Are you thinking about visiting Canggu in Bali and wondering whether or not it’s really worth seeing? You’re not alone in wondering, the press seems to take turns praising the area and then knocking it down.
So, we’ve decided to take a close and unvarnished look at this part of the island and show the real truth about whether Canggu is worth your effort in 2025.
The Truth About Canggu In 2025
The easiest way to answer the question, “is Canggu worth visiting?” is to note that Canggu is now the number one spot for holidaymakers in Bali.
It is now more popular than Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud, Legian, Uluwatu, Jimbaran, etc. and that’s because there’s nowhere quite like Canggu in Bali.
Canggu is a short drive from the airport, so it’s easy to get settled in rather than having to book another spot between the airport and your endpoint to get some rest after your fights.
It’s a beach town with some of the most popular beaches on the island. Balinese culture is still very much evident throughout the area and while there are fewer rice fields than there once were, you can still find plenty of green space to enjoy in Canggu.
The area is home to FINNS Beach Club, which is visited by nearly 15% of all visitors to Bali! It’s the most popular tourist attraction here and many people plan their holidays around a visit to FINNS. If you’ve never visited a beach club before, FINNS will set a standard that the others will struggle to meet.
TL:DR Answer: Is Canggu Worth Visiting?
“Is Canggu Worth Visiting?” We’ve got a lot of info below to explain why you should visit Canggu but if you’re not in the mood for a long read – we’d say, “Yes, there’s no doubt that Canggu is worth visiting.”
It’s the most vibrant and happening part of the island. It’s one of the only places where you can enjoy all the conveniences of modern life but still interact with the authentic side of Bali.
There are budget-friendly hostels, guesthouses, boutique hotels, villas, and high-end 5-star resorts to choose from. You will find bars, warungs, restaurants and clubs galore to suit every budget.
It’s a place with incredible shopping and if you love fashion, there are so many boutique stores in the area that you could spend a week just walking around them wondering what to buy.
There are also gyms, fitness studios, temples, rice fields and much more for you to see and enjoy. In short, and we did promise to keep it short, Canggu is an amazing place to experience Bali in a small and finely honed package.
The Original Canggu Appeal
Canggu came to popularity when it was nothing but rice fields, a few local warungs, some old Balinese-style housing and because of its proximity to Seminyak and Kuta.
It was a way of staying near the busy beach towns without being in the busy beach towns.
How Canggu Has Changed And Why It Matters
Canggu’s popularity has brought a ton of investment to the area and now there are restaurants, bars, hotels, etc. galore in the area.
However, much of the original charm of Canggu still remains, you just have to look for it. Canggu is not the same as Seminyak or Kuta where all traces of traditional Bali have been stripped away.
The Attractions Of Canggu
Canggu has many attractions and some of the most important to visitors are going to be:
Nightlife
Bali has a reputation as a party island and while there’s more to life on the island than partying, it’s definitely an accommodating place for fun seekers.
This has a lot to do with the local Hindu culture which is much more tolerant of alcohol than the Muslim majority in the rest of the archipelago.
There are pubs, nightclubs and bars galore in Canggu. In fact, in our recent round-up, we found over 30 bars in the neighbourhood! That’s more than one watering hole for every day in a month!
While the island doesn’t have the lowest prices in Southeast Asia, there’s no doubt that the prices of the nightlife in Bali are low prices when compared to most Western destinations.
Things To Do
On our last round-up, there were about 30 individual things to do that we could find in Canggu itself, but you’re also only a short drive from Seminyak, Kuta, Legian and Denpasar and even Ubud isn’t that far away.
That means there are hundreds of things to do nearly on your front doorstep in Canggu and you need never be bored here.
You could drink cocktails and ride on a swing 40 meters above the ground, visit ancient temples, go surfing, try horseback riding, and so much more!
Beaches And Beach Clubs
Canggu is famous as a beach town and while its beaches aren’t white sand beaches that many people come to the tropics for, they are attractive and they have some of the best waves for surfing that you could possibly dream of.
They are also home to the best beach clubs on Earth, particularly FINNS which is one of the main reasons that people find Canggu worth visiting.
One of the best things about Canggu’s beaches is that you can see the most amazing sunsets on the planet from the shoreline.
The Local People & The Local Culture
One big reason that people come to Bali is to meet the local people and indulge in the local culture. These are famous around the world and that’s because there’s a very tolerant, welcoming vibe to Bali.
This is still very much true in Canggu, it’s not like visiting Thailand where many places have become quite jaded in interactions with tourists, here people wave and smile and are excited to see you.
You can find plenty of examples of the local culture here too, it’s in the rice fields, in the local temples and in so many other places.
There’s no doubt that the local influence in Canggu is diminishing year on year, and eventually, it’s possible that the town will be indistinguishable from the Kuta, Legian and Seminyak conglomerate nearby but that’s not yet the case.
Restaurant Scene
Bali has one of the most amazing dining scenes on the planet and while it may not have any restaurants with Michelin Stars, that’s only because the Michelin Guide doesn’t operate in Indonesia.
At the heart of the island’s dining scene is Canggu. There are new restaurants and cafes opening up every week, there is an incredible number of cuisines represented in the town and there’s something for every budget.
One night, you could be eating nasi goreng from a street vendor or local warung, the next you could be feating on Thai and Italian treats at Monsoon party restaurant, the next you could be enjoying flame-grilled BBQ at Smoke and so on…
What’s really amazing is how affordable the food is, particularly when you compare it to eating out back home.
The Downsides Of Canggu
We won’t pretend that Canggu is perfect, either. There are some issues that people raise when they talk about the town and we thought we’d tackle them here in the interests of balance.
Traffic?
Traffic is a real problem in Canggu. We doubt that there’s anyone who has visited the town who hasn’t sat in a car for hours waiting to get to their destination.
However, we have to note that this isn’t a Canngu problem, it’s a Bali problem. The beach towns weren’t built with the idea of millions of visitors in mind.
The roads are narrow and poorly maintained and thus, wherever you go in Bali, there’s traffic. The secret to dealing with this is to minimize the number of times you need to use a vehicle.
We think that if you stay in Canggu, most of what you want to see and do will be within walking distance and thus, you won’t need to spend too much time in traffic.
They’re also trying hard to alleviate traffic in this area with efforts like the (in)famous Canggu shortcut.
Cost?
Canggu has become a bit more expensive in recent years but firstly, we don’t think it’s appreciably more expensive than other areas on the island and it’s probably less expensive overall than Seminyak, Nusa Dua or Ungasan.
However, when you compare prices in this area to prices in the West? It’s still much cheaper and it’s no surprise that Bali as a whole was just voted the fourth most cost-effective destination, for long haul visitors, in the world.
What Sort Of People Think Canggu Is Worth Visiting In 2025
We should stress that the following list of people who will love Canggu in 2025 is not an exhaustive one and if you don’t find yourself on this list, you should write off the town.
However, there’s no doubt that people who fall into these categories are almost guaranteed to have a great time in the area.
Surfers
The Canggu Beach area (which incorporates several beaches) is one of the best spots for surfing on the island and surfers always enjoy Canggu.
They don’t care too much about the chaotic traffic or whether Canggu offers the cheapest accommodation because they’re in search of the best waves and Canggu has those in spades.
It’s also a great part of the island to get surfing lessons as there are breaks and waves that suit everyone from beginners to advanced surfers.
Surfers will also appreciate the large number of surfing stores in the area, where you can pick up a new board or grab the latest in surfing fashion (brands like Quiksilver and Billabong, in particular, have discount stores all over the area) without breaking the bank.
There are even surfing communities that focus around certain cafes and bars in this part of Bali where you can go to chat with surfers or enjoy some great food and listen to the excited buzz over the record wave at such and such a break in the area.
Backpackers
It may not be as cheap as it once was but Canggu remains incredibly popular with the backpacker community.
That’s because, for those in the know, Canggu offers plenty of budget-friendly hostels and the more traditional “guest houses” which are very cheap, indeed.
There’s nothing like gathering around the private pool at the guest house with a bag full of Bintang and settling in for an afternoon session with new friends.
Then, you can casually stroll down to the beach and soak up some rays before exploring the local rice paddies. All of which won’t set you back a dime.
Once you’ve exhausted all that, then you can join in the parties at the beach clubs or hostels in Canggu and soon, you’ll find that your time in Bali just wasn’t long enough to let you enjoy everything that Canggu has to offer to a visiting backpacker.
The locals are super friendly to backpackers too. While the Indonesian government aspires to turn everyone into a middle-class tourist, the Balinese people know that backpackers make up an essential part of the local economy.
Foodies
One thing that really makes Canggu worth visiting is the food culture in the area. From humble warungs selling amazing Balinese cuisine for almost literally pennies to some of the finest of the fine dining restaurants on the island, Canggu has it all.
Have breakfast in a hostel or in a cafe so Instagram-worthy that it almost hurts not to take as many photos as you can. Then, head into the rice paddies and grab a seat at a place with a spectacular view and indulge in something plant-based and super healthy.
At night, enjoy a meal in St Tropez or Monsoon, the first party restaurants in Bali, or try something a little more humble near the beach serving Indonesian delicacies.
Then, the next day, you can shake things up and do something entirely different and experience dozens of different cuisines.
In fact, writing this blog is making our mouths water as we think of our next amazing meal out in Canggu.
Digital Nomads
Canggu has become a major centre for digital nomads. In fact, after Chiang Mai, Canggu may be the second-most popular place in Southeast Asia for digital nomads.
There are co-working spaces galore, co-living spots and, of course, those guest houses for cheap living. But many digital nomads pool their resources and find that when you split the bills, a four-bedroom luxury villa with its own pool can become incredibly affordable.
There are juice bars and healthy eating spots galore, so the healthy living digital nomads will be very happy.
You’ll also find digital nomads in the gyms and sports clubs of this part of the island. There are even meetups for digital nomads in Canggu to ensure that nobody needs to feel lonely while they work remotely.
Beach Club Lovers
Beach clubs are a big part of the reason that many people visit Bali. The club scene has really evolved here and Bali leads the way when it comes to defining what a beach club really is for the rest of the world.
Canggu is home to FINNS, the world’s best beach club, and we don’t just say this ourselves. FINNS tops endless lists of beach clubs here in Bali and further abroad.
One in 7 people who visit Bali, come to FINNS and many people plan their holiday around a visit to FINNS.
If you love comfy daybeds, infinity pools, world-class entertainment, jaw-dropping sunrises, cold drinks and amazing food, you have to visit FINNS or can you say that you’ve really been to Bali at all?
Health Aware Individuals
This part of Bali is also amazing for vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Combine that with all the spas, fitness centres, sports facilities, etc. plus yoga studios, and pilates studios, etc. then you’re going to find that you have no problems staying healthy in Canggu.
Fun Seekers
Most of all, Canggu is fun. What makes Canggu worth visiting is that there’s such a variety of stuff to do, that you are never bored.
Whether you are up and out visiting cultural treasures or surfing at sunrise or partying into the wee small hours of the morning, there’s a fun experience in Canggu just waiting for you to come and find it.
Is Canggu Worth Visiting As A Family?
Yes. Canggu is a great destination for families. Balinese folk are super welcoming to children and the majority of venues in Canggu are family-friendly.
There are also some great facilities specifically for children such as the mini-waterpark at FINNS Recreation Club, pony riding lessons at the local riding schools, Cubby House Kids Club, and so on…
Of course, you should make certain that you have travel insurance before you visit Canggu as a family, accidents can happen and there are health risks that young immune systems could bump up against on occasion but overall, Canggu is a safe and fun destination for young families.
Teens are also well-catered for given that many of the restrictions placed on young adults in Western countries, while theoretically the same in Indonesia, tend to be ignored by everyone on the island.
Is Canggu Worth Visiting As A Couple?
Canggu can be a great place to spend some time as a couple. Head to BodySpa and have a couple’s massage. Then go horseback riding along the beach or through the rice fields together.
Enjoy a romantic day at FINNS and then dance the night away to the sound of our DJs playing. Have a floating breakfast in a pool. Sit in some of the most beautiful cafes in the world and spend time together.
Join up for some yoga sessions and enjoy stretching with incredible views of the Indian Ocean together. Visit Tanah Lot temple but be careful not to attract the Bali curse while you do so.
If you want a romantic break together then you’re going to find that Canggu is a great place for it.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Canggu, Bali
There is no bad time of year to visit Bali and there is no bad time to visit Canggu, either. In the “wet season” it does rain a little bit more often, but on average it only rains once every three days. The rain rarely lasts for long periods of time, mainly it’s over within an hour or two. It also rains in the dry season, just less frequently.
If you come in the wet season, it’s also a little hotter and a little more humid. But there are fewer tourists around, you will find that at popular destinations around the island, this translates to short queues and in other parts of the island, it can mean the absence of queues.
It also means that flights to Bali tend to be cheaper and that hotels and accommodation are cheaper. Restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. also offer promos to compete for customers at this time of year.
In short, the period from November to March known as the “wet season” is a great time to come to Canggu if you want to get better value for money and to have the best spots for yourself.
The one exception to this is the Xmas to New Year period when if you visit Canggu, you’ll find it’s at its most expensive. This is the most popular week of the year for people to spend in Bali.
In the dry season (also peak season), from April to October, you will find it’s a bit cooler, the sun stays out for a bit longer, it’s less humid and it rains a bit less.
But it is more expensive and at the most popular sights, you may be waiting a lot longer in queues (fancy queuing for 6 hours to get that famous reflecting photo at Lempuyang Temple? That’s the dry season for you).
FAQs
Is Canggu Better Than Seminyak?
Canggu and Seminyak are next-door neighbours and there’s no clear border between the two towns at all. Many local businesses will claim to be in both or appear on review lists of both places because it’s hard to tell the two apart in places.
However, there’s no doubt that Canggu tends to appeal to a different kind of visitor. Seminyak’s appeal has long been in its upmarket cachet – fine dining, high-end nightclubs and expensive boutique hotels.
The crowd there tends to be young and wealthy with the intention of being seen and seeing others like them in return.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time in Seminyak if you’re not part of that crowd, it just means it’s less designed to cater to you.
Canggu is more inclusive. The nightlife is wildly varied, you can still have the posh club experience, but you can also have a few beers on the beach at 1 a.m. with a much more diverse crowd.
The restaurant scene in Canggu is the best on the island and yes, there are fine dining spots, but there are also many other reasonably priced mid-market and even bargain eats places than there are in Seminyak.
Most of all, however, Canggu has a better mix of facilities and there are still parts of the old Bali present in Canggu that have long been lost in Seminyak.
We think that’s why Canggu has overtaken Seminyak in the last 2-3 years to become the most popular spot on the island.
Why Is Canggu So Popular?
Canggu is currently the most popular destination in Bali. This might answer the question “is Canggu worth visiting?” all by itself.
We think it’s the mixture of authentic Balinese culture, the variety of things to do, the incredible collection of heaving bars, great restaurants and happening clubs, as well as the shopping scene that make Canggu a place that appeals to far more than just a few digital nomads.
It’s incredibly popular because it has something for everyone from budget-friendly hostels to delicious food and sunset drinks at private villa complexes, to walks in rice terraces and views of Mount Batur.
Sure, you may not find the ultra-low prices of days gone by when fewer tourists came to town, but the higher prices reflect the fact that Canggu has seen some serious infrastructure upgrades over a long stretch of time and it has become a highly desirable place to be in Bali.
Is It Worth Staying In Canggu, Bali?
Yes! Canggu is a great place to stay and it means that you’re close to the best beach club in the world – FINNS as well as many other great spots for your holiday.
Canggu is a little more expensive than some of the other beach towns on the island, particularly those in the North and East of the country, but those places are more remote and have much less to offer travellers than Canggu does.
There is still a good mix of accommodation in Canggu, mind you, and you will find that you can still grab a room in a guest house for small money or you can rent a luxury beachfront villa with a view to die for, the choice is yours (and possibly your bank manager’s too).
No matter where you stay, you will have access to the most vibrant spot on the island with stunning sunsets, rice fields, local and international restaurants, magnificent temples, private pools, co-working spaces, gyms and fitness centres, boutique stores and much, much more.
So, yes, Canggu is worth visiting and it’s worth staying here too.
How Many Days In Canggu Is Enough?
This very much depends on you. If you’re one of those people who wants to visit Canggu as part of a whistlestop tour of Bali before returning home or moving on to the rest of Indonesia, you could probably squeeze the highlights of the area into 2 or 3 days.
However, we’d suggest that 4-5 days is going to be worth the extra cost of accommodation as it will mean you can explore the area better and see all the local beaches, get some surfing lessons, spend a day at Bali’s most popular destination – FINNS Beach Club and more.
Many of the things you want to see in Canggu are within a short walking distance of each other and when you visit Canggu, you can get out and about and really immerse yourself in this lovely part of Southeast Asia.
Is It Easy To Get Around Canggu, Bali?
Yes, it’s relatively easy to get around Canggu. Walking is possible but it can be hard during the rush hour when many of the local bike riders seem to mistake the sidewalks and pavements for shortcuts.
However, if you use a ride-share service or rent a scooter, the road layout is fairly simple and getting around won’t cost you a fortune – we should note that the roads in Bali are not well maintained and that traffic rules are more theoretical than practical, we strongly recommend using cars not scooters for your health.
The downside of getting around in the area is the traffic, but let’s be fair about this – any popular part of Bali suffers from an excess of traffic. The island wasn’t built with large volumes of people in mind and sitting in a car wishing you could get somewhere faster isn’t unique to Canggu, it happens everywhere.
Is Canggu Safe?
Yes, you can enjoy Canggu safely. Crime in Bali is not non-existent. However, violent crimes and sexual crimes are unheard of against tourists (though they do occasionally occur between tourists).
And while there are some minor health risks of being in Bali, most of these risks tend to be highest in places that are less developed. There are no packs of rabid dogs stalking the streets of Canggu, for example.
You’re also a long way from the island’s two active volcanoes, so while an eruption might spoil your flight plans – it’s not likely to destroy your hotel room and so on…
Overall, being in Canggu is, at least, as safe as being at home and as long as you use your common sense (e.g. don’t drink and drive, do look both ways before crossing a road, etc.), it’s usually a lot safer.
Do You Need Cash In Canggu, Bali?
Yes, you will need cash in Canggu and it comes in handy everywhere in Bali. While, in theory, you could probably get away with just a card if you never left Canggu, there are warungs that don’t take cards, and taxi drivers may not take them, we’ve been to our local shop and their card machine has been out of order, that kind of thing.
You may also find that cash is better for giving someone a tip than using a card as you can be sure that the cash will go to them and won’t be absorbed by their employer after you leave.
However, you can pay for the vast majority of things in Bali in 2025 with a card and you do not need to carry large sums of cash on you. 1,000,000 IDR (about $100 AUD) ideally in smaller bills could be more than enough for most people as long as you use card facilities where they are available.
If you need cash in Canggu, you’re never far from an ATM, though some ATM facilities are quite expensive to use particularly those in convenience stores. It’s better to use those associated with a bank.
Is Canggu Cheaper Than Seminyak?
Yes, Canggu can be cheaper than Seminyak. However, there’s also no doubt that if you wanted to spend a lot of money on your Balinese holiday – you could do so as easily in Canggu as you can in Seminyak.
Canggu has a better mix of options for restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, etc. than Seminyak and if you shop and eat like a local, you will find that it’s very inexpensive.
But if you want to eat in nothing but fine dining spots, stay in top-notch hotels and drink champagne every day? That’s going to cost a lot just as it would anywhere else on the island where these options are available to you.
Final Thoughts On Whether To Visit Canggu In 2025
Hopefully, we’ve made it clear by now that we feel that the answer to the question, “is Canggu worth visiting?” is an emphatic “yes.”
Sure, it’s not perfect, but then, nowhere is perfect. But if you love to enjoy the most stunning sunsets, want to hit up famous spots like Canggu Beach, Echo Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, and Berawa Beach, wander in the rice fields, eat some amazing Balinese food and chill out in safety – Canggu is awesome.
Even the famous Canggu shortcut is interesting to experience just once in your life and most of all, if you come to Bali and you don’t visit FINNS, can you even say you’ve been to Bali at all?
Read more:
Is Bali Worth Visiting? The Honest Truth Before You Visit Bali
