Canggu: a Balinese paradise that has the best of both worlds

The village of Canggu, now well known amongst the global travelling tribe, sits neatly along a ten-kilometre stretch of the South Bali coastline.

Running north from the village of Berawa (just north of Seminyak) to the village of Cemagi (just south of Tanah Lot) taking in Echo Beach, Pererenan Beach, Selasih Beach, Seseh Beach and Mengening Beach along the way. The area beyond the coast is still largely rural, but this is quickly developing

The geographic positioning between a sacred temple and a sprawling metropolis speaks volumes about Canggu and its equilibrium presence on the island of Bali. With a booming cafe culture, a spattering of shops and a handful of high-end day spas, melded perfectly with wide-open spaces and an unmissable undercurrent of spirituality, Canggu is the best of both worlds.

In many ways, Canggu is the sort of uniquely blended paradise that many travellers dream of, but very rarely find; wild cows interrupting traffic, friendly locals and perfect surf breaks, and all this without sacrificing a Guatemalan latte on almond milk for breakfast and a shot of aloe vera and liquid chlorophyll for lunch.

Very few places in Asia that cater so comfortably to the demands of tourists have managed to retain any sense of identity, so Canggu has something to be proud of. Sure, it may have a newly built waterpark and a ten pin bowling alley, but a few meters on, the sun still sets behind rolling, watery rice fields that reflect the slowly blushing sky, and conical woven hats still dip in and out of the greenery as local men and women harvest their daily crop.

Gone are the days when you have to wonder if you will be bored or forever traipsing back to Seminyak when you stay in Canggu. This is the place you go to escape it all, without sacrificing anything at all.