Canggu, Bali is a very different place from what it was just a decade ago. It’s no longer a sleepy fishing village but instead it’s a vibrant hub for surfers, digital nomads, yoga enthusiasts, and foodies.
Yet, once you scratch the surface of Canggu, you can quickly find the “real Bali” beneath. The place that locals love and that the savviest of travellers seek out for themselves.
Because our team is based here in Canggu and we’re always on the ground, we’ve got the rhythm of the area and we can help you experience it just like a local would.
You can avoid the tourist traps, and get into truly authentic moments that you’ll always remember.
Our insider guide is packed with tips to help you get the most out of Canggu (it’s pronounced Chang-oo, by the way, never Kanggu) and see the black sand beaches, secret warungs and other cultural gems in the same way as the folks who call this slice of paradise, home.
Why Canggu Feels Like A Home-Away From Home
Canggu’s appeal is all about its dual nature. It’s somewhere that you can enjoy rice paddies, lined by co-working spaces, where ancient temples rub shoulders with modern cafes serving up acai bowls.
Some folks call it “the Gu” because of its laid-back and community driven vibe. In Seminyak, you find glitz, in Kuta, you get chaos, but Canggu is a balanced place, it’s always busy enough to feel truly alive but also chill enough that you can really breathe.
There’s a trick to seeing Canggu like a local and it means you have to embrace the pace of life in this corner of the island. You rent a scooter, you savour the slow mornings and use the sunset to guide your plans for the afternoon and evening.
This is how you immerse yourself in the Canggu lifestyle, from the moment that you wake up to the moment that you fall asleep.
Get Around Like A Local
Scooters Are King
Now, we don’t recommend riding a scooter in Bali. The roads are too busy, they’re poorly maintained and most of the people around you haven’t had much in the way of driving lessons and “rules of the road” are a Western fantasy.
It’s also hard to be road legal. If you don’t have a valid license from your own country (including a motorbike endorsement – a car license is not good enough), an International Driving Permit (which must be current too) and a helmet, you’re not road legal.
That means if you have an accident, you’re not going to be insured. Yes, even if you paid for insurance – if you’re not legal to ride the bike, the insurance is worthless.
However, we can’t avoid the fact that the number one way to navigate Canggu’s roads for the locals is to jump on a scooter.
They let you wind your way easily through narrow alleys, rice field shortcuts and the like and mean that you can wend your way through the endless traffic jams on many roads.
A scooter costs 60-100,000 IDR a day ($4-$6 USD or $6-$10 USD) to rent. You will need to pay gas on top of that.
Pro-tip: When you rent, you can pay half upfront and then half when you return the bike. Oh and always, wear the helmet they give you, if you do have an accident, it will likely save your life.
If you don’t fancy driving a scooter yourself, you can always use Grab or Gojek to summon a motorbike taxi who can do the hard work for you.
Grab and Gojek are also good for ride-shares if you want a car and are willing to put up with the traffic.
Learn The Shortcuts
There is an official Canggu Shortcut (it’s just off Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong) but there are a few others in the area too – use them to dodge the main road chaos.
Google Maps often doesn’t feature these routes (and if it does, they often show up as walking routes not driving routes).
You can ask in your accommodation or favourite cafe to get inside information on shortcuts from a local.
Where To Stay: Live Like A Local
Skip the big resorts if you want to live like a local. Instead, you’ll find that most locals and expats in Canggu live in homestays (or guesthouses) and villas. That means more space than a hotel room and an authentic Bali living experience.
You can find these on platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb and you can expect to pay $50+ USD ($75 AUD) for a villa and a about $20 + USD ($30 AUD) for a homestay. If you’re staying for a long period of time, you can often negotiate substantial discounts for a monthly rate.
If you do opt for a resort, when FINNS Bali Resort opens, it will be a no-brainer choice but for the moment, The Slow near Batu Bolong Beach has that laconic Canggu vibe. It’s a top choice for staycations among the expats and locals here.
Know Your Canggu Neighbourhoods
There are four main neighborhoods in Canggu that everyone should visit and know and they are:
- Batu Bolong – the buzzing centre of the area. It’s always busy and hectic and for some, it’s too hectic. It’s a good place to be if you want to surf on the beach or shop until you drop or just enjoy a good meal in a local restaurant.
- Berawa – a more relaxed beach district with a bit more space for you to move and breathe. It’s the best place for sunset chasers on the island and has amazing views over the ocean. It’s also home to the world’s best beach club, FINNS Beach Club.
- Nelayan – this is a less well-known beach area and it’s more undeveloped and serene than other parts of the island. It’s a great place for a dawn walk along the beach to watch the fishermen plying their trade on the sea.
- Umalas– between Canggu and Seminyak, you’ll find this relaxed suburban district which is stacked with good restaurants if you’re in the mood for a good feed.
Eat Like A Local: Get Away From The Smoothie Bowls
Canggu has one of the best food scenes of anywhere on Earth and you can find hipster cafes rubbing shoulders with humble warungs. Mid-range restaurants serving food from around the globe and amazing fine dining spots too.
The trick to eating like a local is not to only focus on Balinese flavours but to balance your day around Instagram-worthy highlights and local delicacies.
Authentic Warungs For Local Flavour
Check out Warung Bu Mi on Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong with its buffet-style offerings of Nasi Campur (a fried rice with meat, vegetables and sambal the ubiquitous Balinese sauce). You could also hit up Warung Local near Batu Bolong Beach for some Ayam Betutu a beautifully spiced chicken dish.
Cafes With Local Soul
If you’re in the mood for a good breakfast, you’lll love the coffee at Cinta Cafe and the laid back vibe. The avocado toast is awesome and so cheap! Hungry Bird is popular with the digital nomad crowd who are welcome to linger over the lattes with their laptops, and yes, they have smoothie bowls.
Dinner With A View
Head to FINNS Beach Club and enjoy a table at Monsoon, the island’s best party restaurant, where you can enjoy a view of the sunset over the ocean and then some of the best entertainment anywhere on Earth. You might also enjoy the restaurant at Hotel Tugu which does some awesome Balinese dishes and a live cultural performance on Thursday evenings.
Live Like A Local: Some Cool Things To Do To Enjoy The Canggu Life
You’ll never be bored in Canggu and there’s always so much to do in the area and some of the highlights include:
Surfing
Canggu is one of the top surfing destinations in Bali, an island which is famed for its surfing options. If you’re a beginner or intermediate surfer then lessons on Berawa Beach or Batu Bolong Beach are the perfect way to spend some time in the area.
Advanced surfers will normally make straight for Echo Beach and one of the most challenging breaks on the island, before they head off to the pro-circuit breaks in Uluwatu.
Even if you don’t surf, it’s well worth taking a cold coconut to the beach and watching people out on the waves. It’s really impressive and a lot of fun.
Sunset Watching
Bali sunsets are legendary (so are its sunrises, but there are rather fewer people awake to witness the tropical sunrise than those who witness the sun going down at the end of the day). There’s nothing quite like watching the sky transform in all different hues as the sun slowly dips behind the horizon.
Possibly, the best place to watch a Bali sunrise is on Berawa Beach and we’d recommend doing it from the comfort of a daybed at FINNS Beach Club, but you can always watch from the sand.
Rice Paddy Trekking
Canggu’s rice paddies are slowly disappearing over the years but for now, you can still find plenty of rice terraces in the area and particularly if you head out to the world famous Tanah Lot temple.
Because the rice terraces are here in Canggu aren’t as famous as those at Tegallang or Jatiluwih, you often get them all to yourself making them the perfect photo opportunity in Canggu.
Getting Creative
There are some awesome ways to get involved in local arts and crafts in Canggu. While there are places better known for silversmithing here in Bali, you can find some great lessons at Canggu Jewelry Classes which are very affordable and you will make your own unique ring or necklace.
You might also fancy an authentic Balinese cooking class at Plataran Canggu which is also reasonably priced and allows you to make your favourite Balinese dishes, so you can wow the folks back home with your culinary prowess when you return.
Stretching Out At Yoga And Wellness Spots
Ubud may be where the majority of the wellness crowd seems to end up in Bali, but Canggu has a thriving yoga scene and you can find some super affordable yoga studios.
We like Serenity Eco Guesthouse’s offering in Nelayan where you can get stretching for 100,000 IDR (the drop in lesson rate which is about $6 USD or $10 AUD) and enjoy vegan food too!
After you’ve done your workout, why not head to a spa like Goldust and enjoy a luxurious facial or a long massage for much less than it would cost at home?
Partying Hard
Canggu is also one of the best places to party on the island. You could visit Dino’s Bar for some live music in Tibubeneng and hang out with some locals drinking some of the cheapest beer on the island. You could also spend the night at the world’s best party venue – FINNS Beach Club, which also has an awesome happy hour.
Hidden Gems That Locals Love
If you want to find a few places that most tourists will miss on their visit to Canggu why not try:
Pura Gede Luhur Batu Ngaus
Everyone goes to Tanah Lot because it’s gorgeous and because it’s famous but if you head out to Cemagi Beach, instead, which is closer to Canggu, you can find this temple on a promontory running out into the ocean instead.
It’s very picturesque, particularly at sunset and without the crowds, you’re guaranteed to get some awesome photos.
Samadi Sunday Market
This Sunday only market is a great place to meet some local traders and pick up some fresh fruits, vegetables, etc. from the farms around Canggu.
You can also find some souvenirs and fashion items at this market and they’re guaranteed to be authentic and unique.
Mother Huckers Axe Club
It’s not that Balinese, but it’s a great way to work off some tension – throwing axes at a target while drinking cold beers.
Mother Huckers is a beloved institution among the expat community here in Bali.
How To Blend In When You’re In Canggu
We’ve also got some tips for you to blend in while you’re in Canggu:
- Dress the part – locals where sarongs, shawls and flip-flops. It’s fine to do the same and, at least, make sure you pack light, flowing clothing and always cover up at temples. If you don’t cover up at temples, you can get into real trouble with the community and potentially the local authorities too.
- Learn a few words of the local language – you don’t have to spend weeks in language lessons but words like “hello”, “see you”, “thank you” and “please” can go a long way to help you vibe with the local people.
- Respect the local culture – keep an eye out for canang sari (the offerings in little baskets placed on the ground) don’t tread all over them. Be polite and conservative in your dress and behaviour in public.
- Be eco-friendly – don’t carry plastic bottles and bags. Get reusable mugs and bags and carry them everywhere. Say no if you’re offered a straw too.
A Typical Day In The Local Life In Canggu
Here’s a sample of what living life like a local on your holiday might look like:
- 7 a.m. some yoga at one of the yoga studios in town
- 8.30 a.m. a healthy breakfast at somewhere like Cinta Cafe
- 10 a.m. a scooter ride out in the rice paddies to grab some cool photos
- 12 p.m. lunch at a warung
- 2 p.m. surfing on Berawa Beach catching some awesome waves
- 5 p.m. sunset on Berawa Beach with a coconut
- 7 p.m. dinner at Monsoon Restaurant
- 9 p.m. drinks and partying at FINNS Beach Club
FAQs
How To Get Around In Canggu?
Most people in Canggu get around by scooter. However, we would stress that if you are not road legal (you need a license with a motorcycle endorsement and a current IDP), you can’t have insurance (even if you have bought some).
So, it’s best to use Grab or Gojek services for a motorbike taxi or car taxi, instead. These services are very cost-effective and will save you from a huge hospital bill if you can’t ride a scooter legally.
What To See Around Canggu?
There’s an awful lot to see and do around Canggu including Tanah Lot Temple, Petitenget Temple, Echo Beach, Berawa Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, the G Swing, the Canggu Wheel, and much more.
The area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia and you’ll never be bored in Canggu.
Is It Easy To Walk Around Canggu?
You can walk around Canggu, but it’s quite a challenging place to get about on foot. Firstly, the roads and pavements here are notoriously badly kept which means you have to keep an eye on your footing all the time to avoid stumbling and hurting yourself.
Then, there’s the fact that the pavements are often non-existent or completely broken and you are forced to walk in the traffic. Traffic that can be very heavy and which has very little regard for pedestrians.
Even if you do get on a pavement, it’s entirely possible that the scooters everyone else uses to get around on will end up on the pavement with you.
If you can handle that, you’ll be fine (and it really is possible, the author of this piece spends about 90 minutes a day walking around Canggu) but it requires a basic level of fitness and good observation skills.
If you have any form of movement disability or use a wheelchair, you’re likely to find it impossible to get around Canggu without transport.
What Is The Famous Street In Canggu?
The most famous street in Canggu is probably Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong which has the highest concentration of restaurants, bars and shops on the island.
It can get very busy and crowded particularly at peak times of day and some folks find it a bit stressful.
The next most famous street is Jalan Pantai Berawa which also has lots of restaurants, bars and stores but is quite a bit calmer and easier to walk around at all times of the day.
Final Thoughts On Seeing Canggu Like A Local
Canggu is an amazing part of the world’s most beautiful island and everyone should visit it during their time in Bali.
It’s got the ideal mix between Old Bali and new, modern Bali that means you can see Canggu in an authentic manner and still have a great time.
Our guide will help you get started living life like a local in Canggu and the more time you spend here, the easier it will become.
