You have planned your trip to Sanur, Bali and now the waiting begins. Everyone has an opinion about what to do, what to avoid and what you absolutely must not miss. It can feel overwhelming. This Sanur travel tips guide is written by people who have been there many times — not people who visited once and wrote a listicle. We cover the practical day-to-day stuff that most travel guides skip.
Is Sanur good for first time visitors to Bali?
Yes — Sanur is one of the best areas in Bali for first-time visitors and we’d argue it is the best. It is quieter and less chaotic than Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu. The beach is calm, the main street is walkable, there are good restaurants and cafes at every price point and the vibe is genuinely relaxed. You don’t feel like you are constantly being hassled.
Sanur also has a good central location — it is about 20 minutes from the airport, easy day trip distance from Ubud, and the departure point for fast boats to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. As a base it is hard to beat.
Sanur vs Seminyak — which is better for first timers?
This comes up constantly. The short answer is: it depends on what you are looking for. Seminyak has more nightlife, more high-end restaurants, better surf and a louder atmosphere. Sanur is quieter, more family-friendly, easier to navigate and the beach is calmer and safer for swimming. If you want to party — Seminyak. If you want to relax and actually feel like you are in Bali rather than a tourist resort — Sanur.
Most repeat visitors we know who started in Kuta or Seminyak eventually migrate to Sanur. We did. It just suits a different pace of travel — one we think most people actually prefer once they experience it.
How many days in Sanur is enough?
Three to five days is a good starting point if Sanur is your base for the whole trip. That gives you enough time to settle in, walk the beach path, try a few restaurants, do a day trip to Ubud or one of the islands, and actually decompress. If you are using Sanur purely as a base to explore the rest of Bali, even two nights works well given its central location.
We have done ten-day stays in Sanur and it never felt too long. The slower pace is the point — you are not trying to tick off attractions, you are trying to have a holiday.
Is Sanur walkable?
Yes — more so than most areas of Bali. The 7km beachfront path runs the full length of Sanur and connects all the beaches, most of the beachfront hotels and the Byrd House at Segara Village. Jalan Danau Tamblingan — the main street — is lined with restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, supermarkets and shops all within easy walking distance of most accommodation.
That said, Sanur is hot. Walking in the middle of the day is not much fun. Early morning on the beach path is genuinely lovely. Mid-afternoon you will want a GRAB or a bike.
Bicycles can be rented along the beach path for around 30,000 to 50,000 IDR per day. For the 7km beach path this is the best way to see everything without melting in the heat. Most accommodation can also arrange a scooter hire if you want to explore further afield.
Can you swim at Sanur Beach?
Yes — Sanur Beach is one of the best swimming beaches in Bali. The reef protects the bay from large waves which makes it calm, shallow and safe. This is one of the main reasons families and older travellers prefer Sanur to the surf beaches on the south-west coast. There are no big shore breaks to deal with and the water is generally clear.
At low tide the water can be quite shallow and rocky in some sections — best to check the tide before committing to a swim. The beach at Segara Village and around Pura Blanjong tends to be a bit deeper at low tide.
Is Sanur safe for tourists?
Generally yes — Sanur has a reputation as one of the safer and more relaxed areas of Bali. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are the same as anywhere in Bali: getting ripped off at money changers, card skimming at dodgy ATMs, fake alcohol, and petty theft if you leave valuables unattended. None of these are unique to Sanur — they are just things you need to be aware of.
We have always felt safe in Sanur — walking at night, on the beach path early morning, in markets and restaurants. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine.
Before you go — Bali checklist
- ✅ Flights booked — search and compare flights to Bali
- ✅ Travel insurance — Cover-More Bali travel insurance
- ✅ Accommodation — search Agoda or Booking.com
- ✅ Airport transfer — book via Klook
- ✅ Day tours — browse Bali tours on Klook
- ✅ Visa on Arrival — book via the official Indonesian immigration website
- ✅ Tourist tax — pay at Love Bali
- ✅ Customs declaration app — download here
Accommodation in Sanur
Sanur has accommodation at every price point — from budget homestays to five-star beachfront resorts. You will find resorts, hotels, villas and small family-run guesthouses all within a short distance of the beach and the main street.
What to look for when booking accommodation in Sanur
- Location — are you close to the beach path, the main street and restaurants?
- Kids club — if travelling with children, check the age range and what is included
- Essentials — WiFi, air conditioning, pool. Check these are in your specific room type, not just on the property
- Check-in and check-out times — flights from Australia often land late at night or depart mid-afternoon. Know your times and consider booking an extra night if you have a late departure
- Breakfast included or not — worth comparing rates with and without as Sanur has great walk-in breakfast options
If your flight home departs in the afternoon and check-out is 11am, you are looking at hours sitting in a hot lobby with your luggage. Most hotels will store your bags after checkout but booking an extra night so you can shower and rest before heading to the airport is genuinely worth it.
Getting from Ngurah Rai Airport to Sanur
Sanur is about 13 kilometres from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Google Maps will say 30 minutes — in reality it can take up to an hour depending on traffic and how many flights have just landed. Your best option is to book a hotel transfer or arrange a private driver in advance.
We have used Putu from Bali Travel Times on numerous occasions — he meets you at the airport with your name on a sign, loads your bags and drives you straight to your accommodation. After a long flight that is exactly what you want.
Money in Bali — what you need to know
The currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah. The number of zeros will throw you at first — 135,000 IDR sounds like a lot until you realise it is about $13.50 AUD. The quickest way to get your head around it: one Australian dollar is roughly 10,000 Rupiah. Ten cents equals 1,000 IDR. Once it clicks, it clicks.
Wrapping your head around the money as quickly as possible is one of the most important things you can do. The number of zeros makes it easy to hand over the wrong note or miss when you’ve been shortchanged. Know your denominations before you arrive.
Money changing in Bali
Only use official money changers that do not charge commission. Unauthorised exchanges have been known to rip tourists off by hundreds of dollars using sleight of hand when counting out notes. If the rate looks too good to be true, it is.
Signs of a legitimate money changer: large shopfront with a security guard, a receptionist who confirms the rate and amount upfront, money taken to a back room and counted properly, a receipt provided, and once the Rupiah is in your hands they will not touch it again. Count it yourself before you leave. Do not leave until you are satisfied.
ATMs in Sanur
ATMs are located mainly along Jalan Danau Tamblingan. There is a Commonwealth Bank ATM near the Smorgus Cafe at Jl. Pantai Karang. We use our ANZ debit card and ING card — both reimburse international ATM withdrawal fees.
Most ATMs in Sanur have a maximum withdrawal of 3,000,000 IDR per transaction. We prefer to withdraw the maximum amount in one go and return to the hotel immediately rather than carrying large amounts of cash around. We then divide it into daily amounts using ziplock bags — one per day. This keeps our spending visible and controlled.
Credit card and tap-to-pay in Sanur
Most larger restaurants and bars along the Sanur beachfront accept card. Tap-to-pay works at the majority of sit-down restaurants, cafes and hotels in Sanur in our experience — far more widely than most guides suggest. Always ask before ordering if you are unsure. The main cash-only spots are small warungs, market stalls and street food vendors.
Using your credit card at restaurants in Sanur can attract a 3–5% surcharge. Always ask before you pay. Having cash on hand for smaller meals avoids this entirely.
Basic prices in Sanur
Western-style food is expensive — expect to pay prices similar to home. Local warungs are cheap and the food is often excellent. Here is a rough guide to what things cost at a Circle K, mini mart or Indomart:
| Item | Price (IDR) | Item | Price (IDR) |
| Beer (Bintang) | 28,000 | Water 600ml | 10,000 |
| Sunscreen (small) | 180,000 | Toothpaste | 20,000 |
| Carefree | 29,000 | Elipse Hair Mask | 8,900 |
| Bega Cheese Slices | 94,000 | Barilla Pasta Sauce | 70,000 |
| Greek Yoghurt | 56,000 | Pears per kilo | 55,000 |
| Latte (cafe) | 40,000–50,000 | Laundry per kilo | 25,000 |
Supermarkets in Sanur
You will find imported goods from Australia, England and Germany at the larger supermarkets — expect to pay more for these as they are imported. For everyday items the Indomart and Circle K mini-marts on Jalan Danau Tamblingan are fine. For a larger shop:
- The Pantry — good range of foreign goods including UHT milk
- Artasendana Supermarket — central Sanur, convenient for most accommodation
- Popular Supermarket — good general grocery option
- Grand Lucky — larger supermarket, short GRAB ride from central Sanur near the port area
Food in Sanur and Bali Belly
Eating is one of the best things about being in Sanur. But Bali Belly can derail a holiday fast. There is a difference between the traveller’s runs — your body adjusting to new food and bacteria — and full Bali Belly. Our doctor told us if it was a mild case with no other severe symptoms, let it run its course. If you were not improving or had other symptoms, see a doctor.
People will tell you to take probiotics, drink Yakult every day or avoid certain foods. Some of it helps. We have tried everything and still managed to get sick at some point across multiple trips. Wash your hands, use hand sanitiser, don’t drink tap water and hope for the best.
Never trust a fart in Bali. We are serious. If you are out and about, always carry spare underwear, some wet wipes and a sarong in your bag. This advice has saved more than one holiday.
Travel insurance and doctors in Bali
If you cannot afford travel insurance you cannot afford to travel. This is not an exaggeration when it comes to Bali. We have had to call a doctor twice during our stays and on both occasions it was easier than we expected.
Both times we called reception at our accommodation, they arranged for a doctor to come to the hotel. He was at our bedside in under 30 minutes. He assessed us, brought medication with him and told us what to watch for. We paid 1.7 million IDR (about $170 AUD) by credit card — one tap. A certificate for the insurance was provided on the spot.
Our excess was $200 so we chose not to claim that time — but knowing the process was straightforward made the whole situation far less stressful. For more complex needs, the BIMC hospital is the main private medical facility used by tourists in Bali.
Get travel insurance for Bali before you leave
Cover-More Bali travel insurance — trusted by Australian travellers
Water and drinking in Sanur
Do not drink the tap water in Bali. This also means using bottled water to brush your teeth — not the tap. Most accommodation provides complimentary bottled water in your room. Some people boil tap water in the room kettle — we still wouldn’t risk it and just use bottled water in the kettle too.
Put a small bag or rubber band over the tap in your bathroom as a reminder not to use it for brushing teeth. It sounds excessive but it only takes once to forget — especially at night when you are half asleep.
Ice in drinks is a common concern. Most larger restaurants and hotels use government-regulated commercial ice — the cylindrical tubes with a hole through the middle. If the ice is that shape you are generally fine. Avoid crushed ice at smaller roadside stalls where you are less sure of the source.
Alcohol in Sanur
Take some care with cocktails in Bali. There have been cases of Arak — a local spirit — being substituted for regular alcohol, which can be dangerous. Your safest option is pre-bottled spirits or beer rather than mixed cocktails from unknown bars. We have had cocktails at a number of places in Sanur without any issues, but there was one occasion where something felt off and a Bintang was the better call.
Never leave your drink unattended. Same rule as anywhere in the world.
What is Sanur nightlife like?
Sanur nightlife is relaxed — which is either perfect or disappointing depending on what you are looking for. There are beachfront bars with live music, a good number of restaurants open late and the Sindhu Night Market which transforms from a daytime produce market into a busy street food hub after dark.
If you want clubs, late-night bars and a party atmosphere, Sanur is not that place. Kuta, Seminyak and Canggu have that covered. Sanur’s version of a big night out is cocktails by the beach, live acoustic music at a bar on Jalan Danau Tamblingan and probably being in bed by midnight. For a lot of people — especially those travelling with families or on longer trips — that is exactly right.
Don’t get ripped off in Sanur — our top tips
1. Money changers — only use authorised exchanges that don’t charge commission. Count the money yourself before you leave. Do not let anything distract you while counting.
2. Mini-marts must scan your items. At Indomart, Circle K or any mini-mart — if they are not scanning and are using a calculator, you are likely being overcharged. This happened to us — a calculator total came to 243,000 IDR. When we asked for a scanned receipt it came to 208,000 IDR. Ask for a receipt every time.
3. Know your money. Know what note you hand over and what change you should receive. With all the zeros it is easy to get confused — that is what people rely on.
4. Use GRAB. Local taxis without meters, or drivers who agree on a price and then change it on arrival, are a common issue. With GRAB you see the exact price before you get in. It is a fraction of what local taxis charge and removes all negotiation. Note: some areas will not accept GRAB pickups due to local driver pressure — be aware of this if you are heading somewhere more remote.
Bartering in Bali
Bartering is expected at markets and souvenir stalls — not at restaurants, mini-marts or supermarkets. Starting at roughly half the asking price is a reasonable approach, then meet somewhere in the middle. These are people making a living so keep it in perspective.
Our approach — if we are happy to pay $5 for something at Kmart or Cheap as Chips, we can pay $5 for it in Bali without needing to barter it down to $1. Some people spend more energy on the negotiation than the item is worth.
Getting around Sanur and Bali
The best way to explore Bali beyond Sanur is with a private driver for the day. You can hire a Bali driver for around $70 AUD — they pick you up from your accommodation, take you wherever you want to go and wait for you at each stop. They know exactly where to go, how to avoid traffic and can give you local knowledge you won’t find in any guide.
Our recommended Bali drivers and tour companies:
Things you can hire in Sanur
One of the things that surprised us early on is just how much you can hire or have delivered to your accommodation in Sanur. A friend mentioned getting laundry done for $10 AUD and it opened our eyes to the full list:
- Private driver for the day
- Scooters and helmets
- Laundry service — around 20,000 IDR per kilo
- A chef for your villa
- Baby equipment — cots, prams, car seats
- A nanny for your children
- Pool toys
- Someone to shop for you
Tipping in Sanur
Tipping is not customary in Bali but it is always appreciated. We always rounded up bills or left a small amount. The service in Sanur is generally warm and genuine — we found that the way you treat people from the start sets the tone for the service you receive back.
When we were out with a driver or tour guide for the day, we always asked them to eat with us and paid for their meal. It makes for a much better day — you get to actually talk to someone who knows the island rather than just being driven around silently.
General Sanur travel tips
- Never trust a fart in Bali — carry spare underwear, wet wipes and a sarong
- Bring the lightest clothes you own. It is hot all the time
- Be prepared to sweat constantly
- You will say “no thanks” so many times it will come out accidentally in conversation
- Sunscreen is expensive in Bali — bring it in your checked luggage
- Holiday for yourself — ignore the forums telling you what is bad value or the wrong choice. If you had a good time, you had a good time
FAQs — Sanur travel tips for first timers
Is Sanur good for first time visitors to Bali?
Yes — Sanur is one of the best areas in Bali for first-time visitors. It is quieter and less chaotic than Kuta or Seminyak, the beach is safe for swimming, the main street is walkable and the vibe is relaxed. It is also well located for day trips to Ubud and the islands.
Is Sanur safe for tourists?
Generally yes. Sanur has a reputation as one of the safer, more relaxed areas of Bali. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are common Bali issues — dodgy money changers, card skimming at standalone ATMs, and petty theft if you leave valuables unattended. Use common sense and you will have no issues.
Can you swim at Sanur Beach?
Yes — Sanur Beach is one of the best swimming beaches in Bali. The reef protects the bay from large waves making it calm, shallow and safe. It is particularly good for families and those who prefer not to deal with big surf. Check tide times before swimming as some sections get very shallow at low tide.
How many days in Sanur is enough?
Three to five days is a good starting point. That gives you time to walk the beach path, try a few restaurants, do a day trip and actually decompress. If using Sanur as a base to explore the rest of Bali, two nights can work given its central location. We have done ten-day stays in Sanur and it never felt too long.
Is Sanur better than Seminyak for first timers?
It depends on what you want. Seminyak has more nightlife, better surf and a louder atmosphere. Sanur is quieter, more family-friendly, safer for swimming and easier to navigate. Most repeat visitors we know who started in Kuta or Seminyak eventually move to Sanur. If you want to relax and feel like you are actually in Bali — Sanur wins.
Do you need cash in Sanur Bali?
Yes — especially for warungs, markets, street food, GRAB and small shops. Larger restaurants, hotels and cafes generally accept card and tap-to-pay is widely available. Carry a mix of cash and card. A daily cash budget of 300,000 to 500,000 IDR per person covers most day-to-day spending outside of accommodation.
What is the best time to visit Sanur Bali?
The dry season runs from approximately April to October and is generally considered the best time to visit. July and August are peak season with more visitors and higher prices. The wet season (November to March) brings afternoon rain and higher humidity but temperatures stay warm, prices drop and Sanur is quieter. We have visited in both seasons and enjoyed both.
Don’t forget travel insurance for Bali
Get a quote with Cover-More — trusted by Australian travellers
Plan your trip to Sanur
Everything you need in one place