Exploring Bali: A Journey through Canggu and Ubud

A story about two Bali's: Canggu's beach life and Ubud's culture
End of October 2023 I flew to Bali for the first time to celebrate my oldest friend 50th birthday. So the Celebration happened in Canggu, and then I decided to recover from partying in Ubud, which was recommended to me. Canggu and Ubud are two of Bali's most popular tourist destinations. These two places are very different from each other, even though they are only an hour away.

Canggu: A Beach Meets Culinary Heaven

Canggu used to be a quiet beach town in Bali, but now it's a popular place for tourists who want to enjoy the sun and surf. It has great restaurants and trendy clubs.

A place to eat that is better than what others in the world are doing

The culinary scene in Canggu is amazing. Milk & Madu breakfast boards are filled with fresh tropical fruits, house-made granola, and perfectly poached eggs. The Slow Kitchen & Bar is a nice place to eat lunch. They serve modern Indonesian dishes like rendang croquettes.

Go to La Brisa, a beachfront restaurant made entirely of reclaimed wood. Here, the catch of the day is served with creative touches while you watch surfers catch their final waves of the day.

Beach Clubs: Where days turn into nights

Canggu's beach clubs have changed the way people experience coastal luxury in Bali. Finns Beach Club offers the ultimate day-to-night experience. Their pools and swim-up bars are the perfect spot to watch Bali's famous sunsets. The Lawn is a perfect balance between casual and chic. Live DJs spin tropical house tracks on their grass terraces or beachfront pools.

Ubud: A trip through Bali's cultural heart

Ubud is a complete change of pace, where ancient temples and lush landscapes create a mystical atmosphere that has drawn spiritual seekers for generations.

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

You can't visit Ubud without going to the Sacred Monkey Forest. This spiritual complex has three Hindu temples from the 14th century. The macaques in the area are fun, but the real magic is in the old stone carvings and structures covered with moss that look like stories from long ago.

Terraces of rice in Tegalalang

Tegalalang Rice Terraces are some of Bali's most photographed sights. Go early in the morning to see the sun rise and paint the terraces with golden light. The subak irrigation system has kept these terraces alive for generations.

Temple Trail

Start at the Saraswati Temple, where lotus ponds reflect the ornate architecture. Continue to Tirta Empul, a water temple where locals have performed purification rituals for over a thousand years. You can finish your spiritual journey at Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave). It's a mysterious place with scary creatures that leads to an old place to meditate.

Arts and Heritage

Ubud has many galleries and workshops where people can express their creativity. The Blanco Renaissance Museum is a museum that tells the story of Ubud's artistic heritage. The ARMA Museum looks at traditional and contemporary Balinese art.

The Ultimate Insider's Guide: Canggu's Hotspots & Budget-Friendly Ubud

Canggus Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

Beach clubs: Things you might not know about

1. La Brisa insider Tip: Book a day bed on the upper deck to get the best sunset views. Arrive before 2 PM to make sure you get a spot. You can split the cost (around 500k IDR) between two people.

2. Finns Beach Club

- Use a bean bag instead of expensive daybeds on the lawn.

- During their "Golden Hour," you can get half-price cocktails.

- The VIP pool is not worth the extra money. The regular pool has similar views.

3. The Lawn.
- The best value happy hour in Canggu is 2-for-1 cocktails from 4-6 PM.
- You can use the grass areas for free without spending a certain amount of money.
- Order the punch bowls to share - cheaper than buying individual cocktails.

A deep dive into the restaurant scene

Breakfast and brunch places

- Arrive before 9 AM to get their famous sourdough before it sells out.

- Machinery Cafe is a hidden gem that serves the best breakfast in Canggu. Their eggs benedict are half the price of similar cafes.
- Give Cafe is a place where you can eat vegan breakfast and all the money you make goes to charities. Try their mushroom rendang bowl.

Where to have lunch

- Warung Bu Mi: Local warung with the best Nasi Campur in town. Look for the green facade.

- You can go upstairs for better seating and faster service.

- Order a rainbow bowl with tempeh additions.

Tonight for Dinner & Late Night
- Luigi's Hot Pizza: Best pizza in Canggu. They don't take reservations, so go at 6 PM or after 8:30 PM.
- Book your outdoor garden seats in advance at Penny Lane.
- Mason: Make reservations 2-3 days ahead for dinner. Their lunch is equally good and easier to get in.
- Motel Mexicola: Nice Mexican food not too expensive. After dinner, the place turns in to a wild party with DJ people dancing on tables.

Speakeasies & Hidden Bars
1. The Black Cat Mini Mart is a convenience store with a black cat logo. The freezer door is actually the entrance to a speakeasy.
2. Ji Restaurant Rooftop: Come for sunset cocktails.
3. The Shady Fox: Behind a wooden door is the best gin collection in Canggu.

Tips for saving money in Canggu
- Gojek is often 30% cheaper than eating at restaurants.
- Many beach clubs waive the cost of admission if you come after 5 PM.
- Join the "Canggu Community" Facebook group for daily deals and happy hour updates.

Ubud: A Budget Travel Guide

How to save money on housing
- Stay in the Penestanan area for cheaper prices and a local atmosphere.
- Family homes have rooms starting at 150k IDR per night.
- Many guesthouses charge 40% less for a weekly stay.

How to Find Cheap Food
1. Warung Biah Biah
- Local food at excellent prices.
- The best time is from 11 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon.
- Try Nasi Campur, which costs 25k IDR.

2. Sawobali cake and coffee shop.

- 50k IDR for a vegetarian buffet.

- Go between 2-3 PM when they usually lower prices.

3. Market Food
- Ubud Market: breakfast costs under 20k IDR at the local section (upper level)
- Best before 8 AM for a real morning market experience.

Activities that are Free or Low-Cost

1. Temple Tours: Temple Visits

- Many temples have free entry. Rent a sarong from street vendors for 5k IDR instead of 20K IDR at temples.

- The best temples to visit for free are Saraswati Temple and Pura Taman Saraswati.

2. Walks in rice fields.
- Use Maps.me app for free walking routes instead of expensive tours.
- The Campuhan Ridge Walk is free and it's best at dawn.
- Rice fields near Kajeng Rice Fields are free alternatives to Tegalalang rice fields.

3. The arts and culture.

- The ARMA Museum is free the last Sunday of each month.

- Many art galleries offer free admission. Join the Art in Ubud Facebook group to find exhibition openings with free drinks.

- Instead of watching tourist performances, watch traditional dance rehearsals at community halls.

Tips for transportation
- Renting a scooter weekly (50k IDR/day) instead of daily (70k IDR/day)
- Download Gojek/Grab, but ask for pickup a bit far from the main tourist areas.
- Use Facebook groups "Ubud Community" and "Ubud Living" to share taxi costs.

A Budget for Cultural Experiences

- Yoga Barn offers free meditation sessions.

- After 6 PM, visit local markets for discounted fresh produce.

- Bali Buda Notice Board for free community events.

Plan for saving money
- In the morning, take a free walk to see the sun rise.
- Breakfast at the local market in the morning.
- Temple visits in the afternoon.
- Evening: Community events or warungs.

You need a SIM card and internet in your area
- Get an eSim Card from Yesim or Drimsim and stay connected worldwide
- Buy SIM cards at Circle K stores.
- Telkomsel Tourist SIM: 150k IDR per month.
- Many cafes offer free wifi with minimum purchase of drink or coffee.

You might need insurance while traveling

- EKTA health insurance for worldwide travel with benefits like free taxi cover to the hospital

- Safety Wing Insurance for digital nomads.

Always carry small bills for local purchases, and always negotiate politely for services. The best experiences in Ubud often come from going off the main tourist trail and connecting with local communities.

Final Thoughts

While Canggu and Ubud are very different, they all represent important parts of modern Bali. Canggu is a beach town with world-class dining and entertainment, while Ubud is Bali's cultural and spiritual center. Together, they create the perfect Balinese journey – from coastal indulgence to cultural insight. Whether you're in Canggu or Ubud, Bali has many different places to visit. Important is that you enjoy the beauty of Bali and the kindness of their citizen.