Major city · Indonesia
CandidasaCandi Dasa
Stay 2–3 nights as a quiet East Bali base for diving, Tenganan and Tirta Gangga; skip it if you want a real beach — the sand mostly vanishes at high tide.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Dec–Mar (wet season, rough seas and cancelled dives)
- Airport
- DPS
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Candidasa is a low-key strip of hotels and warungs on Bali's east coast, 60–80 minutes from Sanur and about 90 minutes from the airport. There is almost no beach at high tide, so people come for diving, the Bali Aga village of Tenganan, Tirta Gangga and Mount Agung — not for sunbathing. Two or three nights fits it; one night is enough if you are only passing through to Amed.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Candidasa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyLow-crime and calm compared with south Bali; the real risks are scooter crashes, strong currents at the offshore islets and unlit roads after dark.
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (Indonesia) · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDPS Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar) (About 90 minutes by car along the east coast road; no public bus to the door — pre-book a transfer or taxi.).
- Getting aroundNo metered taxis and no ride-hailing coverage worth relying on; use private cars or hotel drivers and agree the fare before you get in.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or fresh juice at a seafront caféRp25,000–60,000 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealSatay lilit (minced fish satay) from a street vendorLocal speciality; look for it in the evening.Rp20,000–40,000 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBintang beer, small bottleRp35,000–60,000 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or local data SIM, about a weekRp100,000–200,000 (≈ US$7–13)
- Budget bedFan or budget guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp200,000 (≈ US$13)
- Mid-range bedFan or budget guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp300,000 (≈ US$19)
- High-end bedFan or budget guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp450,000 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp450,000 (≈ US$30) · Mid Rp900,000 (≈ US$55) · High Rp2,000,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DPS Ngurah Rai International (Denpasar) (About 90 minutes by car along the east coast road; no public bus to the door — pre-book a transfer or taxi.)
Weather and climate
Candidasa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
19 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
17 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
14 rd
Apr
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
10 rd
May
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
5 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
4 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
3 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
4 rd
Oct
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
7 rd
Nov
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Dec
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
17 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No metered taxis and no ride-hailing coverage worth relying on; use private cars or hotel drivers and agree the fare before you get in. Scooters rent from hotels and shops for about Rp70,000 per 24 hours — bring an international driving permit with a motorcycle endorsement. Bemos still run the Klungkung–Padang Bai–Candidasa coast road but are slow and irregular; most travellers use a hired car.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tenganan Bali Aga village
goDoor to door: About 15 min each way
Scooter or car 4 km inland, signposted from the coast roadScooter or car 2.5 mi inland, signposted from the coast road
Go in the morning; closed to outsiders after dark. Small admission charge.
Tirta Gangga water palace
goDoor to door: About 40–50 min
Car or scooter northeast past Amlapura
Pair with rice-terrace viewpoints on the same loop.
Goa Lawah bat cave temple
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car west along the coast road toward Padang Bai
One of Bali's nine directional temples; entry around Rp6,000, daily 08:00–18:00.One of Bali's nine directional temples; entry around Rp6,000, daily 8:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Padang Bai
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Car or bemo west along the coast road
Ferry port for Lombok and the Gilis; good for a half-day and a seafood lunch.
Amed
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Car north along the coast
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there.
Mount Agung summit trek
cautionDoor to door: Full night, back by mid-morning
Guide arranged through your hotel, start around midnight
Serious climb; go with a licensed guide and only in dry conditions.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Candidasa main road (Jl Raya)
Hotels, warungs and the lotus lagoon within walking distance; noisier traffic, easiest for a car-free stay.
Sengkidu and Mendira Beach
1–2 km west of the centre; resort strip with sea frontage, quieter, walk or short ride to restaurants.0.6–1.2 mi west of the centre; resort strip with sea frontage, quieter, walk or short ride to restaurants.
Manggis
Further west, upmarket resorts; you need a scooter or car for everything.
Bugbug
East of the centre; cheaper guesthouses, few facilities, 5–10 minutes by scooter.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp350,000–600,000 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp600,000–1,200,000 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel or bungalow double1 × 3 nights × Rp800,000 | Rp2,400,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × Rp900,000 | Rp5,400,000 |
| Airport transfer DPS → Candidasa, one way1 × Rp500,000 | Rp500,000 |
| Scooter rental, 24 hours2 × Rp70,000 | Rp140,000 |
| Two guided dives with equipment2 × Rp900,000 | Rp1,800,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp1,054,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,932,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp11,594,000≈ US$750 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi or mie goreng at a local warung | Rp25,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Satay lilit (minced fish satay) from a street vendorLocal speciality; look for it in the evening. | Rp20,000–40,000 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Coffee or fresh juice at a seafront café | Rp25,000–60,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bintang beer, small bottle | Rp35,000–60,000 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Scooter rental, 24 hours | Rp70,000 (≈ US$5) |
| Private car with driver, half day | Rp400,000–600,000 (≈ US$25–40) |
| Two-tank dive with equipment | Rp800,000–1,200,000 (≈ US$50–75) |
| eSIM or local data SIM, about a week | Rp100,000–200,000 (≈ US$7–13) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The beach is narrow and often disappears at high tide; the breakwaters are not swimming pools.
- Currents at Gili Tepekong, Gili Biaha and Gili Mimpang are strong — these sites suit experienced divers only.
- Agree every private-car fare in advance; there are no meters.
- Tenganan village is closed to outsiders after dark.
- Scooter accidents are the main risk for visitors; check your travel insurance covers riding.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency (Indonesia)
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CandidasaCandi Dasa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies in Candidasa; consulates and embassies are in Denpasar and Jakarta. The Australian consulate-general is in Denpasar.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport (DPS) → Candidasa, private car: Rp450,000–600,000 (≈ US$30–40), about 90 min
- Candidasa → Padang Bai, private car: Rp150,000–250,000 (≈ US$10–16), about 20–30 min
- Scooter, 24 hours: about Rp70,000 (≈ US$5)
Say or show
- Selamat pagi — Good morning (suh-LAH-mat PAH-ghee)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-REE-mah KAH-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-RAH-pah har-GAH-nyah)
- Terlalu mahal — Too expensive (tur-LAH-loo MAH-hal)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee MAH-nah TOY-let)
- Tolong — Help (TOH-long)
Save the address of your hotel in Indonesian for drivers.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Candidasa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season) · avoid Dec–Mar (wet season, rough seas and cancelled dives) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DPS: realistic transfer times by time of day, driver rates and a Padang Bai ferry fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Candidasa centre and lagoon, Sengkidu/Mendira, Manggis, Bugbug.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Tenganan, Tirta Gangga, Goa Lawah) and eat pages with last orders.
- Dive-shop pages with certification levels, current warnings and season windows.