Overview
Lovina is a chain of north-coast villages with calmer water than Bali's southern surf beaches. Hot springs and a Buddhist monastery add inland outings to a coastal stay.
Culture · Nature
Did you know?
- At Banjar Hot Springs, sulphurous water gushes from carved stone mouths.
- Nearby Brahma Vihara Arama is described as Bali's largest Buddhist monastery.
- Seven traditional villages merge along a 10-km coastal strip.
Why Go
Lovina is a quiet coastal town on Bali's north coast, 5 km west of Singaraja, offering a peaceful alternative to the busy south. The area consists of seven traditional villages merging along a 10-km stretch of coast, with Kalibukuk as the main hub. The main activities are diving, snorkelling, and dolphin watching, but above all this is a place to relax and enjoy a slow, traditional pace of life. The waters are calm here, contrasting sharply with the crashing surf of southern Bali.
Getting In
Lovina is accessed via Singaraja, the old administrative capital of Bali. The main road (Jalan Raya Singaraja) runs along the coast. Perama Tour & Travel offers shuttle services: Lovina to Bedugul costs Rp 125,000-150,000, while trips to Ubud or Sanur are Rp 200,000-250,000. There is no regular bus service; only on-demand private cars for at least 2 passengers.
Getting Around
The area is good for walking as roads are relatively quiet and beaches are long and passable. Bicycle rental is popular and easy to find, though beware steep hills away from the coast. Motorbike rental costs Rp 50,000-90,000 per day from roadside outlets; roads are good and less crowded than south Bali. Local bemos ply the north coast road between Singaraja and West Bali for Rp 5,000 one way.
When To Go
Lovina can get crowded in July and August. Outside peak season, this remains a quiet part of the island. Locals and tourists gather nightly on the main pier to watch the sun set. The Aling-Aling Waterfall is best visited early before tour buses arrive around 11:00.
Where To Stay
There is a huge amount of budget and mid-range accommodation in Lovina, and many visitors arrive without reservations. Budget options like Harris Homestay (from Rp 70,000) and Angsoka Hotel (from Rp 100,000) are popular with backpackers. Sunrise Lodge offers dorms from Rp 80,000 and doubles from Rp 200,000-400,000. Mid-range options include Rumi Bumi Lovina (Rp 400,000) with free WiFi and air-con. Higher-end resorts like Bali Taman Lovina and Rambutan Beach Cottages (US$25-155) offer beachfront locations with pools.
Food And Drink
Kalibukuk has numerous cafés, bars, and music clubs next to the beach. Popular budget eats include Kopi Bali on Jl Bina Ria (cheap Indonesian food, popular with backpackers) and Warung Jegeg near the library (authentic Balinese cuisine by owner Wayan). Sea Breeze on the beach serves good value meals with especially recommended fish. For seafood, Barakuda offers Indonesian seafood with good value set menus. Evening drinks can be enjoyed at Waru Bali (one of the oldest warungs, great for watching sunset) or ZiGiZ Bar on Jl Bina Ria (acoustic music and DJ nightly from 20:00). The Volcano Club in Banyualit is the only disco in town.
Things To Do
Dolphin sighting trips leave the main beaches each morning at dawn for Rp 60,000 per person (price fixed by local boatmen's association). Diving is available through established operators like Bali Spice Dive and Lovina Dive (US$55-75 per dive). The enchanting Banjar Hot Springs (Rp 3,000, 07:00-18:00) features stone-carved mouths gushing water in a lush garden setting with high sulphur content. Aling-Aling Waterfall, 15 km southeast, offers 10 m dives into pristine waters and waterfall slides (Rp 25,000). Nearby Brahma Vihara Arama is Bali's largest Buddhist monastery with lovely views. Cooking classes are available at Adjani (US$30-45 depending on class type).
Safety
Visitors to Lovina are often offered magic mushrooms. Although the Indonesian legal position on mushrooms is unclear, this is very much at your own risk and best avoided. The beaches are generally safe for swimming with calm waters.
Connectivity
The telephone area code for Lovina is 0362. Internet cafes like Inet on Jl Pantai Bayualit charge Rp 30,000 per hour (08:00-00:00). Most mid-range and upscale hotels offer free WiFi.
Go Next
From Lovina, continue 50 km west to Pemuteran and West Bali National Park for more diving, trekking, and birdwatching. The old administrative capital of Bali at Singaraja is just 20 minutes east. The Bedugul area with lakes, mountains, and botanical gardens is 20 km south, approximately 40 minutes by car.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Aditya Beach Resort
Variety of accommodation available in this large beach front resort. Cafe, bar, in house massage treatment and large swimming pool.
Price when recorded: From US$35
Sleep
Angsoka Hotel
44-room hotel, has been around a long time and it will win no design awards. The cheapest rooms are very cheap indeed though and it is a popular choice with backpackers for that reason. Also have more expensive and grander accommodation options.
Price when recorded: From Rp 100,000
Sleep
Bali Paradise Hotel
Ocean and mountain views, huge swimming pool and large rooms. This is a good option for any visitor who wants to stay away from the from the beach but still close to all the facilities. SatTV and WiFi available throughout hotel. Incorporates the Le Gong restaurant, poolside or inside with air-con, open from 09:00-22:30.
Price when recorded: From 490.000 Rp
Sleep
Bali Taman Lovina Resort and Spa
Good value beachfront resort with large pool, restaurant, and a notably good in-house spa facility called Arjuna Spa.
Price when recorded: From US$35
Sleep
Chonos Hotel
12 renovated rooms, all are air-con, hot and cold water, minibar. Swimming-pool in the garden. Free WiFi available. Also a nice restaurant with western and Indonesian food, very good breakfast.
Price when recorded: Rp 550,000
Sleep
Damai
Fourteen luxury hotels and villas up in the hills. They have an interesting antique collection.
Price when recorded: From Rp 7,700,000
Sleep
Elsa II
A small but excellent budget option in Kalibukbuk. Opened in 2008. Clean rooms, hot water, with fan or air-con and breakfast is included.
Price when recorded: From Rp 100,000
Sleep
Frangipani Beach Villa and Hotel Bali
Two villas, each with two independent deluxe rooms. Located on the Lovina beach-front with views of the Bali Sea, mountains and surrounding rice fields. A short walk from the heart of Lovina in a quiet area.
Price when recorded: US$40-67
Before you go
Connectivity
Telephone area code is 0362. Internet cafes charge around Rp 30,000/hour. Many hotels provide free WiFi.
Money
Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) is the local currency. Many budget accommodations and warungs are cash-only. Credit cards are accepted at some mid-range hotels like Rini Hotel.
Safety
Magic mushroom offers are common but best avoided due to unclear legal status. Beaches are generally safe for swimming.
Transport
Motorbike rental costs Rp 50,000-90,000 per day. Bemos charge Rp 5,000 between points on the north coast. Perama Tour offers shuttle services to Bedugul (Rp 125,000-150,000) and Ubud/Sanur (Rp 200,000-250,000).
Weather
North Bali coast has calmer waters than the south. Peak season is July-August; outside this time the area is very quiet.