Sanur

Sanur is a town on the east coast of South Bali.

Understand

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.

Getting there

By car

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.

By bus

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 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.

By boat

Boats from Nusa Lembongan arrive at the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and detailed schedules are given in the Nusa Lembongan article.

Traveling around

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.

See

This is a town with a wealth of cultural, natural and historical attractions, as well as the obvious shopping and beach-related sights.

• International Kite Festival, Padang Galak beach, just north of Sanur, east off the main Jalan Ngurah Rai bypass, The annual international kite festival takes place here every July. Traditional Balinese giant kites up to 10 metres in length are made and flown competitively by teams from different villages around Bali. The origins of this event are as a festival intended to send a message to the Hindu Gods to create abundant crops and harvests. Aside from the actual organised festival, from June through to August each year, visitors will see many giant kites being flown in this area.

• Le Mayeur Museum, +62 361 286201, Su-F 7.30AM-3.30PM, Jl Hangtuah, go the end of Jalan Hangtuah and turn right at the beach. Proceed along the paved footpath through the souvenir stalls and look for the entrance to the museum on your right, This is the former home of noted Belgian impressionist Adrian Jean Le Mayeur, which is now a museum dedicated to his works. Le Mayeur arrived in Bali in 1932 and soon immersed himself in the culture of the island, and married a noted Balinese Legong dancer. Much of the house stands just as it did when he died in 1958, and apart from viewing his works, visitors will gain an insight into what it must have been like to be one of Bali's very first expats. The whole place is in need of some maintenance, but this remains one of Bali's true hidden treasures.

• Mangrove Information Centre (MIC) , +62 361 726969, +62 361 726969, M-Sa 8AM-4PM, Suwung Kauh, just south of Sanur, singposted east off the main Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai, 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.

• Pura Blanjong (Blanjong Temple), Jl Danau Poso, Blanjong, just south of Sanur, The most notable temple in Sanur which contains a major, important inscription on a stone pillar called the **Prasati Blanjong**. The inscription tells of a Javanese king who visited Bali in the 10th century and installed what was probably Bali's first formal government. This is Bali's oldest known artefact.

• Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre (Turtle Island) , +62 813 3841 2716, 9AM-5PM daily, about 3 km south of Sanur, reached by turning east off the main Jl Ngurah Rai bypass , 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.

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.

Things to do

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.

Diving

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.

• Atlantis Bali Diving , +62 61 284312, +62 61 284312, Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai 350, Full range of dives and courses offered at this PADI 5 star dive operator. English, French, German, Spanish and Indonesian speaking instuctors

• BIDP , +62 361 285065, +62 361 285065, Jl Danau Poso No26, Large and long-established PADI dive centre offering dive trips all around Bali and full range of courses

• Crystal Divers , +62 361 286737, +62 361 286737, Jl Danau Tamblingan 168, 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.

• Diving Bali , + 62 361 282664, Jl Danau Tamblingan 27c, One of the best dive centres in Sanur offering dive courses, fun dives and liveaboard trips. Offers a full range of fun dives and courses

Spas

A 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.

• Mandurah Spa , +62 361271502, +62 361271502, Jl Danau Tamblingan

• Puri Esthetic, +62 361 286542, Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 209

Watersports

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.

• Bali Kite Surfing School , +62 361 7899013, Mertasari, Sanur, at the beach close to Mertasari temple, 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.

• Blue Oasis Beach Club , +62 361 288011, Sanur Beach, on the beach in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel, 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.

Eat

For very cheap local food try the Night Market at the northern end of Jalan Danau Tamblingan where it meets Jalan Pungutan.

• Abian Boga Restaurant, +62 361 284174, 10AM-10PM daily, Jl Kesuma Sari No 5, Grilled seafood accompanied by a Balinese dance performance. Great service too with a local hotel pick up and drop off.

• Cafe Batu Jimbar , +62 361 287374, Jl Danau Tamblingan, Every Sanur expat's favourite cafe hang out. Good deli food and passable coffee.

• Kayu Manis, +62 361 289410, 11AM-10PM daily, Jl Danau Tamblingan, north end of Jl Danau Tamblingan, Good Italian cuisine at great value prices. A favourite with both travellers for the price and foodies for the quality of the meals.

• Massimo , +62 361 288942, +62 361 288942, 11AM-10PM daily, Jl Danau Tamblingan 228, 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.

• Smorgås Café, +62 361 289361, Jl Danua Tamblingan/Pantai Karang II, Perhaps the best coffee shop in Sanur. Homemade sandwiches, pastry and quiche. Owned by Swedes and they make their own gravlax.

• Stiff Chilli , +62 361 288371, +62 361 288371, 11AM-11PM daily, Jl Kesumasari 11, Semawang Beach, right on the beach at the end of Jl Kesumasari, Beach-front restaurant from the Stiff Chilli chain. Mid-priced, mainly Italian food in a great location

• Treo Beach Cafe , +62 361 9218588 , 9AM-8PM daily, Mertasari Beach, 100 metres from the Mercure Hotel on the beach, 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.

• The Village, +62 361 285025, 11AM-10PM daily, Jl Danau Tamblingan 66, Attached to the Griya Santrian Hotel, this is perhaps the best known upmarket eatery in Sanur. The food is slick Italian style and they do a reasonable job of creating a suitable atmosphere. Not a good as it was and certainly not cheap, but a decent option in a part of Bali not known for it high quality restaurants. Has an independent street front entrance, and you would not know it is attached to a hotel.

• Warung Blanjong, +62 361 285613, 11AM-9PM daily, Jl Danau Poso 78, One of the best budget places to eat in Sanur. The food is Balinese, and they are especially well known for their **pepes be pashi** (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves). Very much worth a visit to taste authentic Balinese food.

Drink

There are lots of bars along Jalan Danau Tamblingan.

• Arena Sports Cafe, +62 361 287255, +62 361 287255, 10AM-11PM, Jl ByPass Ngurah Rai 115, Austrian owned and run sports bar and cafe. The beer is very cold, reasonably priced and this place is always busy.

• Isola Bar and Restaurant, 8AM-10PM, Jl Danau Tamblingan 29, on the beachfront near the La Taverna Hotel, An elegant beachfront restaurant serving excellent Italian, International and Indonesian food.

• Lazer Sports Bar, Noon-11PM, Jl Danau Tamblingan, Shows all the English football, has friendly staff and also serves food.

• Maya's Coffee & Smoothie Bar , +62 361 283889, +62 361 283889, 8AM-7PM, Jl. Pantai Sindhu, 100-150m from the beach and Inna Sindhu Beach hotel., 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.

Sleep

Most of Sanur's accommodation is in the medium and high sector of the market and is aimed at families.

Budget

• Flashbacks , , Jl Danau Tamblingan, Good, clean budget accomodation in a convenient location. Has a cafe which is open 7AM to 11 PM. Airport pickup offered.

• Mango Guesthouse, Jl Danau Tamblingan, Long establisehd and well known budget accomodation at the northern end of Sanur's main street

• Prima Cottage , +62 878 61323761, +62 878 61323761, Jl Bumi Ayu 23, Price includes wireless internet access and breakfast. The complex, which consists of regular hotel rooms and cottages, has a nice pool.

Mid-range

• Ananda Beach Hotel , +62 813 37536464, +62 813 37536464, Jl Hangtuah, 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.

• Batu Jimbar Apartments , +62 361 282697, +62 361 282697, Jalan Danau Tamblingan 87, A small service apartment complex with holidays lettings on a weekly basis. All studios and apartments have their own kichenette and private balcony.

• Natah Bale Villas , +62 813 37536464, Jl Cemara, 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.

• Sativa Sanur , +62 361 287881, +62 361 287881, Jl Cemara, 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.

• Sekuta Condo Suites , +62 361 287727, +62 361 287727, Jl Sekuta No12, 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.

• Vila Shanti Beach Hotel , +62 361 8528521, Jl Danau Tamblingan/Jl Pantai Karang, 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.

• Zen Villas, Jalan Kesari II No3b, This is a medium standard private villa rental complex in a good Sanur location not far from the Bali Hyatt. Managed by an Indonesian-Dutch couple.

Splurge

• Bali Hyatt , +62 361 28 1234, +62 361 28 1234, Jl Danau Tamblingan, 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.

• Hotel La Taverna , +62 361 288497, +62 361 288497, Jl Tamblingan 29, 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.

• Villa Mahapala , +62 361 286222, +62 361 286222, Jl Pantai Sindhu, 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.

• Parigata Resort and Spa , +62 361 286286, +62 361 286286, Jl Danau Tamblingan 87, 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.

• Puri Santrian , +62 361 288009, +62 361 288009, Jl Cemara 35, 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.

• Sanur Paradise Plaza (formerly The Radisson Plaza Hotel) , +62 361 281781, +62 361 281781, Jl Hang Tuah 46, 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.

• Sanur Residence , 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.

• Segara Village Hotel , +62 361 288407, +62 361 288407, Jl Segara Ayu, 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.

• Stana Puri Gopa Hotel , +62 361 289948, +62 361 289948, Jl Kesumasari No 4, 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 beach

Buy

There 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.

• Hardy's Grosir, +62 361 28191, 8AM-10:30PM daily, Jl Danua Tamblingan 193, This is Sanur's main supermarket, and a good place for stocking up on regular items.

• Gudang Keramik, +62 361 289363, 10AM-8PM daily, Jl Danau Tamblingan, This is the outlet for seconds of the famed Jengala Ceramics company (main showroom in Jimbaran). Their standards are very high and you may not notice why some of these items are classed as seconds. Some superb bargains to be had in everything from decorative vases to flatware.

• Nogo Bali Ikat Centre , +62 361 288765, +62 361 288765, M-Sa 8:30AM-9PM, Su 9AM-8PM, Jl Danau Tamblingan 104, 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.

Markets

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.

Contact

There are numerous internet cafes on Jalan Danau Tamblingan as well as cafes offering free wireless internet for customers.

• Sanur Internet Service , +62 361 8086780, Jl Danau Tamblingan 27, next to Circle K, 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.

Get out

• Sanur is a good jumping off point for the nearby island of Nusa Lembongan. Boats depart several times daily from the beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah.

• If you are heading back to the southern tourist hotspots of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, this will take about 20 minutes by car. Ubud is about 25 minutes in the opposite direction.