Batu Bolong
First-timersThe main beach.
Canggu city guide
Things To Do In Canggu
Bali's surf and café capital: black-sand beach breaks, rice fields between the villas, sunset beach clubs and the biggest backpacker and digital-nomad scene in Indonesia.
72
Hostels in the city
8.7
Average, from 27,732 reviews
150,000
Rupiah Bali tourist levy
30 min
To Tanah Lot
€2
A warung meal
Surf, cafés and sunsets
Canggu was a village of rice fields and surf breaks until the 2010s, when it became Bali's most fashionable area, with cafés, coworking spaces, beach clubs and a huge community of surfers and remote workers.
Its beaches, Echo Beach, Batu Bolong and Berawa, have waves for every level, and sunset on the sand is the daily event.
It is busy and its roads are congested, but it is the social centre of Bali for travellers. Three or four days is right, and many stay far longer.
Where to stay
Batu Bolong, around the main surf beach, is the centre, with cafés, hostels and bars. Berawa, east towards Seminyak, has beach clubs and a slightly more polished feel. Pererenan, to the west, is quieter, with rice fields still between the villas.
Berawa
Beach clubsTowards Seminyak.
Pererenan
QuietRice fields and villas.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Canggu
Canggu, on Bali's south-west coast, is a surf town that has become one of Southeast Asia's busiest spots for digital nomads, cafés and beach clubs.
Surf is the reason many come: Batu Bolong has gentle waves for beginners and longboarders, with surf schools on the beach, while Echo Beach and Old Man's have stronger breaks. Sunset on the black-sand beaches is a nightly ritual, with beanbags and drinks.
Tanah Lot, a temple on a rock in the sea, is about 30 minutes away; go at low tide to walk out, and at sunset for the view.
Canggu has beach clubs with pools and DJs, yoga studios, gyms and coworking spaces, and a huge café scene. Rice fields still survive between the villas in Pererenan and Berawa, though they are disappearing fast.
Uluwatu's cliffs and reef breaks are about an hour south, and Ubud an hour inland.
Free things
Free things to do in Canggu
The beaches and sunsets are free, and so is watching the surfers at Batu Bolong and Echo Beach.
Walking the remaining rice field paths and Tanah Lot's surroundings at sunset are free or almost free; the temple itself charges a fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Canggu
Canggu has one of Asia's biggest café scenes: smoothie bowls, specialty coffee, vegan food, and every international cuisine. For Balinese food, warungs serve nasi campur and babi guling for a fraction of café prices.
A warung meal is €2 to €4; a café meal €6 to €12.
Nightlife
Going out in Canggu
Canggu's nightlife runs from beach clubs at sunset to bars and clubs that stay open late, especially in Batu Bolong and Berawa, with different venues busy on different nights.
A beer is €2 to €5; cocktails more.
Getting around
Getting around Canggu
Most people rent scooters; traffic jams are severe, especially around the Shortcut road. Grab and Gojek work, though some areas restrict them. The airport is about forty-five minutes to an hour and a half away, depending on traffic.
Foreign visitors to Bali pay a tourist levy of 150,000 rupiah, paid online before arrival through the Love Bali system or at the airport.
Costs
What Canggu costs
Canggu is pricier than most of Indonesia. Dorms start around €8 and a careful day is €25 to €40.
A surf lesson is €20 to €30, board rental €5 a day, and a beach club day €15 to €40 with a minimum spend. Tanah Lot is a few euros.
The currency is the rupiah (IDR), at roughly 17,000 to 18,000 rupiah to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Cards work in tourist areas; carry cash for warungs, boats and small islands, where ATMs are few.
Safety
Staying safe in Canggu
Canggu is safe. Scooter accidents are the biggest risk to travellers in Indonesia. Only ride with a valid licence for motorbikes, insurance that covers it, and a helmet; police checks are common.
The surf has strong currents; swim between the flags. Bali belly is common; drink bottled water.
At temples, wear a sarong and sash, usually available to borrow, and do not climb on shrines. Balinese temples also ask women not to enter during menstruation.
Most visitors need a visa on arrival, best bought online as an e-VOA before you fly, and must complete Indonesia's online arrival declaration, All Indonesia, before landing; check the current rules for your passport.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Canggu
A temple on a rock, the cliffs and inland Bali.
Tanah Lot
A temple on a rock.
Uluwatu
Cliffs and surf.
Ubud
Inland Bali.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Nyepi, the day of silence, shuts down the whole island.
6 May – 1 Nov
Bracelet Workshop
This soulful bracelet workshop offers more than just a craft; it's a chance to pause, reflect, and weave personal stories into lasting mementos. Attendees…
13 Jun – 9 Dec
Happy Puppy Yoga
Puppy Yoga offers a unique opportunity to engage in gentle Hatha Yoga sessions, suitable for all levels, amidst the company of playful puppies. This…
Hostels
Where to stay in Canggu
The top-rated places to stay in Canggu right now, live from Hostelworld.
Elsewhere Surf Camps | Surf Party Yoga
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Lay Day Hostel Canggu
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Serenity Eco Guesthouse and Yoga
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Lushy Hostel Canggu
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Castaway Hostel Canggu
Dorms from €8 a night
See dates and book
Nunu Bali Retreat Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
The Farm Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
The Tipsy Gypsy Hostel
See dates and book
Sustainable
Mojosurf Camp Canggu
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Sepeda Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Canggu Central Hostel and Rooftop Bar
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
What The Duck Backpackers
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
When to go
April to October is dry. July, August and Christmas are the busiest.
Jan
Wet
Feb
Wet
Mar
Nyepi
Apr
Drying
May
Dry season
Jun
Dry
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
Sep
Excellent
Oct
Good
Nov
Wet
Dec
Christmas crowds
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupiah locally; these are euro equivalents.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Canggu travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Canggu good for beginner surfers?
Yes, at Batu Bolong, with surf schools on the beach.
When is Tanah Lot best?
At low tide to walk out, and at sunset for the view.
Is it touristy?
Very, and expensive for Indonesia, with heavy traffic.
Do I need a scooter?
Most people use one; only ride with a licence and insurance.
How many days do you need?
Three or more.
When is the best time to visit?
April to October.
What is the Bali tourist levy?
150,000 rupiah, paid online before arrival or at the airport.
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