Finally, 3 years after our first trip to Bali, we were able to go back with some friends who were visiting from the U.S. in August. Instead of staying in Seminyak again, we opted to stay in Canggu based on reviews online and recommendations from friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this more laid-back part of Bali and want to share all that we saw and did.
Where to Stay in Canggu Bali, Indonesia
Airbnb – Bali in general has incredible options for accommodations. Our first trip we stayed at a small hotel that was lovely, but for this trip we decided to book an Airbnb in order to have multiple rooms and flexibility with a toddler. We hit the jackpot with an incredible listing just a 10 minute walk from Berawa beach, and close to cafes and restaurants. I really don’t think you can wrong with booking a private residence, and many of them even come with private chefs, cleaners, gardeners, etc. that help enhance your stay on the property.
Where to Eat in Canggu Bali, Indonesia
There were so many adorable cafes and restaurants all around where we were staying, offering Western food, Italian food, Japanese food, you name it. Below are some of our favorites that we discovered during our trip.
Ruko Cafe – We ate breakfast here every morning, it was that delicious! Order their smoothies, you won’t regret it.
Synkonah – Their roast pumpkin and haloumi salad was hands down the best salad I’ve ever had. Ever.
Sababa – Perfect place for sharing a few Middle Eastern dishes, with the calmest vibe.
Ulekan – Traditional Balinese dishes. This was our last and best dinner in Canggu. Definitely order lots of dishes to share and be sure to save room for dessert.
Beach Garden Bar & Restaurant (near Batu Bolong Beach) – Easy, affordable lunch spot along Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong with a large selection of Asian and Western foods.
Monsieur Spoon (near Batu Bolong Beach) – K and I ate here while everyone else was surfing. Pastries, breakfast, smoothies, they have all the things in a relaxed indoor/outdoor atmosphere.
Things to Do in Canggu Bali, Indonesia
Our days with a toddler are broken up into a morning activity, followed by lunch, a nap and pool time back at the airbnb, and then back out again for an early dinner. With that said, we managed to do a few things in our 4 days.
Berawa Beach – We stayed within walking distance to the beach, which we loved. There are plenty of umbrellas, chairs, and bean bags for rent for cheap so you can relax in the shade.
Finn’s Beach Club – Had dinner here one night. Maybe wasn’t the best atmosphere for a toddler because of how loud it was, but the food was surprisingly good, and our daughter actually loved the DJ.
Pura Tanah Lot – This is one of Bali’s most visited temples due to its offshore location. We went during the day, so we managed to avoid the sunset crowds, and it was quite peaceful walking around the area and sitting for a drink.
Surfing/Shopping – One morning our friends and Ryan went surfing at Batu Bolong Beach while K and I walked around shops on the main Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong. They said the surf was manageable, but super crowded, so be prepared.
Shops to Visit in Canggu Bali, Indonesia
Here are K and my favorite shops we found along Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong.
Free Love Free People Vintage Concept Store – Cute beach clothing for men and women.
21DGRS – Airy, tropical lounge clothing for women.
Bali Tees – A few doors down from Moon Rocks, I really loved their cleverly designed tshirts and tank tops. They also had fun print swim trunks for guys.
Love Anchor Canggu – This clothing boutique itself has such great clothing inside, and it also is part of a small attached market with vendors selling bags, jewelry, shoes, etc. Perfect place to find gifts or a souvenir to remember your travels by.
A Few Tips
GETTING AROUND
Download ridesharing apps to get around Bali (Grab is a great one), and be prepared for traffic to be less than ideal. Most roads are one lane each way and/or narrow side streets that cars, vans, buses, and motorbikes are all competing to travel down so don’t expect to get anywhere quickly.
PAYING FOR THINGS
You’ll mostly be fine with a credit card (as long as you’re okay with foreign transaction fees), but it never hurts to take out some cash to tip airport drivers or anyone else you feel compelled to tip. With that said, tipping is not common in Bali so you don’t have to tip unless you received above and beyond service.
BRINGING BABY?
If you’re traveling with a toddler like we were, make sure to take a baby-wearing carrier, especially in Canggu where there are not really sidewalks. Anytime we left the Airbnb, I strapped our daughter to my back and walked alongside the busy roads. Strollers would not have cut it in Canggu.
If you’re interested in seeing what our short trip was like, you can check out the video here!
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