Why Munggu is the perfect base for your Bali adventure

August 29, 2025

This has happened to me a lot lately. Many acquaintances, friends, and influencers have visited Bali and left with a slightly bitter taste in their mouths. I’ve often heard them say, “It’s very beautiful, but too crowded,” or “It’s wonderful, but I didn’t get a feel for the island’s culture.” So I asked myself, why does Bali steal my heart with its naturalness and local culture? The answer is simple: it’s based on frequenting and visiting the island’s unspoiled and authentic places. Easy for those who know the island, more difficult for those who are unfamiliar with it. So I decided to dedicate a blog article to one of my favorite villages in Bali: Munggu.

Ricefields Bali

When browsing the web, the trend is to stay in and promote more local and less famous villages that are close to popular destinations. This allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture without sacrificing proximity to the most famous centers. Munggu is located 15 minutes by scooter from Canggu, 10 minutes from Cemagi Beach, and 5 minutes from one of the coolest new emerging centers, Seseh. In short, it is the ideal place to stay if you are looking for an authentic experience with all the amenities at your fingertips.

  1. Where exactly is munggu?

Imagine lots of typical little houses, each with its own Hindu temple outside the door, lots of narrow streets filled with barefoot children playing happily among bicycles and kites, rice fields, miles and miles of rice fields, surrounded by palm trees and banana trees, and there you are in Munggu. 

Bali kids Hindu

It is now well known that the most convenient and fastest way to get around Bali is by scooter. With a scooter at your disposal, Munggu is only 15 minutes from Canggu, 5 minutes from Seseh, and 10 minutes from the beaches. This is precisely what makes it the perfect destination for those who want to experience the real Bali while still being close to all the amenities and popular centers.

  1. A balance of surf, yoga & wellness

What if I told you that Kavo Maison Surf & Yoga is located in Munggu? That’s right, there’s nothing better than combining a stay that offers physical and mental well-being and exercise with an unspoiled location that’s close to everything on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Munggu is the perfect setting for a surf and yoga retreat Bali. Thanks to its tranquility, you can truly enjoy every moment away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world. Here, time seems to stand still, marked only by the sound of gongs, yoga classes, healthy breakfasts, walks through rice fields, and sunsets riding the waves of the area’s pristine beaches. This is a place we proudly call the best surf camp Bali.

Surf Kedungu bali

According to various studies, Europeans in particular are increasingly looking for slow, sustainable vacations that directly help the local population. The perfect combination is Kavo Maison Surf & Yoga, nestled among the rice fields of Munggu. This surf camp Bali offers everything you could want from a green vacation.

  1. How Kavo Maison Surf&Yoga ends up to be in Munggu

It was a hot November day, and we had been searching for days for a place that could become our dream home. And there we were on this road, just above the chaotic main street. Those expanses of rice fields, those banana trees still uncultivated, and the locals. Their smiles, the happy cries of the children. One glance was enough to know that this was the right place for us. 

When we later met the owner of the land that would become ours, we were welcomed into his family like children. They opened the doors of their home and their hearts to us. And here we are, opening the doors of Munggu to you too. We look forward to seeing you at Kavo Maison Surf & Yoga. Come, make yourself at home, and immerse yourself in the real Bali.

  1. Best things to do in and around Munggu

Sunset beach Bali

Well, we’ve said it, Munggu is beautiful. But what can I do in the surrounding area? Here is a carefully selected list of all the hidden gems around Munggu:

  • Sunset at Warung Pantai Seseh: a small beach bar, accessible only to those in the know, offering a magical atmosphere at sunset
  • Breakfast at Seseh General Store: A tiny café with just a few tables, cozy and intimate. A real local hideaway!
  • Get lost on a scooter among the streets of Seseh and Cemagi: That’s right, as it’s still an unspoiled area, the view is breathtaking. At every turn, you will encounter rice fields and plantations that will leave you speechless. Let yourself be carried away with the wind in your hair.
  • Stop in Kedungu: Kedungu is said to be the next coolest spot for surfers from all over the world. For now, it is a small village with a very hipster vibe. It is worth a visit. Stop for a fresh coconut at Little Ripper Bali.
  • Full immersion in Balinese spirituality: Don’t miss one of the rituals offered every day at Udara spa. If you feel particularly connected with yourself, treat yourself to the “sacred sounds of surya.” It’s a unique experience you’ll never forget.
  1. Lifestyle: Slow Living Meets Adventure

If all this has convinced you, then book a stay at Kavo Maison Surf & Yoga in Munggu, come and experience all these emotions for yourself, and I assure you that you will not be disappointed. Locals, ethical travelers like you, and nomads in search of peace are there waiting for you, to share an adventure, a laugh, a yoga class, a sunset, and many emotions. Our unique approach makes us the best surf camp Bali for those seeking a tranquil experience.

Sunset ricefield Bali

Bali has changed, but its magic, its true essence, and its traditions will never change. Just open your eyes, take a step away from the crowds of tourists, and you will be catapulted into the authentic Bali, the one everyone has in mind, the one depicted in the film “Eat, Pray, Love.” Don’t judge a place just because a small part of the island has been overrun by tourism. Go beyond that, and you will discover a place that will remain in your hearts forever. As the local wise men say, “You don’t choose Bali, Bali chooses you,” so indulge yourself on the island of the gods, give it a chance to get to know your deepest, truest self, and give it carte blanche. We are sure it will not disappoint you. You can start your journey with one of our fantastic surf lessons Canggu.

Author

  • Larissa is the co-founder of Kavo Maison, a surf & yoga retreat in Munggu, Bali. Originally from Switzerland, she has always chased horizons, from spontaneous road trips to bold adventures. Passionate about art, interior design, and life’s beautiful follies, she brings her creative vision to her brand Kavo Maison. When not curating her spaces around the world, she’s travelling, collecting stories, colors, and inspiration along the way.

We believe in this way of traveling, not to escape life, but to reconnect with it. That’s why we’re building Kavo Maison, a surf & yoga retreat opening in November 2025, in the peaceful village of Munggu.

We’re not accepting bookings yet, but if you’re dreaming of a place where surf meets stillness  you can join our mailing list and get early access and special offers

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