We use cookies to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy. Please read our Cookie Policy for more information on how we use cookies and how you can disable them.
Candi Dasa has received high praise for being the ‘Pearl of Bali’. Returning tourists have come to the small village of Candi Dasa in East Bali tens of times. Candi Dasa also has hidden beaches (some that even have black sand) and heritage Balinese temples, and are a must-visit as part of any Candi Dasa Travel guide. As a former fishing village, Candi Dasa’s seafood offering is one of the greatest in all of Bali.
Tourists need to fly into Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar and then make arrangements to travel to Candi Dasa by road. Being a small village, it does not have its own airport.
Candi Dasa is placed by Amok Bay towards the South in East Bali. It is therefore quite far away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport of Denpasar, but it is worth the trip. With a rented private taxi, you should expect to be in Candi Dasa in less than three hours. Because it is Bali and there is a little piece of heaven at every corner - you can break up your drive to eat and go sightseeing along the way.
Take a lunch pitstop at the Warung Legong in Keramas on the way. The Nasi Campur there will truly make you feel welcome in Bali.
Taking your rented bike and zooming around Candi Dasa for a Candi Dasa city tour, eating food at its different restaurants is probably a good enough thing to do at this laidback village. But when there’s so much fun to be had, why wait. Here are some things we recommend you do to thoroughly enjoy your Candi Dasa tour experience:
If you’d ever wanted to hang out with a Manta Ray, this is your chance. In Candi Dasa, both expert divers and beginner divers can enjoy the opportunity to become explorers of the coral reefs and see real wrecks. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a shark lurking around.
You will be pleasantly surprised by the simplicity and beauty of the Lotus Lagoon. Go for a walk in the early hours of the morning and you can witness the lotuses in full bloom. The lagoon also has paths that lead down to a lovely beach.
Pura Candi Dasa, also known as the Temple of Ten Children, or Mother Temple, is a Hindu twin temple dedicated to the goddess of rain and fertility, Hariti, and Shiva. With a lagoon and an ocean on either side, Pura Candi Dasa is a wonder to behold. Pay close attention to the carvings on the walls for they tell beautiful stories of Hariti, and give you a look into original Balinese mythology.
A short cab or even bike ride away from Candi Dasa is the Bali Aga village of Tenganan where they sell the rare Geringsing fabric. It can be found at Tenganan Village Art Shops. The Geringsing fabric is so difficult to make that a single piece of cloth takes over 5 years to make. When you go back from your Candi Dasa, Bali tour, you will take home a magical piece of Balinese culture.
When you tour Candi Dasa, stop along the Jalan Raya Candidasa road. It is the main road in the village where small stalls are propped up along the length of the road. You can pick up jewellery, handicrafts and souvenirs made by locals.
Gubuk Kita Souvenirs or Toko Ketut as it is also known in the area is a lovely little shop in Candi Dasa that sells miniature statues, hand-stitched tote bags, wonderfully colourful accessories, postcards and more. Everything is sold at a reasonable price. Your tour would be incomplete without a visit here.
The Nusantara Archipelago Handicrafts & Giftware in Candi Dasa sell only the most unique decoration items for the home. They especially have sturdy and beautiful ceramic pots, and wooden spoons and bowls. Take some utensils back from your Bali tour and your guests will surely be impressed!
Bali is also known for its sweet and aromatic cocoa beans. Barely 20 minutes away from the centre of town of Candi Dasa is Jasri village, where you will find the Sorga Bali Chocolate. They not just sell delicious chocolate but also show you the entire chocolate-making process. A must-include activity on your Bali honeymoon tour!
During your Candi Dasa trip, you will find restaurants that get you plenty of opportunities to sit by the sea, enjoy some live music and have an extraordinary meal. Some of our restaurant picks are below:
Vincent’s is a restaurant in Candi Dasa that by its name, and even décor, pays homage to Vincent Van Gogh. It serves exceptionally good European cuisine, something the late painter would probably be proud of. It’s even a popular tourist recommendation. If you’re in the mood for some silky crab croquettes or Tempe ratatouille, you’re in the right place. You might even give their Indonesian menu a whirl. Come for the delicious food, and stay for the live jazz.
A little discovery in West Candi Dasa will lead you to this wonderful eatery. Warung Padang Kecag is a small home-style cooking restaurant that serves up some gobble-worthy Balinese cuisine. Their Beef Rendang and Sate Ayam are known to be so delicious you won’t realise you’ve finished them - so remember to order two portions. Finish up a meal with their highly recommended black rice pudding and you may find yourself patting your tummy for not realising earlier that good food could make you this happy.
If you’d like to feast like a king on Balinese/Indonesian cuisine when you’re enjoying Bali tourism, Nyoman Cafe in Candi Dasa is the place for you. They’re a family-run warung and the staff speaks fluent English. You can even book a cooking lesson here. You must order their fried rice when at the restaurant, and their King Prawn Special which needs to be ordered at least a day in advance.
This warung in Candi Dasa is special because it is small, and run alone by an elderly lady. She cooks and serves so remember to come with time because the food is delicious and worth every minute waited. Do not forget to give the prawns and coconut crepes a try!
Unsurprisingly, the Lotus Bungalows Restaurant comes with a breath-taking view of the sea and is for those looking for a tiny break from eating Indonesian cuisine during their Candi Dasa Bali tour. This restaurant is famous for its wood fire pizza, bruschetta and iced coffee. The crumbed veal is also a delicacy you must try.
Only want a quick peek into Candi Dasa Tourism? Here are some FAQs
Candi Dasa has a lot to offer in terms of things you can do. This small town has plenty of restaurants that are managed by local families and serve authentic and delicious Indonesian cuisine. You can take a stroll at the lotus pond in the centre, go for dives, or go exploring some hidden beaches.
Candi Dasa is about 50 KM away from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. The easiest way to reach Candi Dasa is by a private taxi, but you can also take a local bus.
There are many lavish resorts such as Ramayana Candidasa, Aquaria Eco Resort Candidasa, Discovery Candidasa Cottages and Villas, and more where you can stay.
Bali has a dry season from April to October and therefore, these months are the best time to visit Candi Dasa also.
You can spend as many days as you want in Candi Dasa, but 2-3 days are also enough to look around and cover at least one dive.
Candi Dasa is said to be the best dive site in Bali. When here, going scuba diving is a highly recommended activity, whether you’re a beginner or a professional.
Are you already making plans to make a Candi Dasa, and more places in Bali? Connect with SOTC to book your complete Bali Tourism package at affordable prices! You can also check out more International Tourism Packages only on SOTC
