I've fallen a little in love with all of Bali by now (and I think it's mutual), but the town of Canggu is still where I lost my heart the most. Why? Because it actually has everything to make your holiday complete. You can relax or do active things, the people are very relaxed and it has not (yet) become too touristy.
There are lots of great hotspots everywhere where you can eat delicious food for little money, you can easily make daytrips by scooter and if you want to do some work on holiday (because you're a freelancer, for instance), that's also possible. Not to forget, there are plenty of accommodation options in Bali. Whether you're looking for a resort or a budget-friendly hotel, you can find both and much more hotels at tophotels.com.
And that's just a selection of all the reasons I can think of. I have listed the best 10 tips for Canggu for you. I had to agree a number with myself, otherwise I would have gone on like this until at least 30... Here are 10 tips what to do in Canggu!
If you're planning to visit Ubud as part of your Bali vacation, then also consider staying at The Mansion Resort Hotel & Spa. It's a luxurious resort that offers a superb holiday experience.
Go surfing in Canggu
For me, Canggu was the place to gauge my talent for surfing. Well, I can tell you; that talent was sadly not there, but for the beginner surfer, this is the best place to learn it. Or an attempt to learn, in my case. The waves here are much less violent than, say, in Uluwatu and for very few rupiahs you can easily book a private lesson (or with a friend, in my case - two of you is cozier anyway) on the beach.
Hire a scooter
Where in popular Seminyak you can still get by with just a taxi or the Gojek app, in Canggu this is not to be done. Some flats offer free bikes, but as it can be quite hilly (and sandy), I gave up on that too after two days.
Renting a scooter is the way to get around here. It takes some getting used to because in Bali they drive on the left, but fortunately traffic is not so crazy that it becomes scary. You will only experience traffic jams at 'the shortcut', a narrow road in between that has changed from a shortcut into a motorway over the years.
Drinking in Canggu
Yes, when bubbly earns its own cup, it must be good right? Canggu is just really cosy. A small village, but there is something to do every night. And the funny thing is that in this village, a different establishment is the place to be every night. Are we reading?
On Monday you go to pizzeria Luigi's, Tuesday to Pretty Poison, Wednesday to Old Man's, Thursday back to Pretty Poison, Friday to The Lawn, Saturday you have more choice because then all the aforementioned are very nice, and on Sunday to Deus. Yes, you hear it; you're very busy in Canggu. I couldn't catch that whole week myself (and better for me too), but should you want to: you can go out every night.
Relax in a beach club
Well, once in Bali... you really are surrounded by fun beach clubs. At Canggu it is no different. Recently, beach club Café del Mar opened its doors in Canggu, which you might also know from Ibiza, for instance. A lot more luxurious than the other beach clubs in the area, so something for everyone. Other recommendations are La Brisa, Finns Beach Club (do book online in advance if you want a bed) and The Lawn.
Visit the rice fields around Canggu
When you think of rice fields, you probably first think of Ubud. That's about an hour and a half by car from Canggu, so it's definitely an option to do, but if you want to see the rice paddies, you can also just head out by scooter. Much closer, in other words. I personally enjoyed exploring the area around Canggu by scooter on my own and before you know it, you're suddenly in the middle of it. If you go out a bit in the afternoon, you also have the incredibly beautiful light on the rice fields. Camera along, then.
Shopping in Canggu
Want to go shopping in Canggu? You have many cute boutiques (admittedly, at a certain point many do start to look alike), but what I liked best was the Love Anchor Bazaar. It's a small market with everything you want to take home, either for yourself or as souvenirs. And there are lots of clothes, for both men and women.
Just remember haggling is the most normal thing in the world here. If you don't, you will pay top dollar. We recommend ordering a coffee, or French pastry (yes, you even have those here) at Monsieur Spoon - a shop right next door - afterwards.
Exquisite food in Canggu
Besides bubbly, the food in Canggu definitely deserves a mention on the list of things to do. Honestly, I had the most delicious food in this place during my entire trip in Bali. Big plus is that the choice is really huge. So even if you have allergies or dietary requirements, you don't have to worry about not being able to eat anything here.
In Canggu, you will find many vegan tents (and there are always vegan options on the menu), gluten-free options, lots of healthy food (the smoothie bowls are often too good), but also pizzas, burgers, Italian restaurants, Thai and I even spotted a doner shop... And let's not forget the authentic warungs. My recommendations? Milu by Nook, Milk & Madu, The Shady Shack, Café Organic, Copenhagen, Nüde and The Loft.
Relax with a yoga session
I probably don't need to tell you that Bali is a yoga island; that's common knowledge by now. I personally liked the fun mix in Canggu of surfers and yogis, and the nice thing is that it is also so affordable. I find yoga (and surfing too) in the Netherlands quite pricey at times. In Bali, you can very easily try all kinds of different kinds, and the views really make it win over the Netherlands anyway....
Find a nice place to work in Canggu
Need to work in Canggu; join a co-working space. I mentioned it briefly in the introduction, but you'll find lots of freelancers in Canggu. Of course, you can sit down with your laptop at one of the earlier hotspots and start working, or you can join a co-working space.
I prefer the latter, because you meet a lot of people who also work abroad (temporarily) and the overall atmosphere is very relaxed. I personally liked Outpost Canggu Coworking best. They offer various subscriptions and can even provide accommodation.
Book a day at a spa
Still want to do something relaxing? Surely many spas in Bali are a bit small and a bit dirty here and there, in Canggu I found the vast majority very clean and professional. And well, a day at a spa is very affordable anyway. Manicures, pedicures, facials, saunas, massages... You name it and you'll find it here. The best I found was Amo Spa, opposite Love Anchor Market. Can you shop immediately after, or before. It's often too hot in the middle of the day to bake in the sun for long anyway, in which case this is a good alternative.
What to do in Canggu: practical tips
Travelling to Canggu
Canggu is located in southwest Bali, about 20 kilometres from the Ngurah Rai International Airport or Denpasar International Airport (DPS). If you depart from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, there is almost always a stopover. Travel time is between 16 and 20 hours.
One of the fastest options is a flight with KLM, with a stopover at Singapore. Travel time is then 16½ hours. Air tickets are on sale from €544. ► Book a KLM flight ticket to Bali here
If Canggu is your first stop during your Bali holiday, it is advisable to book a taxi from the airport in advance. This is because no Go Jek or Grab cars are allowed here and the taxis never want to drive with a meter, so chances are you'll be ripped off. There are also hotels or guesthouses that can arrange a transfer from the airport to your accommodation.
Staying overnight in Canggu
Depending on the size of your travel party, Canggu has lolly good options for sleeping. Many hostels are very cosy, due to the many surfers you find in this village. If you are with a larger group, I recommend looking at AirBnB, because for less than €50 per person per night you can easily have a full house including a private pool.