Canggu is a city on the west coast of the island of Bali. It is a popular tourist destination and extremely popular for both holistic activities and drinking the day away. It’s known for its great surf and with such a variety of daily activities, people tend to stay for a while. I recommend not getting stuck in this city as there is so much more to see, but it’s definitely a can’t miss spot in Bali.
How to get to Canggu
Book a taxi or shuttle with your accommodation or use the app Grab or Gojek to get a ride. Grab is equivalent to Uber or Lyft and is often much cheaper than any hotel-provided transportation or taxi.
Once in Canggu, the best mode of transportation is by motor bike. If you are comfortable driving them yourself, then go for it, although the traffic can be a bit much at times. Otherwise, Grab and Gojek drivers are always available.
NOTE: Do NOT drive drunk! Tourists get a very bad reputation in Bali for being terrible and inconsiderate drivers, especially since most of them drive without an international license. Basically, just don’t be dumb and put yourself or others at risk by thinking driving a motor bike drunk is okay.
Get the Full Canggu Experience!
There are sooo many different lives to live in Canggu. You can be a surfer, a yogi, a muscle-head, or a beach partier! And you definitely don’t have to pick just one! Jump into everything Canggu has to offer and you will have one great time in this tourist hub.
Be a Health Nut
Canggu is known for its various yoga studios and fancy gyms. Meet other muscle heads with a day pass for any nearby gym or head to a relaxing yoga class. Check out The Practice where one class costs $10 USD. They also offer yoga teacher trainings and retreats!
Take a Surfing Lesson
Although there are plenty of beaches to choose from, most of which have some place to rent boards, I went to Canggu Beach the majority of the time. At Canggu Beach there are lots of surf schools to check out and if you just want to rent a board, head to Old Man’s Surf Rental to get for $4 USD.
Since Canggu is on the west, sunsets from the beach are an amazing sight. There are always carts selling grilled corn on most beaches in the evenings that I definitely recommend having one night… or every night!
Get Drunk!
Beach clubs and day drinking are the things to do in Canggu. The most famous is Finn’s Beach Club. You’ll find it completely packed pretty much all day, every day. Some other options include Atlas Beach Club, Old Man’s, or La Brisa for some fun times, drinks and good food.
There are some spots outside of the city itself, but be safe and don’t drive any scooters while drunk. Make sure to get a Grab or have a designated driver for you. One cool spot outside of the city is Pretty Poison, a skate park/party hub that’s open in the early evening.
Also, a final plug for a spot that provided an amazing and informational night! Inklusiv Warung holds various events like trivia nights and drag shows. They provide work and raise money for deaf Balinese people as there is a large stigma around the deaf and disabled in Indonesia. I went to their drag show and had the most fun-filled experience, and by the end of the night everyone in the restaurant was on the stage dancing together!
Wander the Streets
There are so many delicious warungs and cute markets around Canggu. Just pick a street to walk down and you’re bound to find something that catches your eye!
The local buffet style warungs are going to be your cheapest options for meals but there are plenty of other options too. If you’re feeling spontaneous try going to Deux Ex Machina‘s Taco and Tattoo night or shop ’til you drop at the Love Anchor market.
Get Out of the City
Although most of what you’ll need can be found in Canggu, it’s always good to get out of the city for some sightseeing and day trips.
Seminyak is down the coast from Canggu and very similar. Many people will choose to stay in either Seminyak or Canggu but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience both!
Another great spot is Tanah Lot Temple. This temple is only accessible during low tide and looks like a tiny island during high tide. There are lots of shops and restaurants in the area to explore as well, including a tiny Luwak Coffee cafe.
Note: Sometimes the sales people at each booth can be a little much, often pushing you to purchase anything you look at or even grabbing you. Be firm with your nos and don’t feel pressured to buy things you don’t want.
Canggu is a tourist hub that many people love for lots of different reasons. You can fully dive into any kind of lifestyle you want while enjoying good food and gorgeous sunsets!
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Sylvia's Gap Year 