Pererenan is the ideal destination if you want to be near the main action but far enough away that you still get an authentic feel for Balinese life.
There are lush gardens, rich rice paddies, black sand beaches, and much more on offer at this hidden gem on the Southwest Coast of Bali.
Pererenan offers a breath of fresh air without ever forcing you to give up your creature comforts, and you’re still within a short drive of the best restaurants, bars, and attractions when you want to liven things up a little.
Where Is Pererenan?
Pererenan is on the Southwest coast of Bali between the popular town of Canggu and the rather less visited and sleepy Seseh.
Until recently, Pererenan has been something of a backwater, in fact, but given the massive rise in popularity of Canggu recently, Pererenan is becoming much more popular.
It’s a great place to rent amazing villas for a reasonable price, and the area seems to be focusing its efforts on attracting a different class of tourists from the other beach towns in Bali.
How To Get To Pererenan?
If you’re arriving at Denpasar Airport, then the easiest way to get to Pererenan will be to take an airport transfer from your hotel or accommodation.
This service is often provided free of charge or for a small fee on top of the room rate.
Then, a driver will collect you at the airport (they will be waiting at arrivals with your name on a piece of card) and drive you directly to your hotel.
The airport is only a short drive when there is no traffic, though there’s no guarantee of light traffic in this part of Bali, and you have to go through Kuta and Canggu to get to Pererenan, both of which can be very busy.
You could also use a ride-share app from the airport. Grab and Go-jek are the two most popular local ride-share apps, and this means that you will get a taxi to your hotel for a fixed fee.
There is also the possibility of using the pre-payment counter to book a taxi, which is a bit of a hassle after a long flight but ensures you get a fair deal on a ride.
If you’re coming from other beach towns such as Canggu, Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak, then you can probably take a ride-share easily enough.
If you want to come from further away, you might need a private driver and driver. These can easily be arranged through your current hotel and will ensure you arrive safely in one piece in Pererenan.
The final option, as always in Bali, is to take a scooter. Scooters are cheap and easy to rent in Bali, but we don’t recommend them.
It’s hard to be road-legal on a scooter (you must wear a helmet, you must be entirely sober, you must have a current driving license with a motorbike endorsement and a current international driver permit (IDP), and if you don’t, you won’t be insured).
In addition, it’s dangerous to drive a scooter in Bali, and even experienced riders may find the conditions perilous. It’s a bad idea to learn to ride a scooter on the road to Pererenan, which is often subject to heavy traffic.
You want to enjoy your trip to Pererenan, after all, not spend time in a hospital in Pererenan.
How To Get Around Pererenan?
Mostly, you can walk around Pererenan as much of what you need will be within walking distance of your hotel or villa.
However, if you need to go further, we’d recommend Grab or Gojek, both of which operate in Pererenan, and while there might not be quite as many drivers as you get in Canggu or Kuta, you won’t need to wait too long for a ride, either.
You could also rent a scooter, but as we’ve already pointed out, we think that’s always a bad idea.
If you decide to rent a scooter, you can easily find a scooter rental place in Pererenan, and once you’re there, the traffic is definitely calmer in Pererenan than it is on the road to Pererenan.
It’s also possible to engage a private driver and car for the entirety of your stay in Pererenan, but that’s probably overkill unless you have a big group that wants to get out into the rest of Bali on a regular basis.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Pererenan?
We always say that there is no bad time of year to visit Bali, and that’s true of a trip to Pererenan, too.
While it is cooler and less humid in the dry season, you do pay more for accommodation, and it seems to us that the less crowded wet season is more likely to appeal to tourists considering Pererenan anyway.
In the dry season, Bali sees, on average, 10 hours of sunshine a day, and in the wet season, it gets 9 hours. You can enjoy everything that Pererenan offers at any time of the year.
About Pererenan And Pererenan Beach
Pererenan and Pererenan Beach are relatively undeveloped parts of Bali, and their location just to the North of Canggu means that they are now catching up to some extent with their brash neighbour.
As Canggu becomes ever busier (as Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian did before Canggu), there will be more and more pressure to build in Pererenan, and it’s entirely possible that if you come to Bali in ten or fifteen year’s time, it will be another busy beach resort.
For now, however, Pererenan offers a break from the crowds and a more laid-back Balinese feel to things.
There are plenty of great restaurants in Pererenan, and the hotels are more than comfortable enough to be worth staying in, but there’s not much in the way of nightlife, and it’s much more relaxed than other beach towns in Bali.
What To Do In Pererenan
That doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to do in Pererenan; in fact, we think that you’ll find plenty of nice things to enjoy here, including:
Surfing At Popular Echo Beach
OK, it’s Echo Beach, which is technically not Pererenan. It’s in Canggu, but as you can walk onto Echo Beach from Pererenan, we think it counts.
The song “Echo Beach” was not written about this place, and oddly, it’s still something of a hidden gem compared to the busier beaches further South.
If you love surfing, then the wave breaks at this beach are a legitimate challenge, and experienced surfers love to tackle the breaks here.
It’s not the best of beaches for swimming, mind you, but you can always grab a cold beer and watch the sunset from this attractive spot.
Stroll The Rice Fields And Rice Paddies And Experience Local Culture
The green rice fields and lush gardens of Pererenan are real highlights of the area, and you don’t need to book a walking tour to go out and explore them.
If you want to see a bit more of the area, you can always rent a bicycle, which is the perfect way to enjoy the rural lanes between the fields.
Make sure to check out the Subak irrigation systems, which transform fields into rice terraces.
See Tanah Lot Temple
A short drive away is one of the most stunning sights on the island, the temple of Tanah Lot.
This breathtaking place sits on a small island just off the coast, and while you can’t go inside the temple, you can walk right up to it at low tide.
We recommend that you visit at sunset, though, as the sight of the sun’s rays breaking over the ocean and temple as the sun drops below the horizon is magical.
Get Into Yoga
You don’t have to go all the way to Ubud to indulge in some yoga. Chandra Yoga Bali is based in this area, and it’s one of the most popular yoga studios here.
They say that at Chandra Yoga Bali, they’ve evolved beyond the traditional yoga practices of yesteryear and incorporated the latest health science to deliver the maximum physical and spiritual benefits from your yoga practice.
Wander Pererenan Beach
This black sand beach offers some real contrast from the local rice fields, and it’s a simple and beautiful place.
The fishermen here still practice traditional fishing methods, and you’re welcome to stroll down the beach in the morning and watch them at work.
We can also recommend this beach at sunset, where you will see some spectacular natural light shows over the ocean.
Play Padel At Pererenan Jungle Padel
Jungle Padel is a great place to learn to play competitive padel. It’s a great sport with a similar appeal to tennis.
It’s played on a smaller court, though, and uses a solid panel and a net that is much lower-slung.
You can get beginner’s lessons here or join the local tournaments, which are very competitive.
Walk To Seseh And Cemagi
If you thought that Pererenan was an unspoiled highlight of Bali, then you’re going to love the next two villages to the North, Seseh and Cemagi.
They are wonderfully serene and inviting places with almost no traces of the commercial side of Bali at all.
You can walk to these villages by following the coastal road to the north from the main beach.
Get Spiritual At Pura Desa Pererenan
This is a truly local temple and doesn’t appear on the traditional tourist maps at all.
It’s not the most spectacular temple in Bali, but it is a place that very few people will ever visit, and we think it’s worth a look just to get a feel for the local religious culture.
Go Horseback Riding On The Beach
What could be a happier time in life than gallivanting down a beach on horseback? It’s the stuff of romantic movies, right?
It’s also very easy to do at the main beach, and there’s a horse for nearly everyone there. Small children may have to settle for a pony, though, if they want to stay safe.
Experience Pererenan Market
This is a traditional food market, and you can buy local fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, and the like here. There’s nothing, yet, in the way of souvenirs and the like.
There is also a Pererenan Sunday Market, which has only recently opened, and they currently have around 15 street food vendors and live music.
Find Secluded Beaches
Once you leave Pererenan and start heading out into the less explored parts of Bali, there are quite a few secluded beach spots you can find on the way.
It’s really lovely to grab a spot by the ocean all to yourself.
Where To Stay In Pererenan?
Pererenan is still developing, and there aren’t as many places to stay as there are in Canggu or the busier areas.
There are, however, more than enough comfortable and pleasant places to stay to make your time in Pererenan very nice, indeed, and they include:
Shore Amora Canggu
This edgy and exciting lifestyle resort aimed to reimagine Balinese design and hospitality and take it to the next level. Given how popular this place is, we think it succeeded.
Each villa here is meant to showcase the local energy of the sea and rice fields in harmony.
La Reserve 1785
This 5-star resort oozes French sophistication. They provide a truly luxurious service, and we love the complementary afternoon teas. It feels so classy.
Masmara Resort
The best thing about this resort is its amazing gardens full of gorgeous tropical flowers with beautiful scents. Its location right on the ocean doesn’t hurt, either.
The Double View Mansions
This luxury accommodation complex offers 40 premium apartments, each with state-of-the-art amenities. It’s a stylish home away from home.
Surfer Paradise Villas
You’re only 200 meters from one of the best surf breaks on the island here. There are only five bungalows to choose from, though, and they get booked out fast.
Margarita Surf Hostel
If you’re looking for something budget-friendly in Pererenan, you can’t beat this pleasant hostel, which has everything you need to have a great time in the area.
PNB Bali Villas
This four-star villa complex has villas with private gardens, private parking, and a private terraced area. It’s a very short walk from the beach too.
IZE Canggu By Lifestyle Retreats
It’s possible to get a room with a balcony view over the ocean here, and we were very impressed by the swimming pool area.
Premadhan Cottage
This pleasant collection of villas offers an excellent range of breakfasts, including vegan and vegetarian options. The onsite coffee shop is great, too.
Ohana Retreat Bali
This enchanting retreat is all about families and small parties of guests, and their loft-style units are built with 2-4 people in mind.
Where To Eat In Pererenan?
There are plenty of great places to eat in the area too, including:
Sandwichopedia
This place is all about incredible sandwiches. Digital nomads will love the excellent Wi-Fi on offer here, too.
Mostly Restaurant And Bar
This is the best cafe in town and they have some incredible architecture.
Make sure to check out the outdoor area too.
Boheme Restaurant
This poolside restaurant is at the Shore Amora resort, and it has an incredible breakfast. The lunches are very good too.
Don Juan Mexican Restaurant
Don Juan is a chain, and this is the latest branch (the others are in Kuta and Petintenget). If you love salsa, you won’t be disappointed.
Roots Pererenan
This is a healthy eating oasis with some of the best food in Bali. It’s a completely hidden gem, but we doubt it will stay that way; it’s just too good.
Pescado Bali
This Spanish-style eatery offers all-day eats and the tapas here go very well with cocktails in the evenings after a long day.
Shelter Pererenan
There’s an emphasis on vegan and vegetarian food at this place, and the smoothie bowls are excellent.
Unconventional Pizza
A superb restaurant that makes some of the best pizzas in Bali. They also make a great breakfast if you’re up early.
Honey
This is an excellent little restaurant in the rice fields with a very healthy menu. The owners also have the cutest and friendliest dog that we’ve met in Bali.
Zali
If you’re in the mood for some stone baked za’atar, there’s no finer Middle Eastern restaurant on the island.
Sol Rooftop Bali
This is a lovely rooftop restaurant and bar overlooking the beach, which makes it perfect for sunset cocktails and good vibes.
Read our full guide to the best restaurants in Pererenan here.
Where To Relax In Pererenan?
You won’t find as many spa options as in Seminyak, but there are plenty of lovely places to get pampered, including:
Esthetic Spa Pererenan
They do a great full-body massage, and their mani-pedis are amazing. Try their deep detox facials, which make you feel like a new person.
Adore Spa & Beauty Bali
This may be the best deep tissue massage going. It’s got a very professional environment, too.
Dewah Spa
This simple local spa has been in business for nearly a decade, and they will ensure you’re pampered to your heart’s content.
Nature Spa
If you want value for money, you can’t beat Nature Spa, which is a no-frills spa with a talented staff.
Nova Spa
This may be the most underrated spa in Bali. Check it out before everyone else realizes what they’re missing.
Don’t Go To Pererenan For Vibrant Nightlife
Pererenan is not a massively developed area yet, and its nightlife is still in its infancy. You can find the occasional hotel bar or cafe that offers cocktails and beers in the evenings, but it is not built for partying.
The good news is that you’re not very far from Canggu in Pererenan, and that means you can come and join in the fun at FINNS Beach Club.
FINNS is the best beach club in the world, and with three infinity pools, three restaurants (with seven kitchens), 9 bars, and an amazing VIP area, you can always count on us for a good time.
In fact, 1 in 8 visitors to Bali now visit FINNS during their time here!
We like to think that’s because we don’t charge an entrance fee and there’s no minimum spend during your visit, unlike many other similar beach clubs.
So, you can come and try FINNS at any time without worrying about breaking the bank. Once you see what all the fuss is about, you won’t want to leave.
FAQs
What Is The New Canggu Bali?
Pererenan was touted in the Australian press as the new Canggu, but it seems a little premature, to say the least.
It’s more than just the beach in Canggu that has made that area super popular in recent times, and while having the best of the world’s beach clubs probably hasn’t hurt Canggu’s reputation, either, Canggu is beloved because of the variety it offers holidaymakers.
Pererenan is lovely, and if you want to take a break from beach clubs and the beach in Canggu, it’s certainly worth a visit.
It’s still something of a hidden gem, and the green rice fields and rice paddies are very attractive, and the glimpses of local culture are authentic and raw.
You can even find a co-working space if you look hard enough, but Pererenan is still very quiet in comparison to Canggu and lacks any strong identity just yet.
It’s nice for a quick visit, but we’re not sure that most visitors to Bali would want to spend their entire holiday in Pererenan, either.
Plenty of people come to Canggu and stay in Canggu because of its beach clubs, vibrant nightlife, and strong appeal to fun-seekers, but with plenty of charming local touches, too.
Where Is The Quiet Side Of Bali?
There are plenty of parts of Bali that you could argue have a “quiet side.” Even some of the neighbouring islands that are part of the province of Bali are quiet in comparison to the mainland.
In fact, it might be easier to define the four most popular beach towns – Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian – as the “busy part of Bali” instead.
Certainly, Pererenan is a quiet town in Bali, and if you want to escape the crowds, it’s a great place to do so (spend time at Echo Beach, though, and you can see it’s getting busier here already).
However, Lovina, Bedegul, Amed, Sidemen, Sanur, etc., all offer a different side of Balinese life, and they’re all much quieter than the beach towns too.
Can You Surf At Pererenan Beach?
Yes, in fact, you will find the beach at Pererenan offers both left and right-handed breaking waves.
However, you need to be careful because the waves at Pererenan break over a very shallow rock shelf, and you need to wait until mid or even high tide before tackling them to avoid getting hurt.
If you go with the right break, you’ll find that it offers long walls that aren’t too difficult for experienced surfers.
Go left, on the other hand, and you’re in for a much more intense ride.
Whichever way you go, it’s imperative that you kick out quickly and don’t get pulled into the shallows and that rock shelf.
What Is The Statue On Pererenan Beach?
The statue at the beach in Pererenan is a Gajah Mina. That is an elephant-headed fish, and it’s mounted by the Dewa Baruna, the ruler of the oceans and seas.
There are some deeper meanings to this statue, and the Gajah “elephant” encapsulates the male energy of the lingam and the Mina “sea dweller” the female energy of the yoni.
If you dive into Sanskrit, this figure is also sometimes described as “Makara,” which is a sea creature from ancient Hindu myth, though it’s worth noting that the usual depictions of Makara found in Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia are quite different from this statue.
You can find other depictions of this Makara in Bali on the patulangan sarcophagi!
The statue is 12 meters tall and very much worth visiting if you’re in Pererenan. It looks great on Instagram.
How Do You Book A Trip To Pererenan?
We recommend that you book a trip to Pererenan or any part of Bali or Bali holiday through the amazing Bali Res Centre.
That’s a fully locally owned and operated travel agent with amazing connections here on the island to ensure you get the best holiday possible.
They offer very competitive prices thanks to their relationships with various resorts and properties.
Best of all, when you use the Bali Res Centre, your tourist dollars stay in the Balinese economy and aren’t skimmed off by a greedy multinational internet company.
Final Thoughts On Pererenan
If you’re looking for a different pace from Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, and Legian but still want to be close enough to the bars and clubs of the main beach areas, Pererenan might be the perfect place for you.
Travelers are starting to warm to the area’s charms, and this part of the island, for now, is relatively sleepy and relaxed.
You can get a slice of traditional island life here, and there are plenty of cafes, spas, etc., to ensure you won’t go without.
Surfers are already leading the charge out to Pererenan, Bali, and it’s a great place for swimming and surfing for all visitors to the region.
Of course, if you’re in Pererenan, you won’t be far from FINNS, so we hope that you’ll drop in one day during your stay, and you can weigh up for yourself whether Pererenan or Canggu is the best place to be in Bali.
