The best things to do in Lovina, Bali and more useful tips

Lovina is Bali’s main northern beach town and tends to be the underdog in Bali, but is actually really worth a visit. Lovina has a nice tourist area, a long sandy beach coastline, plenty of (budget) accommodation and there are many things to do. This travel guide to Lovina, Bali includes useful information on travel, things to do, restaurants, bars, places to work, nightlife, accommodation and more.

What about Lovina, Bali?

Lovina is Bali’s main northern beach resort and tends to be the underdog in Bali, but is actually really worth a visit! It is a nice place to escape the crowd from Kuta, Legian, Canggu, Seminyak, or Denpasar. The town has a nice black volcanic sand beach that stretches for a couple of kilometers. Along the beach, you can find plenty of accommodation, food- and shopping possibilities. Lovina mainly receives families, couples and people that want to experience some more laid-back places in Bali.

How to get to Lovina, Bali?

You can easily get to Lovina by minivan, car with private driver or scooter. You can travel from Kuta in 3 hours and from Ngurah Rai International Airport or Sanur in about 3.5 hours to Lovina, depending on the season and the traffic on the road.

I personally drove several times by scooter to Lovina. Sometimes from Sanur and other times from Munduk. I loved the way from Munduk to Lovina where I crossed several landscapes like tropical areas, paddy fields and dessert like landscapes.

What are the best things to do in Lovina, Bali?

There are plenty of things to do in Lovina, Bali. Here’s a list with some of my favorite activities:

(Don’t) Go dolphin watching

The iconic landmark of Lovina is a dolphin. This is not a surprise, because the dolphins are the main attraction of this coast town. Lovina is well known for the early-morning boat trips to see the dolphins.

When you like dolphins, you can take one of the trips, but I actually advice you not to head out on a boat for dolphin watching. It is and remains a mass tourist attraction, even though the fishers from the tourist boats and the tour operators say it’s not. You have to imagine hundreds of small fisher boats chasing after the dolphins. If you decide to go anyway, please reach out to Erik from Lovina Dolphin Adventure. Erik starts later than the other boats, so there are less boats on the water and the dolphins are less stressed.

Watch the sunset

Lovina is the perfect place to watch the sunset over the water! Go in the late afternoon, enjoy the quietness and see the sun set. I loved watching the sunset at FunkyPlace Beach Bar & Grill and the Lovina beach club en Resort.

Visit the Lovina Beach Festival

Visiting the Lovina Beach Festival is a vibrant and cultural experience. The festival is annually organized and lasts for three continuous days (usually in July or August). The festival showcases Bali’s rich heritage through traditional dance performances, live music and art exhibitions against the stunning backdrop of the Lovina Beach. Tourists and locals alike gather to celebrate Balinese culture and enjoy delicious local cuisine, making it a memorable experience!

Hire a scooter and explore Lovina

A great way to explore Lovina and its surrounding is by scooter. A scooter costs around 50,000-80,000 IDR a day (not including fuel) and gives you access to the entire coastline, town and hidden spots, just waiting to be explored.

Curious where you can rent a scooter? For what price? And if there’re any traffic rules in Bali? What to do if a police officer stops you? This post, will tell you everything you need to know about driving scooter in Indonesia.

Rent a bicycle

Lovina is a flat area and perfect for riding a bicycle. Bikes are available to hire at several places for about 30,000-100,000 rupiah per day.

Relax at a spa or take a massage

While Lovina may not have as many world-famous luxury spas as other parts of Bali like Seminyak or Ubud, it still offers some excellent spa experiences. Please keep in mind that the spa scene can change, and new places may have opened, so it’s a good idea to check recent reviews and recommendations online. I enjoyed a Balinese massage at the Frangipani Lovina Spa Massage & Beauty Salon and the facial and scrub at Agung’s Massage & Salon. I also heard good stories about the rose petal baths at the Arum Spa, which is owned by a professional massage therapist from the United States.

Go shopping

You can find plenty of art markets, boutique-style shops and souvenir stores in Lovina. A popular place to buy souvenirs and clothes is at Jalan Binaria, close to the beach. Lovina local market is a good place to buy fresh fruit.

Enjoy some water sports

Krishna La Costa Beach Club in Lovina is a great place where you can do some water sports like jet ski, paragliding, flying carpet, banana boat, etc. There is also a large swimming pool, free shuttle service and there are sun beds. The prices are affordable and there is everything you need for a drink or lunch if you want.

Go snorkeling or diving

It is possible to go snorkeling at the coast of Lovina, Bali. You can book a snorkel tour at one of the many travel agencies. Another option is to ask one of the fishermen or dolphin guys to arrange a snorkel trip for you. Some dolphin trips also include snorkeling.

When you would like to go diving, it’s nice to take a day trip from Lovina to Menjangan Island, Tulamben or Amed.

Go on a day trip from Lovina, Bali

From Lovina, you can make several interesting day trips to other amazing places in Bali. The Banjar hot springs, Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist monastery, Sing Sing waterfall, Aling Aling waterfall or Sekumpul waterfalls are very close by. The hot springs and monastery are only a 20-minute drive from central Lovina (with scooter). If you prefer to book a driver in Lovina or a tour to visit one of these highlights, I recommend using GetYourGuide, the Private Sekumpul Waterfall Hiking Tour is for example a great day trip excursion from Lovina.

A day trip from Lovina to Singaraja is also a great idea. Singaraja is the former capital of Bali and is known for an amazing Chinese temple and the old storage houses and buildings that are built with a particular architecture from the Dutch colonialism.

Below you can see a photo of the Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist monastery and the Aling Aling waterfall which I visited by scooter from Lovina.

What are the best bars to visit in Lovina?

Lovina is known for its relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, which is quite different from the bustling nightlife scenes found in places like Canggu, Seminyak or Kuta in Bali. While you won’t find as many bars and clubs in Lovina, there are still some cozy spots where you can enjoy a drink, listen to live music or watch the sunset. Here are my favorite bars in Lovina:

• FunkyPlace Beach Bar & Grill: is a nice place located right on the beach with beanbags and an indoor restaurant. Outside you can sip cocktails, eat complimentary peanuts and watch the sunset. You can also order food here or participate in one of their activities like beer pong or bonfires. Please don’t order any pizza here, this was a big mistake.
• Zigiz Bar: is a nice bar where the nights are often accompanied by live acoustic guitar music. The bar has a cozy atmosphere and a large cocktail selection.
• Poco Lounge Bar: is one of the best bars in Lovina. The Poco Bar is on the main road which leads down to the dolphin statue at the end. Drinks are reasonable priced and the atmosphere is very tropical. There is live music almost every night and you can offer pizza until midnight. Closed on Mondays.
• Chillax bistro bar: if you like a quiet dinner and evening out, a visit to Chillax Bistro Bar is worth a vist. The restaurant is located along the main road and they play very nice and calm (sometimes live) music. Every Tuesday, they organize a pub quiz at 19:00pm. Please visit their Facebook page to see what events are going on.

What are the best Beach Clubs in Lovina?

If you’re looking for places to relax and enjoy the beach in Lovina, you might consider visiting beachfront resorts and restaurants that offer great views and ambiance. Some of these places also organise occasional beach parties or events. Here are some of my favorite beach clubs in Lovina:

• Lovina beach club en Resort: this is a great place right at the beach in Tukadmungga with beanbags and a swimming pool. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and sip a cocktail. It’s also possible to stay overnight.
• Krishna La Costa Beach Club: is a great place where you can do some water sports like jet ski, paragliding, flying carpet, banana boat, etc. There is also a large swimming pool, free shuttle service and there are sun beds. The prices are affordable and there is everything you need for a drink or lunch if you want.
• Spice Beach Club: is another popular beach club in Lovina. Here, you can have lunch or dinner and watch the sunset. The food is not the best and the prices are a bit high, but the experience itself is nice and there is live music during the evening.

Where to eat in Lovina, Bali?

Lovina offers a variety of dining options ranging from local warungs (small eateries) to beachfront restaurants. Around the dolphin statue, you can find several popular food carts and warungs. Here’s is a list of some of my favorite restaurants and warungs in Lovina, Bali:

• Buda Bakery & Resto: this is the best bakery of North Bali! It offers a wide variety of good Western breads, cakes and other treats produced fresh daily.
• Ikan Bakar Tanjung Alam: this open-air restaurant offers the best (grilled) seafood of Lovina.
• Global Village Kafe: if you like supporting non-profit organizations, make sure to visit this cafe. It’s a great experience supporting people with disabilities. The waiters are deaf/dumb and people with disabilities work in the kitchen. The food is western or local and tastes very good.
• Spice beach club: here, you can chill at the beach lounge while enjoying a burger, seafood, or anything else from their extensive menu card. While you are waiting for the food, you can watch the sunset.
• Akar Cafe: are you vegetarian? This place offers great organic smoothies, house-made ice cream, and tasty dishes.
• Warung Bambu Pemaron: this warung (local eatery) made all out of bamboo offers traditional Balinese cuisine and is situated in a beautiful rice paddy field.
• Lemongrass Resto: great restaurant off-the-beaten path with Western dishes and Dutch snacks! For the Dutch readers: this is the place in Lovina to get a broodje kroket.
• Secret Garden Restaurant: small restaurant with only 5 tables that serve high quality food. The restaurant also offers a free pick-up service from your hotel or villa.
• MeVui Lovina: if you are in the mood for Vietnamese food, make sure to visit MeVui Lovina. The staff is super friendly and polite. Be sure to try the pho bo!

What are the best places to work in Lovina, Bali?

Lovina is known for its laid-back atmosphere, making it an attractive destination for remote work and digital nomads. While it may not have as many co-working spaces as some of the busier areas in Bali like Canggu or Ubud, there are still some places where you can work comfortably. Consider getting a local SIM card or esim with a data plan to create your own mobile hotspot. This allows you to work from virtually anywhere in Lovina as long as you have a good cellular signal. Here are favorite places to work in Lovina:

• Lovina Life Room & Cafe: this 3-star hotel has a quiet cafe and restaurant. The food and the beverage are outstanding and the staff is warmhearted.
• Lemongrass Resto: great restaurant off-the-beaten path with Western dishes and Dutch snacks! For the Dutch readers: this is the place in Lovina to get a broodje kroket. It’s also convenient located next to Villa Nugraha, if you decide to stay overnight here.

Where to overnight in Lovina, Bali?

Lovina offers a good range of hotels and guesthouses and prices tend to be a little cheaper than in the south of Bali. Booking.com is a good place to book your stay. Below you can find a selection of my favorite places to stay in Lovina, Bali:

Low budget accommodation:

Family Hostel is one of the cheapest hostels in Lovina and one of the best! Here, you can choose to sleep outside in a hammock, outside on a matras or inside a 6-bed mixed dormitory room. The staff are very and they offer many cool excursions for a fair price.

Rumah Askara has only two rooms next to each other, so it’s a quiet and remote accommodation. The accommodation is located close to everything in Lovina. The rooms are clean and there’s a lovely garden and swimming pool. The helpful owner can help you organize trips to see dolphins or others.

Mid-range accommodation:

Balinda Rooms & Villas is a great mid-range accommodation located close to the beach in Lovina. The rooms are really nice, with a beautiful garden and swimming pool. The owner is very sweet and helpful. She can help booking a dolphin tour or taxi.

Villa Nugraha is a new and privately owned villa in Lovina. The owners are very kind! It was my birthday during my stay at the villa and they visited me and brought a chocolate pie. You can either rent the villa with one or two bedrooms. The villa also has a fully-equipped kitchen, a private swimming pool and private parking area. The villa is located a bit far from the beach (15-minutes walk), but if you have a scooter, you can drive within a few minutes to the beach.

Luxury accommodation:

The Damai offers luxurious villas with amazing views and top-notch service. The territory is gorgeous and the food tastes amazing, especially the breakfasts. The location is remote and serene for a very calming and peaceful stay with stunning views everywhere you look.

Villa Seruni is located in the centre of Lovina. This beautiful 3 bedroom villa is open, spacious and sunny. The staff and owners are very accommodating and can help you with any questions and requests like renting scooters or arranging sim cards, massages and other excursions.

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I hope this information can help you prepare and enjoy Lovina, Bali. I am sure you will enjoy Lovina as much as I did. If you have been to Lovina and know any other good things to do, food to eat, places to chill or general advises to other travelers, please let me know in a comment! I would love to hear about it.

Author: Daphne

This article is part of the GPSmyCity iOS app. You can download it, read this article offline and obtain travel directions (by foot, car or bicycle) to the places mentioned in this article. Click here to download it.

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