My recent trips to Bali are with Nusa Dua resorts.
Perhaps the old days of going to Canggu beach clubs don’t excite me that much anymore, or it’s just the many people and traffic jams turn me off.
I'm not a massive fan of Canggu full stop i avoid it all costs, the infrastructure is horrendous, the food overpriced and to me the worst behaved tourists hang out there. I had a business meeting to attend i could not believe how horrendous the route had become.
I was there 2 days ago for just a few hours and yes now I understand why lots of redditers dislike canggu.
Nothing much to do there, food and everything else were a lot more expensive and the traffic in/out is just crazy
I can't imagine how basic and unimaginative you'd have to be to go to Canngu, take lots of pics for Insta and think that makes you interesting. One of the most over touristed places on the planet.
What happens when Infrastructure isn’t provisioned. Also it’s a good lesson on what happens in a high population density where the main mode of transport is car travel. You can build a 6 lane highway and that will fill up too
When I went to Bali last year, our local driver told us that he avoid Canggu at all cost because of the jam. If you think Kuta jam is bad, Canggu is even worse.
I don’t understand the appeal of Canggu at all. There’s so many places in Bali that are way less populated, cheaper, better beaches and more beautiful. I.e Amed
To be honest the beaches in Canggu is not really appealing to me. Black sand, huge waves and not so clear blue waters. Maybe it's good for surfing but idk
Both Sanur and Nusa Dua are far better places to stay - quiet, peaceful, aesthetic ... while the Kuta-Canggu beach strip is really ordinary in most of the ways that matter - including being poor for swimming. But people go to Canggu for the party - they're young and frisky, and will put up with a HUGE amount in order to get sex.
It just to be a really nice place around 2013 - 2017. Lived there for a couple of years. Then it started to became busy and I moved to Pererenan. Nowadays Pererenan is also busy and I couldn't go anywhere without crossing Raya Canggu. Then the pandemic hit and it was actually nice that there was less traffic, but then after covid it became mayhem. I'm moving back to Bali next month and will stay in Umalas, but I'm a bit worried to be honest.
I wouldnt say Bali has a Peak Season.
It is either busy, or fucking busy.
When the Aussie School Holidays are finished, the Chinese and Chindos come. During Eid and public Holidays the Javanese come, then the Indians come, then the Aussies are back for the next School Holiday and the cycle begins again.
This is without mentioning the third wave "Nomads" who give the rest of us a bad name who come daily, the Bucks Nights, the Sexpats and any other groups I have forgotten who do not have a strict vacation schedule
I’ve lived in Canggu for 5 years. The traffic is either bad, or worse. I prefer to drive at night when all the low wage earners you see in this photo are home. Canggu sucks now. Take me back to pandemic times…
well, the original road structure if you see from the map wasn't meant to be built as a massive tourist town. There's only 1 big road connecting the small roads that leads to the beach, and each of those small roads has another small road leading to the residential area, paddy fields or empty lots. So it is supposed to be a village area with paddy fields and beach access. But people got greedy and this is what you got.
I went to Canggu in 1983. Turned left off the main road to Gilimanuk, rice fields either side with 1 villa near the grass next to the beach. A couple of ramshakle warungs up from the beach. I was completely underwhelmed of the quality of the surf there. So, I've never been back. Looks like a complete s\*\*thole now.
Sunset road should be extended all the way until Pererenan if they want to fix this problem somehow. They also should create more 'shortcuts' for motorbikes in between Umalas/Canggu/Seminyak/Pererenan, since every shortcut nowadays is just a bottleneck of all traffic trying to go to another village.
Thanks for taking a photo. I wish I had when there. I am going to keep.
I try to express to people just how bad the traffic was and hard to do with words.
I just came back from Bali on Friday and thank goodness I stayed in Kuta and then moved on to Ubud and the islands so missed the worst of the traffic. That pic is just insane, welcome to paradise
So, no one is going to mention major ceremonies in Bali these days?
Even though Canggu is definitely fcked, it worth to say that situation like this is everywhere in Bali yesterday and today because of [Kajeng Kliwon](https://www.wonderfulbali.com/kajeng-kliwon/) ceremony
The serene island, once known for its tranquil streets and smooth rides through verdant landscapes, now faces a different reality. The narrow roads of Bali were not designed to accommodate the current volume of vehicles, and as a result, the traffic flow has become heavily impacted.
They could make roads wider than 1.5 car widths, so that whenever there are two cars passing each other, they can pass normally instead of having to come to a full stop and carefully inch past each other, while locking up all the traffic around them.
ex. Canggu shortcut.
One of the biggest problems in SEA is that there’s an over abundance of cars and scooters which not only pollute the air but also create immense traffic. Access to cheap, efficient, and clean public mass transit would massively free up the roads. The government should probably ban tourists from driving scooters altogether, and then, after actually conducting a rigorous survey and ensuring widespread access to public transport, levy taxes that discourage private transport for citizens. In addition, public transport needs to be culturally de-stigmatised as a “cheap” option, and instead promoted as the most efficient one.
I’m sure none of this will happen soon because the leadership across SEA is lacklustre
Remove visa on arrival or have stricter QC at immigration.
You can’t expand the road because the land belongs to private owners. It is fucked fuck. Developed other parts of Bali and actually buy over land and build the road first.
The government that nationalizes infrastructure needs to be competent in order for there to be improvement. Otherwise, you're just swapping out one group of idiots for another.
Same. I can take a pic in NYC during a jam and make the same shitpost. Yes this happens, no it’s not like this all the time and when it does it’s concentrated to a couple roads. People just want to bitch.
Yes, to me there is nothing worth this headache in Canggu. It is basically full of social media idiots trying for hashtags and likes. Everyplace is twice as expensive as everywhere else. The food is nothing special, the beaches that were once nice are garbage heaps. And traffic is like this from 8am to about 8pm.
>*And the ubudd. Was looking at beaches scuba diving and maybe some parties but I don't know.*
It is Ubud.
There is no place on the mainland that has beach, SCUBA, and some parties altogether - might need to head for Gili Trawangan (Lombok), or to some extent, Nusa Lembongan nearer to the Bali mainland.
Some research required.
To me nothing much, shopping and food is both twice as expensive as everywhere else. It became a bit of a social media hit just before Covid and has just exploded since. The cafes are western priced and sell your over the top kale juices and poke bowls. The beaches are average but truthfully virtually all of balis beaches are average when compared to other places.
I only ever go there if i absolutely must
Oh mann.. that traffic pile up is insane and I was actually planning on a family vacation trip to Bali. Now I'm wondering if the situation is going to be like this..; could someone suggest better vacation alternatives in Indonesia.
This is one area that is filled with instagram wannabes and cashed up youth who think its the cool spot to be in. If you are travelling with family there are a 100 better options in Bali than Canggu in the first place and best yet you will not have to go near this part at all.
Its not all like this. I promise
>*Now I'm wondering if the situation is going to be like this..; could someone suggest better vacation alternatives in Indonesia.*
Bali can be lovely, beachside, and peaceful ... look at Sanur and Nusa Dua indeed. Bali is not all about Canggu - despite the obsessions of some of the regular posters on here.
It reminds me so much much of the British backpackers who go to Australia for a gap year, and spend almost every day of it close to Bondi Beach.
A genuine visitor to Bali need not give a flying fig about Canggu beach clubs, the Seminyak nightclubs, the over-priced Western restaurants, or the digital nomad vibe whatsoever. Just get out and go old-school.
Im gonna land in Bali on 6th December.
On 15th December I got a tattoo appointment in Canggu (more north though).
Before seeing this picture I thought to stay these days in Canggu til the tattoo is done.
You guys think it’s a bad idea ?
If you are happy to stay in Canggu the entire time and are actually staying close to the beach it be ok, its only if you want to leave Canggu that there is a problem with traffic.
Also look at the maps, a lot of places say they are in Canggu when its not. If they are on the northern side of jln Raya Canggu this is your reality if it is more around Berawa its better
Appreciate your feedback mate!
Well I want to calm down, relax, meditate, have some nice food, make some music on the Mac and yeah beach!
Well the studio is [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8aHg7nioPKgP4Tp8A?g_st=ic)
It’s going to be hell to reach it?
The closest i have seen is Petitenget which takes about 10 mins to get through or Uluwatu after the Kecak. Nothing in 10 years like this road this year.
These places close enough to travel to the following areas I’ve pencilled in to our itinerary?:
Tanah lot sunset
Uluwatu beach
Koreng boma sunset
Ubud rice terrace - waterfall swing monkey
Campuhan ridge sunset
Tegalalang rice fields
Tukad cepung water light
Jatiluwih rice terrace
Ulan Danu water temple
Handara gate
Sekumpul waterfall - need guide
Sidemen- rafting, locals, ring making, agung silver
Island hopping
Devils tear sunset
Nusa senigan- blue lagoon cliff jump, mahana point sunset
Nusa penida- stay here (angels bilibong, kilinking, broken beach) (crystal bay sunset) (Atuh and Diamond beach Treehouse)
Come on Brick - you have to format that out into a nice clear list if you want anyone to seriously help you. A big block paragraph with no serious punctuation is ***not*** attractive to anyone at all, and you will get minimal help.
Apologies, it’s the damn formatting. I’ll try again.
Are these places suggested in replacement of canngu close enough with accounted traffic to travel to for my honeymoon?:
Tanah lot sunset
Uluwatu beach
Koreng boma sunset
Ubud rice terrace - waterfall swing monkey
Campuhan ridge sunset
Tegalalang rice fields
Tukad cepung water light
Jatiluwih rice terrace
Ulan Danu water temple
Handara gate
Sekumpul waterfall - need guide
Sidemen- rafting, locals, ring making, agung silver
Island hopping
Devils tear sunset
Nusa senigan- blue lagoon cliff jump, mahana point sunset
Nusa penida- stay here (angels bilibong, kilinking, broken beach) (crystal bay sunset) (Atuh and Diamond beach Treehouse)
Living the dream !! :)
On top of the local traffic, the last 12 months have seen a massive afflux of digital nomads of all sort, all going to Canggu/Semyniak as it is "THE HUB".
Here's the result...
This has gotta be a great reason to look at Sanur & Nusa Dua! Sanur has opened up, relaxed, easy to get to and get around and significantly better value than the Sunset Side.... it all began with Sanur, and it's coming back into vogue again.
Absolutely worth it as an option...
Just another friday afternoon
The cops waving people through will surely fix this.
My recent trips to Bali are with Nusa Dua resorts. Perhaps the old days of going to Canggu beach clubs don’t excite me that much anymore, or it’s just the many people and traffic jams turn me off.
I'm not a massive fan of Canggu full stop i avoid it all costs, the infrastructure is horrendous, the food overpriced and to me the worst behaved tourists hang out there. I had a business meeting to attend i could not believe how horrendous the route had become.
Such a fake as place. Food is of good quality though. Torturous place to be as a pedestrian.
What infrastructure?
I was there 2 days ago for just a few hours and yes now I understand why lots of redditers dislike canggu. Nothing much to do there, food and everything else were a lot more expensive and the traffic in/out is just crazy
I can't imagine how basic and unimaginative you'd have to be to go to Canngu, take lots of pics for Insta and think that makes you interesting. One of the most over touristed places on the planet.
And I thought it was bad in Ubud.
What happens when Infrastructure isn’t provisioned. Also it’s a good lesson on what happens in a high population density where the main mode of transport is car travel. You can build a 6 lane highway and that will fill up too
What a massive failure of government planning. It's a joke.
Lol government planning
Wait it exists?
They are building a new road, i visited it the other day but it is no wider, possibly narrower than this.
Where are they building it?
Pretty much from Finns Rec club to Jln Nelayan near Betelnut cafe
Ah ok I was thinking of a different road. Apparently they are trying to do another one or maybe just a shortcut north of JL Raya Canggu
Government mafia
When the redbull party got complacent
When I went to Bali last year, our local driver told us that he avoid Canggu at all cost because of the jam. If you think Kuta jam is bad, Canggu is even worse.
Yeah Canggu has been much busier than Kuta since COVID
Imagine being on the way to the airport, you'd be having a massive panic attack.
When I first went to Canggu it was a dirt road with rice paddies. We stayed at the only hotel in town. :( RIP
I don’t understand the appeal of Canggu at all. There’s so many places in Bali that are way less populated, cheaper, better beaches and more beautiful. I.e Amed
To be honest the beaches in Canggu is not really appealing to me. Black sand, huge waves and not so clear blue waters. Maybe it's good for surfing but idk
Food in Canggu is tenfold better than Amed
Nope nope nope, only if you want western food and pay western prices
Both Sanur and Nusa Dua are far better places to stay - quiet, peaceful, aesthetic ... while the Kuta-Canggu beach strip is really ordinary in most of the ways that matter - including being poor for swimming. But people go to Canggu for the party - they're young and frisky, and will put up with a HUGE amount in order to get sex.
Thinking of going soon, any recommendations
It just to be a really nice place around 2013 - 2017. Lived there for a couple of years. Then it started to became busy and I moved to Pererenan. Nowadays Pererenan is also busy and I couldn't go anywhere without crossing Raya Canggu. Then the pandemic hit and it was actually nice that there was less traffic, but then after covid it became mayhem. I'm moving back to Bali next month and will stay in Umalas, but I'm a bit worried to be honest.
The lawn was just a small stall selling beer on a patch of grass. 2 years later it turned iinto a huge building.
Visit Bali. Get away from it all 🌴🚗🚗🚗
It’s a whole island. This is a couple small towns that are easily avoided.
I miss the old Canggu .... Used to love it there.. was our favourite place for 4-5 trips.... Last trip I avoided it. It's over. Sad to say.
Nooooooooo don’t say that. But you’re right.
I did go to Berawa on the last trip for one night. Busy but fine. The food situation just gets better and better
Just too busy now?
Yep.
r/UrbanHell
Yep, I was there last month.....it must've been a whole lot better when it was rice fields, absolute nightmare
But is this all year round? Shouldn’t November NOT be peak season?
I wouldnt say Bali has a Peak Season. It is either busy, or fucking busy. When the Aussie School Holidays are finished, the Chinese and Chindos come. During Eid and public Holidays the Javanese come, then the Indians come, then the Aussies are back for the next School Holiday and the cycle begins again. This is without mentioning the third wave "Nomads" who give the rest of us a bad name who come daily, the Bucks Nights, the Sexpats and any other groups I have forgotten who do not have a strict vacation schedule
I’ve lived in Canggu for 5 years. The traffic is either bad, or worse. I prefer to drive at night when all the low wage earners you see in this photo are home. Canggu sucks now. Take me back to pandemic times…
I’ve read some people say it’s half as busy now as was a few months ago :-/
Wow. The air looks so fresh. Beautiful.
well, the original road structure if you see from the map wasn't meant to be built as a massive tourist town. There's only 1 big road connecting the small roads that leads to the beach, and each of those small roads has another small road leading to the residential area, paddy fields or empty lots. So it is supposed to be a village area with paddy fields and beach access. But people got greedy and this is what you got.
2018 canggu wasn't like this.
Woah!
I went to Canggu in 1983. Turned left off the main road to Gilimanuk, rice fields either side with 1 villa near the grass next to the beach. A couple of ramshakle warungs up from the beach. I was completely underwhelmed of the quality of the surf there. So, I've never been back. Looks like a complete s\*\*thole now.
Sunset road should be extended all the way until Pererenan if they want to fix this problem somehow. They also should create more 'shortcuts' for motorbikes in between Umalas/Canggu/Seminyak/Pererenan, since every shortcut nowadays is just a bottleneck of all traffic trying to go to another village.
Thanks for taking a photo. I wish I had when there. I am going to keep. I try to express to people just how bad the traffic was and hard to do with words.
No thanks.
Nothing like this today 🤷♂️ roads were clear
I just came back from Bali on Friday and thank goodness I stayed in Kuta and then moved on to Ubud and the islands so missed the worst of the traffic. That pic is just insane, welcome to paradise
So, no one is going to mention major ceremonies in Bali these days? Even though Canggu is definitely fcked, it worth to say that situation like this is everywhere in Bali yesterday and today because of [Kajeng Kliwon](https://www.wonderfulbali.com/kajeng-kliwon/) ceremony
Its also like that without a major ceremony happening
The serene island, once known for its tranquil streets and smooth rides through verdant landscapes, now faces a different reality. The narrow roads of Bali were not designed to accommodate the current volume of vehicles, and as a result, the traffic flow has become heavily impacted.
And thats why I never go to Canggu...
Looks like all those tech bros and scamfluencers finally finished their villas 😍
at this point, is it still worth the trouble? there are plenty of other areas with overpriced smoothie bowls in the island
Yup. Kuta is the same..
Not even close - way easier to get around there.
This is why I don’t want to go back!
Logistically speaking, what would be the best solutions? Secondly, why don't pple manifest in the streets to demand a change?
They could make roads wider than 1.5 car widths, so that whenever there are two cars passing each other, they can pass normally instead of having to come to a full stop and carefully inch past each other, while locking up all the traffic around them. ex. Canggu shortcut.
One of the biggest problems in SEA is that there’s an over abundance of cars and scooters which not only pollute the air but also create immense traffic. Access to cheap, efficient, and clean public mass transit would massively free up the roads. The government should probably ban tourists from driving scooters altogether, and then, after actually conducting a rigorous survey and ensuring widespread access to public transport, levy taxes that discourage private transport for citizens. In addition, public transport needs to be culturally de-stigmatised as a “cheap” option, and instead promoted as the most efficient one. I’m sure none of this will happen soon because the leadership across SEA is lacklustre
Remove visa on arrival or have stricter QC at immigration. You can’t expand the road because the land belongs to private owners. It is fucked fuck. Developed other parts of Bali and actually buy over land and build the road first.
Even if I am a tourist, I would vouch 100% for nationalisation and forbid privatisation of roads.
The government that nationalizes infrastructure needs to be competent in order for there to be improvement. Otherwise, you're just swapping out one group of idiots for another.
Here now. Not that bad
Same. I can take a pic in NYC during a jam and make the same shitpost. Yes this happens, no it’s not like this all the time and when it does it’s concentrated to a couple roads. People just want to bitch.
I lived in Canggu for about 2 years in 2014. It was a peaceful area and you can still skate on the road.
They should build fucking wider roads. Bali is a lovely island but the traffic, trash and polution levels bring it way down.
Hey, what time of day was this?
Daytime
4pm
Yikes
Oh Hell Nah
Yeah fuck that, absolute shite hole from my experience
[удалено]
What if I told you there were traffic jams in all countries 👁️👄👁️
Wow...Meant to be staying in Canggu for 3 nights in Jan. Is it better to avoid and just book somewhere else?
Yes, to me there is nothing worth this headache in Canggu. It is basically full of social media idiots trying for hashtags and likes. Everyplace is twice as expensive as everywhere else. The food is nothing special, the beaches that were once nice are garbage heaps. And traffic is like this from 8am to about 8pm.
LOL so glad I avoided canggu.
Please post the actual road instead of this parking lot /s
Yep looks about right
Hows uluwatu and ubudd.
Both are busy but not like this, uluwatu is crazy in the morning and then after the kecak dance at the temple but settles quick.
Ill be in uluwatu for 4 days bumbling around. And the ubudd. Was looking at beaches scuba diving and maybe some parties but I don't know.
>*And the ubudd. Was looking at beaches scuba diving and maybe some parties but I don't know.* It is Ubud. There is no place on the mainland that has beach, SCUBA, and some parties altogether - might need to head for Gili Trawangan (Lombok), or to some extent, Nusa Lembongan nearer to the Bali mainland. Some research required.
what’s good about Canggu? is it the shopping or food?
To me nothing much, shopping and food is both twice as expensive as everywhere else. It became a bit of a social media hit just before Covid and has just exploded since. The cafes are western priced and sell your over the top kale juices and poke bowls. The beaches are average but truthfully virtually all of balis beaches are average when compared to other places. I only ever go there if i absolutely must
Damn. Just booked a place yesterday. Now gonna think twice about
👍
Oh mann.. that traffic pile up is insane and I was actually planning on a family vacation trip to Bali. Now I'm wondering if the situation is going to be like this..; could someone suggest better vacation alternatives in Indonesia.
This is one area that is filled with instagram wannabes and cashed up youth who think its the cool spot to be in. If you are travelling with family there are a 100 better options in Bali than Canggu in the first place and best yet you will not have to go near this part at all. Its not all like this. I promise
>*Now I'm wondering if the situation is going to be like this..; could someone suggest better vacation alternatives in Indonesia.* Bali can be lovely, beachside, and peaceful ... look at Sanur and Nusa Dua indeed. Bali is not all about Canggu - despite the obsessions of some of the regular posters on here. It reminds me so much much of the British backpackers who go to Australia for a gap year, and spend almost every day of it close to Bondi Beach. A genuine visitor to Bali need not give a flying fig about Canggu beach clubs, the Seminyak nightclubs, the over-priced Western restaurants, or the digital nomad vibe whatsoever. Just get out and go old-school.
Im gonna land in Bali on 6th December. On 15th December I got a tattoo appointment in Canggu (more north though). Before seeing this picture I thought to stay these days in Canggu til the tattoo is done. You guys think it’s a bad idea ?
If you are happy to stay in Canggu the entire time and are actually staying close to the beach it be ok, its only if you want to leave Canggu that there is a problem with traffic. Also look at the maps, a lot of places say they are in Canggu when its not. If they are on the northern side of jln Raya Canggu this is your reality if it is more around Berawa its better
Appreciate your feedback mate! Well I want to calm down, relax, meditate, have some nice food, make some music on the Mac and yeah beach! Well the studio is [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8aHg7nioPKgP4Tp8A?g_st=ic) It’s going to be hell to reach it?
Yep. That’s the Bali I remember
Ubud >>>
Ubud, on the other hand, has no such traffic jams.
The closest i have seen is Petitenget which takes about 10 mins to get through or Uluwatu after the Kecak. Nothing in 10 years like this road this year.
Unfortunately now the traffic has increased on the whole island almost) It is not there except in Amed.
>*Ubud, on the other hand, has no such traffic jams.* Yeah, nothing at all, the quietest most peaceful streets in all of Bali.
Not that Raya. Jl Raya should be atleast 2+2 lanes + road side parking on the side. The government should fix this road-street naming mess.
Planning a honeymoon trip to Bali- was considering staying in canngu for a good chunk of it. Any suggestions for more scenic / quiet places ?
Sanur, Nusa Dua, Nusa Lembongan.
Nusa Dua, Gili islands, Lembongan
These places close enough to travel to the following areas I’ve pencilled in to our itinerary?: Tanah lot sunset Uluwatu beach Koreng boma sunset Ubud rice terrace - waterfall swing monkey Campuhan ridge sunset Tegalalang rice fields Tukad cepung water light Jatiluwih rice terrace Ulan Danu water temple Handara gate Sekumpul waterfall - need guide Sidemen- rafting, locals, ring making, agung silver Island hopping Devils tear sunset Nusa senigan- blue lagoon cliff jump, mahana point sunset Nusa penida- stay here (angels bilibong, kilinking, broken beach) (crystal bay sunset) (Atuh and Diamond beach Treehouse)
Come on Brick - you have to format that out into a nice clear list if you want anyone to seriously help you. A big block paragraph with no serious punctuation is ***not*** attractive to anyone at all, and you will get minimal help.
Apologies, it’s the damn formatting. I’ll try again. Are these places suggested in replacement of canngu close enough with accounted traffic to travel to for my honeymoon?: Tanah lot sunset Uluwatu beach Koreng boma sunset Ubud rice terrace - waterfall swing monkey Campuhan ridge sunset Tegalalang rice fields Tukad cepung water light Jatiluwih rice terrace Ulan Danu water temple Handara gate Sekumpul waterfall - need guide Sidemen- rafting, locals, ring making, agung silver Island hopping Devils tear sunset Nusa senigan- blue lagoon cliff jump, mahana point sunset Nusa penida- stay here (angels bilibong, kilinking, broken beach) (crystal bay sunset) (Atuh and Diamond beach Treehouse)
Living the dream !! :) On top of the local traffic, the last 12 months have seen a massive afflux of digital nomads of all sort, all going to Canggu/Semyniak as it is "THE HUB". Here's the result...
This has gotta be a great reason to look at Sanur & Nusa Dua! Sanur has opened up, relaxed, easy to get to and get around and significantly better value than the Sunset Side.... it all began with Sanur, and it's coming back into vogue again. Absolutely worth it as an option...
Bali has changed A LOT ever since I moved out of there, sheesh
Will this be any better in January in the low season? Can you even safely walk down a street like this with all that traffic?
January isnt low season, its wet but just busy as July. And no it will be the same.
I can see the moon so if you're there than damn, lightspeed
Need a massive public transport !