Should you visit Lovina Bali? Read this article and you’ll find out.
After years on my Bali Bucket List, I finally visited Lovina with my best travel companion, my husband. We spent 2 nights exploring this small fishing town in the north of Bali. And I decided to write this guide to share my experience and what you can expect when you come to this town.
I wrote this guide based on my personal experience. However, some of the recommendations are based on the reviews I spent hours reading on the internet (namely Google and Trip Advisor).
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission (so I can buy vanilla sundae on hot days!) at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
But, first. Let’s answer this question.
Is Lovina Worth Visiting?
Personally, I would say YES. The area is not fully packed with tourists, the beachfront hotels are more affordable than other beach areas in Bali, and there are PLENTY of cafes and restaurants to choose from.
In general, I think Lovina is budget-friendly. Of course, there are expensive hotels and private villas too. But I haven’t seen any fancy beach clubs or restaurants around here.
If you want to escape the crowded and busy Canggu, this area can be your option. You can just relax and unwind in this slow-vibes fisherman village. Maybe get some inspiration for your work, write a song, a book, or a blog article, or just think about your life purpose.
But if you’re looking for an amazing beach or for a party, Lovina isn’t for you. The black sand beach isn’t so mesmerizing, and like I said, no fancy beach clubs or high-end bars.
Tip: If you’re looking for a beach holiday in Bali, I suggest you hop on the boat to Nusa Lembongan. This is by far the best beach in all of Bali!
Read more about Nusa Lembongan here
What is Lovina known for?
When talking or browsing about Lovina, you will see one word attached to it: dolphin. This is what Lovina is known for. People come here to watch and swim with the dolphins, souvenir shops are full of all things dolphins. There is even a dolphin statue on Lovina beach.
Why I didn’t go on a dolphin tour in Lovina
It is totally up to you if you want to go on a dolphin tour. But I will tell you how it is and then you can maybe consider your decision.
A dolphin tour is like this: You jump on a fisherman’s boat early in the morning, about 6 a.m. The boat goes toward the ocean to the place where they think the dolphins are. But you’re not the only one doing this. A dozen other boats will join you and chase the dolphins.
Yes, they are chasing the poor dolphins! Can you imagine this? It’s mass tourism and non-ethical to the animals and the environment. I read in another blog post that the boat they had reeked of Gasoline and they had to throw the flip-flop into the trash bin afterward.
That’s why I didn’t participate in this activity. I like to see dolphins but not like this. This feels totally wrong. So, I hope this gives you a better perspective and judgment about this activity.
Or did you have a different experience? If you do, please share with me in the comments!
How to get to Lovina Bali?
You can take a taxi to Lovina or book a driver. I personally went there with a scooter. It’s a two-hour drive from the International Airport of Denpasar, almost 3 hours if you go by car.
I find this more convenient (only if you can drive the scooter well!) because you can go around easily with a scooter. Besides, you can enjoy the scenery when crossing the highlands of Bali.
If you come from the southern area, you’ll probably cross Bedugul area. It’s worth stopping to enjoy the view sometimes.
Where to stay in Lovina Bali?
Compared to other beach areas in Bali, Lovina has the most affordable beachfront accommodations. There are also several private villas with private pool that are way cheaper than in Seminyak or Uluwatu.
I suggest you find hotels or accommodations that are close to Lovina Beach. Don’t stay too far from the center, otherwise, you will have to drive far to find some nice restaurants or cafes.
We actually loved our stay in Studio L. It’s a beachfront apartment, complete with a kitchen and dining room. The room is modern and clean, we felt like we were in Croatia or Italy. The bedroom is on the second floor with a balcony overlooking the lazy ocean. And the pool is huge!
Other hotels or apartments in Lovina that I can recommend to you are:
If you’re looking for some more budget-friendly accommodations, check these out:
For more hotel options in Lovina, click here!
Where to eat in Lovina Bali?
There are plenty of restaurants and eateries to choose from in Lovina. I was surprised to find International cuisine from Italian to Vietnamese food here! If you stay close to Lovina Beach, you can just walk to warungs and restaurants along the street.
If you’re a new visitor to Bali, you probably would look for Indonesian food or fresh seafood dishes. But if you’ve been in Bali for a while (like us), we sometimes prefer to eat something different. That’s why, here are my recommendations if you’re looking for non-Indonesian food:
- Tanda Restaurant : Probably the best pizza in all of Bali! If you’re craving for a good and authentic Italian food, you won’t be disappointed here.
- MeVui : They have several branches across Bali and they served authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Everything we ordered was delicious!
- Coffeenosky : A small cafe that serves good coffee and breakfast. They also have a nice balcony with a mountain view. Although it tends to be a bit hot outside.
- Akar Cafe : We haven’t yet visited this place, but I’ve read a bunch of good reviews about it. They have lots of options for vegetarians and vegans.
Otherwise, there are plenty of warungs and Indonesian restaurants around Lovina Beach.
Best things to do in Lovina Bali
Honestly, there aren’t many things to do in Lovina. For me, it’s more of a place to relax and enjoy the serenity and the calm beach waves. But if you’re more of the active kind of person and love to go outdoors and explore, these are some of the activities that I can suggest you:
Visit the Brahmavihara-Arama
If you did a bit of research before coming to Bali, you would know that most of the Balinese are Hindus. But here up north, you will find the largest Buddhist Monastery in Bali, with amazing ocean and mountain views. The entrance fee to Brahmavihara-Arama is 25k IDR with a sarong rent if you’re wearing shorts. The location is about 16-minute drive from Lovina Beach.
Go Snorkeling
You can go snorkeling around Lovina Beach. I haven’t done this, but I read that there are some small reefs with beautiful fish around this area, about 10-20 minutes away from the beach.
Visit Waterfall
I’m not a huge fan of waterfalls, but if you are, there are some nice ones around this area. Sekumpul waterfall is the most popular and (some people say) one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Bali.
Beware that there are lots of stairs and they can be steep and slippery. I also don’t recommend to visit waterfalls during the rainy season.
You can also combine this with a private tour of the Coffee Plantation and a visit to the Hindu water temple of Pura Ulun Danu Beratan.
A trip to Sekumpul waterfall from the center of Lovina will take almost 1 hour.
Note: I read on Google reviews that some people are being asked for a tour guide fee of $15 per person when entering Sekumpul Waterfall. I still don’t know if it’s an official fee or something, but you might want to be aware of this if you decide to visit this waterfall.
Diving in Menjangan Island
Now if you’re a diver, you can go diving on Menjangan Island. There are dive packages and courses that you can take here. I read that Menjangan island underwater is rich with untouched corals and eel gardens.
Visit West Bali National Park
If you’re a National Geographic fan, then the West Bali National Park should be on your list. With a total area of more than 19.000 hectares, this park is home to over a hundred species of wildlife, including endangered species and the exotic Bali Starling bird.
Tips before visiting Lovina Bali
Weather Wise:
Lovina’s climate is generally warm, but a light raincoat may come in handy during the wet season.
Cash is King:
Some remote areas may have limited card facilities, so I advise you to carry sufficient cash.
Respect the Reef:
When snorkeling, please practice responsible tourism by avoiding touching or damaging coral reefs. Let’s be a responsible traveler!
Cultural Courtesy:
Respect local customs and traditions, especially when visiting temples. While on the beach, it’s okay to wear bikinis. But please use cover-ups when walking along the main roads or going to warung/restaurants. The locals might not say anything, but you will be frowned upon.
Hydrate and Hat Up:
Keep hydrated and wear a hat to shield yourself from the tropical sun while exploring Lovina’s outdoor areas. I noticed that the temperature in Lovina is slightly hotter than in the southern area of Bali. Sitting outdoor in a restaurant wasn’t really a good option. I remember sweating like it was raining on me.
What’s Next?
Not far from Lovina, is the quiet village up in the mountains called Munduk. Never heard about it? Check out my article about this hidden gem in Bali!
