Sanur is a town on the east coast of South Bali.
Sanur is Bali's oldest upscale resort area and is a mature beach-side town. Despite the abundance of restaurants and accommodation, it has a quiet and relaxed feel to it. In general terms, it is more expensive than Kuta but cheaper than Seminyak. Sanur tends to appeal most to middle-aged and older families, especially Europeans.
The Sanur area is sandwiched between the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass and the beach. One main route called Jalan Danau Tamblingan runs north to south through the town and it is easy to orient yourself with reference to this road.
Sanur is a 20 minute taxi ride from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, and a pre-paid coupon costs Rp 90,000. There are plenty of metered taxis all over the island who will be keen to take you to Sanur.
If you are driving yourself, this is one of the more staightforward areas of Bali to find as the main Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai is the western boundary of Sanur. There are many well signposted exit points from this main road into the heart of Sanur. Allow about 20 minutes driving time from Kuta or Legian, about 30 minutes from Seminyak or Ubud and 10 to 15 minutes from Denpasar.
Sanur is well serviced by shuttle buses and bemos from the north and south and also from Denpasar's Tegal terminal. The bus company Perama ![[^]](http://static.explorra.com/img/link.png "External link to: http://www.peramatour.com"){kind=small}
has its Sanur office in Jalan Hangtuah, and offers difrect transfer here from Candidasa, Kuta , Lovina, Padang Bai and Ubud . Private shuttle buses run from most major tourist centres of Bali to Sanur; check local advertising and always book 24 hours in advance.
Boats from Nusa Lembongan arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the Nusa Lembongan article.
Jalan Danau Tamblingan, the main street in Sanur, has a number of outlets for car, motorbike and bicycle rental. A large number of metered taxis patrol the streets looking for passengers. Local bemos run with some regularity up and down both Jalan Danau Tamblingan and Jalan Danau Poso.
Sanur is also a great place to walk. Distances are not large, the streets are relatively quiet, and there is a splendid, paved beach front path which runs the whole length of the district.
This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the obvious shopping and beach-related sights.
M-Sa 8AM-4PM. Visit the well appointed Mangrove Information Centre set in the huge 600 hectare mangrove forest which fringes the east coast south of Sanur. There are two different boardwalks through the mangrove forest. This centre is doing great work in educating local schoolchildren as well as visitors, about the importance of mangrove forests. A good place to spend half a day for adults and children. Rp 50,000 entrance, Rp 50,000 parking. 9AM-5PM daily. Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre here and learn about current conservation initiatives. This island used to be the centre of the Balinese trade in turtle meat until the practice was banned. Donation.As well as shopping and eating, there are plenty of photo opportunities while walking along the splendid 5km beachside paved path. The local night markets are a sensory delight, with plenty of food options.
Sanur's splendid paved beachfront cycle-path stretches some 5 kilometres from the Jalan Mertasari area in south Sanur, north to the main beach at Jalan Hangtuah. This makes for a lovely scenic bike ride, especially in the early morning.
Although the diving available around Sanur is far from impressive, several of Bali's most established dive operators are located here. All offer trips further afield.
Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5 star dive operator. English, French, German, Spanish and Indonesian speaking instuctors Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses This was the first PADI Career Development Centre in Indonesia. A full range of courses is avaliable from intro dives to instructor courses as well as day dive trips and dive safaris around Bali. One of the best dive centres in Sanur offering dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. Offers a full range of fun dives and coursesA day at any of the spas in Sanur is exactly what you would expect during your stay in Bali: full service treatment steeped in Balinese tradition. Take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a spa during your stay, the cost here is at least half what you would pay in North America or Europe. All major hotels have in-house spa facilities and there are also several well established independents in Sanur.
The more active could try one or more of the many watersports on offer at Sanur Beach. Try kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing or paragliding. For those less active, hire a banana boat and hit the calm waters.
The surfing here is not great by Bali standards but there are reasonable breaks about 1km offshore during the northwest wind season (about October to March). In that period you will have no problem locating the breaks — just follow the locals. Boards can be rented on the beach for Rp 100,000.
IKO certified kite surfing school. The lessons are conducted in a safe, user-friendly environment and lessons can be structured to suit individual needs. The school uses three specially designed rescue boats to keep a close eye on you. A specialist water sports centre which offers sea-kayaking, kitesurfing, parasailing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and windsurfing, as well as being a dive school. A professionally run outfit.For very cheap local food try the Night Market at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan.
Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee. 8AM-10PM daily. 11AM-10PM daily. The superb home made gelato here is the ideal treat after a hot day wandering in Sanur. Also excellent pizzas and pastas at this authentic south Italian owned and run restaurant. About Rp 100,000 per head. 11AM-11PM daily. Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location Most mains about Rp 50,000. 9AM-8PM daily. Beautiful beach location and a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Enjoy your meal in the restaurant or on the outdoor tables on the beach. Tasty food and friendly staff. (-8.712S,115.2526E)There are lots of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan.
8AM-7PM. Small coffee and smoothie bar serving Italian coffees, smoothies and fresh juices combined with a breakfast menu, lighter snacks, bakeries and pastries. Free Internet and WIFI for customers.Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families.
Good, clean budget accomodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 7AM to 11 PM. Airport pickup offered. from Rp 130,000. Price includes wireless internet access and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool. From about Rp 270,000. Good, clean budget accomodation located at Sanur Beach, about 100 meters from the Grand Bali Beach Hotel and close to the boat boardign poitn for Nusa Lembongan. Airport pickup offered. From Rp 300,000. A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony. From US$210 per week. Each tradtional Balinese inspired villa in the compound features its own private entrance and open air living room, dining room as well as a fully equipped kitchen. From US$95. Situated in between the beach and the main road, two levels of standard rooms are arranged around lush gardens and a swimming pool. The hotel is quiet, clean and has fine service in addition to a pleasant morning breakfast. US$60-90. Each suite has its own living and dining room and fully-equipped kitchen. Facilities include The Cavern Bar, featuring Beatles memorabilia and a large swimming pool. From US$50. On Sanur Beach. Restaurant, 24 hr room service, pool, laundry and safe deposit boxes. Please note that this is not a villa despite the name. From US$51. Enormous hotel with perhaps the best beachfront location in all of Sanur. Has 5 restaurants, 5 bars, huge gardens and a village style spa. Quite wonderful mature grounds with some of the most stunning old trees you will see anywhere in Bali. From US$130. This classic beachfront hotel retains an old world charm that takes one back to the days when Sanur was Bali's only resort for the haute boheme. Rooms are simple but nevertheless charming and very reasonable for an hotel of its stature. Gardens pool and beachfront setting are amongst the best in Sanur. Good restaurant. From US$80. Twenty luxurious private villas each with their own plunge pools, massage bale and outdoor shower. The resort also has its own French fusion restuarant, a bar and full service spa. From US$325. Large resort on the beach towards the southern end of Sanur. Has 186 guest rooms, large beachfront restaurant, 3 bars and huge pool. A quiet, good value resort just off the main street. High quality in-house spa plus restaurant, bar and pool area. The same group also has an impressive complex of private villas in southern Sanur. From US$100. Beach front hotel in the quiet southern part of Sanur. Two pools, beach club and good dining facilities. Choose of regular rooms in the garden block, individual bungalows and some very smart suites. A notably good hotel for the price. From US$95. Large hotel with numerous facilities including kid's club, in-house spa, fitness centre, restaurant and bars. Good convenient location with easy beach access. Has a nearby sister property which is all suites and apartments. Good family option. From US$95. Three 3-bedroom villas located on the beach forming a 9 bedroom estate located in Padang Galak, about 5 minutes north of Sanur. The villas were built for a large family and are normally rented in a block of at least 6 bedrooms thus giving exclusive use of the entire estate along with its private swimming pool. Fully staffed with cooks, maids, gardeners etc. From US$180. A sprawling, newly refurbished 6-hectare resort complex featuring five distinct traditional Balinese villages. Offers 120 newly renovated rooms with balcony, private toilet and bath and other amenities. Leisure offerings include three swimming pools, tennis courts and massage services. From US$ 110. These traditional-style Balinese villas are hidden within a lush tropical garden. Offers private pool villas, restaurant, watersports activities, spa and modern meeting room facilities. Walking distance to the beachThere are countless shops along Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the side streets leading from it. You will find everything from local tee shirts to Balinese handicrafts.
M-Sa 8:30AM-9PM, Su 9AM-8PM. Specialises in the very best quality woven ikat fabrics from Bali and elsewhere in Indonesia. If you are looking for cheapies, don't even think of going here. If you have an eye for quality though, this will be right up your alley. You can purchase fabric by the piece, made up as clothing or homewares, and examine their very impressive genuine antique collection.At the northern end of Jalan Pungutan, just before it hits Jalan Danau Tamblingan, there is an art market, sometimes referred to as Sindhu Market. This is a one stop shop for all manner of Balinese handicrafts, sarongs, tee shirts and knock-offs such as sunglasses. A similar set up can be found at beachfront Art Market at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. Take the foot path leading north which weaves through a maze of stalls and the odd cafe.
There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers.
A very comfortable and speedy internet cafe. Fully air conditioned, 2 seater sofa and equipped with 17 inch LCD monitors, head sets, scanner & printer. Free flow mineral water and helpful staff. Rp 400/min.
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