Ubud is the spiritual heart of the island and visiting places like the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Ubud’s Art Market is an awesome experience.
But most visitors to Bali also want to spend some time at the beach and what better place than Canggu to do it in? Canggu is, after all, the home of the world’s best beach club, FINNS Beach Club.
Getting from Ubud to see Canggu is very easy (and it’s very easy to go from Canggu to Ubud) too and our guide will help you choose the right way to go and give you some useful info on each place before you book too.
How Do You Get To Canggu From Ubud?
There are two direct routes to Canggu from Ubud. The first follows Jalan Raya Mambal and Jalan Raya Munggyu-Kapal and it’s 27.8 kilometres from end-to-end.
In ideal conditions, this takes just over an hour to drive.
The second route follows Jalan Raya Angantaka to Sibang Gede and it’s ever so slightly longer at 28.9 kilometers.
This route is about 5-10 minutes longer in ideal traffic conditions.
A Few Transport Options For Getting To Canggu From Ubud
You have several options for getting to Canggu from Ubud (or from Canggu to Ubud, for that matter).
Given that it’s not a very long journey, though the road can be extremely busy, particularly at rush hour, it’s not going to cost you a fortune whichever option you decide on.
The Ubud-Canggu route is quite a scenic location and it’s worth considering a stop at the Ceking Rice Terrace along the way.
This is a very attractive rice terrace that will look amazing in your Instagram feed and will also provide you with a chance to learn about local agriculture.
Private Transfer
A private transfer service is one arranged by your hotel and can take you from Canggu to Ubud or vice-versa in the most convenient manner.
They will pick you up for your Ubud-Canggu trip from your hotel and then take you directly to your destination. They won’t, usually, allow for any stops on the way, mind you.
While private transfer services are usually offered to the Ngurah Rai International Airport, most hotels and resorts are only too happy to offer them to any part of Bali (at a price, of course).
However, this is more expensive than a local taxi or ride-share option though the car provided might be a bit nicer and the trip will be managed professionally and with the minimum of fuss.
We confess though, that we’d pay less and use a cheaper option from a few options listed below.
It’s the same journey whether you use a local taxi or a transfer service, after all.
Local Taxi/Ride-Share
Probably the best way to get between the two towns is simply to use the local ride-sharing apps Grab or Go-Jek.
You could also use a local taxi but given the fact that taxi drivers aren’t the most reliable when it comes to doing what was agreed, it’s better to use a ride-share.
That means you can fix the price in advance before you agree to the journey and it also means that you can pay by card if it’s connected to the app – saving you hunting for the exact fare in IDR bank notes on arrival.
You can also tip the driver through the app which is handy too.
How much you pay will depend on what time you leave. Peak hours and off-peak hours are charged differently and it can be 25-50% cheaper to travel off-peak (late afternoon-early evening).
This is why you will find so many different prices for this journey online, there is no “standard fare”. Ride-share apps use demand-based pricing.
Private Car And Driver
You can always hire a private car and driver in Bali and that means getting a car for a whole day rather than just for one journey.
You do pay for petrol on top of the original fee for the car, but this tends to be fairly small beans unless you’re travelling from one end of the island to another.
If you want to do more than stare out of the window at small towns on your way to Canggu, this is the way to go.
A private driver is going to be happy to stop along the way and let you explore the countryside.
They can often act as informal tour guides too and as security for your bags if you want to visit an attraction.
You will probably bump into a driver that offers their services while you wander around Ubud (or Canggu if you’re going in the other direction) but if not, you can book a car through your hotel (or the Bali Res Centre see the FAQs below for their contact details).
Scooter
We don’t recommend hiring scooters but it’s an option and we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention it.
Yes, the prices of scooter rental are lower than for cars and taxis but that’s because scooter travel is much less safe.
Firstly, if you’re not road-legal, you’re not insured. It’s that simple. Your travel insurance policy may cover scooter crashes but if you’re not wearing your helmet, 100% sober and carrying both an International Driver’s Permit and your driving license with a motorbike endorsement, you’re not road-legal.
Insurers don’t want to pay out and they don’t have to if you’re not driving legally.
Secondly, the small towns and beautiful temples of Bali may be charming but the traffic is not.
The roads are not in good condition and drivers here make up the rules of the road as they go along. Accidents are commonplace and even highly experienced riders can struggle on Balinese road.
Nobody should be learning to ride in Bali. It’s better to pay higher prices for a taxi or another transport option than it is to pay for a long stay in a Balinese hospital bed.
Walking?
You could, in theory, walk to Canggu from Ubud, but we wouldn’t do it.
The walking distance is only about 6 hours which might inspire somebody to save money on a taxi and use their own steam instead.
However, it’s boiling hot in Bali and you will find that if you walk, you will quickly become dehydrated if you walk in the day. There are few places to stop on liquids and nowhere to stock up on rehydration salts along the way.
At night, there is very little in the way of street lighting and there are no clearly marked sidewalks to follow. In short, you’re at high risk of being run over.
If you do get into trouble on the walk, you will find it’s almost impossible to persuade a driver to pick you up in the middle of nowhere or to get any assistance at all.
Canggu is a busy tourist destination and as with all the busier destinations in Bali, the traffic can be horrendous if you pick the wrong time to go.
It’s best to leave Ubud before 10 a.m. or leave it until after the lunchtime rush. It is easier to travel on weekdays rather than on weekends.
Be prepared for some traffic delays at any time of day though, the junctions around the roads entering and exiting Canggu, in particular, are a bit of a nightmare.
Once you’re out of Ubud and heading through the small villages and towns along the way, things will probably be quite smooth until you get close to Canggu.
What’s The Best Time Of Year For This Trip?
You can visit Canggu and Ubud at any time of the year. The weather is slightly better in the dry season when it’s just a bit cooler and less humid, but it’s also a bit more expensive when it comes to hotels and resorts.
In the rainy season, the rains won’t affect the road and we still get roughly 8 hours of sunshine every day in Bali.
While you might have to deal with occasionally getting wet or delaying an activity, you will pay less for your hotel and you should find that the places you go are less crowded.
Why Visit Canggu? Ubud Vs Canggu
Canggu and Ubud are very different places and they are both worth visiting but they are places of contrast too and it’s worth taking some time to review the differences.
Overall Vibe
Ubud is small-town life. It’s quiet and full of temples and rice fields. Its jungle location is green and verdant. It’s a bit cooler (temperature-wise) than the areas near the beaches and you’ll find plenty of yoga shalas and other spiritual things to do.
Canggu, on the other hand, is very much the beach town and while it was once a bit of an “off-the-beaten-path” kind of place, it’s now one of the most popular spots in Bali. It’s the best beach town for a mix of traditional Balinese and modern tourism convenience.
Nightlife
Canggu has some of the best nightlife in Bali, there’s Luigi’s Hot Pizza, FINNS Beach Club, Friends Bar and so much more to explore. Clubbing and partying are the name of the game in Canggu.
Ubud’s a bit more chilled out and though it does have nightlife, it’s not the main draw of the area. You can enjoy some lovely cultural performances on the nights in Ubud.
Ubud’s Art Market is the best place for Balinese arts and crafts in the country and it’s super popular.
Canggu, on the other hand, is an amazing place to shop for chic beachwear and surfer gear. Some of the world’s trendiest beach brands can be found in the town.
If you love boutique shops and reasonable prices, you’ll love Canggu.
Balinese Culture
Ubud is definitely the cultural centre of Bali and it’s a great place to visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the Tirta Empul Temple and the Tellagalang Rice Terraces.
That doesn’t mean that Canggu has nothing to offer, mind you and the Tanah Lot Temple is one of the most inspiring places in Bali. It’s also a hub for surf culture on the island.
Attractions
Canggu’s attractions include the amazing FINNS Rec Club with swimming pools, Strike Ten Pin Bowling, Bounce the only Trampoline Park in Bali, Basketball, Boxing and the Junior Sports Academy (JSA).
It also has FINNS Beach Club which is renowned as the best beach club in the world. It’s also a brilliant place for surfing and beach life.
Ubud has plenty of cultural locations as well as things like Bali Swings (the best thrill ride for Instagram ever), waterfalls, etc.
You could also visit the Elephant Cave, Goa Gajah, one of the most enigmatic locations in Ubud.
Either town is a great place to have a honeymoon. Ubud has some of the world’s most luxurious resorts and the Four Seasons and Mandapa by the Ritz Carlton are truly amazing places to stay.
If you want to listen to the flow of a stream, in gentle fog, in a lush rainforest, Ubud’s going to have the winning appeal.
But many people would prefer the romance of the beaches, sunset walks along the shoreline, infinity pools and the best spas around.
For those people, Canggu is going to be the best place to honeymoon.
Aesthetic Appeal
Both towns are very visually appealing. Sitting on a beach in Canggu watching the sun go down is one of the most marvellous experiences in the world and the view of the Indian Ocean bathed in sunlight is unforgettable.
It also has plenty of rice fields and they add a certain rural charm to Canggu that makes for pleasant walks and hiking.
Ubud, on the other hand, is in the mountains, it’s rugged and beautifully green.
It’s what the heart of a tropical island should feel like. (Heck this write-up is making us feel like going from Canggu to Ubud, right now).
Cost
here was a time when Ubud was quite a bit cheaper than the beach towns but those days are coming to an end.
You can get cheaper accommodation in Ubud but that’s because there are more places to choose from over a wider array of pricing tiers.
However, for everything else, there’s not that much in it but many of Ubud’s attractions are quite a way out of Ubud and you might spend more on taxis, etc. in Ubud than in Canggu.
Crowds
Canggu’s popularity means that it can get very crowded at times and when it is crowded, the small beach town is crowded everywhere.
Ubud, on the other hand, is more spread out and while it can get very crowded in the centre of Ubud, if you head out of town, you’ll find it quietens down pretty quickly.
Digital Nomads
If you’re working during your holiday in Bali, you will be pleased to learn that both towns have plenty of cafes and co-working spaces for you to use.
Canggu, however, has become something of a digital nomad hub for Bali in recent years, a bit like Chiang Mai has become the hub for Thailand.
FAQs
How Much Is A Taxi From Canggu To Ubud or Vice-Versa?
It depends on when you travel. If you leave during off-peak hours, it might cost 200,000 IDR or less, at peak times it’s likely to be 300,000+ IDR.
Is It Better To Stay In Canggu Or Ubud?
That really depends on what you want out of your time in Bali. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, for example, tends to attract different kind of tourist to the surfing on Canggu’s beaches.
Is Canggu Or Ubud Cheaper?
There’s not very much in it. Ubud offers more choices of accomodation and it’s a bit bigger than Canggu, so you can save some cash on a place to stay.
However, because the things to do around Ubud tend to be quite far out of town, you will probably end up spending those savings on taxis/Grab rides.
The costs of most other things are very similar and though there may be some minor differences, you shouldn’t choose your holiday destination out of these two places based on the costs.
Is It Worth Going To Canggu?
Yes! Canggu is very much worth visiting. Not only is it home to FINNS Beach Club but it also has Tanah Lot Temple, one of the most beautiful places on the island and if you’re hoping to learn to surf, you don’t want to miss Canggu.
What Is There To Do Between Ubud And Canggu?
There’s not a huge amount to do between the two destinations. It’s quite a short distance and it mainly runs through local villages and small urban clusters.
However, you do pass the Taman Ayun temple on the way and it’s very easy to get out and visit if you have a private car.
How Do I Book A Holiday In Ubud And Canggu?
We always recommend that you book a holiday in Bali through the lovely people at Bali Res Centre.
It’s a locally owned and managed travel service that can get you from Canggu to Ubud (or vice-versa), ensure you have a super deal on a comfortable hotel and that it’s not next to a building site.
Best of all, when you use their services, you’re keeping your money in the local economy rather than giving it to a multinational.
The journey from Ubud through to Canggu is very easy and it’s not hard to find a taxi or ride-share to get you between the two destinations.
We think that the two locations make for an excellent two-centre holiday if you want to enjoy the beach life of Bali and the beauty of its mountains. We hope to see you at FINNS when you pass through Canggu too!
