If you’re visiting Bali for the first time and staying in one of the most popular destinations on the island, you may be wondering, “is Canggu safe?”
Well, the good news is that yes, Canggu is generally safe and you will find that a few security measures and a touch of common sense are all most people will need to enjoy a trouble-free holiday in Canggu.
We’ve put together this simple guide with safety tips to help you stay safe in Canggu and have an amazing time in Bali.
Crime In Canggu
The bigger question is, “Is Bali safe?” As there are no crime figures for individual areas of the island.
And the answer is a resounding “yes”. Local police also assert that Canggu has a lower crime rate than other urban areas in Canggu so you should find that as long as you take precautions you can avoid crime in Bali.
Burglary/Robbery – Villa Break-Ins Are Real
There’s no doubt that the one place it’s important to take security measures is if you’re staying in a villa rather than a hotel complex or guesthouse.
Villa break-ins are a problem in Bali and burglary or robbery can occur during these episodes.
You can help prevent loss by staying in a place with security, by ensuring that all doors and windows are both closed and where possible, locked before you go to bed or when you leave the property and that any alarm system is activated when possible.
In some instances, there have been cases of thieves waiting for the people in a villa to return from a night out to relieve them of their property – so make sure to only book safe accommodation.
Pickpocketing Is A Problem
Petty theft is a much bigger problem than break-ins, mind you, and pickpocketing is the worst problem of them all.
However, it’s worth noting that you can reduce the risks of having your personal belongings pilfered by:
- Understanding that pickpockets are around at all times of the day. If people spend money in an area, then the odds are good that pickpockets are around. From public transportation to open-air markets to banks and currency exchanges. The busier a place is, the easier it is for a pickpocket to operate.
- Paying attention to your surroundings. Pickpockets often initiate a distraction to help ensure you’re not paying attention when they go for your wallet. Watch out for small children in large groups, which are a traditional distraction here.
- Keeping your wallet or purse safely. A wallet is best placed in a front packet with a large elastic band wrapped around it. Then if someone tries to take it, it will drag against your pocket and alert you. Don’t put your wallet in a backpack, belt bag, coat pocket or back pocket – pickpockets love these places.
- If you must keep a wallet in a bag keep it secure. Use an internal zip-up pocket. However, be warned bag snatching is also an issue in Bali and you don’t want to lose your wallet and your bag at the same time.
- Only ever carry a single card and some cash. Leave everything else in a second wallet in the hotel (or if you don’t feel it’s safe there – keep it in another pocket).
- Don’t pay your wallet to check it’s there. Pickpockets love being given instructions on where to find what they’re looking for.
- Leave expensive flashy items at home. Designer sunglasses, wallets, flashy jewellery and watches, etc. are a pickpocket’s dream. They’re best kept at home or in the hotel.
- Don’t carry more than you need. The more you have on you, the harder it is to keep track of it all and pickpockets are well aware of it.
Drink Spiking Is Possible
While drink spiking is not as common as many people think that it is and research suggests that most people tend to overindulge because they’re on holiday and then the heat tends to make them drunker than they would be at home – it’s still best to use common sense rather than risk it.
And all you need to do to avoid drink spiking is to ensure that you never leave a drink unattended. Yes, you can even take your drink to the loo if you need to. Nobody will mind.
Sexual Crime And Violent Crime Are Very Rare
The good news for the solo female traveler is that sexual assault is incredibly rare in Canggu and Bali as a whole.
And for both sexes, you’ll be pleased to learn that violent crime is next to non-existent except for the occasional drink-fuelled argy-bargy in a pub or nightclub.
Potential Scams In Canggu
While the answer to “Is Canggu safe?” is, “yes.” That doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few scammers in the area and many tourists fall for these scams which can be easily avoided with a little forethought.
- Only use official money changers – if the rate is too good to be true, it’s because you’re about to be ripped off. The official rate is set by the government and can’t be avoided. It’s also not a bad deal when converting major currencies such as USD, AUD, GBP, EUR, and JPY. (Learn more about money changers in Canggu here).
- Look out for fake taxis – Bluebird is the only reputable taxi company here but sadly, some people make fake versions of these taxis to prey on unsuspecting tourists. We’d advise using the ride-share apps of Grab and Gojek and skipping taxis entirely.
- Ignore anyone who demands money – it doesn’t matter if they’re dressed as monks or guides or whether they’re touting for business in a market, ignore them. And no, they won’t get violent.
- Don’t get involved in gambling – gambling is illegal in Indonesia. Gambling scams here are doubly painful, first they take all your money and then, they grass you up to the local police who will need a substantial bribe if you want to stay out of the link.
- Don’t fall for visa agent scams – there’s a market price fo visas in Indonesia. If somebody is offering services that are far too cheap? They’re a scam. It’s best to use an agent recommended by someone you know and trust.
- Don’t use ATMs in public places – use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls. This reduces the chance of having your cards copied. Fortunately, Chip N Pin is now on the island and card cloning in stores is no longer an issue.
- Research a charity before making a donation – sadly, some charities here in Canggu are as fake as a nine dollar bill.
Why Drugs And Canggu Don’t Match
Do you know when the answer to “Is Canggu Safe” is “No”?It’s when you’re foolish enough to get involved with drugs here on the island.
The Indonesian government, the local media and the general public are very anti-drugs to the point where you can spend years in jail for minor possession offences and for anything more? They have the death penalty.
Indonesia has no qualms about executing foreigners for drug use and your embassy cannot help you if you are charged with drug-related crimes.
So, please just don’t do it. Go somewhere other than Indonesia if you want to do drugs on holiday. The consequences here are more severe than you can imagine.
Staying Safe When Travelling In Canggu
How safe are the different methods of getting around Canggu?
Taking A Bus
There are no public buses of any real note in Canggu, and those that do exist run between places no tourist ever visits.
However, there are also shuttle services like the one provided by FINNS Beach Club and Grab around the Berawa Beach area.
These services are unlikely to have any pickpockets using them and given they only travel in slow-moving traffic, they are quite safe as long as you keep your arms, legs and belongings inside the vehicle.
Taxis And Ride-Shares
We strongly recommend that you avoid taxis – many taxis are scammers who will demand more money than you agreed when you arrive and may even become violent if you don’t pay.
That’s not to say there are no honest taxi drivers, just that it’s hard to be sure that you’re getting one.
Instead, use the ride-share apps Grab and Gojek which are very safe and will get you from A to B without issue. If you’re going to pay in cash, though, make sure to have the exact money – drivers rarely have any change.
Renting Scooters
Renting motorbikes is a great way to find out how to turn “Is Canggu safe?” into a “no”.
The roads here are not in good repair, there are very few traffic rules adhered to, bag snatching is not uncommon from foreigners on scooters and it’s super hard to be road-legal.
And if you’re not road-legal, your insurance is worthless.
We always recommend using ride-shares or even engaging a private driver if you want to do a lot of travelling.
Are Natural Disasters A Problem In Canggu?
Canggu is unlikely to be troubled by any volcanic eruptions, well, at least, directly.
If a volcano erupts in Bali then the smoke may cause your flights to be delayed or cancelled. But this is a problem for everywhere in Indonesia not just Bali.
However, there is a minor risk of earthquakes and/or tsunamis in Bali. These risks are not severe, most earthquakes on the island are exceedingly minor and are not remotely dangerous.
Tsunamis are also far less likely in Bali than in other parts of Bali.
If either tsunami or earthquake problems are suspected, there will be a public alert and you will want to head inland (at least 2 kilometres from the beach) as fast as you can in the event of a tsunami.
The biggest risk is from flooding which often occurs during the rainy season. Mainly, this is a minor thing and is usually limited to the roads in Canggu having way too much surface water.
However, if you have opted to stay in the rice fields and they flood, you and any other tourists in the venue might have to swim to your front door.
Is Terrorism A Problem In Canggu?
Nowhere on Earth is 100% safe from terrorism. However, the last incident of any kind in Bali was 22 years ago in 2022 and it was in Kuta rather than Canggu.
It’s prudent to exercise caution in any public space, mind you, but we wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about terrorists while you’re on holiday here.
Are Canggu Street Dogs Safe To Play With?
The stray dogs on the streets of Canggu or “street dogs” as they tend to be known are not for petting.
Rabies is present in Bali and while it’s not rife, if you get bitten by any of the street dogs, you will need to go and get vaccinated.
If you have had the vaccine before, you have 48 hours to get treated, if you have not, you have 24 hours.
If you do not get treated, then if you start showing the symptoms of rabies, you should know that it is 100% fatal.
Unfortunately, the rabies vaccine is not free and it may cost over $2,000 AUD ($1,500 USD) for the complete course of treatment here on the island!
It’s also not always easy to track down the treatment as not all clinics here carry it. So, we’d recommend that you stay away from street dogs, no matter how cute they are.
What Other Health Risks Are Present In Canggu?
There are other health issues that you may face in Canggu too including:
- Bali Belly – this is usually traveller’s diarrhea but might also be food poisoning or a viral issue. The best way to avoid this is to never drink tap water. Tap water here is not fit for human consumption and may contain bacteria and amoeba as well as heavy metals. So, always use bottled water. If you do get sick, it will usually pass with a day of rest and taking some hydration therapy. But if it lasts longer than a day visit the doctor.
- Dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. These can be very serious and the best way to avoid them is to avoid mosquito bites. Dengue mosquitoes hang out in the mornings, so wear long sleeves and trousers in the early days and use insect repellent, lots of it. The good news is that not many tourists catch dengue fever or any other mosquito-borne diseases.
- Sporting accidents. If you or any other travelers in your group like to get involved in sports, make sure to follow any safety tips provided. And if you’re swimming in the ocean, always obey a lifeguard’s instructions and any flag warnings on the beach.
- Heat stroke and sunburn. In the tropics, the heat and sun can be pretty hardcore and it’s best to wear a hat, use sunscreen and wear sunglasses. For severe sunburn and/or heat stroke you may have to be hospitalized.
Do You Need Travel Insurance For Canggu?
We think that it’s worth noting that medical expenses in Bali for foreigners can be extremely high.
A scooter accident can lead to bills of over $100,000 AUD and even rabies treatment might be $2,000 AUD or more.
Travel insurance means that you can get treatment without worrying about the costs.
We can’t make you take out a policy, but we strongly recommend that you do.
Can Solo Female Travellers Visit Canggu Safely?
Is Canggu safe for the solo female traveler? Yes, it is. Women face no particular additional risks in Canggu than they would anywhere else in the world.
They will be generally safe as long as they follow the tips provided here. Bali is a top destination for the solo female traveler because it offers a reasonable assurance of safety.
BTW check out what to pack for Canggu, to keep your bags manageable when you arrive. You may also find this guide to How Many Days In Canggu comes in handy when planning your holiday.
FAQs
Is Canggu Safer Than The Rest Of Bali?
Bali is generally very safe and Canggu is also very safe. Is it safer than the rest of Bali? It’s certainly safer than Kuta which is probably the most dangerous area (though in the scheme of things, it’s still safer than most Western cities).
But there are parts of Bali with barely any people in them at all and they’re probably the safest areas.
Is It Safe To Walk In Canggu?
Yes, even a solo female traveler can walk late at night in Canggu. However, it does mean that you need to keep an eye on the traffic as well as on the pavement/sidewalk/road surface as both can be a bit risky.
Is There Much Crime In Canggu?
No, apart from petty theft. There’s very little crime in Canggu of any kind.
Is Canggu A Good Area In Bali?
Yes, Canggu is the most popular tourist destination on the island for good reasons.
Final Thoughts On Is Canggu Safe?
Is Canggu safe? Yes, as long as you follow our safety tips, you should be fine.
Your biggest risks are Bali belly (just drink bottled water and not tap water), other travellers and petty theft. Natural disasters are unlikely to spoil your holiday and villa break-ins and bites from street dogs are a bit of a rarity.
We think that if you stay in Canggu, you’re likely to be safer here than you are in your home town.