Heading to Canggu, Here's the Ultimate Guide

On the Island of the Gods, Canggu has become synonymous with heaven for wellness-inclined travellers seeking a rich mix of food, creativity and self-care, all within easy reach of their villa doorstep. A veritable playground for those passionate about health, adventure and wellbeing, Canggu has it all: surf, nature, community, a thriving restaurant scene and trendy places to reconnect with oneself. This coastal village is home to a 10 km-long beach on the south-west coast of Bali and has fast become a favoured destination for Australians planning an uplifting break.

If you're searching for somewhere to slow down (while thinking big), work remotely or plan a one-stop wholesome holiday itinerary, Canggu is unmissable. Here, we break down the places you can stay, the best fitness locales, and some extra-special activities that turn sensory immersion into personal recalibration.

Where to stay

Further Hotel 

Some of the local community say it's like the Further Hotel has always been part of the village, as if it had emerged naturally from the ground. The vision was to create a space that blends modern aesthetics with Bali's rich cultural heritage, gilded by the concept of the 'Albergo Diffuso' model. First developed in Italy, this method is about reviving small towns by dispersing hotel rooms throughout the community.

A truly immersive destination, Further Hotel has expanded to 25 suites across five buildings within a 500-meter radius, each exuding its own distinct character. Guests are implored to connect with Pererenan's vibrant Balinese and expat communities, culture and daily life, as well as wellbeing being at the heart of everything Further Hotel stands for.

In the main building, Bar Vera can be found for all imbibes after slow poolside days. In the Further Gallery, you'll find St. Ali Coffee Roasters to brew top-notch coffees before (or after) your trip to the Urban Retreat Day Spa. Venture up to the new rooftop pool and Portion Restaurant when you're ready to emerge from your suite into the balmy Bali air.

Through curated partnerships with nearby operators across (like Wrong and Bynd, plus various Pilates and yoga studios), Further Hotel continues to evolve its wellness offering. Here, community connectivity reigns supreme, to execute a truly well-rounded smorgasbord of Canggu's best offerings.

Tugu Bali

Situated right by Batu Bolong Beach and near Echo Beach, Tugu Bali is surrounded by cafes and shops. An authentic Canggu accommodation honouring the true spirit of the region, Tugu Bali translates the tales, folklores and legends of Indonesia into a premium offering that travellers can connect to with ease. 

Each room here has been personally designed by the owner, showcasing astute attention-to-detail through a tactful fusion of texture, colour and ambiance. Guests will note a special trove of eclectic antiques collected from all over Asia, making this feel like a hybrid villa-meets-art-gallery. 

While there's no restaurant on-site, there are nearby cafés and healthy food options galore. Find smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices and plant-based plates a short walk from your accommodation.

From private plunge pools to lead your own float therapy session, to easy access to local fitness studios, Tugu Bali is the ultimate launchpad to your wellness oasis. Bikes and vespas encourage active exploration of Canggu's beaches, shops and bustling streets.

The Cali Villas

A design-led villa poised on Batu Bolong Beach, The Cali radiates relaxed luxury and memorable Palm Springs flair. Private pool oases and Californian-chic interiors make it the ideal destination for an Australian on their restorative holiday. Surf, brunch, movement and wellness exploration is right on your doorstep.

Interior aficionados will note airy whitewashed walls, plenty of pastel accents, travertine touches and marble finishings adorning indoor-outdoor living at its best. The set-up is primed for those seeking to work, play and rest, ideal for freelancers and remote creatives who yearn for accommodation that feels akin to home.

While there is no restaurant on-site, The Cali is found within Canggu's booming healthy cafe scene. All of the coveted wellness-focused hospitality spots are but a stroll away.

Find yoga mats in every villa, private pools for morning laps, and easy access to nearby fitness studios. Bikes and Vespas can be accessed at The Cali to allow for speedy roaming of your villa's surroundings, and a quick trip to epic shorelines.

The Huntley 

From the team behind Canggu's well-known 'The Cali' villas comes the new addition of The Huntley. Situated on the Berawa side of Canggu, The Huntley is another luxe interpretation of considered holidaying, perfectly balancing vintage Californian and tropical Balinese aesthetics.

The Huntley comprises 13 capacious villas, each with their own individual flair and mediterranean-leaning outdoor pool areas. Large dining tables are plotted on each patio to play host to at-home luncheons and poolside dinners.

Room service is offered, bringing delectable fare from hyper-local cafes and restaurants to your door. When you're ready to explore, all of these spots are walkable or reachable by on-site Vespas for hiring.For bursts of movement between R&R, The Huntley features an on-site gym with state-of-the-art equipment, meaning a morning workout followed by a swim is possible without leaving your villa grounds. Soon, an ice bath and sauna are opening for an extra elevation to your seamless self-care itinerary.

Where to Train

RITE (Formerly Wrong Gym)

A bona fide wellness sanctuary, RITE is located in Pererenan, Canggu. Adopting the mindset that moving one's body is an act of self-respect, RITE goes beyond fitness to bring together movement, presence and intentional practices that support both physical and inner wellbeing. 

Former 'Wrong Gym', RITE blends strength and community in a design-forward training space that attracts a stylish crowd. The location is sleek and minimalistic with industrial edge and open zones. 

Classes span functional strength, HIIT, mobility and group circuits. Progression and form are paramount here, with instructors tailoring sessions for performance-focused travellers who are well-versed in the gym setting.

RITE integrates restorative elements like foam-rolling and stretching guidance, so the space is curated with injury prevention in mind.

Nirvana Life

A hotpot of breathwork, movement and community-oriented classes, Nirvana Life appeals to those seeking high-energy workouts followed by restorative flow. Set in central Canggu, this serene spot is known for its immaculate taste and sensory experiences.

Nirvana Life is a collection of strength, wellness, recovery and nutrition regions. Imagine light-dappled studios and elevated communal zones enveloped by open sky and verdant rice paddies. 

Offerings range from Vinyasa and alignment-based yoga, to core-building Pilates, functional conditioning training, small-group HIIT and breathwork. The in-house café also offers balanced, nutrient-rich meals to complement active routines.When you're ready to recalibrate, head to the recovery hub for a dry sauna, hot tub, steam room, infrared sauna, ice bath and more. Even better, these are all adjacent to an inviting clubhouse and 25-metre swimming pool. Nirvana Life has you covered for all your needs.

Bali Body Factory

A magnet for athletes, surfers and fitness-crazed individuals looking for results-driven programming, Bali Body Factory is not a drill. Located inside an old silver factory in central Canggu, Bali Body Factory is a fitness, health and wellness facility with grit, despite its luxurious tropical location.

The studio is vast, segregated into sub-areas for conditioning, strength and functional training. All the equipment here is of the highest quality, reflective of the elite athlete demographic it attracts.

On the schedule, anticipate surf-specific conditioning, HIIT, boxing and strengthening sessions. There's also personal training available, plus injury prevention work. 

At Bali Body post-training recovery looks like guided mobility sessions and stretching areas, as well as generous advice from in-house experts generously shared.

The Practice Canggu

Cut-and-copy yoga studios, step aside. Enter: The Practice, Canggu. This yogi's paradise is a widely-loved studio that oozes serenity. For travellers in search of alignment and restorative strength, The Practice could be your ideal practice. 

Set in extensive Balinese rice fields, this it-spot is approximately a 500-meter walk from the beach and within walking distance of many cafés and restaurants for refuelling. The open-air construction allows for complete connection with nature while retaining comfort (and photo-demanding beauty).

All classes at The Practice share a common thread of alignment, blending Hatha, Vinyasa and anatomy-informed workshops to bring a diverse schedule to the fore. Specialty sessions in mobility and balance can offer a level-up in the yogi's repertoire. 

To recharge after a strong class, the studio encourages nervous-system downshift through breathwork and guided meditation. 

Tabanan Water Temple & Waterfall Purification Journey

Just north of Canggu, this privately guided adventure traverses Tabanan's sacred water temples and pristine waterfalls. It's been forged as a ritual-led pilgrimage, rather than sightseeing, one that delivers an unforgettable experience balancing nature, movement and spiritual exploration.

Mossy temples sit beside flowing rivers and jungle-framed waterfalls in an off-the-beaten-track activity. The experience includes gentle walking, breathwork and traditional Balinese water purification methods. While obviously beautiful, it's lesser known that cool waterfall immersion can support circulation and nervous-system regulation.

Led by a local expert, guests will participate in cleansing ceremonies with holy spring water and prayer.

Air Seseh Recovery Club

It takes a quick glance at Air Seseh's chic website to see they're all about aesthetically-pleasing wellness experiences. This premium recovery spot was built for wellness travellers and athletes who desire restoration and connecting in a thoughtfully curated environment.

Taking inspiration from Scandinavian sauna culture, the vibes here are calming, minimalistic and polished. There are two oversized Finnish saunas with differing heats, plus two open cold plunges (one very cold and one arctic). 

Guests are prompted to drop in for an espresso or catch up on some laptop time post-sauna with a bit of sushi or a protein smoothie at their in-house restaurant. 

At Air Seseh There is a deliberate rhythm to sauna cycles here alongside contrast therapy (cold plunging) to support reconnection to one's body and mind while on holiday.

Bodyworks Bali 

Possibly one of the most Instagrammed wellness wonderlands in all of Bali, Bodyworks is a short drive from Canggu to Seminyak. It claims to be the original Balinese day spa, being family-owned and operated since 1994.

Bodyworks is richly hued and instantly recognisable, a true tapestry of technicolour features, textures and sculptural furnishings. Readers will likely think of that indoor-outdoor pool in the centre of the expansive venue, its turquoise tiling popping against pinky-orange terracotta-like architecture. This is the antidote to the outside world, a private hideaway designed for self-indulgence.

Treatments here include aromatherapy massage, body scrubs, facials and reflexology. Given its deeply sensorial setting, Bodyworks is about vibrance over minimalism. Guests are implored to unwind and luxuriate while caring for their bodies on vacation.

Images Credit: Supplied