23 BEST Things to do in Canggu, Bali (2025 Guide!)

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Canggu, Bali, was once a quiet fishing village but now it’s one of the coolest places to visit on the island. With beaches, bars, rice paddies, and great restaurants, Canggu is the best of Bali condensed into one small area – that’s why we love it and keep visiting over and over!

We’ve lived in Canggu on and off over the years, often for months at a time, so we know the area very well. It’s super affordable and there’s something for everyone, whether you want to relax, surf, or party, and it’s also a great base for visiting other must-see attractions on the island. 

It’s not hard to fall in love with Canggu, and after ticking off the activities on this list, we’re confident that you’ll love it just as much as we do. 

Things to do in Canggu, Bali

1. Take a cooking class

A cooking class is a must while you’re in Bali. The local food here is so good, and with this cooking class, you’ll get to make authentic dishes like gado gado salad, steamed chicken in banana leaves, and everyone’s favorite: nasi goreng!  

What we love about the class is that it starts with a morning visit to the local market, where you’ll find fresh ingredients and learn more about their role in Balinese cooking. Then, you head to a local shop or “warung” to prepare everything and cook 9 different dishes – yup, 9! The class is super hands-on and the instructors are really fun and patient. 

It’s so cool to learn Balinese cooking methods and, best of all, you get to eat the dishes that you’ve prepared at the end of the class – just in time for lunch! You also get a certificate and a recipe book to take home so you can make these dishes again and wow your friends and family.

The class costs $45 USD per person and lasts for 5 hours. You’ll meet at Warung Nia and you can either contact the company after booking and they’ll help you arrange transport, or if you’re renting a motorbike in Canggu like we did, you can drive yourself, which takes about 25 minutes. It’s definitely worth it because this cooking class is such a blast!

Alternatively, if you’re renting a villa, you can have a cooking class come to you with this private experience. Chef Yohana will bring all of her supplies to you and teach you how to prepare authentic Indonesian dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen. She even does the dishes afterward, too! 

The class lasts around 3 hours and you can choose a time that suits you, so it’s nice and flexible. You’ll make three different dishes, such as ayam kecap (chicken in sweet soy sauce), corn fritters, and klepon rice cake balls. But since this is a private experience, you can also tailor the dishes to your preferences and dietary requirements. It costs $50 USD per person and is such a fantastic way to learn about Indonesian cuisine, without having to leave the comfort of your villa.

Book the cooking class we talked about here or reserve the private cooking class instead!

2. La Brisa Farmers Market 

La Brisa is known for being one of the best beach clubs in Bali, and it also hosts an awesome farmers’ market every Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm. You can check out the local vendors and find tons of great souvenirs here, including handmade jewelry, beauty products, all sorts of trinkets, as well as tons of organic produce, right on the beach! 

Then, afterward, you can check out the beautiful La Brisa Beach Club, which is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Canggu. It’s a rustic, shipwreck-chic spot with plenty of tables, rattan bean bags, and day beds to relax on while you sip delicious cocktails. 

If you’re coming with a larger group, it’s worth reserving a double bed, which fits up to 5 people, or a tower, which can accommodate groups of up to 10. Both have a minimum spend of about $115 USD, which you’ll easily hit if you stay here for a few hours eating and drinking. If you like seafood, then the Ceviche Nikkei is always a winner! We’ve had some amazing ceviche in Cartagena and on food tours in Lima, and it’s so fun to see how it’s prepared around the world.

Alternatively, if you’re in a small group or traveling as a pair, then La Brisa always has plenty of space for walk-ins, and bean bags and tables don’t have a minimum spend. There’s no real dress code here either, but remember to bring your swimsuit because La Brisa has a beautiful beachfront pool. 

3. Learn to surf

Bali is home to a huge surfing community, and Canggu Beach is a real hotspot. If you already know how to surf, then you can rent boards for between $3-$4 USD for two hours. The vendors will try to rent them out for more, so you’ll need to negotiate with them a little bit to get this price – don’t be afraid to haggle! 

If it’s your first time surfing in Bali, then I highly recommend taking surfing lessons. This private 2-hour lesson with board rental costs $28 USD and provides a great introduction to surfing. The instructors will tailor the class to your skill level and help you feel confident in the water, as well as show you where the safest spots are and how to stay away from the crowds. You’ll definitely see why so many people get the surfing bug here. This surfing lesson has dozens of 5-star reviews.

Read the reviews and book your surf lesson here!

Related Read: For more fun experiences (and a few hidden gems!) our complete guide on the best things to do in Bali has you covered!

4. Check out a cafe (or 10!)

You know how they say that you could dine out every night for years in New York City without ever repeating a restaurant? Well, Canggu is like that with cafes! 

There are endless cafes to choose from in Canggu. We’ve spent a ton of time working our way through them over the years, but you’ll never manage to visit them all! However, we do have some favorites to share. 

Copenhagen Canggu is a cool, minimalist Nordic eatery with killer brunch boards, while BAKED serves up amazing bread, biscuits, and pastries for when you’re craving carbs. Nude has really delicious smoothie bowls, and you can also grab yourself a $2.50 USD burger here on Wednesdays! 

Meanwhile, Lusa By/Suka has a nice outdoor terrace and they do a great Aussie-style breakfast, so this is a fantastic place to kick off a day of exploring Canggu. We also like ZIN Cafe, which is a spacious, airy co-working space spread out over 4 floors. It doesn’t require a membership, which is a bit of a godsend in a digital nomad hub like Canggu! 

Milk and Madu Beach Road do amazing sandwiches and pizzas, and they’ve got a nice garden area to relax in. And for rice paddy views, you can’t go wrong with Milu by Nook, which makes the best iced coffee ever! Cinta and Crate Cafe also have fantastic views, but make sure to arrive early to Crate because it’s super popular. 

Seminyak, which is about 20 minutes down the road by motorbike from Canggu, is also home to more than its fair share of Insta-worthy cafes, so if your feed needs some livening up, you can visit the best of the bunch on this private Instagram cafe tour. It takes you to picture-perfect hotspots, including Coffee Cartel, which I found really difficult to locate on my own! You get food and drink vouchers for each place, so you can try smoothie bowls, pink lattes, pastel-colored ice creams, and all of those aesthetically pleasing treats that Bali is known for nowadays. Book your private foodie tour here before it sells out!

5. Dinner at Sa’Mesa

Sa’Mesa is a really fun and unique dining experience in Bali. It’s an Italian restaurant and since Daniel is Italian, we just had to go and check it out … and we’re so glad we did! 

Sa’Mesa is a family-style restaurant, so everyone sits and eats together at two long tables. Their motto is “Come as strangers, and leave as friends,” which absolutely rings true!

You don’t order a-la-carte here, but instead, pay a set price of $36 USD and enjoy around 18 different dishes altogether. It’s a true culinary journey and what’s even better is that you get free homemade limoncello all night, which definitely helps to liven things up. 

The night wraps up with everybody dancing on the tables, so you start with incredible food and end with a big party. It’s so much fun and not the kind of experience you might expect to find in Bali, but it’s an unforgettable way to spend an evening in Canggu. 

6. Party at Finns Beach Club

You can’t miss the chance to party at Finns Beach Club while you’re in Canggu! It’s a huge beach club with four pools, two swim-up bars, and several dance floors with live music and DJs pretty much every night. After staying at the famous Malamala Beach Club in Fiji, we’re comfortable saying that if you want to party in Bali, there’s no better place than right here on the beach at Finns. 

Finns accept walk-ins but it’s super popular, so you should book tables, booths, day beds, and party platforms in advance. You can even book a lagoon bed, which is right in the middle of the VIP pool! There’s a minimum spend associated with each option, which starts at $42 USD for a single daybed and up to $420 USD for a deluxe party bed that holds up to 10 people. Finns is quite pricey, so you’ll easily hit that minimum spend here. 

With that being said, Finns has a pretty good happy hour from 7-9 pm each day where you can save money with 2-for-1 cocktails, mocktails, beers, and wines. It’s a really fun place to party, so it’s worth treating yourself to a day at Finns. It’s open from 10 am until midnight, 7 days a week, and you can make reservations online. 

7. Check out Black Sand Brewery

Black Sand Brewery is a huge brewery with an awesome beer garden. This place is pumping on the weekends, and they have DJs and live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This place really gets going on Friday afternoons thanks to their happy hour, where you can score a pint or a glass of wine for just $3.25 USD! 

All of the beers here are locally made, so you won’t find any Bintang, but they’ve got some great options. If you enjoy more bitter brews, try the Vienna Lager! Black Sand is definitely a cool place to check out if you love craft beer as much as we do, and they also serve yummy smoked meats. The brisket tacos are especially good, or if you prefer fish, try the salmon crudo sharing platter. 

Related Read: If you’re headed to Australia next, check out our list of the best breweries in Perth!

8. Get a massage

Bali is the home of affordable massages! You can get one for as little as $10 USD which is crazy cheap. We get them all the time when we’re in Canggu, and we love them. There are a ton of great places around so you don’t need to be picky. Often, the best places are the ones that don’t look all that fancy, because they’re cheap and they still leave you blissfully relaxed. 

And if you prefer, you can also have a masseuse come to your villa so that you can fall asleep straight afterward! Spa Massage Outcall offers all different kinds of face, body, and foot massages, so they can soothe your aches and pains in the comfort of your own place. They provide their own oils and equipment, and they don’t charge a transportation fee between 9 am and 6 pm, either.

9. Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot is a beautiful temple on a small island out in the ocean. It’s perched high on the rock and dates back to the 16th century, so it’s a very historic and culturally significant site. The temple was built to worship Bhatara Segara, the Balinese God of the Sea, and it’s said that a sea snake is living underneath the island to protect the temple against evil intruders. You have been warned! 

Only Balinese worshippers are permitted to enter Tanah Lot, but you’ll still need to pay a $4 USD fee to see the temple. A good time to visit is at low tide because you can walk all the way out to the temple, which is a really cool experience. You can check the tide times here, and we recommend going at sunset for the best views. Tanah Lot is a true gem in Bali, so we think it’s worth it to add to your Canggu itinerary.

You can drive a scooter from Canggu to Tanah Lot since it’s only 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) away. However, it’s a really popular place to visit at sunset, so we recommend leaving nice and early, otherwise, you may find yourself stuck in traffic for a while! The sun sets between 6 and 7 pm in Bali, depending on the time of year, so we recommend leaving Canggu about 2 hours beforehand so that you can get a good spot and make the most of your time here. 

If you’d rather have all of the logistics handled, you can visit Tanah Lot on this private full-day tour for just $38 USD – what a bargain! Your driver will take you to top sites including the Handara Iconic Gate, where everyone takes that famous Bali photo, the stunning Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and the Jatiluwih rice fields, finishing with a gorgeous sunset at Tanah Lot. You’ll need to have cash because the price doesn’t include admission fees, and you’ll want to buy food and drinks along the way, but these extras are all very affordable so all in all, we think this is a great value for the money. 

Book your private tour here!

10. Day trip to Ubud

While Canggu is all about beaches, cafes, and surfing, Ubud is the spiritual center of Bali, known for its lush green rice fields and gorgeous temples. It’s worth spending a night or two in Ubud, but if you can’t, then this private full-day tour will ensure that you get a real sense of what Ubud is about. 

What we love about this tour is that its itinerary includes all of the must-see attractions in Ubud, which would be quite hard to cover on your own in a single day. It’s very well planned out, so you get to go to the Art Villages to check out some amazing local art, and the elaborate Puseh Batuan Hindu temple. 

You’ll also visit Tegenungan Waterfall, which is one of the most impressive in Bali, and my personal favorite, the Tegallalang rice terraces. These rice fields are so beautiful, a quintessential Bali site, and you can even do a tea and coffee tasting while overlooking them at Luwak Coffee next door. Plus, there are lots of places to take photos on the bridges, pathways, inside the man-made nests, and even on a giant swing!

Another highlight of this tour is a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest, which is home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaques. However, anyone who’s visited Ubud (including us!) will warn you to keep your valuables safe because these cheeky monkeys love stealing tourists’ phones, wallets, and sunglasses!

Since this is a private tour you can also tailor it to your interests, so for example you could ask your guide to take you to the Tirta Empul Temple, where you can participate in a traditional bathing ceremony, or the beautiful Campuhan Ridge Walk. The Kanto Lampo Waterfall is also worth visiting for a quick swim, and there are people around who will take amazing photos with your phone in exchange for a tip. 

This full-day private tour costs $51 USD per person for a group of 2-3 people, or $33 USD each for a group of 4 or more. We think this is a great price for a tour with HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews, especially since it includes admission fees.

This tour often sells out, so make sure to reserve your day in advance!

Related Read: If you decide to stay in Ubud longer than a day, our list of the best tours in Ubud is a great resource!

11. Party 

People come from all over the world to party in Bali, so make the most of Canggu’s vibrant nightlife while you’re here. 

We’ve already talked about Finns Beach Club, which is a fantastic place to party, while nearby Sandbar throws huge parties on weekends that often spill over onto the beach. It’s less glamorous than Finns, but a lot of fun if you’re looking to drink and dance. 

One cool place to party is Morabito Art Villa, where they regularly host underground DJs on Friday nights. It’s a beautiful villa with lots of quirky art pieces and events here just feel like you’re at a rich friend’s house party! 

The Lawn is a pretty chill spot most of the time, but Canggu’s digital nomads flock here on Friday nights thanks to their half-priced drinks specials, and to the Black Sand Brewery that we mentioned earlier. 

Pretty Poison is a super popular spot. It’s a skate-themed bar so you can watch people do tricks on the half-pipe while you sip on your Bintang, and they sometimes give out free tiny tattoos here – on second thought, maybe stay away from here if you’re prone to making bad decisions after a few drinks! 

And we can’t talk about partying in Canggu without giving an honorable mention to Old Man’s. This place goes off almost every night and it’s usually PACKED. Plus, on Wednesdays, they kick off the night with a beer pong tournament, so if you’ve got good aim, it’s the perfect place to show off your skills and even win some prizes. 

12. Listen to live music

There are a ton of places to listen to live music in Canggu … the only problem is deciding where to go! 

Fucina in Canggu does jazz nights on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and they also do great pizza, so this is a win-win! The Lawn also often has live music and hosts a wide range of artists, from local musicians to indie bands and DJs who are well on their way to becoming the next big thing (Diplo has even performed here!).

The notorious Canggu party hotspot Old Man’s, also has live music, so it’s worth checking their events calendar to see what’s on. 

Deus Ex Machina is one of the top spots to see live music in Canggu. It’s a super popular place and they often have live events such as standup comedy and art shows, but more often than not you’ll find live bands and DJs here (as well as half of Canggu’s digital nomad population). 

13. Go shopping

You can buy anything in Canggu – and we really mean anything! From fake designer sunglasses and bags to sustainably made boutique clothing, the streets of Canggu really do have it all. You’ll often be approached on the beach by vendors selling fake goods, and they’re easy to spot around town, although sometimes you do have to haggle a little. 

As we mentioned earlier, the La Brisa Sunday market is a fantastic place to buy trinkets and souvenirs, but for more upmarket items head to the Canggu Center. This is an art gallery and marketplace where you can find some beautiful local arts and crafts.

14. Go on an Instagram Tour

It’s no secret that Bali is a mecca for aspiring Instagram influencers, but even if that’s not you, it’s still a lot of fun to snap awesome photos to remember your trip. This top-rated Instagram tour was one of our favorites because we went all around the island with our own personal photographer who made sure we hit the most picturesque hotspots and got those Insta-worthy shots. 

This tour is a private experience, so it was just us, which really cut down on waiting times. We were able to get in, get the shot, and then head to the next place without having to wait on 20 other people! It’s also all-inclusive, so entry to places like Tirta Gangga Water Palace, the Tegallalang rice terraces swing, and the Lempuyang Temple – aka the Gate of Heaven were included! Lunch is included, too, but you might want to bring some cash (about $16 USD) if you want to rent a long, flowing dress to really make those Bali swing pictures pop. 

One of the other great things about this tour is that the guides are not only super knowledgeable about each area, but they’re also fantastic at photography, so you’ll end the day with a ton of beautiful photos. You can read our review of the Instagram tour here or check out the 1,700 other 5-star reviews from other travelers!

This tour costs around $134 USD and it departs early, with pickup in Canggu at either 4 am or 6 am. You might be wincing at this, but heading out early really helps you avoid the crowds and get gorgeous, unobstructed shots for the Gram! It lasts for 10 to 12 hours in total, so it’s quite a long day, but it’s a fantastic way to hit all those famous places in Bali that are always popping up online and get your own beautiful pictures at each site. 

Book this private Instagram tour right here!

15. Go out for a delicious meal

For a relatively small town, Canggu is home to an impressive amount of delicious restaurants. You can find amazing global cuisine here, as well as some fantastic local eats. 

If you’re looking for great sushi, then One Eyed Jack is modern, trendy, and fun. The head chef actually used to work at a Nobu restaurant, so you know you’re getting cutting-edge cuisine here. If you’re heading out for the evening, it’s also the perfect place to kick things off with some sake.

Or if you prefer ramen to sushi, you can’t go wrong at Ramen Hamatora. It’s honestly some of the best ramen I’ve ever had! And for lovers of poke bowls and sashimi, Moana Fish Eatery serves some of the best around. Plus, its rustic Polynesian interior makes for a cool dining experience. 

Meanwhile, Luigi’s Hot Pizza is a bit of a Canggu institution. It’s a pizza place that doubles as a lively bar that throws some of the wildest parties in Canggu, but the pizza isn’t just a front – it’s actually really good. Luigi’s is the place to go on a Monday night in Bali but go fairly early if you want to relax and savor your pizza before people start dancing on the tables. 

If you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated and romantic, M. MASON Bar and Grill is a really nice spot to eat, and the yummy house cocktails mean that things often get pretty lively later on in the day. The menu has a Mediterranean and Italian focus, and their specials board is always worth checking out because you’ll usually find something delicious there.

And to mark a special occasion in Bali, Penny Lane is sure to blow you away. This restaurant is absolutely beautiful, with its marble floors, high walls, and arched glass ceiling that’s often adorned with fairy lights. The garden outside is also lovely for dining al fresco, and the food here is so good. The burrata cheese and hummus plate is a real treat, or they also have some great salads and cheekily-named burgers – I couldn’t help but laugh at “Elvis Parsley” and “Blame Canada.”

And if you’re looking for some yummy local food, there are tons of great warungs around. Personally, I really like Warung Eksis, which has a lovely garden to sit in and delicious nasi goreng. But, Warung Local is beloved by the digital nomad community in Canggu – it’s always busy! Casa Tua also has an awesome nasi campur and some great vegan dishes, as well as the cutest decor of any warung around. 

Related Read: If New Zealand is on your travel bucket list, make sure to read our suggestions for the top restaurants in Queenstown before you go!

16. Visit Nusa Penida 

If you’ve ever been on Instagram, you’ve probably seen the photo of those famous T-Rex cliffs in Bali – and it turns out that they’re within easy reach of Canggu! We booked this day tour to Nusa Penida and were seriously impressed. 

Not only did we see the iconic dinosaur cliff (Kelingking Cliff), we also got to enjoy some incredible snorkeling. We saw tons of fish and got to swim with four turtles, and our guides also took us to Manta Point where we saw tons of rays! We’ve heard people say Nusa Penida is one of the best snorkel spots in Bali and now we can definitely confirm that it’s true.

One of the highlights of the tour was that we also got to have lunch at a breathtaking restaurant on the cliffs, which had a beautiful pool and even better views. The pace of the tour was great – we got to see so much of Nusa Penida and had loads of fun, but we also had enough time to chill and just soak it all in. 

It is possible to visit Nusa Penida independently but to be honest, it’s way too much hassle. You have to work out the boat schedules, pre-arrange tickets, and then rent a bike on the other side and navigate your own way around the island, which has relatively little infrastructure. It’s so much easier to just join a tour like this one and have everything handled for you.

This tour costs $98 USD for the shared boat option, which we think is pretty good considering this price includes lunch, a guide, snorkeling equipment, and even towels, so you really can travel light. If you prefer a private option, you can travel like a VIP on your very own speedboat. This is pricey for two people at $518 USD per person, but the price decreases with a bigger group size. For example, if you’ve got a group of 6, the cost is about $200 USD per person for this option.

All in all, we loved this tour (check out our full review here!) and were blown away by how beautiful Nusa Penida is. It’s worth getting out for the day to check out this absolute gem of an island.

For a full-day tour of Nusa Penida, you can book your ticket here!

17. Yoga 

Come on, you can’t come to Bali without doing yoga. The island is absolutely crawling with yoga teachers and there are more studios in Canggu than you can shake a yoga mat at. 

Nirvana Life is one of the best-known studios, and it’s truly a beautiful place to practice. We will admit it’s quite pricey, with drop-in classes costing about $13 USD each, or around $193 USD for a 4-week pass. 

The Practice Canggu has a great reputation as a peaceful and no-nonsense studio, and it focuses on Hatha yoga and meditation classes, although other styles are available. It costs around $9.50 USD for a drop-in class or $145 USD for a 20-class package, and we also appreciate that they offer significantly reduced rates to Balinese locals, who often get priced out of places like this. 

Meanwhile, if you’ve always wanted to give aerial yoga a try, you can give it a go at Serenity Eco Guesthouse & Yoga. They’re very welcoming to beginners and at $8.30 USD for a drop-in class or $115 USD for a 20-class combo deal, they’re also one of the most affordable studios around. Plus, it’s just a 5-minute walk from the beach, so you can go and cool off with a dip in the ocean after a sweaty workout. 

18. Watch a sunset 

If you’re familiar with our other blogs, you know we live for a good sunset. We’ve been on multiple sunset cruises in Cancun, and it honestly never gets old.

Sunsets in Bali are just breathtaking, so try to catch them as often as you can. You can head to Canggu Beach or Echo Beach and pull up a beanbag to watch the sunset, or better yet, visit an oceanfront bar. Personally, La Brisa is our favorite spot because it’s such a beautiful yet laid-back beach club, but you can also enjoy a sunset at any of the other beach clubs we mentioned above, or at a more chill beachfront spot like the Kama Bar. 

Alternatively, rooftop bars are great for watching the sunset. Sol Rooftop is super stylish and has a relaxed, beach club feel to it, with rustic decor and cute fairy lights at night. Canggu Dream Village also has a nice rooftop pool where you can grab a cheap drink and get great 360-degree views of Canggu.

19. See a Kecak Dance 

One of the coolest things to do in Bali is watch a Kecak dance, and the most famous one on the entire island takes place in Uluwatu, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Canggu. 

To give you a little background, Kecak dance was first developed in the 1930s and it’s a drama that represents the struggle between good and evil. It’s typically performed by men, who dance and chant while wearing only loincloths, as they act out the struggle between the Hindu deity Prince Rama and the demonic, multi-headed King Ravana. 

Kecak is usually performed in villages and at temples, but the best one takes place in the grand Uluwatu Temple at sunset. The temple is perched upon the edge of a cliff and the performance here incorporates fire dancing, so we really can’t think of a better place to watch a kecak performance. 

The Kecak dance show begins daily at 6 pm and lasts for around an hour. You can drive here yourself from Canggu, and then you’ll need to pay the $3.20 USD entrance fee and the $10 USD fee for the dance show on arrival, so bring cash! Also, you might need to rent a sarong if you’re not sufficiently covered up.

However, to make things easier, we recommend booking this sunset tour. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off with a private driver, a delicious freshly caught seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach, and entrance to the Uluwatu Temple and Kecak fire dance. For roughly $40-$60 USD per person, depending on the size of your group, we think it’s a really good deal and a fantastic way to spend an evening exploring Bali by delving into its delicious food and rich culture. It’s available daily and you can book online here!

20. Go on a waterfall tour

DO go chasing waterfalls on this awesome private tour! 

It’s no secret that Bali is home to some seriously pretty waterfalls, but a lot of them can be tricky to find by yourself. So, to ensure that you don’t miss any of the best spots, you can spend a day touring the island with a private driver and snapping Insta-worthy photos that will have everyone back home turning green with envy. 

Some of the waterfalls you get to visit include the gorgeous and dramatic Munduk Waterfall in the highlands, and the Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, which are beautiful and much less touristy than many of the waterfalls close to Ubud. Your guide will also take you to the Leke Leke Waterfall, which is nestled in the jungle and difficult to find on your own, so you really get some true hidden gems on this tour. 

If you’re the kind of person who likes to get off the beaten path and discover secret spots, then this waterfall tour is an absolutely ideal way to explore Bali. It costs $129 USD each for two people, but the price goes down for larger groups. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Canggu, as well as lunch at a local restaurant along the way. It lasts for around 9 hours, and you can choose to start between 7-10 am, although we recommend going early so you get to enjoy these spots with fewer people! 

Book your own waterfall tour here and you can reserve now and pay later!

21. Go snorkeling at Blue Lagoon 

Blue Lagoon Beach is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Bali, thanks to its clear, calm waters. The only problem is that it’s a 1.5-hour drive from Canggu. Luckily, this awesome tour includes private transport to and from Blue Lagoon, and you’ll also get to visit the Kanto Lampo and Tibumana Waterfall, plus enjoy lunch at a local restaurant which sounds pretty good to us!

At Blue Lagoon, you’ll have a guide with you in the water who will show you the best coral areas, where you’ll see tons of tropical fish, moray eels, pufferfish, and maybe even some turtles if you’re lucky! You get 2 hours in the water, so you’re sure to see tons of marine life during this time. The price of the tour also includes snorkeling equipment, waterfall tickets, and lunch.

The Blue Lagoon tour lasts around 10 hours, including transport time, and costs $58 USD for the standard tour which includes snorkeling and waterfall visits. Alternatively, you can save money by booking the snorkeling-only tour for $44 USD per person, or you can upgrade the experience to include an ATV ride for $104 USD each.

Book your spot on the Blue Lagoon tour here!

22. Go on an ATV tour 

If you’re looking for an adrenaline fix, then this exciting ATV tour is a must! We love riding ATVs and this tour did not disappoint. The views were incredible and we had so much fun!

You’ll truly get off the beaten track as you rip through the jungle, zooming through verdant rice paddies, splashing through a waterfall pool, and racing through an underground tunnel. It’s such a great way to see the raw natural beauty of Bali, and riding an ATV is always a blast. 

This option costs $38 USD per person for a tandem ride or $50 USD for a solo ride ATV. And for just $17 USD more, you can arrange private transportation to pick you up from your Canggu accommodation. The price includes a buffet lunch, and the use of safety equipment, lockers, showers, and towels, which come in handy as you’ll definitely get a little muddy on this tour. 

You can also level up by adding whitewater rafting to your experience with this combo deal which we absolutely loved! So, on top of all of the ATV fun, we also got to tackle the rapids on the Ayung River and see hidden waterfalls that we probably never would have discovered by exploring on foot. The experience also included a yummy lunch at a local restaurant, so we really got to make a day of it! 

There are a few pricing options for the ATV ride and whitewater rafting tour. For a tandem ATV ride, it costs $76 USD per person with transfers, or $59 USD without. If you want to ride the ATV solo, it costs $88 USD with hotel pickup and dropoff, or $70 USD without. If you’re not renting a motorbike, we think it’s best to pay a bit more for transportation, especially after a long day of adventuring.

Book the ATV tour here or upgrade to the combo tour to add on rafting!

23. Rent a scooter

As soon as you arrive in Canggu, you’ll notice that mopeds (aka motorbikes or scooters) are by far the most popular mode of transport on the island. And for good reason! The streets are relatively narrow, so being on these zippy little contraptions is the best way to get through traffic as quickly as possible.

We mentioned earlier that Canggu is a hotspot for digital nomads, so chances are high that you’ll encounter some traffic if you’re staying in the area. Fortunately, there are shortcuts made specifically for mopeds that larger vehicles can’t access to help you get around. It’s also worth noting that a lot of places in Canggu are walkable, but sidewalks are used as parking spaces a lot of the time, so just be cautious when you’re on foot.

If you’re staying in Canggu for an extended period or traveling around Bali, our personal recommendation is to rent a scooter. There are plenty of shops to choose from, and you can find scooters to rent for around $5-$10 USD per day.

If you’re keen to learn the rules of the road, you can take private scooter lessons to give you the confidence you need. During this 2-hour private class, you’ll not only learn about how to handle a moped, but you’ll also learn about the hidden traffic rules in Bali. There’s not exactly a highway code around here, so the best thing to do is have a local explain to you how it all works, and practice in a quiet environment until you’re ready to tackle busier roads. 

The scooter lesson costs $34 USD and they’re available daily at 2 pm. You will need a valid driver’s license in order to participate, but the team provides you with a helmet and scooter to use, as well as bottled water along the way. 

Being able to drive a scooter in Bali really is a great skill to have. It gives you so much freedom to explore the island on your own terms, and if you choose to do one of the activities we’ve mentioned in this blog, such as ATV riding and rafting or exploring Nusa Penida, you can save money by driving yourself to the meeting points rather than paying for transfers. Plus, it’s perfect for cafe-hopping, shopping, and getting to and from the beach for sunset. 

Where to Stay in Canggu

Even though it’s a small area, Canggu has a ton of places to stay! There are guest houses, hostels, hotels, and villas galore. We’ve listed a few options for each budget range to help you decide.

Desa Hay Canggu – $$$

The villas at Desa Hay are the epitome of tranquil luxury. This 5-star resort has just 6 villas, each containing a beautiful garden, a private pool, and a terrace. You’ll have all the standard amenities, plus concierge service, dry cleaning, and evening entertainment. Their onsite restaurant serves tapas-style international cuisine, and Desa Hay prides themselves on being sustainable by using renewable energy and supporting local initiatives in Bali.

Prices range from $410-$820 USD per night depending on the villa. This is a very popular resort that fills up quickly, so it’s best to book online well in advance.

Chesa Canggu – $$$

Chesa Canggu is a boutique hotel within walking distance of Canggu’s best restaurants, bars, and beaches. Each room faces the outdoor pool and has a private bathroom, free WiFi, a TV, and a safety deposit box. Chesa has an onsite bar and restaurant and offers free parking for guests. The beds are super comfortable, and the staff always go out of their way to help you. Trust us, you won’t regret staying here!

Prices start as low as $124 USD per night and you can book online here.

Sepeda Hostel – $

Sepeda Hostel is perfect for budget travelers who don’t want to stay at a party hostel. It’s in a quiet area that’s just a quick 10-minute scooter ride from Canggu Beach. There’s a pool, a garden, private parking, and a rooftop common area, and each room comes with free wifi and an AC unit. The staff here are incredibly friendly and often put together free activities for guests like morning yoga. They even have a coworking space, and you’ll get to enjoy complimentary breakfast during your stay.

Shared rooms start at around $16 USD, and private rooms begin at $60 USD per night. You can book your stay on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.

Thanks for reading!

There you have it, a list of the best things to do in Canggu! We always look forward to visiting Bali, and we hope this list has helped give you some fun ideas for your own Canggu adventure.

Daniel is from Australia, so Bali is like a second home. We’ve traveled all around Australasia and we’d love to share our tips with you. We’ve included some blogs that might interest you below:

4 Types of Tours in Bali that Every Tourist Should Consider

10 BEST Day Trips in Fiji that You Can’t Miss

Whitewater Rafting in Bali: Is It Safe, Is It Fun – Our Honest Review!

12 Best Tours in Perth, Australia – from a Local!