Over the years, the perennially popular Bali has become a little too popular, with parts of the Indonesian island definitely cowering under the weight of mass tourism. Although no secret, there's one spot that's far more laid-back than its nearby coastal neighbours, Seminyak and Kuta.
Once just a tiny village overlooking the Indian Ocean, Canggu has emerged as the hippest destination in Bali. Wind inwards and you're surrounded by lush rice fields; gravitate outwards and you'll hit stretches of sandy beaches. Pulling in everyone from surfers and health-conscious vegans to backpackers trailing around Indonesia and expats working remotely at one of its slick co-working spaces, Canggu has everything: you can take a meditation course, learn to surf, splurge on a colourful kaftan at one of the industrial-style boutiques or simply hang out by the pool at your oh-so-affordable homestay.
Be warned though, it won't stay like this. While it's hip and trendy now, there's building work on every block as Indonesians and expats alike cash in on Canggu's surging popularity.
How to get there
You can fly to Bali from UK cities such as London, Manchester and Aberdeen, with a quick stopover in the likes of Singapore and Dubai. Once landed, grab a taxi from Denpasar to Canggu. Depending on traffic, the journey should take around 45 minutes.
Photo: Andrew TB Tan/Getty Images.
What to do
Hit the waves
Boasting a dramatic coastline, Canggu is a picture-postcard spot for some serious relaxation. However, with its world-class waves, why not join surfers from around the world at Echo Beach and Batu-Bolong? If you've never surfed, you can join one of the throng of companies showing novices how to mount a surfboard, and catch and ride a wave. Many companies will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at a surf school. Some of the most popular include Surf's Up Schoo l and Up 2 U.
Perfect your downward dog
A spiritual haven, enlightenment seekers have been descending on Bali for decades. Canggu also attracts yogis, with many staying in retreats or simply visiting studios to practise their warrior pose. Offering five classes a day, including hatha yoga and fire hatha, The Practice is one of the latest yoga centres to open its doors in Canggu. It also runs workshops focused on confidence-building and meditation, as well as life and business coaching sessions.
Photo via @thepracticebaliyoga.
Where to stay
Como Uma Canggu
Fresh from opening in February, Como Uma has quickly emerged as one of Canggu's hippest places to stay. It's not surprising. With ocean views and a cool beach club, plus enough swinging chairs and stylish loungers to fill up your Instagram, the group's latest outpost (it already has two hotels in Ubud) is the perfect place to crash if you're willing to throw a few bucks at your accommodation.
The Slow
Think of The Slow as a tropical version of the Ace Hotel chain. There's a rotating monthly exhibition next to the lobby, a store selling premium labels, and a restaurant with a popular brunch menu. The design-led bedrooms have a minimalist concrete vibe but plenty of greenery, giving a nod to the tropical surroundings. Book a ground floor room to bag your very own private pool.
Kubudiuma Villas
If you're craving a bit more R&R and wish to sleep away from the busy thoroughfares – but still be walking distance from the beach – head out west and opt for Kubudiuma Villas. Surrounded by palms, the dreamy wooden bungalows feature four-poster beds and outdoor bathrooms (perfect for star-gazing while taking an alfresco shower). Plus there's a pool to dip in when the Balinese heat becomes too much. For those with tight purse strings, it's incredibly good value for money.
Where to eat
Crate Cafe
An industrial-style café overlooking a lush rice field, Crate Cafe on Jalan Batu Bolong is one of the hippest places to hang out in Canggu. Attracting the coolest locals, expats and remote workers, Crate Cafe is notable for its nutritional yet delicious dishes, such as huge super bowls packed with tofu, spinach and quinoa, and popular smoothie bowls brimming with fruit like acai, frozen banana and dragonfruit with a sprinkle of chia seeds. It closes early though (5pm).
Betelnut Cafe
Head up the wooden stairs and pray there's space to squeeze you in at this perpetually packed neighbourhood hangout. Betelnut Cafe can probably claim to have one of the best menus in town – there's traditional Balinese food such as bowls of gado gado (piles of veg like spinach and beansprouts topped with an egg and served with peanut sauce), while Mexican lovers can dig into everything from nachos to tacos stuffed with tofu and sour cream. It's all pretty healthy and tasty – standard for Canggu.
Beachgarden – In The Raw
Another restaurant that caters to those who prefer courgetti to a big bowl of pasta, vegan-friendly Beachgarden – In The Raw serves up super healthy and delicious food that still manages to tantalise your tastebuds. Think buttermilk pancakes covered in coconut palm syrup or raw pad Thai. The drinks menu is just as impressive: many styles of tea from Taiwan to West Java, and a wide range of fresh pressed juices to keep you quenched.
Photo via @betelnutcafe.
Where to drink
Old Man's
Old-time favourite Old Man 's is a surfing hub located at Batu Bolong. Its sprawling beer garden with strings of fairy lights and DJs playing the beats until 1am keeps the joint packed pretty much every day of the week. Alternatively, head there earlier and grab a cocktail or sink an Indonesian Bintang beer while you watch the sun go down.
The Lawn
The Lawn is currently one of Canggu's coolest places to hang out. Splash all your rupiahs on a bed for a day-long chillout, otherwise just rock up at the tables or lie horizontal on its 500-square-metre lawn while taking pics of the beach-front infinity pool. Order a mojito as the sun sets or do as many of the expats do and spend the day there between surfing sessions. Be warned though, it's the kind of place where you'll find yourself dancing to '90s R&B grooves at 11pm.
Sand Bar
When everything closes in Canggu, the party heads to Sand Bar. Located mere metres away from Old Man's and The Lawn, Sand Bar is little more than a thatched-roof shack on the beach with beanbags strewn in front of it. But you won't be sitting down for long; it's all about grooving barefoot on the cool sand, alongside hundreds of fellow travellers and locals.
Photo via @thelawncanggu.
Where to shop
Canggu Bazaar
Located on Pantai Batu Bolong, every Sunday Canggu Bazaar throws open its invisible doors and invites shoppers to browse its stalls, which are stocked with everything from dip-dye dresses and sunglasses to handmade bracelets.
Haze & Glory
An industrial-style airy space with lead pipe shelves, Haze & Glory is worth popping into on your way to the beach. Its flagship store offers vintage-inspired clothing alongside handcrafted jewellery.
Wanderlust
When in Bali, why not upgrade your swimwear? Boutique Wanderlust has stacks of hangers filled with simple yet beautiful swimsuits and bikinis in bold colours.
Where to get pampered
Spring Spa
Everything about Spring Spa screams style. The white minimalist lounge is home to a health bar serving up fresh juices and teas, while the courtyard features a landscaped garden and a long freshwater pond. Its treatment menu is equally impressive, with everything from pedis to manis to lengthy pampering sessions, such as a hair rescue package involving hair wash, hydration mask and a hot stone massage, on offer. Perfect if you want to spruce up your tresses after a day at the beach.
Goldust
Step into Goldust and for a moment you'll forget you're there for the R&R and be swayed by its boutique stocked with pretty beach kaftans, resort wear, woven bags and jewellery that you'll want to squeeze into your suitcase. Upstairs lies the popular spa, which attracts the masses with its manicures that include coconut oil treatments, eyebrow tints, and massages. The real winner is its signature 24k gold facial, which leaves skin radiant. It's garnered a loyal following, especially among those who can't resist a selfie of their face covered in gold.
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