stay!

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The Best Hotels in Canggu Bali Indonesia Tapa Tepi Kali

Tapa Tepi Kali

Tapa Tepi Kali is a beautiful hotel located just a short walk from the beach. You’ll love the incredibly kind and caring staff at Tapa Tepi Kali as they help you arrange transportation and tours. Take advantage of the onsite spa as well as the yoga and cooking classes during your stay!

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The 10 Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

1. Go Surfing

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Watch Surfing at Batu Bolong Beach

Bali is known for surfing so, of course, it’s the top thing to do in Canggu. There are several popular surf breaks in Canggu and plenty of vendors nearby to rent you a board for a small fee. Expect to pay about 50,000 IDR for a 2-hour board rental. You’ll want to check the surf report before heading out.

The surf break in Canggu that is the furthest south is Pantai Berawa. It’s located near Finns Beach Club on the main road. This is a long beach break and it’s generally not nearly as crowded as Old Man’s. There are several small vendors here that rent boards and lounge chairs for a small fee.

Batu Bolong Beach is another popular break that is also commonly known as “Old Man’s” since it’s directly in front of the bar it is named after. This is the easiest break in the area and there are often beginners taking lessons so be careful. After your surf sesh, head over to The Lawn Canggu for a refreshing cocktail and some live music.

If you head even further north, you’ll find a surf break at Echo Beach. The waves are much more powerful here and not recommended for beginners.


2. Visit the Tanah Lot Temple

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot Temple is a temple that is located on a small island right off the coast. It takes about 30 minutes to get there in a car from Canggu. During low tide, you can walk out onto the beach to the left of the temple for some really beautiful views of the coastline. You’ll definitely want to include Tanah Lot in your Indonesia itinerary.

Sunset is a popular time of day to visit Tanah Lot Temple. There are several small restaurants along the cliff that overlooks the beach. You can relax here with a cold beer and snack while enjoying views of the temple while the sun sets over the horizon. It’s bound to be one of the highlights of your trip to Canggu!


3. Enjoy Brunch

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Breakfast/Brunch Smoothie Bowl
Smoothie Bowl at Ruko

It’s not really a vacation in Bali until you’ve taken a photo of your smoothie bowl and posted it on Instagram. In fact, you can even get your brunch served on a floating tray while hanging out at the pool at Cabina Bali. It’s the perfect place for the perfect Instagram shot!

In all seriousness, the cafe scene in Bali is pretty remarkable, and eating a delicious and photogenic brunch is one of the must-do things in Canggu. The variety and quality of restaurants are yet another reason that Canggu is one of the best places to stay in Bali. In addition to colorful smoothie bowls and yummy coffee concoctions, you’ll find all of your favorites like avocado toast, eggs benedict, and breakfast burritos.

Wondering where to eat in Canggu? Here are a few of our favorite brunch spots:

The Mocca Canggu is a darling little open-air cafe down a quiet alleyway. They have several delicious smoothie bowls to choose from as well as other healthy lunch options. Their lunches are very veggie-heavy and flavorful.

Ruko Cafe serves yummy smoothie bowls as well as hearty brunch options like the Brekky Burger. It’s a really popular spot but you can sit and relax for as long as you’d like, no one will bother you. It has a laid-back vibe and is the perfect place to get some work done while sipping on good, quality coffee.

Hungry Bird Coffee Roasters is another one of the best cafes in Canggu serving up all the classic Bali brunch favorites. The eggs benedict are a favorite as are the breakfast tacos. And if you have a sweet tooth you’ll also find a half-dozen different pancake options – yum!

Gowes Coffee also has colorful, delicious smoothie bowls for breakfast. They have a range of other healthy options, such as their signature “build your own salad in a jar” dish. If you want a more decadent option, their salmon eggs benedict is spectacular!

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4. Shop Till You Drop

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Shop at Love Anchor Market

Canggu is full of cute boutiques selling everything from bikinis to hammocks to macrame plant holders. It’s nearly impossible to walk by the picturesque shops without stopping. But the best place to buy local Indonesian treasures is at one of the lively Canggu markets!

Love Anchor Canggu Market is open seven days a week from 8 am – 9 pm. There are just a few vendors here, but they have some really cute dresses and jewelry to choose from. Prices are higher than you might expect, but lower compared to the boutiques in the area. Be sure to negotiate here – their first price is just a jumping-off point.

The Samadi Bali Market takes place every Sunday from 9 am – 2 pm. If you are looking to check out products made by local artisans, or want to buy some fresh, organic produce, this is the place to do it!


5. Day Drink at a Beach Club

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Finn's Beach Club

Spending a day at a pool bar is one of the top activities in Canggu, and Finns Beach Club is by far the most popular beach club in Canggu. But, in all honesty, we found it to be pretentious with too many rules.

If you want to get a bunch of friends together to drop a lot of money on cocktails at a Vegas-like pool party, then this is the place for you. But if you’re just looking for a chill pool to hang out and enjoy reasonably priced cocktails, skip it.

As you walk into the club, you’ll be shown the “minimum spend” price list – 500,000 IDR per person for a single-day bed, 2,000,000 IDR for a double-day bed that fits up to six people, and 12,000,000 for a party platform that fits up to 20. Then, your bag will be searched and you’ll be forced to leave any outside food or beverages (including bottled water) at the door.

If you’re not committed to a full day at Finn’s, you can sit at any of the tables for no minimum spend. However, you are not allowed to leave your belongings at your table. So if you want to enjoy the pool, you’ll have to either put everything in a locker (50,000 IDR rental fee) or take turns in the pool while one person sits with your things at your table.

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Panama Kitchen & Pool
Panama Kitchen & Pool

We found other pool clubs around Canggu to be much more our scene. Try out The Lawn Beach Lounge for a relaxed but hip pool club experience. It’s got a lovely pool right on the beach and they often have live music starting around 6 pm. In our opinion, it’s one of the best beach clubs in Bali!

Or if you just want to chill out by a pool without all the pomp and circumstance of a Bali beach club, then check out Panama Kitchen and Pool right across the street from Finns.


6. Take a Yoga Class

No trip to Bali is complete without doing some yoga. After all, it’s where Elizabeth Gilbert ventured for some serious soul searching in the book Eat Pray Love. Technically, Ubud is the most popular place on the island to practice yoga, but Canggu has quite a few lovely yoga studios to enjoy during your stay.

The Practice is a popular yoga studio in Canggu that offers a full schedule of yoga classes for all levels. Plus, all classes include Asana, Pranayama, and meditation. The evening Tuesday class is great for unwinding


7. Eat at a Local Warung

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Eat Satay
Satay at Sate Babi

A “warung” is a small family-owned business in Indonesia. Generally, people use the term in reference to small restaurants that sell Indonesian food or groceries. And while there are countless restaurants around Canggu that serve Western specialties, Indonesian food is really delicious. It would be a shame not to sample the local cuisine during a trip to Bali!

Warung “Murah” Restaurant (address: No., Jl. Pantai Berawa No.99, Tibubeneng, North Kuta) offers incredibly cheap prices and tasty dishes. You must try the gado-gado and nasi goreng. Prepare for a bit of a wait as they have a very modest kitchen.

Our favorite street-eat in Canggu is the satay stand at the corner of Jalan Batu Mejan and Pantai Batu Bolong. It’s just a block north of the Love Anchor Market and you can find it on Google Maps as “Sate Babi Street Food”. Ten skewers of the most delicious pork sate you’ve ever eaten will only cost you 20,000 IDR!


8. Watch Sunset at Berawa Beach

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Watch Sunset at Berawa Beach

Sunsets are legendary in Bali, and Canggu offers a long stretch of western-facing coastline including some of the best beaches in Bali: Berewa Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, and Echo Beach. All of these beaches offer plenty of amenities so you can lounge while listening to music and sipping cocktails at sunset.

Our favorite spot to watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean was on a comfortable lounge chair on Berawa Beach. This was our go-to spot after an afternoon of surfing. You’ll love the chill vibe here as the sky turns shades of pink and the waves crash against the shore.

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9. Party at Old Man’s

Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali: Old Man's Bar in Batu Bolong Beach

Old Man’s is a popular beach bar that is directly behind the surf break that bears the same name. As a self-described “beachfront beer garden”, people gather here at all hours of the day to eat, drink and be merry. It’s popular with locals and ex-pats, and you’re guaranteed to make some fun new friends here.

Don’t miss their happy hour from 5 pm – 6 pm every evening or the popular “Dirty Ol’ Wednesday” drinking game night. Prepare to groove to live music in the evenings and jam out as a DJ spins your favorite hits later into the night. It’s one of the most popular bars in all of Canggu!


10. Explore Canggu’s Nightlife

When the party starts to die down at Old Man’s, the young and hip begin to move inland to enjoy other lively bars scattered throughout Canggu.

Some of Canggu’s best bars are located on the infamous “shortcut” that connects Berewa and Batu Bolong. Pretty Poison is a combination skate park, tattoo parlor, and bar. You can see ex-pat and local skateboarders showing off their moves, get some new ink, and sip an ice-cold Bintang.

Or head a few doors down to the Black Cat Mini Mart. Try the handle on the broken freezer at the back of the convenience store and you’ll find an actual speakeasy serving up good cocktails in a rad (but also super-secret) setting. It’s one of the most unique things to do in Canggu at night!

Enjoy your stay in Canggu!


Want more help in planning your trip to Indonesia? Check out our favorite travel guides!



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About the Author:

  • Valerie Wheatley

    Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag.

    Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her!

    These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.

3 thoughts on “The 10 Best Things to do in Canggu, Bali”

  1. Article was so cool, and very interesting, Bali is an wonderful place to visit enjoy with family, and friends…

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