Below is a map showing my favorite places to camp in Bali. There are also areas highlighted due to bad roads. These are areas that Google Maps may try to route you through but should be avoided as they are dangerous and sometimes unpassable. For more information about this map and how to drive the Bali campervan check out this blog post.
Camping in Bali is a wonderful experience. Bali has so much to offer in the way of natural beauty, but often it takes getting off the beaten path in order to experience it. Going camping in Bali is the perfect way to do this and the best way to camp in Bali is with a campervan.
You probably didn’t know this but camping is a very popular activity in Bali. Indonesians from around the country like to come to Bali on family outings and camp. Therefore there are nice campgrounds all around the island. These campgrounds offer tent and gear rental, some food options, firewood, bathrooms, and sometimes even WiFi and electricity! Pulling up to one of these campgrounds in a campervan adds an extra level of luxury. Bali camping in style.
Below are some of the Bali campgrounds that I have explored. There are many many more around the island, and you can find them by searching for “Bali campground” in google maps. But I feel that after all my exploration and feedback from my guests I am highlighting the best of them. Also remember that things change. I cannot guarantee that every amenity is still available and functioning all the time. Also prices fluctuate. But the bottom line is that these are some wonderful Bali camping spots that you are going to love.
Bali Camping Spots
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Balian is one of my favorite beaches for camping in Bali. The camping spot is at Balian Surf Camp which is just on the other side of the river (usually ankle deep) from Balian beach. Balian is a really fun surf break which catches swell all year round. Here you can find more information about the waves. Balian has a few cool restaurants and you can use the shower and beach side pool at Pondok Pitaya hotel if you buy a 100k Rupiah food voucher. Balian Surf Camp is on the quieter side of the river (not that Balian is at all hectic). This whole strip of beachfront is practically undeveloped and Bali Surf Camp is a philanthropic organization in which all profits from the enterprise go to the local village. They have a few rooms for rent as well as a quaint local restaurant (warung). There are restrooms, a shower, and fresh water access from which you can refill the campervan water tanks. They also rent boards and offer surf lessons (pre-arrange). The staff at Bali Surf Camp are wonderful and the whole area has a chill laid back vibe. There are quite a few places to park the
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Another great Bali camping spot is Bukit Asah. Bukit Asah is a little peninsula that juts out of the East Bali coast and overlooks the magnificent Virgin Beach. This is an official campground which has only opened up in the past couple years. It has had facilities installed and been landscaped into terraces for tent camping. There are also some good spots to park the camper and enjoy the spectacular views and easy access to the beach. Another great thing about camping at Bukit Asah is it’s proximity to lots of different activities and sightseeing locations. As mentioned before it sits just above Virgin beach which is one of our favorite beaches in Bali. A wonderful stretch of beautiful sand and crystal clear water makes for a wonderful day at the beach. There are also local restaurants, beach chairs, restrooms and showers available to make the time more enjoyable. Things to do in this area One of the biggest draws to camping at Bukit Asah is it’s proximity to Virgin Beach. This is a great beach with beautiful sand and a smattering of restaurants and beach chairs along the sand. Then just 45 minutes away is Penataran Lempuyang, the Heaven’s
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Bukit Surga is a very unique place to camp in Bali. It sits up in a mountain overlooking the region of Karagasem. From this vantage point you get views of the rice terraces and the green hills all the way out to the ocean. In the mornings and evening you are often bathed in mist as it rolls up the valley, making for a cozy camping experience. Another thing I like about camping at Bukit Surga is that you can drive right up to the camping area and get a perfect spot with a view. Bathrooms (toilet and shower) are acceptable, extra options are nice, and the staff are wonderful. Cost to stay: 85,000 per van Getting there: Often times Google will route you to Bukit Surga along a really bad road. Do not route directly there! Instead route to here (Pasar Pengadangan) first https://goo.gl/maps/AKpQPP43sgpS5X4A8 then from there route to Bukit Surga. Ammenties: Bathrooms with shower Firewood available – 7,500-15,000 Rupiah per bundle depending on season. Coconut husk tinder is 5,000. 3-4 bundles makes a good fire all night Some food available – Nasi Campur 15,000. Raw chicken ready for grilling 50,000 (Don’t rely on this. It is not always
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Camping in the Jatiluwih area is great if you are looking to experience Bali’s magnificent rice terraces. Jatiluwih is a UNESCO world heritage site and perhaps Bali’s most beautiful rice terraces. This whole area is gorgeous, and offers many different walks, waterfalls, and other eco experiences. Luckily there is an awesome campground just 5 minutes away from Jatiluwih, Kamesta Camp. This incredible spot sits looking out over valleys covered in rice terraces, offering amazing views. The warm,, friendly family that runs this place is very much into agro and eco tourism with pans to expand their offerings into these areas. They grow coffee, cassava, and other produce all over the property. When arriving at Kamesta, you can drive the campervan right into the camping area and park where people setup their tents. The amazing views are right there for you to behold. There is a small restaurant at Kamesta offering great local food and they will prepare breakfast for you as well. Another great advantage to staying here are their nature walks. Local guides will show you the private unspoiled rice terraces that make up the area around Kamesta all the while explaining the various natural systems that go into
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There is more than one reason for camping in Keramas, but it must be said that the main reason is the surf. This big, jacking right is one of Bali’s most famous waves. Definitely not for beginners, Keramas can at times be a crowded break (as are most of the best waves in Bali). By camping you get to be first to the break, whether it be early morning or just when the wind and tides are in perfect harmony. And even if you aren’t into the surf, Keramas beach is actually quite clean and beautiful. Perfect for long beach walks. The best place to camp in Keramas is Keramas Surf Camp. This little beach front plot of grassy land is the perfect place for a Keramas basecamp in the campervan. This spot has a small restaurant, bathrooms with shower, and WiFi. Also, a short walk down the beach is Komune resort. They have an excellent restaurant and a pool that can be used with a minimum food purchase. Getting there Keramas is one of the camping areas closest to the busy South of Bali. That is not to say that it is busy itself, quite the contrary. But being
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Camping in Kintamani is becoming quite popular. The Kintamani area is well known for it’s magnificent sunrises and some people go so far as to hike to the summit of Mount Batur just to get the best view. Luckily, for those who don’t feel like hiking, there is another Kintamani camping option. All along the West ridge of the Batur caldera are camping places that have a full view of the caldera, Batur peak, and the amazing sunrise. Our favorite of these sites is Mahen Sunrise Camp. I like Mahen because the parking area for the van is perfect for the sunrise. You just back up to the concrete platform and you are ready for the morning sunrise. I also like that the bathrooms are clean and functional and the family that runs it is very friendly. It’s a great place to have a fire at night and the owners will sell you good firewood and even help you to start the fire. This makes for a wonderful night of starry skies and a clear view of Mount Batur. I’m not a huge fan of the place in the day as it is hot and dry and there’s not a
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Most people who want to camp in Medewi are there for the surf. Medewi is well known for its super long left hand wave. Aside from the main break there are also many other breaks all along the coast. There are however no places to camp at the actual Medewi break as it is a rather small built-up area. That is why I marked the next beach on the map. There are no official campgrounds in this area but you can find something around the area I have marked on the map. This is a small fishing village with a wide open coast. There is a road that runs along the coast which is dotted with small surf camps, simple resorts and a rather large number of rustic beach bars. One of the best pace to eat in Medewi is Soul Tree. This cafe/surf shop is right on the beach and serves up amazing food at incredible prices. It’s a must try if you are in the area. This area actually has lots of surf breaks and it’s just a 5 minute drive to Medewi proper. And while this area does have a bit of charm, if you are not
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Bali’s Northeast is a wonderful mix of relaxed atmosphere, interesting sights, and in the rainy season, a generally dry place to camp. We are fortunate enough to have a wonderful little camping spot on this coast and our guests really enjoy camping here. We call this our “Amed secret spot”. It’s a small piece of oceanfront land for which we have made arrangements with the owner to allow us to camp there and use a nearby bathroom. Our secret spot sits on a grassy piece of land overlooking some tidal pools. There is direct access to the pools and you can swim/snorkel here if you don’t mind walking over a few rocks. If you are looking for a sandy beach then all you have to do is walk about 100 meters down to a nearby fisherman’s beach. There is also a small resort nearby with a pool. This place is run by Made who is an absolutely delightful woman. You can get something to eat or a coffee and use the pool if you want. The camping spot looks out over the Lombok strait. You can see Mount Rinjai rising out of the sea and can also enjoy beautiful sunrises.
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I named this section camping in Bedugul, but just to be clear one camp site is in Bedugul and the other is just next door in Munduk. From here on I will refer to the area as Bedugul just because it is often the name this area goes by. There are may reasons you might want to camp in Bedugul. First, the area is spectacularly beautiful. Situated in Bali’s uplands at about 1500 meters, Bedugul and the surrounding area are generally cool and moist. This makes for a super green landscape and also accounts for it being Bali’s breadbasket, growing much of it’s produce. Within this area there are three tranquil lakes, two of which host our featured camping sites. Aside from the scenery here are some other excellent reason for camping in Bedugul. Remember that by camping in the area you get to arrive at these popular spots first and avoid the crowds that show up later in the day. Things to do while camping in Bedugul: Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple – This is one of the most famous and iconic temples in all of Bali. Definitely worth a visit if in the area. Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls! –
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Mount Batur is one of Bali’s most spectacular scenic areas. The area is made up of a massive caldera within which lies a dormant volcano (Mount Batur) which rises above a large crater lake. Hiking Mount Batur for sunrise is one of the most popular activities in Bali. People from all over the world make the trek to the peak to experience the sun rising out of Mount Agung and shining its rays over a misty Bali below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Batur But…let’s say you are staying in Seminyak and you want to do the sunrise hike. The tour company will likely pick you up from your hotel at 1 am to drive you two hours up the mountain. Then you wait at the assembly area before beginning your hike. Summit Mount Batur, hike down, then a two hour ride back to your hotel which you’ll arrive at at about 9 am. Exhausting! This is why camping in Mount Batur is such a great idea (specially in a campervan). Camping in Mount Batur is actually fairly popular with new campgrounds popping up all the time. Most of these are located along the caldera ridge and can be challenging to get to. Furthermore, they
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Bali’s West coast is as far as you can get from the tourist centers of South Bali, and thus, beckons to those looking for the path less travelled. Camping in West Bali is also a nice option, so I’ll give you everything you need to know to visit one of Bali’s least explored areas. OK, so first a bit of bad news (good news to follow!). That alluring big green patch that you see on Google Maps? Bali West National Park? It’s not really accessible. I have no idea why, but the road which goes through it is virtually impassable, and as such the campervan is not allowed to enter. Believe me, I have been driving in Bali for a long time and this was by far the worst road I have ever encountered. It would take you two hours (each way!) just to go 12 km and get to the temple at the end of the road. You could walk faster. OK, so with that out of the way, is the West still worth visiting? The answer is, yes! Actually, the best part of the national park is Menjangan Island. This gorgeous island with its white sand beaches, excellent
