You know… As an Indonesian, one of my pet peeves is to meet anyone who claims to be a world traveler but can barely understand that Bali is actually just a small island in an archipelago called Indonesia. And as an Indonesian myself, I'm not exactly a big fan of the island.
But today, on the $10 series, I'm going to cover yet another part of Bali after talking about Uluwatu and Ubud the other day.
In case you missed my piece about must-visit places in Bali, you might want to see Bali from a local Indonesian perspective. But this time, Mal of Raw Mal Roams will talk about Canggu so to see what to explore the area that is popular with its digital nomad ecosystem.
So, what could you get in Canggu for $10? Here we go!
5 Budget-Friendly Things to Do Around Canggu
Canggu is one of the best areas in Bali to live as a digital nomad. The tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and affordable prices are the main draws for people that decide to base here. $10, which is 145,000 IDR in the local currency, stretches a long way. Here are the best things you can do in Canggu for $10 or even less!
Did you know?
The first floating toll road in Bali, Bali Mandara Toll Road, has become the first toll road in Bali and the first floating toll road throughout Indonesia. The floating road has great access to Benoa, Ngurah Rai Tuban, and Nusa Dua on the island with a length of 12.7 kilometers in total.
1. Eat Your Way Through the City.
If you're a foodie traveler, you won't be disappointed because Canggu boasts a wide choice of excellent cafes, restaurants and local eateries called warungs.
Canggu restaurants cater for all dietary requirements possible, including world cuisines, vegan and vegetarian, keto, gluten-free and more. For $10, you can have a meal and a drink in a high-end café.
Some cafes run promotions, and you can have lunch with a drink for only 50k IDR ($3.5), and if you eat in warungs, you can expect to pay between 20k and 50k IDR for a meal. So, if you want to, you can eat all day for $10 in Canggu.
2. Get a Pampering Massage.
Bali, including Canggu, is famous for its great massage parlors and beauty salons. You can get a 60 minutes full body massage in one of the cheaper but decent places by the beach for as little as 100k IDR, which is only $7!
3. Spend a Day on the Beach.
Canggu has some great beaches and good surfing spots, and spending a day chilling on the beach is one of the best ways to enjoy the city.
You can sit in one of the beach huts on colorful, comfy beanbags for free as long as you order a drink or two. A fresh cold coconut costs 20k IDR ($1.4), and a small local beer costs 30k IDR ($2). Stay at the beach until the sunset, which is the most magical time in Bali, and it's free to watch!
4. Hire a Motorbike and Explore the Local Area.
When in Canggu, hire a scooter for a day and explore the local area. There are so many amazing places to see within one hour ride from the town. Motorbike hire costs about 50k IDR a day ($3.5), and you can fill up the tank for 30k IDR, which will be enough to go on a day trip.
The most popular getaway for expats living in Canggu is Uluwatu, famous for white-sanded beaches and world-class surfing spots!
Tanah Lot is another excellent destination to explore from Canggu. It is a temple situated right on the beach, and the best way to enjoy this place is to come for the sunset. The entrance costs 60k IDR, which is just over $4.
Another great day trip from Canggu is Tampih Beach, situated only a 30 minutes drive. It is a wide beach with black sand, and it's also an excellent spot for the sunset.
5. Visiting Canggu Rice Fields.
You don't need to drive all the way to Ubud to see some stunning rice fields Bali is famous for. There are some great ones located just outside of Canggu, and they are free to visit.
Take a stroll through the rice fields either early morning or late afternoon when the heat is not as harsh, and you will see some most scenic countryside vistas!
By Mal from Raw Mal Roams
Mal is a solo traveler and blogger based in Bali. She ditched the corporate world to pursue her true passions which are traveling, photography, and surfing.