Things to know about Bali

Locations

Canggu

Perfect balance between work and play. Sooo many hip cafes and excellent co-working spaces where you can meet fellow nomads. Everything you could need is here — restaurants, beach, surf, yoga, gym, and nightlight. You wont run out of dining spots/cafes/shops to check out. Canggu has replaced Kuta as the go-to holiday destination in Bali (Kuta and Semiyank is not cool anymore) but it feels like Canggu is also on its way out mostly bc its losing its Bali charm w lots of development, gentrification, and traffic is such a drain. TBH I spent too much time here and wish I stayed in Uluwatu longer.

Lots of coworking spaces. Several that are open 24/7. B work (this is the one I chose), Dojo Bali, Outpost Canggu, and Tropical Nomad.

Surfing?

Surf Coach:

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Suka Surf School

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- ask for Heidi

(located in Kedungu) Jambul: +62-857-3865-2896 whatsapp

Surf Group — If you’re looking for buddies to go out with,

The Surf Club Canggu

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goes out every Friday. They’ll organize coaches for beginners if you DM them. Int/Adv can just show up!

Surfing here is easier than Uluwatu mostly bc it doesn’t involve a hike up and down cliffs to access the beach.

Canggu sand banks makes the waves really unpredictable and they can get rather big

See surf spots in

Recommendations

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Uluwatu

Best spot IMO if you want some peace and relaxation since other cities are quite busy. Beautiful views since you’re high on a cliff. Lot more laid back here and less cars. If you’re looking for a beach to lounge, do your research since some beaches might be really small and not great for laying.

Surfing?

THE place if you’re an advance surfer. Lots of surf breaks to choose from but mostly reefy and cliffside, lots of stairs to get down. Surfboards available to rent at most breaks. There are beginner breaks too but do your research and check the tides on

Surfline

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.

See surf spots in

Recommendations

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Ubud

Ubud has more of the Bali charm with traditional temples, ceremonies, and rice terraces. Very chill, ppl focused on wellness and spirituality, lot of yoga and sound baths, loads of waterfalls nearby. More hills here.

Seminyank

I’d personally skip this unless you’re looking for a party/nightlife scene. I walked the city once and it feels grungy, aesthetics mediocre, beach kinda smelled, and nothing particularly stood out to me here. Seminyak feels similar to Canggu in how busy it is.

BUT if you want to be closer to the airport and enjoy a nice resort, I HIGHLY recommend

Hotel Indigo

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. Great service, restaurants, cafe, and spa on-site, direct access to the beach.

Cities I didn’t check out but want to next time

Recommendations

Area

Type

Vetted by Lucy

Search

Area

Type

Name

Notes

Link

Vetted by Lucy

Area

Type

Name

Notes

Link

Vetted by Lucy

Canggu

45

Accommodations

River Studio (Airbnb)

In Pererenan, right outside of the hustle and bustle but super close so you can go into the main streets when you want.

1

Cafe

BGS

Best almond latte (homemade milk) & barista vibes in town, where the 'cool kids' have their morning coffee, opens at 6.30AM, good to take-away for a morning beach walk; life hack: Order Almond Latte with extra cinnamon

1

Cafe

Motion

Guilt free healthy fitness food; create your own plate; go-to dish: Protein waffles, life hack: Choose two different toppings for two halves (peanut butter + banana/ coconut yoghurt + berries; ; tip: If you stay longer, start a stamp card to get your 10th waffle for free

1

Cafe

Touche

Fluffiest cloud pancakes, truffle eggs croissant and other yummy stuff

Cafe

Café Vida

Little mini temple inside, possibiility to sit cosy on the floor ; super yummy insta-food

Cafe

Sunset Spots

Como

Views and my fav place to spend the morning watching surfers

1

Coworking

BWork

24/7 Best one in town, cooles architecture (library-style) and plenty of events for their members + yoga shala (fixed amount of classes included in monthly membership); life hack: Just sit in the cafe and order a coffee to get wifi access and hang out there without paying for a day pass

1

Coworking

Tropical Nomad

Weekly talks; a lot of ppl enjoy this place.

Coworking

Nebula

Free co-working on Wednesdays

Coworking

Genesis

Creative co-working space for DJs, photograhers, artists

Coworking

ZIN Cafe

Free co-working in the upstairs cafe. Has AC, quiet. Kopi Kelapa & Tuna Bowl from the cafe.

1

Dining

Woods

Delicious food, warm+tasteful decor

1

Dining

Casa Tua

Fancy Indonesian food for local-ish prices (lobster for 90k), friendliest service, looks like Alice in Wonderland

Dining

Yema

Middle-Eastern / Medditerrenean cuisine, backyard like a little fairytale wonderland; secret hack: Hidden bar behind the mirror

Dining

Riviera

Fancy food & awesome gins

Dining

L'Osteria

Looks like little Italy; tipp: pasta straight out of the cheese-wheel prepared at your table

Dining

Yuki

Sushi with a twist & ocean view

Dining

Ji Restaurant

Sushi with ocean view from the rooftop in an old temple. Go for drinks. Sushi is mediocre.

1

Dining

Skool Kitchen

Wood-fired everything (even desserts) with ocean view; make a reservation in time

1

Dining

Tanau

Fine(-ish) dining from an Australian super-chef for a bargain, reserve in time as there are only four tables in this tiny place in Umalas (a little bit out of Canggu)

Dining

Milk & Madhu

Nice spot w good food, good wifi if you need to work

1

Dining

Santanera

Dope venue with rooftop, big city vibes in Bali

Nightlight

Bella

Glam + Buzzy restaurant w music

Nightlight

Da Maria

The occasional party. Check their

IG

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for when events are. HipHop party on Sundays

Nightlight

Miss Fish

Vibey

Nightlight

Black Sand Brewery

BIG on Fridays, 2 for 1 Pints on Wednesday, Sunday Aperitivo (buy one drink and enjoy a yummy finge-food buffet for free) Monday Margharita,

Nightlight

Shady Fox/ Shady Pig

Speak Easy Bars behind a hidden door, message them on instagram to get the codeword, fancy pancy cocktails

Nightlight

Dining

Morabito

unique, eclectic, artistic flair (its an art villa), beautiful views of the water, romantic + dim, good food. perfect for date night. Fridays with top DJs.

1

Shopping

Kohei

Quality clothes; linen and swimwear

1

Shopping

Magali Pascal

Beautiful pieces tho pricey; my fav store

1

Shopping

Island Traders

Fun pieces

1

Sunset Spots

Cafe

Dining

Times Beach Warung

Morning coffee / sunset with ocean view; tip: If you stay longer, start a stamp card to get your 10th coffee for free.

1

Sunset Spots

Dining

Surfer's Bar (or any warung) at Echo Beach

Local Warungs (one next to the other), cheap prices, surfer view

Sunset Spots

Dining

Nightlight

La Brisa

Little wooden wonderland, fancy food & drinks. Good events on Fridays/ Saturdays (not every week though), best party: Basement Love (Berlin in Bali), dancing with the sound of the ocean in the background

1

Sunset Spots

Nightlight

Finn's

Beach club with sunbeds, DJs and huge selcetion of food; Everyone talks about this spot.

Surfing

Batu Bolong and Old Man’s

(beg) Breaks are at the busiest part of Canggu. Offers softer waves but you’ll be competing for waves/party waves. Can find boards as low as 50K-150K

1

Surfing

Echo Beach

(int/adv) Glassyyy waves. Breaks over a shallow reef. best surfed at mid to high tide.

1

Wellness/Fitness

Solace Float

Floating in a dark tank to eliminate all outer stimulation and get into a state of deep meditation

Wellness/Fitness

Wanderlust

CrossFit, Booty Builderm, Calorie Burn...+ recreation center ; hack: get a day-pass and do a double session

Wellness/Fitness

SOMA Fight

Boxing

Wellness/Fitness

Bali MMA

Mixed Martial Arts, Jijitsu; next to Wanderlust - so you can get their day package for the recreation center

Wellness/Fitness

Nirvana Strength

Calisthetics, Acro Yoga - gym for people who can do crazy stuff with their body

Wellness/Fitness

Body Factory

Where people work out who make a living from being hot & fit, influencer hub

Wellness/Fitness

Power + Revive

HIIT, Boxing, Booty, Pilates, Yoga - all in one :), first class for free with code "SHORTCUT"

Wellness/Fitness

Accommodations

Udara

Stunning archetctual masterpiece with ocean view, offering a bunch of different spiritual workshops, just look up their schedule online Sundays - book the full package (from 9AM- 1PM): Yoga, 2h ecstatic dance, 1h soundhealing and yummy Sunday brunch buffet

Uluwatu

22

Accommodations

Elemen Uluwatu Villas

Beautiful villa w private pool, walkable to Uluwatu beach and a couple of great restaurants. Easy location to see the temples or beach.

1

Accommodations

Sabbia by Nyoman and Nyoman

Bingan beach; panoramic views of the ocean.

Beach

Melasti Beach

Local’s favorite

Beach

Surfing

Balangan Beach

Safe surf environment for all levels.

Beach

Surfing

Padang-Padang

If you aren’t an expert, then advised to stick to Padang Padang Right — a picturesque peak ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers with a long, unbroken wave at high tide.

Beach

Surfing

Thomas Beach

long stretch of sand for laying on the beach

1

Beach

Surfing

Dreamland

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Coworking

The Space

Coworking and Yoga shala

Dining

Ours Home

yummy steak. good ambiance

1

Dining

Ours Uluwatu

Gets busy but cool ambiance

1

Dining

Goosebery

Yummy homemade almond milk, awesome milkshakes

Dining

Sunset Spots

Manas

Co-working & yummy food with ocean view

1

Nightlight

Ulu Cliffhouse

The after party stage down the cliff is reminiscent of Ibiza. Check

IG

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for when events are.

Nightlight

Savaya

World-class DJs playing on Saturdays (and Sundays), from Kygo to Fisher & Calvin Harris

Nightlight

Cashew Tree

Live music on Thursdays

Nightlight

Sunset Spots

Single Finn

Party on Sundays, Sunset point

Sightseeing

Uluwatu Temple

Cultural experience; kecak performance

Sightseeing

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

Sculpture park with the biggest (?) statue in Asia, cultural "Kecak" dance performance for sunset

Sunset Spots

The Istana

Spa with cliff view, epic sunset

Surfing

Uluwatu beach

(int/adv) One opening to get in and out. Must be experienced to paddle out/in but once you’re out there, wowwww the waves are beautiful. Known for barrels too. Negotiate here. I was asked 300K for 2hrs 👎

1

Surfing

Bingan Beach

Harder to get to but smaller crowds and a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere. Rocky + rugged. Big, powerful, challenging for experienced surfers. Skip if youre looking for a good beach. Go if you’re looking for a good wave.

Surfing

Uluwatu Beach

Not a beach for soaking up the sun. Adv surf spot.

1

Ubud

9

Accommodations

Villa Bukit Sari

Amazingly friendly staff, peaceful spot, walkable to many restaurants and the heart of Ubud

1

Cafe

Bali Pulina

coffee tasting with a view and free mini-tour of coffee farm

1

Coworking

Outpost

24/7

Dining

Cretya

Amazing food and views of ricefields

Dining

Casa Luna

Good food and live jazz on sundays

1

Nightlight

Boliche

good house music if youre into that. underground music bar

Nightlight

Accommodations

K Club

Beautiful resort, fully serviced, everything you could need right on site.

Sightseeing

Ceking Rice Terrace

Incredible to see

1

Wellness/Fitness

Radiantly Alive

Yoga with a view; New Moon: Calling in the New / Full: Letting go of what no longer serves you

Semiyank

1

Accommodations

Hotel Indigo

Beautiful resort, v comfortable and everything you need right on site.

1

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7

Sightseeing

Besakih temple

Biggest temple in Bali

Sightseeing

Tanah Lot

Stunning sunset view

Sightseeing

Tirta Gangga

Temple in the water, feed the fishies and take cool insta-shots

Waterfall

Banyumala Waterfalls

Stunning twin waterfalls

Waterfall

Leke Leke

Book a night at the Bubble hotel on Airbnb- literally an inflatable bubble 2min walk from the waterfall

Waterfall

Aling Aling

Book the whole package and go waterfall jumping/ sliding etc. in the park

Waterfall

Beji Griya

Purifying waterfall ceremony (screaming all the bad energy into the waterfall and only let in the good vibes) - contact Balinese healer Toekik as a guide: +62 813 37683313?

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