Feel like getting off the beaten path in Bali? Then Manggis, Bali could be exactly the slice of heaven that you’ve been looking for in East Bali.
It’s your chance to experience “the real Bali” and our guide will tell you all you need to know to plan a trip to Manggis.
Where Is Manggis, Bali?
Manggis is in East Bali in the Karangasem Regency. It’s not far from Candidasa and the main beach towns of Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Legian.
How To Get To Manggis, Bali
We’d recommend that you hire a private car and driver to get to Manggis and to get around in the surrounding area.
It’s not the busiest part of East Bali and if you don’t have a driver, you may spend too much time searching for a Grab or Gojek and not enough time enjoying the experience of the area.
Hiring a car and driver here in Bali is not expensive and you will only spend around 500,000 IDR (that’s $35 USD or $50 AUD) a day including
When’s The Best Time To Visit Manggis, Bali
You can visit Manggis, Bali at any time of the year to have a good time. However, as with much of this part of Indonesia, the weather is slightly cooler, less humid and more sunny in the dry season (from April to October) and most people prefer to visit at this time of year.
It’s worth noting though that the wet season still sees around 8 hours of sunshine a day and you can get much cheaper deals on hotels, flights, etc. at that time of year.
Is There An Entrance Fee For Manggis, Bali
No, there’s no entrance fee for Manggis, Bali.
What To Expect In Manggis, Bali
Manggis is an area rather than a specific place and there’s plenty to see and do.
There’s plenty to do around Manggis and you won’t have to go far from your hotel to be able to enjoy these activities in this part of Bali, Indonesia.
Kayaking
Ocean kayaking is great fun and this part of Bali is a delight for kayaking enthusiasts. You can easily hire the equipment at one of the beaches and then explore Bali’s seas by boat.
Beach Walks
Bias Tugel Beach and Blue Lagoon Beach are both very attractive beaches within a short journey from Manggis. Bias Tugel is a white sand beach where you can enjoy long walks along the coast in the white sands.
Blue Lagoon Beach is a little more secluded and you can enjoy some privacy on the coast and enjoy the view over the ocean here. After a short walk, you could try some fishing.
Scuba Diving
You can rent a boat and diving gear in the areas around this coast and head out to sea to enjoy some amazing scuba diving.
If you don’t have a PADI certificate, then you could go snorkelling, instead. The marine life in this part of the coast is stunning.
Agro Tourism
Taru Agro Tourism is a pleasant place to take a coffee break and enjoy a breakfast of fried bananas cooked by local women from families in the villages around the area.
It’s not far from the family temple in the Teganan Ancient Village.
Kusamba Salt Mining
If you love great food in Bali, then you should come and have a look at how salt is mined and prepared locally.
Kusamba is a great place and the workers are very proud of taking part in such a traditional industry.
Village Trekking
Teganan Ancient Village (Teganan Dauh Tukad) is a great place to visit and the village has some highly experienced local weavers where you can learn about the traditional textiles of Balinese life
Entry is by donation and you can wander pretty much anywhere that you like in the village without upsetting anyone.
You might also enjoy trekking to Lake Yeh Malet which is a beautiful lake with amazing views of the mountains of the area.
We can also recommend Bayem Hill and Ceng Hill if you’re looking for a great view over the whole of the local area.
Where To Stay Near Manggis
If you need a hotel in this part of East Bali there are plenty of places to choose from and we’ve stayed in some really comfortable properties here, including:
Amankila – this is a gorgeous 5-star seafront resort and it’s truly elegant in its design. They have an excellent in-house spa and restaurant and nothing is ever too much trouble for the helpful staff. We can highly recommend Amankila.
Puri Bagus Manggis Resort – this is a cute resort that looks like a traditional Balinese house rising above the rice fields. If you want peace and quiet and excellent service, this is where to come and it’s super cheap.
D’Kubu Merta – this is a very basic motel that offers travellers a roof over their heads and not a whole lot more. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you won’t need to spend very much money to stay here.
Neano Escape – this is a lovely resort and the bamboo design is striking and super photogenic. If you want to be pampered in style and enjoy a thoroughly relaxing time in this part of Bali, Indonesia, Neano Escape is a great choice.
Perumahan Pertamina Manggis – this is a pleasant family homestay next to an open-air sports field. There are some lovely views to be had from this place too.
Where To Eat Near Manggis
If you’re looking for a good restaurant in Manggis, you won’t be disappointed. Some of our favourites include:
Ngopi Malu – this is a great Balinese place that does a decent breakfast and some of the nicest local food that we’ve ever had.
Seasalt – one of the best restaurants in Bali and they only use locally mined salt from Indonesia in all of their dishes.
Babi Guling Pan Benyek Karangasem – a great spot to try Bali’s famous roast pork (suckling pig) dish.
Warung Babi Guling Wayan Sudana – is another excellent restaurant for trying some of Bali’s suckling pig.
Wr. Taman Cirik – this is a small and pleasant place specializing in cold drink and soto ayam.
What Else To Do Near Manggis
There are quite a few things to do in the area around Manggis too:
Dulkaso (Dulukauh Sogsogan) – a beautiful spot with a viewing platform over the local countryside and a campground where you can pitch a tent if you want.
Candidasa – another attractive coastal village just a little further to the East. Candidasa is very popular with retirees in Bali.
Tanah Ampo Ultra Light Fishing Spot – if you love to fish, this is one of the best fishing spots on the island. Just bring a rod and cast.
Pantai Tanah Ampo – a small and basic white sand beach that sees almost no visitors at all.
Pantai Indrawati Ulakan – a lovely black sand beach which is considered to be sacred by the local community.
FAQs
Is Manggis, Bali Worth Visiting?
Yes! If you like to explore new places and spend some time experiencing life before the world discovered Bali, then Manggis is a great place to go.
Guests can rub shoulders with the locals, learn more about their culture, enjoy an amazing landscape in this part of Indonesia, stroll on beautiful beaches by the ocean, enjoy an incredible sunset, dine in amazing restaurants, stay in lovely hotels and much more.
Where Is Manggis Located In Bali?
Manggis is in the Karangasem Regency on the East Coast of Bali. It’s not far from Sidemen, Amlapura, Candidase and Semarapura.
What’s The Best Month To Go To Bali?
There are plenty of different views on this but we’d argue that May is the best month to go to Bali.
It’s in the dry season, but because children are still in school, it’s also in the low season which means you get the best deals on flights, hotels, tours, etc. and the best weather and there are no crowds on excursions, beaches, in villages, etc. and that means it’s like a slice of heaven here on Earth.
However, we need to stress, that there’s never a bad month to visit Bali. The weather is always good and there’s always something memorable to do, a journey to undertake, a mountain to climb, some snorkelling to be done, etc.
How Many Days In Bali Is Enough?
We think that even a lifetime in Bali isn’t enough. But we think that if you planned a two-week trip, you’d see enough of Bali to feel like you’d experienced most of what the island has to offer.
From the morning sunrise in Sanur to the dolphins of Lovina, to FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club in Canggu, to Uluwatu Temple and so much more, you can enjoy the trip of your life in a fortnight in Bali.
How To Book A Holiday In Bali To See Manggis?
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali through the awesome people at the Bali Res Centre. They can ensure you get the best deal on flights, hotels, etc. for Bali and help you explore and discover the island in the most practical fashion.
If you want a memorable trip that lets you take in everything from the mountains to the sea, then Bali Res Centre can ensure you have it.
Final Thoughts On Manggis
Manggis, Bali is a little bit off the beaten path and that’s a good thing. It feels like a slice of heaven and a gateway to the “real Bali”.
If you feel like spending a day or two in East Bali, you could do much worse than visit Manggis.
