East Bali Road Trip by Car: 2–3 Day Itinerary (Candidasa, Amed, Sidemen)
Short answer: East Bali is the best road trip on the island — quieter than the south, with volcano views, water palaces, black-sand bays and rice valleys. Give it 2–3 days, rent an MPV such as an Avanza or Xpander (or book a car with driver), start early, and sleep in Candidasa, Amed or Sidemen rather than driving back south each night.
Want a quick quote? Chat with us on WhatsApp (+62 818-0800-1102) — English-speaking team, delivery to your hotel or villa, pay on arrival.
Most visitors only see East Bali on a rushed 14-hour “Gates of Heaven” day tour. Slowing down changes everything: you see Mount Agung at sunrise from your guesthouse, snorkel a shipwreck before the boats arrive and drive back through Sidemen’s terraces with almost no traffic. Here’s a loop that works.
Route overview
| Leg | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu / Seminyak → Candidasa | ~75 km | 2–2.5 h |
| Ubud → Candidasa | ~50 km | 1.25–1.5 h |
| Candidasa → Tirta Gangga → Amed | ~40 km | 1.25 h |
| Amed → Sidemen | ~55 km | 1.5–2 h |
| Sidemen → Ubud / Sanur | ~40 km | 1–1.5 h |
Times assume no rush hour. Leaving South Bali after 8 am adds an hour of traffic around Denpasar and Gianyar — see Bali traffic guide.
Day 1: Tenganan, Candidasa and Virgin Beach
Take the coastal bypass (Jalan Ida Bagus Mantra) east from Sanur — it’s the fastest road out of the south. Stop at Tenganan, one of Bali’s old Bali Aga villages, known for double-ikat weaving. Then check in at Candidasa, a quiet seaside town, and spend the afternoon at Virgin Beach (Pasir Putih), a white-sand cove reached by a short, steep lane. Car parking is at the top; the last stretch is fine for an MPV if you drive slowly.
Day 2: Tirta Gangga, Lempuyang and Amed
Go early to Tirta Gangga, the water palace with stepping stones and koi ponds, before the tour buses. Next, Lempuyang Temple — the “Gates of Heaven”. The queue for the famous photo can be long by mid-morning; read Lempuyang by scooter for timing, dress code and the shuttle from the car park. Finish in Amed, a string of fishing villages with black-sand beaches, snorkelling right off the shore and sunset views of Mount Agung. Our Amed by scooter guide covers the coast road and best snorkel spots.
Day 3: Sidemen and back south
Drive through Amlapura and up into the Sidemen valley: rice terraces, songket weaving workshops and views of Agung that rival Ubud without the crowds. Stop at Klungkung (Semarapura) for the Kerta Gosa painted ceilings on the way home. If you have time for one more night, stay in Sidemen — see Sidemen by scooter.
Which car to rent
- Avanza / Xenia — the default, fine for 2–5 people with bags.
- Xpander — more comfortable on the long climbs, more luggage space.
- Innova with driver — best for families or if you don’t want to drive the narrow mountain roads.
- Brio / Agya — cheap for a couple, but tight with luggage and weak on steep hills.
Self-drive rentals cost roughly IDR 250k–450k per day; a car with driver roughly IDR 650k–950k per day, often with a surcharge for East Bali because of the distance. See car rental prices per day.
Driving tips for East Bali
- Fuel: fill up in Klungkung or Amlapura. On the Amed coast there are mostly roadside bottle sellers.
- Narrow roads: the Amed coast road and parts of Sidemen are single-lane with blind corners — honk lightly and go slow.
- Night driving: avoid it. Unlit roads, dogs and trucks make East Bali risky after dark.
- Temple clothes: carry a sarong and sash; many temples rent them.
- Cash: entrance fees, parking and warungs are cash only in many places.
- Licence: you need your home licence plus an IDP — see international driving permit.
Scooter instead of a car?
Confident riders can do the same loop on an NMAX or PCX — it’s glorious on two wheels. Send big bags ahead or leave them at your main hotel. See Bali scooter road trip itinerary.
Book your East Bali road trip car
We deliver self-drive cars anywhere in South Bali and Ubud, or send an English-speaking driver who knows the East Bali roads, temples and best photo times.
Send us on WhatsApp: travel dates, number of people and bags, pickup address, and whether you want self-drive or a driver.
We reply in English within minutes (08:00–22:00 Bali time), confirm the price in writing, and deliver to your hotel or villa. No booking fee, no deposit up front — you pay when the vehicle arrives and you’ve checked it.
WhatsApp us now +62 818-0800-1102
Ready to ride? Compare daily, weekly & monthly rates on our Bali scooter rental page — delivered to your hotel or villa in 34 areas.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for East Bali?
Two to three days is ideal: one night in Candidasa or Amed and one in Sidemen. A single day trip is possible but involves 8–10 hours of driving.
Is it safe to drive a rental car in East Bali?
Yes, during daylight. Roads are quieter than the south but narrow and winding in places. Avoid driving after dark and fill up with fuel in the bigger towns.
How long is the drive from Canggu to Amed?
About 3–3.5 hours outside rush hour, roughly 100 km via the coastal bypass, Candidasa and Amlapura.
Should I hire a driver for East Bali?
If you are not confident on narrow mountain roads or are travelling with kids, a driver is worth it. Prices are often slightly higher for East Bali because of the distance.