Candidasa Bali Indonesia – Your Quick Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Candidasa is a relatively quiet, far less visited spot on the incredible island of Bali. Less than an hour away from the whizzing of passing scooters and the hum of busy tourists is this coast of tranquil and soothing beauty.

Why go to Candidasa

Having no beach of itself to speak of, there is one really nearby that is close enough to be included in ‘things to do in Candidasa’ and close enough for you to head to on a whim. Virgin beach stretches for a lengthy 700 metres, surrounded by almost surreal azure water. The aquatic life in the waters is in abundance, and just right off the beach you and your snorkel can witness it all. There are a few beach restaurants that offer some basic, but delicious seafood. It’s a great place for a quiet few hours, and an equally good spot for families for the day.

Candidasa also serves as a great base for some trekking. Whether you are just looking to go for a light jaunt or are ready to stand upon the highest point in Bali, there is a route for you! While the easier hikes are all good fun, the hike up to Mount Agung cannot be beaten. The views from the top are indescribable and necessitate the help of a camera and a keen eye.

There are eye-catching temples that would intrigue the most seasoned of travellers. There are also viewpoints that would inspire the most experienced of photographers. There are spas and there are shopping outlets. There are places to buy coconuts and places to drink them. There are also unbelievably stunning resorts, which are hard to leave at all! You wouldn’t be judged for not doing so.

When go to Candidasa

Much like the rest of Bali, and Indonesia for that matter, the weather is never what you’d call ‘unpleasant’. Even in the rainy months between October and April, there are many hours in the day that are flooded with sunshine and the prospect of beachside shenanigans.

Where and what to eat in Candidasa

With competition in spots like Kuta, and especially Ubud, the culinary scene is Candidasa appears, at the very least, simple. There is an abundance of restaurants on the main strip. However, the majority of the restaurants serve very similar things, performing tired tricks for a lack of something new and inspiring. As a result, there are a bunch of restaurants that remain empty, filled only by expectant waitrons.

This isn’t to say that you won’t find something to make your stomach sigh in approval. There are copious amounts of seafood, a good few Chinese spots, more warungs than you could count, and even, despite what we have just said, a couple of really interesting spots to dine at.

Loaf Café is an industrial themed spot to eat too much cake and drink an appropriate amount of coffee. You can also grab a couple of crisp and freshly baked pastries – perfect for a picnic on the beach!

The Hungry Crocodile is another noteworthy spot. Western, Indonesian and French cuisine come together to create something truly unique. Dishes are shockingly cheap too, with an average price at around 70, 000 IDR.

Seeing as it’s a pretty popular destination for honeymooners, it seems apt that there quite a few classically romantic spots for dinner. Candle light, pizza ovens and curtained off areas – its serious business. The Dining Room was one of our favourite spots in this regard.

Where to stay in Candidasa

The majority of accommodation in Candidasa is on one main road. This is because the spots are virtually ocean side. This is where you’ll find all the backpackers spots and most competitive deals. However, there are also a couple of tranquil little spots off the main road where you could be treated to views of a lotus-filled lake.

There is a lot of competition in the mid-range sector. As such, the offerings are diverse and well-priced. Rama Shinta Hotel has the benefit of looking over the stunning lotus-filled lagoon while the Lotus Bungalows offer elegantly decorated rooms. What’s your priority? Benthos Dive Resort right near the beach has the benefit of organising trips into the big blue right from the front desk. The rates really vary in the mid-range sector and can fluctuate between 400, 000 IDR and 1,000,000 IDR.

At the high-end, there is no shortage of places that will leave your jaw on the floor and your mind contemplating those get rich quick schemes you’ve yet to put into action. Nirwana Resort and Spa is an intimate spot that edges the Padang Bai side of Candidasa. It’s incredible. Aquaria is especially for the health-conscious, yoga-doing, vegan dieting holiday maker and has rooms for similar prices.

Ida’s Homestay is a stand out option in several ways. The homestay represents what Bali was a few years back - before Instagram and the popularisation of the area. The homestay provides a rich and authentic experience. Secondly, the owner is an absolute delight. Together with the handmade thatch rooms and Ida herself, it is difficult to get a room at this place, so be sure that you book well in advance. The property is mostly pretty simple and excludes the modern luxuries that we have come to rely on. That being said, there is free Wi-Fi all over the property. Rooms run for around 240, 000 IDR.

How to get around

As with most places in Bali, the streets will be filled with scooters and small motorbikes. You can easily rent your own through your accommodation or through one of the rental spots in town. You shouldn’t be paying anything more than 130,000 IDR. If we’re being a hundred percent honest, you probably don’t need the scooter to get around town. You can walk from one side of Candidasa to the other in under 30 minutes. However, if you plan on making trips to out of town beaches and just general gallivanting around town, the scooters will come in handy.

In the absence of a scooter, or in the presence of the decision to actively avoid them, you’ll be able to get between spots around the town with bemos without a problem. Short trips will cost as little as 10, 000 IDR. Come the latter hours of the night, bemos will become more infrequent – in which case, you’ll find yourself walking home from restaurants and nightclubs, which isn’t a bad idea really! Many restaurants actually offer a pick-up and drop-off service, which is another reason why you should order another bottle of wine.

How to get to and from Candidasa

Candidasa has become a destination that has become easier and easier to reach over time. With the development of the east coast road, getting to and from Sanur has become a breeze. The journey will take around 90 minutes in car or taxi. Coincidentally, it’ll take around the same amount of time to get to and from the airport. There are plenty of taxi’s that run trips through to Candidasa from the airport at a flat rate. Expect pay around 300, 000 IDR. You don’t seem to be able to book a taxi from Candidasa to the airport. However, you can book a driver. You can expect to pay around the same amount for the trip.

Candidasa is thankfully a regularly serviced destination by the Perama shuttle service. You can get to Candidasa from Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, Padang Bai, and Lovina. You can obviously do all the inverse trips between the destinations too. The rates for these trips depend on how long the trip takes. Suffice to say, the rates are very competitive and the service is reliable. It is advisable to book your trip to or from Candidasa at least a day in advance at the Perama office. The office in Candidasa is on the main road next to the police station.

If you’re about done with the comfort of air-conditioning and are in for a bit of a ‘local’ experience, then hop aboard a bemo and get to where you’re going this way! Bemos run to destinations along the coast which allow you to get to spots between Candidasa and Klungkung with relative ease. Bemos vary in price, but you can expect to pay between 10,000 IDR and 20,000 IDR per trip.

One should keep in mind that Padang Bai is just a few minutes away, which means that there is little holding you back from exploring the incredible Nusa Penida. The island has unspeakable views and easy trips through to and from its shores.

Is Candidasa a safe place to visit?

Candidasa has a very good safety record. While you should always be wary of your possessions and of especially interested salesman or touts, you have very little to worry about in this part of the world.