3 days in Canggu: and why i hated it
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Confession: I hated Canggu.
I KNOW I KNOW. Canggu: capital of the influencer world, home of thousands of digital nomads, everyone’s first stop on their Bali itinerary. I was so sure I would fall in love with it that I planned on staying 7 days here - and I was enough of a backpacking noob to book all of my hostels in advance, so I really couldn’t back out, despite being completely over it a few days in.
Don’t get me wrong. I can see why people love to live there. It’s extremely well-established, you will never be at a loss for new brunch spots, and the weather is generally amazing. But as far as things to do go, there’s not a lot, unless you’re a surfer or love to party every night.
Unfortunately, I am neither of those people.
And honestly, if you’re a surfer, you’re better off basing yourself in Uluwatu! The beaches are prettier, the waves are better, and I genuinely wished I would’ve cut my time in Canggu in half in order to spend more time in Uluwatu.
Now, I don’t count the 7 days I spent in Canggu as a loss at all. Luckily, the company I was with made the failed surfing lessons, nights spent out way too late, and the lack of actual things to do actually super fun. I don’t love Canggu, but I did love my time spent in the company of everyone I met there.
3 Day Canggu Itinerary
Now, if I had to go back and do it again, I would spend 3-4 days in Canggu. To be fair, the shopping is good (not so great for someone traveling out of a 40 liter backpack), the waves are decent (still too hard for a super beginner like me) and the parties are really freaking fun (unfortunately my body is not built like how it seems like the rest of the population is and I can’t party on back to back days). So like, Canggu wasn’t for me, but it may very well be for you.
Where to stay in CAnggu
If you’re looking for a hotel vibe but still want to travel on a budget, I stayed at the Aston Canggu Beach resort for two nights and it was super affordable! They have a rooftop pool with views of the ocean, and our balcony was the perfect place to eat our assortment of fruit we had bought from the market for breakfast.
If you’re backpacking like I was, you have to stay at Lay Day Hostel! The dorms are beautiful and super clean, the two pools are perfect for days spent fighting your hangovers, and the bar sells cocktails, lattes, and joss shots - something for everyone😉
They have events on nearly every day, but don’t worry! because it’s in a residential area of Bali (in a wonderful location though, don’t let that fool you), the music is always off at 11, so if you need a night in you can definitely have it. 10/10.
How to get around Canggu
The best way to get around Canggu is by using Grab! It’s an app you can get on your phone that works just like uber - except you can call a motorbike taxi for just yourself, and it’s so much cheaper than having to pay for a whole car, especially if you’re solo traveling.
Additionally, you can rent a motorbike, anywhere along the street or at your hotel or hostel, but the traffic in Canggu is actually out of this world and so stressful, so I wouldn’t recommend for first time drivers! Grab is definitely a cheaper alternative, unless you have lots of sightseeing planned for the day.
Day 1
For your first day in Canggu, you obviously have to go to brunch - and what better brunch spot to start your 3 days in Canggu than the iconic Crate Cafe.
The menu options are seemingly endless, the frappes will make your jaw hit the floor, and the open air “crate” container atmosphere is so vibey, rain or shine.
For your first day, I recommend you walk around town, stop into any boutiques that pique your interest, and do a little shopping (Unless you’re backpacking lol. Then window shopping it is).
Regardless of where you choose to go, you absolutely have to stop at Love Anchor Bazaar! This collection of stalls is so overwhelming in the best way possible. You can purchase jewelry, decor items, clothing, trinkets, etc. I went to buy a pearl necklace after seeing someone in my hostel rocking hers, although my attempt was only mildly successful.
By mildly, I mean the vendor she bought her necklace from proved to her that the pearls were real by burning them with a lighter (bc that’s apparently a way to tell?). Unfortunately my vendor didn’t do this and now a few months later you can definitely tell that my pearl wasn’t real:(
Regardless of the authenticity of what they sell in the Love Anchor Bazaar, it is still a must-see while in Canggu.
Go to the beach, lay by the pool, and relax a little bit before the sun goes down - because you probably won’t be back in your hotel until the sun comes up.
Nightlife in Canggu is actually insane. No matter what day of the week it is, there is something going on. Three of the most popular bars in Canggu are Old Mans (a classic), Sandbar, (a bar literally on the beach), and X bar (slightly more relaxed) are popping off most days of the week, so any of those are safe bet to start your night.
If you’re interested in going to a club, The Vault was the time of my life. We rolled up in our Grab taxi to a random parking lot kind of in the middle of nowhere, and there was a little freestanding door plopped smack in the middle of the pavement. There was a small line and security guards checking bags, and we really couldn’t hear much music. We exchanged a few nervous glances, but walked through the door regardless. The door led to a seemingly never-ending staircase, and the further we descended the louder the music got. Once inside, the vibes were immaculate, the atmosphere was a little mysterious and exciting, and it had the perfect blend of music that managed to cater to everyone in my group (a rarity, if you ask me).
Day 2
For your second day in Canggu, you have to try your hand at surfing. The waves are far more beginner oriented than down in Uluwatu, and instructors are very easy to come by if you coordinate with the reception at your accommodation or simply take a walk down the beach! I even forced a cute Australian boy at my hostel to give me a lesson for free - and it’s a dang good thing I didn’t pay because mans was NOT a good teacher.
I’ve already mentioned that I’m the worst surfer in the world, but I’m choosing to blame my coach😌
But first - Breakfast! When in Bali, do not pass up the opportunity to try a new breakfast place. Todays brunch spot of choice (in the perfect location to later walk to the beach for some tanning or surfing) is Shady Shack Cafe!
The menu here is absolutely to DIE for - nearly everything is vegan, the location on the rice terraces is gorgeous, and you just FEEL healthy eating their food even though it’s decadent AF. Like, look at this vegan cinnamon roll.
I definitely would’ve come here more than once if I wasn’t so determined to test out all the best brunches in Canggu so I could report back to you all. You’re welcome for my service.
After breakfast, walk to Echo Beach for your surfing lessons. This is where most of the beginners go to learn surfing! Canggu doesn’t have the most beautiful beaches, but as long as you’re in the water or laying out, it’s easy to look past the fact that it kind of looks like crusty dusty Myrtle Beach in America.
The one cool thing Canggu beaches have is black sand! I was expecting this to be much prettier than it was, as it kind of made the beach look really dirty. So after your surf lesson, head back to your accommodation for an afternoon by the pool.
If you can, make sure to plan your stay in Canggu around a Monday. I know what you’re thinking: “A Monday? Zero part of me wants to go out on a Monday!”
To which I say, “you’re on vacation babes. You better rally.”
Mondays in Canggu are infamous thanks to an open air pizza restaurant called Luigis that converts itself into a poppin’ nightclub on Mondays only. Complete with glowing red neon lights, people dancing on the tables they were just eating pizza off of, and the sheer amount of people that flock there for a fun Monday night make Luigi’s an absolute Canggu non-negotiable.
Whether you do this the first night or the last night, make sure you’re in Canggu for a Monday.
Day 3
Day three: t’s your last day in Canggu! So you better make the most of it. And trust me: although we don’t have much on our itinerary today, you’ll still have an amazing time.
Obviously, you have to start off with brunch. And I think I may have saved the best for last.
Well, maybe not the BEST, but by far the most instagrammable brunch spot in Bali is Copenhagen cafe. They have this sick menu where you just piece together the perfect brunch thats perfectly customizable for your own taste! It’s a really popular spot so you may have to wait a while, or try to come early!
After brunch, we’re headed to Tanah Lot, an Indonesian temple that is built into the epic coastline! It’s a little bit of a hike away, but honestly being on the back of a Grab motorbike taxi with my hair whipping in the breeze is so exhilarating that I really don’t mind.
The temple has a small entrance fee of about $4 (60,000 IDR) , but you’ll see why once you enter the gates! I was told by a guide (that I was eavesdropping on bc I didn’t go with a tour) that the word “Tanah” means earth, while “Lot” means sea - and if you look at the pictures it’s not hard to see why they call it that.
One thing to note is that if you decide to walk to the island temple, there’s usually a line of people waiting to be blessed with holy water. I watched so many tourists line up for this but not realize they had to pay, and were scrambling for cash as the priest waited expectantly and they held the entire line up. So just be aware LOL.
I would also recommend walking through all the shops up the hill to the left of Tanah Lot, and maybe grabbing a cold juice or smoothie from one of the cafes with a view. They’re overpriced, but the view is worth it.
Once you’re done taking in the beauty of this mandatory culture stop in Canggu, hop on another taxi and head back into town. Eat some quick Nasi Goreng for lunch, AND THEN:
… spend the rest of the day at a beach club!
The most popular one is Finns Beach Club, and it’s right on the beach! They have so many pools, amazing music, overpriced drinks and food… what more could you want? I personally didn’t really spend too much time at the beach clubs, because they were so dang expensive and I wasn’t really there on vacation, but rather I was backpacking and still had three months of travel in front of me - so 10 dollar shots were not my jam.
I also went to The Lawn, which was so dreamy. They had fairy lights over the entire outdoor seating area, an infinity pool, and the vibes were way more chilled than Finns.
Whatever beach club you choose to go to, however, you’re in for a good time.
That wraps up our 3 day CAnggu Itinerary!
While Canggu wasn’t for me in particular, it is still a must-visit on your Bali itinerary; you simply cannot miss it! If parties and beach clubs are your thing, stay a few extra days! There’s honestly something new happening every night of the week, and although there’s not much to do during the day, the atmosphere of Canggu is so much fun and I guarantee you’ll meet some amazing people.
Have you ever been to Canggu? Did you like it?
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