WHERE?
WHEN?
We stayed in Amed for almost all of June 2024. The weather was warm but just perfect. Amed is protected from the rain by the mountains and is one of the dryest places on the island so we had nice weather almost all month
TIPS:
WHAT TO PACK?
snorkeling equipment (you can also rent it once there if needed)
go pro / underwater camera
sunscreen / sun glasses / anything to protect you from the sun
all the beach equipment
hiking equipment
ARRIVING / LEAVING AMED:
To go to Amed, just take a grab, it is super easy and way cheaper
But to come back from Amed, the village does not welcome pick-ups from Grab, they want to protect the drivers’ community. I recommend going with Kadek, he is super nice! Tell him you come from me and you should get a price of 600K back to Denpasar/kuta => +62 812-3742-9596
On the way there and/or on the way back, make sure to stop by:
Tirta Gangga: beautiful water temple. Great at daytime but also beautiful with the sunset lights and then you see it illuminated at night!
Penataran Agung Lempuyang Temple: For this one, I would say that it is not necessarily worth the detour because it is SUPER touristic, and hours of queue for the famous pic in the door. BUT I highly recommend going if you also do the Eight Temples hike (see section hiking below)
Berina Rice Terrace: what a scenic view! you also have a coffee to relax and enjoy the green scenery.
RENT A SCOOTER:
Message Yosa, she is adorable and so efficient/reactive: +62 877-0171-6947
Driving in Amed is super easy and safe, it’s literally one road and they just redid it a few months ago! As usual: please wear a helmet and be careful.
WHERE TO STAY?
We stayed at Serenia Villas in Melasti. I loved Melasti because it’s way calmer and we were so close to the ocean, Also, the villa was super comfy and the staff was super nice. It might be a bit pricey but we had a great offer since they are still new. Here is the Whatsapp: +62 819-1603-7831
Anyway, you have a lot of options. I loved Melasti because it was quiet and more “communal”, but you could also stay on the main road by Amed beach, or find something more in the mountains with a view. You have for every taste and every budget.
For a great location and good prices, I got recommended Pondok Aldi, and you are next to Fresh Fins (dive center) and Blue Earth Village (yoga).
If you are really into yoga and want to practice regularly during your stay, then have a look at Blue Earth Village
WHAT TO DO?
DIVING:
This is THE activity in Amed and you will understand why. The
I fully recommend going with Fresh Fins Diving. The team is just adorable and super qualified. The center is beautiful and they deliver a great service. Message Christie from me and enjoy!
=> +62 812-3706-4983
SNORKELING:
Amed is amazing for snorkeling! You can snorkel right in front of the beach in most spots! At most of the spots, you can also go closer to the beaches’ extremities and find the “walls” but be careful of the tide and the currents. Almost everywhere you can also go to one of the local fishermen and pay for a snorkeling tour. They will drop you to all the famous spots!
My favorite spots just around the corner are:
Lipah Beach: the reef is gorgeous and there is a high chance of seeing a turtle!
YOGA / MUAY THAI / HIKING:
Surprisingly, there are not many yoga studios in Amed! I was really surprised. I ended up always going to Blue Earth Village. The shala is just insanely beautiful, they have a yoga class in the morning and at sunset. The planning and prices are online and it is super easy to book online or via WhatsApp. I highly recommend Michelle’s classes. They also have a beautiful gym and a pool to swim and learn free diving.
I also joined a few circuit/cardio and Muay Thai sessions at CG Amed. I LOVED the classes. Same, you can book on the spot and they have package options.
Amed is surrounded by volcanoes so if you are motivated to drive, I am sure you can find insane hikes! Our full priority was diving so we only explored the options close and this is what we did:
The 8 temples hikes in Lempuyang. Just gorgeous but challenging because it’s thousands of steps! The start is touristic because the first temple is one of the most famous Instagram spots. So you need to park with all the tourists, pay the shuttle to go to the first temple (here, up to you to enter, I would say it is NOT worth it) and then ask a local motorbike to take you to the beginning of the hike, for like 10-20K (1euro max). See the image attached. Then the hike starts and you will pass by 7 other temples, it’s a loop. At the last temple on the top, ask if you can join a benediction.
Jemeluk Hill: also a stiff start! Nice option for a hike starting right in the city center. You also have a beautiful view over Amed, and see how people live once you leave the main road.
MASSAGE ANd BEAUTY TREATMENTS:
Many options in town! My favorite one is Island Girls by far. Message Morgane to book your treatment => +62 819-1720-4725
I also tried XXX and it was nice but then I kept on going back to Island Girls.
WHERE TO EAT / GO FOR COFFEE / HAVE A DRINK:
Galanga: maybe the best food/flavors out there. Just delicious. Ask to be in the garden in the little cabanas
Rimba Cafe: “new” spot in tow, same owners as Galanga. Super nice spot, BEST COFFEE in town, and delicious patisseries
Blue Earth: maybe my favorite view in Amed. SO relaxing, and they have a lot of vegan/veggie options.
One Way Expresso: Not the best “decor” but the food is really good! I highly recommend the fried vegan sushi taco (sounds weird but it’s DELICIOUS)
Good Stuff Cafe: The latest “cute place to go”. They work on reducing plastics, on having sustainable practices, etc. Nice spot to remote work and the team is just adorable. They are super nice.
Sunset Point is the cliché/tourist spot, but I have to say it is a nice spot for sunset haha. There is a minimum spend of IDR 125000 but then you have a budget of IDR 125000 to spend so it’s nice. Take the time to go and enjoy the place before sunset. They have a lot of live music too.
St Bernard Coffee: I liked the tables outside with the view over the rice fields. Not the best food though and not that many veggie options
MD Amed Cafe: We just went for a drink and the view from the terrasse upstairs is magical
Natnat Thai Comfort Food: the name says it all! Good pad Thai and a lot of veggie options
See you again and Joli best view are also great spots for sunset