Candidasa Night Life
Candidasa has entered a new age with the recent advent of discos
and nightclubs which seem rather out of place in this once quiet
seaside village. Raja Restaurant shows movies nightly. Go-go's
is a favorite with the younger crowd and has great dance music.
But to dance all night long, the only place to go is Beer Garden
Disco.
There are also traditional music performances and dance at several
places. Candidasa Beach Bungalows II holds barong and keris dances
in the restaurant upon request for groups, $15 including dinner.
Pandan Harum stages legong, bans, and barong dances with gamelan
orchestra on Tuesday and Friday at 9 pm. Closed during low season.
$2.75/person.
Candidasa Activities
Diving
Karangasem has several dive spots not to be missed, namely Gili
Tepekong, Tulamben (with its ship wreck swarming with marine life),
Amed (great 40 meter drop-oft), and the reefs of Tianyar. Scuba
diving equipment is available for rent at several diving centers
along the main street of Candidasa. Their prices change according
to the location. For those near Candidasa and Padangbai, expect
to pay $55 for one dive and $65 for two.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling can be arranged almost anywhere. Prices for 1.5 hours
of snorkeling (including the roundtrip) at the islands just off
Candidasa are around $3/person in a party of up to 3 people. If
you are going out alone, expect to pay $4. This includes the price
of the fins and mask equipment. Watch out! The waves can be rough
near the islands. One can also go to the Pasir Putih area east
of town and land on the beautiful beach for a swim.
Sailing prices are approximately $6 for 2 hours or $8 if you want
to fish.
Cycling
Many places rent bikes. Kubu Bali has five and ten-speed mountain
bikes. The Water Garden has mountain bikes and maps at similar
rates. Count on paying Rp 20,000 per day.
Hiking
A fine three-hour, 6 km, walk from Candidasa to Tenganan starts
just east of Kubu Bali or at Sri Jati Restaurant. Follow the ridge-top
trail and drop left into Tenganan just before the fourth major
hill. Magnificent views but start early to avoid the midday heat.
A shorter hike starts at the tip of the headland east of town:
walk the hill due northeast down to a long, deserted black sand
beach. Other hikes can be organized from Tenganan to Putung or
to Bedabudug (Bandem).
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