Canggu is currently one of the most popular resorts on Bali. This is not by chance. A good infrastructure, a variety of delicious restaurants and beautiful accommodations, as well as long sandy beaches have led to the fact that the place became more and more interesting for travelers.
The originally small fishing village has grown considerably and is extremely well developed. Here, one western restaurant follows the next, stores spring up like mushrooms after the rain, more and more rice fields have to give way to buildings of any kind and there is a lot of hustle and bustle.
Over the last few years, Canggu has become the number one destination for tourists and digital nomads. This development has its advantages and disadvantages, and whether you think it is good or bad is up to you. However, one must honestly say that the small town no longer has too much in common with traditional Bali.
On the other hand, the flourishing tourism of the region also brings a lot of money and quite a few jobs for the population. And the small town is of course not without reason momentary tourist and expat hotspot. Nevertheless, a visit can be worthwhile.
Where is Canggu located?
Canggu is located on the west coast of the Indonesian island of Bali, about an hour from the international airport. It borders Seminyak to the south and Seseh to the north. To Ubud you drive about an hour inland.
Development of Canggu
The small coastal town is composed of three parts: Berawa, Batu Bolong and Perenenan. About a decade ago, only Batu Bolong had isolated restaurants and so-called homestays. Over the last few years, the place has spread further and further north and south, becoming more and more densely populated and getting on the radar of tourists. Thus, more and more hotels, restaurants and stores were opened and the infrastructure was developed better and better.
Travelers from all over the world
Meanwhile, Canggu is a real mecca for vacationers and expats. Canggu has the highest density of digital nomads in the world. They appreciate the good infrastructure, the chic cafes where they sit at their laptops and the Western standard that prevails there.
Unfortunately, this also significantly increases the traffic, prices are rising more and more and some Balinese can no longer afford the place and have to move. Many Balinese warungs are closing because another hip cafe is opening and rice fields are being cleared and cultivated.
Preservation of traditions
But what is still present as ever is the religion of the Balinese. On every corner you can find the traditional Hindu offerings and ceremonies with which the islanders appease their gods. This is beautiful to see and preserves the culture of the island. And as mentioned earlier, aside from gentrification, development also brings many benefits in the form of money and jobs for the locals.
Activities in Canggu
Eyjoy the beach
The individual districts have a lot to offer. All three each have a very long, wide sandy beach. The black sand of volcanic origin glistens in the sun, is very fine-grained and soft and therefore invites you to sunbathe. Bathing and swimming is possible depending on the swell and tide.
In addition, you can take endless walks or simply enjoy the sunset. Due to the western location, the sun falls into the water at the horizon above the sea, not without first conjuring up a spectacular play of colors in pastel shades in the sky.
When the wind blows, locals like to fly their kites, expats walk their dogs, tourists enjoy the sunset with a beer or grilled corn on the cob, children splash in the water and surfers frolic in the waves. There is definitely always something going on at the beach. Several restaurants and bars have also settled here.
Beachclubs
If you prefer to enjoy the view of the sea from the edge of a pool instead of directly on the beach, you can do so in one of the beach clubs. “The Lawn” in Batu Bolong and “Finns” in Berawa are chic establishments directly on the beach. Here you can lie by the pool with a cocktail in hand and look out to sea without getting sandy feet.
Surfing in Canggu
Canggu is a surfer town and a true paradise for surfing beginners. The spots on the beaches of Berawa and Batu Bolong are much more harmless and beginner-friendly than, for example, those on the Bukit Peninsula in the south. Due to the sandy bottom, the risk of getting hurt is much lower than when the waves break over reef.
If you would like to learn how to surf in Canggu, you can find surfboards for rent on the beaches and the surf instructor right there. There are also some surf camps that you can book into. There you are surrounded by like-minded people, you are taken care of and you don’t have to worry about anything while you concentrate on surfing.
But also advanced surfers can have fun here. For them, the “Echo Beach” or “Pantai Perenenan” is best suited.
Yoga and Fitness in Canggu
Those who like to practice yoga or would like to start doing so are also in good hands in Canggu. There are several yoga studios here that offer the diverse styles of yoga from hatha to vinyasa to yin yoga. Some also have special workshops and meditations on offer.
Canggu is also very popular with fitness fans. Several gyms have settled here, many of them in the area of Crossfit. The steeled bodies are then also gladly shown and so you see in Canggu many scantily clad athletes who like to sit without a T-shirt in the restaurant and show off their muscles.
Walk through rice fields
Even if many rice fields had to give way already, there are still a few of them in Canggu. And these are beautiful to look at with their lush green. Between Perenenan and Seseh you can escape the wild hustle and bustle of Canggu and take a relaxing walk through the traditional rice fields.
Markets and Shopping in Canggu
There are extensive shopping opportunities in Canggu. Small boutiques and surf stores are spread all over Canggu. They offer surf equipment, clothing, jewelry and furnishings of all kinds.
But there are also great markets. For example, the “Gypsy Market” in La Laguna offers ecological and ethical products once or twice a month. Clothing, accessories, herbs and coffee can be found here between 4 and 10 p.m. at over 150 stalls. The concept is rounded out with beautiful hippie decor and live music.
The “Organic Sunday Market” near “Echo Beach” sells organic fruits and vegetables, coffee, chocolate and baked goods at various stalls every Sunday.
Old Men’s, one of the oldest and most popular bars in Canggu, turns into a market every last Sunday of the month, selling clothes and handicrafts.
Nightlife in Canggu
In Canggu you can turn night into day. In the meantime, there are countless bars and clubs here, where party-goers can let off steam until the wee hours of the morning. If you want, you can find a party every day. Very popular is the “Sandbar”, directly on the beach of Batu Bolong.
Trip to the temple Pura Tanah Lot
The temple “Pura Tanah Lot” is 20 minutes drive from Canggu and definitely worth a visit. It is a very large, important temple located on a rock formation right by the sea. Balinese people still traditionally honor their sea gods here.
Coworking Spaces and Expat Community in Canggu
If you are a freelancer or have the opportunity to work for your employer from anywhere, you are in good hands in Canggu. Not only do most cafes offer good high-speed internet, but there are also several coworking spaces. Here, digital nomads meet to work or network together. One example is the “Dojo”, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It is not without reason that many Europeans and Australians have settled here and made Canggu their second home. The expat community is huge. That means you are pretty sure to find like-minded people. In addition, you get everything you know from home: Western food, fitness and yoga studios, nightclubs, good coffee and much more. On top of that, there is the possibility to surf and the fact that Bali is comparatively cheap. Here, even with a lower income, you can afford to live in a great villa with a pool, eat out every day and treat yourself to regular massages.
Culinary in Canggu
In Canggu, international cuisine is represented in every conceivable form, whether Italian, Japanese, Indian, Thai or Mexican. There is something for every taste. Many cafes and restaurants specialize in vegan or at least vegetarian cuisine and offer really good barista coffee with vegan milk alternatives. As a so-called foodie, you are in seventh heaven here and can feast from morning to night.
Indonesian cuisine is also still represented in the form of warungs and is much cheaper than the international alternatives. To some extent, Indonesian restaurants have adapted to the demands of the Western population. That is, they are somewhat more comfortably furnished, cook less oily and spicy and without flavor enhancers.
Conclusion: For whom is a trip to Canggu worthwhile?
Canggu is a colorful melting pot of diverse cultures and nationalities. It is both wild and relaxed, there is always something going on and it never gets boring.
The crowd in Canggu is relatively young, or at least young at heart. Surfers, yogis and party people all feel equally at home here. Especially digital nomads will find everything they need here. Culinary fans are in seventh heaven and those who like it hip and cool are among their own kind.
On the other hand, if you are looking for peace and quiet or want to walk on the traditional paths of Bali, you should give the westernized Canggu a wide berth.
For people traveling to Indonesia for the first time, Canggu is well suited for acclimatization. Since you have all the Western amenities here, but still get a bit of Indonesian culture, you can slowly get used to life in Bali here.
