Candidasa is a tranquil beach town in the Samuh Bugbug Village. It is only 12 Kilometers from the main town of Amlapura in Karangasem. Candidasa was once called Teluk Kehen or Kehen Bay, but was changed during the tourism boom. This town is also known for it is beautiful shores, good shopping, affordable to luxury accommodations, and it is fine dining restaurants.

The main street of Candidasa offers great shopping for people who want to buy Balinese handicrafts, art, or souvenirs. Things that are sold on the main street are handmade by the local Balinese people in the villages. Items for sale are not fixed priced so bargaining is a must when shopping in these local shops. Expect to pay only cash when shopping for goods in Candidasa because most places do not accept credit or debit cards. The shops all open at 9:00 in the morning and close at 9:00 at night, so make sure to shop during these hours.

Candidasa is a low-key town that does not have any nightclubs or bars. This serene village attracts visitors and tourists from all over the world who want to enjoy scenic ocean views and love to be surrounded by lush green rice paddies. This town is for real people who just want to relax and enjoy nature at its finest. For people who do want to go out and enjoy a little nightlife action, there are traditional Balinese dances on Tuesday and Friday nights at the Pandan Harum dance stage.

There are a few really good restaurants in this laid-back town. People enjoy eating at the Lotus Seaview, Vincents, TJ’s Cafe, and Di Mahkota Restaurant.

The Lotus Seaview Restaurant is on the main street of Candidasa that offers beautiful views of the ocean. They serve delicious food from International dishes to traditional Balinese cuisines. The Lotus Seaview Restaurant also serves fresh caught fish and delicious Italian food.

Vincent’s Restaurant serves good food with excellent service. This restaurant is two stories high with a beautiful garden on the second floor. People enjoy coming to this restaurant to dine and to listen to jamming live music at the same time.

TJ’s Cafe is located right beside the Water Garden Hotel. It has a relaxing ambience surrounded by an exotic tropical garden. This restaurant can seat up to 40 people at a time. They serve traditional Indonesian, Mediterranean, European, and American food.

Di Mahkota Restaurant is the only place to dine where you can grill your own food at your table. They can also cater Indonesian and Western foods for parties or big events. This restaurant is known for having fresh homemade bread and a large selection of cheese and meats from the Netherlands.