Experience the best of Candidasa

Candidasa lies on the east coast of Bali, in the regency of Karangasem, east of the southern resorts of Sanur and Kuta. The village stretches along a narrow beach and a sea wall, and a small lagoon has a temple with a lotus pond. Mount Agung, Bali's highest and most sacred volcano, rises inland.

Offshore, the islets of Gili Mimpang and Gili Tepekong have clear water and dive sites, and snorkelling is easy at the Blue Lagoon near Padangbai. Tenganan, an old Bali Aga village inland, weaves double-ikat cloth called geringsing by hand. The royal water garden of Tirta Gangga, with stone fountains and pools of carp, lies further north, and Padangbai, the ferry port for Lombok, is a short way west.

Balinese cooking uses coconut, lemongrass and chilli, and grilled fresh fish, satay, nasi campur plates and babi guling, roast suckling pig, appear at warungs and beachfront cafés. The dry season brings clear skies and calm seas, while the wet season brings warm rain and greener hills.