The original article was published by Sunshineseeker.com. Read HERE.
Writer: Charlotte
Are you wondering where to stay in Bali? Choosing the right area to stay in Bali can make or break your holiday, as every area caters to different types of travelers and interests.
It all depends on what you want out of your trip. Shopping, beach, surfing, hiking, cultural experiences, maybe you want to learn a new craft, or even better, experience a little bit of everything.
I fell in love with the paradise that is Bali over 14 years ago now and have been back at least 15 times. And even though the island has changed so much since then, it’s still one of my favorite places in the world. You just need to know where to stay and what to stay away from.
So let’s take a closer look at the best places to stay in Bali for all types of travelers, along with my favorite accommodation in every budget.
Canggu – the hippest hood in Bali
On the west coast, a short drive north from Seminyak, you’ll find the laid-back surfer village of Canggu. If you are a surfer, creative person or just like to let’s say observe the long-haired, scruffy, tanned surfers, chances are you’re going to love it here.
The place where I saw more cows than people on my first visit, has developed at a rapid speed into a trendy area favored by ex-pats. Enjoy breakfast at hotspots like Betelnut or Crate Cafe, Nasi Goreng at one of the local warungs, afternoon drinks at Old Man’s and a seaside BBQ dinner at Echo Beach.
Don’t forget to check out Deus Ex Machina Temple of Enthusiasm on Tuesdays for tacos and free tattoos and on Sundays for a pumping Sunday Session with live music.
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Are you wondering where to stay in Bali? Choosing the right area to stay in Bali can make or break your holiday, as every area caters to different types of travelers and interests.
It all depends on what you want out of your trip. Shopping, beach, surfing, hiking, cultural experiences, maybe you want to learn a new craft, or even better, experience a little bit of everything.
I fell in love with the paradise that is Bali over 14 years ago now and have been back at least 15 times. And even though the island has changed so much since then, it’s still one of my favorite places in the world. You just need to know where to stay and what to stay away from.
So let’s take a closer look at the best places to stay in Bali for all types of travelers, along with my favorite accommodation in every budget.
Uluwatu and Ubud, two of the best areas to stay in Bali
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>> Click here for more info and current pricing << Article overview [show] Best areas to stay in Bali overview Whether or not you will have a good time in Bali will largely depend on where you decide to stay. Not every area is right for everyone. I’ve had several people tell me they can’t understand why I love Bali so much. And when I ask where they went they usually say something like; we stayed in Kuta for two weeks. Well, no wonder you didn’t enjoy your time in Bali. Here’s an overview of the different areas in Bali, and I go into more detail about each place below. Seminyak – Best for upscale boutique resorts, beach clubs and shopping Kuta & Legian – Best for backpackers, budget accommodation and shopping Canggu – Best for cool villas, parties, markets and surfing Ubud – Best for yoga, wellness retreats and healthy living Jimbaran – Best place for calm resorts and seafood dinners on the beach The Bukit (Uluwatu) – Best for surfers and boho accommodation with sea views Nusa Dua – Best for luxury resorts and calm white sand beaches Sanur – Slow-paced and family-friendly, gateway to Nusa Islands East Bali – Best for incredible viewpoints and majestic temples North Bali – Best for diving, snorkeling and chasing waterfalls West Bali – Overlooked by most, best for peace and quiet in nature So while you should choose the areas that suit you best, please don’t get stuck in only one place. If you want the best experience and taste of everything the island has to offer, be sure to check out my ultimate 2-week Bali itinerary for first-timers. Quick Bali travel guide 🏩 Best Bali hotel: Goya Boutique Resort 🛌🏻 Best Bali budget accommodation: Roomates Hostel Canggu 🏦 Best Bali luxury accommodation: The Luxe Bali 🗺 Best area to stay: Uluwatu, Ubud, Canggu, Nusa Lembongan 🚘 From the airport: Affordable private transfer 🛵 How to get around: scooter, Grab, taxi and private driver 🎫 Best guided tour: Bali highlights full-day tour 💳 Daily budget: $75 (excluding accommodation) 🇮🇩 Language: Bahasa Indonesia and Balinese 💸 Currency: Indonesian rupiah 10,000 IDR = $0.63 📄 Visa: VOA or apply for an e-visa in advance Best places to stay in Bali Here’s a map of the best areas to stay in Bali. And as you can see, most of the popular places are located in the south. So while we hear about over-tourism, there is still so much island to explore off the beaten path. Seminyak – trendy and fancy Aerial view of two large resorts with pools right on Seminyak Beach, one of the best places to stay in Bali. Seminyak, Legian and Kuta are the main tourist drag in Bali and where most people kick off their holiday on the Island of Gods. What was once three separate villages have now blended into one large developed area, with Kuta furthest south and Seminyak to the north. Seminyak, being the more upscale choice of the three, boasts high-end boutiques, restaurants, spas and luxury accommodations. Not surprisingly, my favorite thing to do in Seminyak is shopping. Bali Boat Shed and Drifter Surf Shop are two OG’s you must check out. Go for breakfast at Kynd Community, do some people-watching at Potato Head Beach Club, enjoy lunch at Sea Circus, get a gold facial, sip some sunset cocktails at La Plancha and get your Mexican fix at Motel Mexicola. WHERE TO STAY IN SEMINYAK You’ll find some of the island’s nicest villas in Seminyak. But be aware of the location of the villa or hotel you book. Anything on the east side of Sunset Road isn’t worth it for a short stay. It’s such a hassle to get around from there. Best budget accommodation – Lotus Tirta Seminyak Hotel Best mid-range accommodation – Villa Mia Seminyak and Hidden Gem Villa Best luxury accommodation – The Legian Seminyak Kuta & Legian – budget friendly A row of sunbeds with red and white umbrellas on Kuta Beach, one of the best areas to stay in Bali for backpackers. If raging nights out clubbing wearing Bintang singlets is more your scene, then you can head to Kuta. Well, you really shouldn’t but if you’re going to anyway, please be aware of the super cheap drinks and pickpockets. Kuta is the OG on the Bali budget travel scene. Unfortunately, it is today run down by sleazy bars, beach hawkers and Magic Mushroom dealers. Think of it as the Magaluf of Bali. I don’t want to be mean, I still head down to Kuta sometimes to shop at the surf brand stores or Beachwalk Mall. If neither of the two tickles your fancy, Legian might be your best bet. Cheaper than Seminyak, but a little calmer than what Kuta has become. I love to go shopping along Legian Street, where you’ll find a mix of boutiques, brand stores and souvenir stalls. And be sure to check out Benih Cafe for breakfast. Don’t get stuck in this area though, especially if you want a relaxing beach holiday, Bali has so much more to offer! WHERE TO STAY IN KUTA & LEGIAN Best budget accommodation – Adys Inn and Fourteen Roses Beach Hotel Best mid-range accommodation – Mamaka by Ovolo Canggu – the hippest hood in Bali View of people walking along Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu on a sunny day, one of the best places to stay in Bali. On the west coast, a short drive north from Seminyak, you’ll find the laid-back surfer village of Canggu. If you are a surfer, creative person or just like to let’s say observe the long-haired, scruffy, tanned surfers, chances are you’re going to love it here. The place where I saw more cows than people on my first visit, has developed at a rapid speed into a trendy area favored by ex-pats. Enjoy breakfast at hotspots like Betelnut or Crate Cafe, Nasi Goreng at one of the local warungs, afternoon drinks at Old Man’s and a seaside BBQ dinner at Echo Beach. Don’t forget to check out Deus Ex Machina Temple of Enthusiasm on Tuesdays for tacos and free tattoos and on Sundays for a pumping Sunday Session with live music. WHERE TO STAY IN CANGGU Accommodation ranges from basic homestays with no internet presence to high-end luxury villas. I would definitely stay in a villa in Canggu if I were you, as there are so many stunning and affordable options to choose from. Best budget accommodation – Roomates Hostel Canggu Best mid-range accommodation – D’djabu Villas Canggu and Bohemian private villa Best luxury accommodation – Tugu Hotel Bali