Which are the best areas to stay for tourists in Bali? From the many options available, we have rounded up the top 6, complete with the pros and cons of each area. Read on to find out!
Bali, the enchanting Island of the Gods, has long captured the hearts of travellers from around the world. With its extraordinary natural beauty, rich culture, and the warmth of its people, Bali offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
For tourists who want more than just a holiday, Bali is also an ideal place to live. Whether you are a remote worker seeking inspiration, a slow traveller wishing to explore local culture, or an expatriate looking for a new life, Bali has something to offer everyone.
However, with so many accommodation options across Bali, deciding where to stay can be a complex task. Here is a complete guide to the 6 best areas to stay in Bali for tourists, with a full description of each area:
Canggu has become one of the most popular areas to live in Bali over recent years. Known as a paradise for digital nomads, Canggu offers a wide range of co-working spaces, trendy cafés with reliable Wi-Fi, and a vibrant community.
The beaches in Canggu are also among the best in Bali. Here, you can enjoy a variety of water activities such as surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. In addition, Canggu boasts a lively selection of beach bars and excellent restaurants serving a wide range of international cuisine.
Vibrant Digital Nomad Community: Canggu has a large and active digital nomad community. You will easily find co-working spaces, cafés, and networking events where you can meet people who share similar interests and lifestyles.
Reliable Internet Infrastructure: Canggu has a stable and fast internet infrastructure, allowing you to work smoothly from anywhere. Many cafés and co-working spaces offer high-speed Wi-Fi.
Beautiful Beaches and Diverse Water Activities: Canggu is renowned for its beautiful beaches and waves suitable for surfers. You can also enjoy a range of other water activities such as swimming, sunbathing, or stand-up paddleboarding.
Relaxed and Friendly Atmosphere: Canggu has a laid-back and friendly atmosphere, ideal for remote workers who want to focus on their work while enjoying a relaxed lifestyle.
Wide Range of Dining and Entertainment Options: Canggu offers a broad selection of dining and entertainment, from trendy cafés and restaurants to beach bars and nightclubs. You will easily find places to eat and things to do that suit your taste.
Relatively High Cost of Living: Canggu has a relatively high cost of living compared to other areas in Bali. This is particularly evident in the prices of accommodation, food, and transport.
Crowds That Can Become Disruptive: Canggu can get very busy, especially during holiday seasons. This can disturb your peace and focus when working.
Lack of Authentic Local Culture: Canggu has become increasingly modern and westernised in recent years. This means you may not find many authentic local cultural experiences here.
Traffic Congestion: Traffic congestion can be a problem in Canggu, especially during peak hours. This can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Located just north of Canggu, Kerobokan offers tranquillity and a unique rural charm. Here, you will find luxury villas, boutique resorts, and small hotels surrounded by rice fields and forest.
Although Kerobokan is quieter than Canggu, the area still has plenty to offer. You can explore traditional markets, visit local art galleries, or relax at one of the area’s charming hidden cafés. Kerobokan is also an ideal base for trips to Uluwatu or Tanah Lot.
Peaceful and Tranquil Atmosphere: Kerobokan is far quieter than the bustling Canggu. This is ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy the beautiful rural surroundings.
Natural Beauty: Kerobokan is surrounded by rice fields, forests, and beautiful beaches. You can enjoy stunning natural scenery and refreshing clean air.
Luxurious and Unique Accommodation: Kerobokan offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury villas to boutique resorts and charming small hotels. You can find a place to stay that suits your budget and preferences.
Relatively Affordable Prices: The cost of living in Kerobokan is generally lower than in Canggu. You can find food, drinks, and accommodation at more affordable prices.
Easy Access to Other Areas: Kerobokan is conveniently located near Canggu, Uluwatu, and Tanah Lot, making it easy to visit various popular tourist attractions across Bali.
Fewer Activities and Entertainment Options: Kerobokan has fewer activities and entertainment options compared to Canggu. If you are looking for a lively place with plenty of things to do, Kerobokan may not be the right choice.
Limited Beach Access: Kerobokan has only a few beaches, namely Batu Belig Beach and Petitenget Beach.
For those seeking a quieter and more affordable place to stay, Pererenan is the perfect choice. Located north of Canggu, Pererenan offers a peaceful rural atmosphere with beautiful beaches and waves suitable for beginner surfers.
In Pererenan, you will find a wide range of accommodation options, from hostels and guesthouses to villas and resorts. Accommodation prices here are generally lower than in Canggu and Kerobokan.
Authentic Natural Beauty: Surrounded by lush gardens, fertile rice fields, black sand beaches, and much more, Pererenan offers a breath of fresh air without having to sacrifice comfort.
Access to Key Amenities: Although located on the outskirts, it is still a short distance from the best restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions when you want to liven things up.
Steadily Growing Development: Although previously a less developed area, Pererenan’s popularity has grown significantly in recent years, attracting tourists looking for an alternative to other coastal towns in Bali.
Outstanding Villas at Affordable Prices: Pererenan offers a range of impressive villas at reasonable prices, making it an attractive option for those seeking comfortable and affordable accommodation.
Lack of Nightlife: Unlike other coastal towns in Bali, Pererenan does not offer many nightlife or active evening entertainment options. For those seeking a vibrant night scene, this may be a drawback.
Limited Accommodation Options: Although Pererenan is developing, there are not yet as many accommodation choices as in Canggu or other busier areas of Bali. This can be a challenge, especially during holiday seasons or when looking for accommodation with specific facilities.
Located in the heart of Bali, Ubud is renowned as the island’s cultural and spiritual centre. Here, you can discover ancient temples, art galleries, and traditional dance performances. Ubud is also an ideal place to learn yoga, meditation, and various other holistic therapies.
Although Ubud does not have beaches, the area offers extraordinary natural beauty with expansive rice fields, dense forests, and clear rivers. Ubud is also the perfect starting point for trips to Mount Batur or Kintamani.
Affordable Prices: Compared to the southern coastal tourist areas of Bali, the cost of living in Ubud is relatively lower, particularly for rental accommodation.
Very Safe: Ubud is known as a safe and comfortable area to live in. The crime rate in Ubud is relatively low, including towards women, meaning female travellers can feel safe when travelling alone.
Fast Internet: Internet access in Ubud is adequate to support the digital activities of nomadic workers.
Clean Air: Air quality in Ubud is generally good, far from the air pollution commonly found in large cities.
Family-Friendly: Ubud has many facilities and activities suitable for families, such as cooking classes and educational tours.
Hot and Humid Weather: The dry season in Bali is associated with hot and humid weather, which may feel uncomfortable for some people.
Limited Healthcare Facilities: Healthcare facilities in Ubud may not be as comprehensive or advanced as those found in larger cities.
Dangerous Road Conditions: Some roads in Ubud, particularly in rural areas, are in poor condition and can pose a risk of accidents.
Language Barrier: Some residents of Ubud, particularly older generations, may not be fluent in English.
Located at the south-western tip of Bali, Uluwatu is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs and large waves that are perfect for experienced surfers. Enjoy the best sunset views in Bali from its iconic clifftops.
Uluwatu also has many hidden sea caves and stunning Hindu temples. The area offers a wide range of accommodation options, from hostels and guesthouses to luxury villas and resorts.
A Surfer’s Paradise: Uluwatu is renowned for its large and challenging waves, making it the best place in Bali for experienced surfers. Some of the most famous surf spots in Uluwatu include Suluban Beach, Nyang Nyang, and Balangan.
Hidden Sea Caves: Along the Uluwatu coastline, there are many beautiful and secluded sea caves that can be explored by kayak or boat.
Stunning Hindu Temples: Uluwatu is home to several famous Hindu temples, such as Pura Uluwatu and Pura Luhur Uluwatu. These temples offer beautiful ocean views and are the perfect place to learn about Balinese culture.
Peaceful and Tranquil Atmosphere: Uluwatu has a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere compared to other southern coastal tourist areas of Bali, such as Kuta and Seminyak.
Difficult Access: Uluwatu is located at the south-western tip of Bali and can be somewhat difficult to reach, particularly by public transport.
Relatively High Prices: Accommodation, food, and transport prices in Uluwatu are generally higher than in other southern coastal tourist areas of Bali.
Limited Nightlife: Uluwatu has a less vibrant nightlife scene compared to other southern coastal tourist areas of Bali.
Dangerous Waves: The waves in Uluwatu can be extremely large and dangerous, making it unsuitable for beginner surfers.
Winding Roads: The roads in Uluwatu can be winding and narrow, so caution is required when driving.
Sanur is renowned for its calm, white-sand beaches that are safe for children. Here, you can swim, sunbathe, or play in the water safely. Sanur is also an ideal spot for jogging, cycling, or simply taking a leisurely stroll along the beach.
Although Sanur is not as bustling as Canggu or Seminyak, the area offers a wide range of family-friendly restaurants, cafés, and shops. Sanur is also the ideal departure point for trips to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan.
Calm and Family-Friendly Beach: Sanur is renowned for its peaceful, white-sand beach, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and playing in the water with children. The gentle and shallow waves are also safe for children to swim in.
Peaceful and Tranquil Atmosphere: Sanur offers a calmer and more peaceful atmosphere compared to other southern coastal tourist areas of Bali, such as Kuta and Seminyak. It is ideal for tourists who want a relaxed holiday away from the crowds.
Wide Range of Family Accommodation: Sanur has a variety of accommodation options suitable for families, from hotels and resorts to villas and homestays.
Child-Friendly Facilities: Many restaurants and cafés in Sanur provide children’s menus and child-friendly facilities, such as high chairs and play areas.
Easy Access to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan: Sanur is the ideal starting point for trips to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, two small islands near Bali renowned for their natural beauty.
Limited Nightlife: Sanur tends to be quieter than some other areas of Bali, which may be less appealing for those seeking an active and lively night scene.
Potentially Limited Access to Public Facilities: Although Sanur has various facilities such as restaurants, shops, and supermarkets, some public amenities may not be as plentiful as in other areas of Bali, particularly for those staying in more remote locations.
Not Very Busy: For some people, the tranquillity of Sanur can be a drawback, particularly for those seeking a more lively and bustling environment.
Higher Food and Accommodation Prices: Food and accommodation prices in Sanur tend to be slightly higher than in other areas of Bali, as it is a more tourist-oriented destination.
Choosing the right place to stay in Bali can be both an enjoyable and challenging process. With a wide range of areas, property types, and other factors to consider, finding the ideal place for you and your family can seem daunting.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right place to stay in Bali:
The first step is to determine your budget and requirements. How much do you want to spend on renting or purchasing a property? How many bedrooms and living spaces do you need? Do you require facilities such as a swimming pool, garden, or 24-hour security?
Bali offers a variety of areas, each with its own character and appeal. Do you prefer the calm beach atmosphere of Sanur, the culturally rich bustle of Ubud, or the modern lifestyle of Seminyak? Consider accessibility, proximity to your workplace or school, and closeness to the facilities you want.
Do you want to rent a villa, apartment, or house? Each type of property has its own pros and cons. Villas offer greater privacy and space, while apartments are more practical and convenient.
Use online property platforms to search for and compare available properties in Bali. Make use of various websites and property agents to get a complete picture of the options available that match your needs and budget.
Before making a decision, it is important to visit properties of interest in person. This will give you the opportunity to see the condition of the property firsthand, get a feel for its atmosphere, and confirm that it meets your requirements.
Villo Studio — a video production studio in Canggu, Bali. We help businesses create professional podcasts, social media videos, product photography, and creative content.
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