Okay, so this place is CRAZY. It’s my third time in Bali this year, yet this is my first real experience in Canggu, apart from a quick detour to the infamous Finns Beach Club (which was okay, in my opinion).
The Bali Trifecta
Before I ever went to Bali, I heard about the three main places:
Uluwatu: Chill and for Surfers
Upon further investigation, I found that this southern part of the island is indeed chill and perfect for surfers (learn to surf, here). There are lots of great restaurants, decent beaches, and if you have the chance to go, check out one of the best nightclubs in the world: Savaya.
Ubud: Hippie, Spiritual Central
I absolutely love this area. It’s full of rice terraces and surrounded by lush tropical nature. The city center itself is the most walkable part of Bali I’ve found, with so many great cafes, art galleries, and spiritual centers for yoga, breathwork practices, and so much more.
I’ve spent more time in Ubud than any other area of Bali, and I adore the aesthetic, healthy food, and access to outdoor activities like ATVs and river rafting. They also have the Monkey Forest here, but be wary—those f^*kers are coming for everything you own!
Canggu: The Party Hub
As I mentioned earlier, I did make a pit stop during my first Bali trip at Finns Beach Club. While it was cool, I didn’t understand the hype. It’s a nice spot, but I guess I’ve been to too many incredible beach clubs, and this one just didn’t stand out.
However, upon further investigation, I can see why so many people move to Bali and settle in Canggu. It’s a bustling city on the coast that’s completely commercial and severely westernized. There are definitely people smarter than me who can explain the issues with this, but I’ll just stick to what I’ve seen and how it makes me feel.
Arrival in Canggu
I arrived in Canggu yesterday after attending an amazing creatives meetup party in Uluwatu earlier this week. I learned from all my new friends that Canggu is the spot to be. While I’m not looking to party, I am looking to network, so I figured it was in my best interest to see what the hype is about.
When I tell you I was shocked by this place, that doesn’t even begin to describe it. First of all, there are SIDEWALKS here! If you’ve ever been to Bali, you know the infrastructure here is a mess. You have beautiful villas tucked between traditional homes on streets barely wide enough for one-way traffic, yet somehow they manage to fit two-way traffic of cars, trucks, motorbikes, and pedestrians. They are working on this, and Canggu does have some paved streets and sidewalks, although the traffic here is so insane that it doesn’t make much of a difference.
It can take you a few hours to drive just a few kilometers.
I wonder how many people see the curated Bali on their Instagram feeds and arrive in utter shock at the real streets of Indonesia.
What Canggu Has to Offer
Canggu seems to have it all: infinite coworking spaces, healthy restaurants, gyms, and any workout class you can think of—pickleball courts, pottery, trampoline parks, salsa dance, beaches, surfing, hostels, luxury villas, and clubs for every activity you know—and more that you’ve never heard of. Try Ecstatic Dance! I’m still trying to wrap my head around all that’s available here, but if you’re interested in it, you can find access to it. Pretty remarkable, eh?
While it feels a bit overwhelming and like I’m just in a better version of LA, I also struggle with feeling like I’m actually in Bali. It’s a strange place, but I completely understand the appeal.
Finding Yourself in Canggu
Many people come to Bali to find themselves. But if you are completely lost and have absolutely no idea, you will not find yourself here. You’ll be paralyzed by the infinite choices of activities and clubs, and ultimately, you’ll likely stay lost. However, if you have some idea of what you like and want to explore, and you’re looking to connect with like-minded people while spending less money than in your Western home country, this might be the city for you—if you can handle the traffic! Even a nice restaurant meal will cost you MAX $30 for a multi-course flavor explosion and an alcoholic beverage. Can’t beat that!
Looking Ahead
I’m excited to settle in here for the next few weeks, work with creatives, do some content shoots, try some breathwork classes, and see what else this crazy city has to offer.
The best part, though, is the wonderful people. Making friends here is as simple as saying hello, and there are so many inspiring individuals working on something unique and pushing themselves to be their best. The locals are undeniably friendly, welcoming, and ready to help you in any situation. Meeting people is the best part of travel, and it seems that a lot of hardworking souls are here. So cheers to finding my people, pushing ourselves to be our best, and chasing that dream!