How to Explore Canggu on Your Solo Trip to Bali | Solo Female Travel
Over the past few years, Canggu has been growing and turning into a tourist spot. Although very few tourists consider travelling to Canggu, it is still considered Bali’s hippie hotspot. And honestly, the region has so much to explore that you will need at least a day or two to see even one-third of Canggu!
I had visited Bali for my first solo trip in 2017. Even though I visited the island during the colder months, I can say that my experience was more than pleasant. And it was decent enough for a first solo trip! I stayed in Canggu for two days, exploring its tourist places and eating at the local Balinese restaurants to make the most of my solo trip to Bali.
Canggu is surely a gem of a place that is usually not explored well by tourists yet. In a way, it can work in your favour too because it will be less crowded when you visit here. So, if you are planning a solo trip to Bali, keep a day or two aside from your itinerary to explore this beautiful place!
Best time to visit Canggu, Bali
There is no best time to visit the island as such. All year round, Bali looks as gorgeous as ever! However, the climate can have a little impact on your solo trip.
July and August are the peak times as tourists from all around the world visit Bali. It is mostly crowded, which is something I don’t prefer while visiting any destination for a solo trip. Then comes the dry season, which is mostly humid but considered a great time to explore the island!
After that, from October till April, you will be witnessing a lot of rainy and colder days. But even during this time, you can expect a few hot and sunny days here and there.
Exploring Canggu
If you have done even a little bit of research about Bali and getting around the island, you would know that it is best done through a two-wheeled vehicle, locally known as a moped. You can easily rent a moped or even a bike if you are into those!
You can check online bike rental companies well in advance of your arrival in Bali. Or, you can ask your hotel staff if there are any genuine rental companies in Canggu. I feel locals know things that even the internet does not!
But here’s a thing that you need to remember at all times while riding a moped or driving a car, Balinese police are extremely strict with tourists when it comes to traffic rules and regulations.
When riding a bike or moped on the roads, always keep your helmet on. And while driving, keep your seatbelt on at all times. If you don’t abide by the rules, you can end up in serious trouble!
Affordable accommodations in Canggu
Although Canggu is at a comfortable distance from other tourist attractions like Kuta and Ubud, you will still need a place to crash here if you have plans of exploring this region for at least a day. Because honestly, travelling too much from other regions to Canggu every day can take a toll on your budget.
So, here are my top recommendations for affordable accommodations in Canggu for you!
Bali Full Moon Guest House, Canggu
If you are on a tight budget but still want to experience a beautiful stay in Canggu, then the Bali Full Moon Guest House will not disappoint you. At the guest house, you get access to an outdoor pool, terrace, and a garden. You also get an air-conditioned room along with a private bathroom with toiletries. The nearest airport to the guest house is Ngurah Rai International Airport, at a distance of 11 kilometres.
If you wish to enjoy the services of this beautiful accommodation further, I would suggest that you try out their American cuisine breakfast!
Approximate price per night at Bali Full Moon Guest House – 213661 Indonesian Rupiah ($14.74)
Koa D Surfer Hotel, Canggu
If you are looking for affordable yet cosy accommodation, then look further than Koa D Surfer Hotel. Its interior featuring traditional bamboo architecture and mural decor will make you want to spend several nights here. The hotel offers most of the basic amenities you can ask for, which include an air conditioner, satellite TV, and a private bathroom.
The best part is that you can even rent vehicles, both a bike and a car, from the hotel itself. This will help you avoid the hassle of going through an agency too. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is the nearest airport to the hotel. You can also opt for the hotel’s airport transfer services.
Approximate price per night at Koa D Surfer Hotel – 252508 Indonesian Rupiah ($17.42)
Wasabi, Canggu
A beautiful hotel in the heart of Canggu, Wasabi, is quite a budget-friendly option. The hotel provides its visitors with all the basic amenities to have a comfortable stay—these include an air-conditioner, swimming pool, a flat-screen TV, and a private bathroom with free toiletries.
The nearest airport to the hotel is Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is at a distance of about 12 kilometres, and you can easily book a cab and reach your hotel in about half an hour!
Approximate price per night at Wasabi – 339915 Indonesian Rupiah ($23.46)
Places worth exploring in Canggu
Once you get settled in your hotel, it’s time to head out and explore the gem of a place that Canggu is.
Here are some of my top picks for places that are worth spending your time in Canggu.
Visit the gorgeous Tanah Lot Temple
If you have heard anything about Bali, you must know that it is the land of some of the most beautiful temples and religious sites. Tanah Lot Temple happens to be one of those most beautiful religious sites, and it is quite famous as well. Every year, lots of tourists travel to Bali and make a point to witness this gorgeous beauty standing on top of a rock formation surrounded by crystal clear water!
If you happen to visit Tanah Lot Temple during the low tide, you can even take a walk along the coastline on the left of the temple. And the best part about visiting this temple is the view of the sunset in the evening. The changing colours of the sky act like the perfect backdrop to the temple!
Try out surfing on the Canggu Beaches
Bali is home to some of the most stunning beaches. And while you are chilling at the beach, why not try your hand at surfing? You can actually try out water sports on most beaches in Bali, but locals believe that Canggu has some of the best beaches for surfing. And I completely agree with them.
My top picks for surfing would be Berawa Beach, Batu Balong Beach, and Echo Beach. As per your convenience, you can pick whichever beach you like! And don’t worry if it’s your first time surfing. You will have experts guiding and telling you everything you need to know before hitting the waves!
Experience the Canggu Nightlife
Like I mentioned earlier, Canggu is considered Bali’s hippie hotspot. One of its most popular tourist attractions is the Canggu nightlife. There are so many nightclubs in Canggu, and you will be spoilt for choices. Most of the bars and nightclubs are located on the beaches, so you can easily head there after a fun time at the beaches!
Some of the popular bars are Sand Bar, Old Man’s, Echo Beach Club, and Deus Ex Machina. While you get yourself a drink and enjoy the night, I would recommend that you try as much as possible to stay safe. Although Bali is quite a safe destination for solo female travellers, you can never know what might happen once you are drunk.
Check out Canggu Street Art
If you want to take some time off of your itinerary and have a relaxed day instead of trying something adventurous, check out the street art. One of the famous street artists in Canggu is Quint, a Jakarta-born artist who loves to paint the town with black, white, and red colours! And trust me, his work is too amazing!
You can either take a walk along the streets or ride on your moped along the art streets to witness the magic! The best places with stunning street art are Jalan Pantai Berawa, Pantai Batu Bolong, and Outside Old Man’s.
Cafes worth having a meal in Canggu
Canggu has some amazing cafes that serve delicious food. And the best part is some of these are budget-friendly as well. So, you can have a yummy meal without having to worry too much about money!
These are some of my recommendations that you must definitely check out if you are in Canggu and looking for something to beat your hunger pangs!
Milk & Madu
Milk & Madu has to be my favourite go-to cafe in Bali. It serves delicious breakfast and lunch meals. However, their 2-for-1 pizza night is quite popular too. Some of their popular food items include healthy salad bowls, burgers, eggs benedict meals, and pizzas.
My favourite dish from Milk & Madu has to be their Mexican Salad and Cheese Nachos. These were filling, tasty, and did not even burn a hole in my pocket!
The Loft
One of the most beautiful cafes in Canggu, The Loft, is slowly rising in popularity, thanks to its vegan and vegetarian dishes. While most people consider vegetarian dishes to be more on the healthier side than tasty, The Loft knows its way around this belief. The cafe makes sure that both the vegetarian and vegan dishes are equally healthy and tasty! So, you can definitely check out this place while you are in Canggu.
But if you wish to try out non-vegetarian too, you can order their famous Australian beef burgers!
The Shady Shack
Although the name may sound a little shady, don’t worry, the cafe offers some amazing food. Their speciality is in food bowls. Literally, everything served here is in bowls! If you are looking for some protein, try their protein bowls. If you are in the mood for some Asian cuisine, then the Haloumi Bowl is the perfect option for you. And if you are looking to try out some delicious Japanese food items, then order their Nori Bowl!
Crate Cafe
Crate Cafe is one of my favourite cafes in Bali. It serves amazing local and international cuisine that attracts many locals and tourists. What I love about the cafe is their richly aromatic coffee! Any place that serves good coffee becomes my instant favourite. And Crate Cafe is one of my favourites!
Crate Cafe serves only breakfast, lunch, and evening snacks. So, clear up your schedule accordingly if you want to have a delicious meal here!
Are you all set to explore Canggu on your solo trip to Bali?
As I said, Canggu has still not become a tourist hotspot which means that it will not be crowded. But not sure for how long.
So, if you are planning your next solo trip to a budget-friendly destination, I would highly recommend that you consider Bali. It is a perfect mix of everything you need to have a memorable solo trip. Be it chilling at the beaches, trying out adventurous activities to get your adrenaline pumping, witnessing some of the gorgeous waterfalls, or exploring the hidden gems that you may not find elsewhere—Bali has got it all for you on a platter! If you are confused about why you should select an island destination for your next solo trip, you can check out my blog here.
If you do find out interesting places to visit in Canggu and Bali, do let me know in the comment section below. I would also love to hear about your travel experience of your solo trip to Bali because mine was amazing! Till then, happy travelling, ladies!