LOVINA
ABOUT LOVINA
Lovina is a small coastal town in the north of Bali island, near Singaraja (10 kilometers, 20 minutes by motorbike or car), the former capital of Bali. Lovina belongs to the regency of Buleleng and stands out for being one of the calmest places on the island to enjoy the sun, the beach, the diving and the dolphins.
Lovina is located 73 kilometers north of Ubud, 77 kilometers east of Gilimanuk and 88 kilometers north of Kuta. Although the distances are not very long, keep in mind that the traffic on the island is slower than we are used to.
Lovina is not as busy as Kuta or Ubud, given its location in the north of the island, but if you decide to go you will have plenty of accommodation and activities options at reasonable prices.
If you have time and you are looking to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the south, Lovina can be a great option. If you enter Bali through the port of Gilimanuk from the island of Java, consider spending a few days in Lovina to rest before heading further south to Ubud or Kuta.
HOW TO GET TO LOVINA
From the airport
Lovina is quite far from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. It is practically a journey from the south to the north of the island which takes more than 3 hours (93 km). The best option would be to take a taxi ride to your destination, but keep in mind that it’s a long drive and you’ll have to bargain for the price before getting in the car (we warn you that the price is quite high). Another cheaper alternative would be to take a taxi to the Kuta centre and from there take a shuttle bus from the Perama Tour company to Lovina. PLEASE NOTE! Check the timetable on the 12go.asia website before choosing this option as there are no daily buses.
Most travellers prefer to move around gradually, staying a few days in the south and then moving further north, stopping a few days in Ubud and then continuing north. This is the best option because this way you can get to know different areas of the island.
From Java via Gilimanuk
Besides the flight option to Ngurah Rai airport (Denpasar), there are travellers who prefer to enter through the Gilimanuk port, when arriving from the island of Java. This is a good option if you plan to visit Java before your stay in Bali. Very close to the port there is a bus stop where you can take a bus to Lovina. If you prefer to go more comfortable, you can opt for a taxi, but we advise you to bargain and set a price before getting into the car.
Moving around Lovina and the surroundings
The most popular option among travellers is the motorbike, because it is easy to rent one and move around whenever and wherever you want. Another option is the taxi, for the comfort it offers by not having to worry about traffic or how to get to the destination.
If you want to travel to other locations in a more economical way and not by taxi, you can use the shuttle bus of the companies Perama, Trans Sarbagita or Kura-Kura. These companies offer routes to most major locations in Bali. We advise you to consult the schedules on the web of 12go.asia, before organizing your routes, since, depending on the destination, there are no daily buses.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN LOVINA
As it is located on the coast, Lovina stands out for the activities that take place near the beach. Although this is a fishing village, it has been transformed gradually to fulfil the needs of the tourists that have been coming to the area. Here are some options of what to see or do in Lovina.
Walking or swimming
The beaches of northern Bali are much quieter than those in the south where the activities never stop. Lovina beach is a black sand beach which, although it is not the best for swimming, is great for sunbathing, relaxing or just taking a walk in a relaxed atmosphere.
Enjoy beautiful sunsets
Lovina is a perfect place to enjoy unforgettable sunsets since its beaches are oriented towards the northwest. What could be better than enjoying the sunset and having a refreshing Bintang or a coconut in one of the bars you will find along the beach?
Taste the local gastronomy
If you have not yet tasted some of the most traditional balinese dishes, such as Nasi Goreng (fried rice) or Mie Goreng (fried noodles), this is the perfect time to do so in one of the warungs (traditional restaurants) located near the beach. If you like fish and seafood, Lovina is the perfect place to try some fresh fish or seafood at a very affordable price.
See dolphins in the wild
Lovina is one of the few places in Bali where you can see dolphins in the wild. The tours are usually done in the morning and can be booked on Lovina’s waterfront.
Watch the stars
As there is not as much light pollution as in the southern towns of the island, Lovina is the perfect spot to see the stars at night.
WHERE TO STAY IN LOVINA
In Lovina you can find accommodation for all budgets as it has a wide and diverse offer of hotels with spacious rooms, swimming pools and breakfast included. We are sure that you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect accommodation that suits your preferences and budget.
WHERE TO EAT IN LOVINA
In Lovina you might not find as many options as in the south of the island, but we assure you that you won’t have any difficulty in finding places that serve everything from local food to fresh fish and seafood, something very typical in the area. And if it’s right in front of the beach with the sunset in sight and live music, even better.
WHAT TO DO IN LOVINA
Whether inside the town or nearby, Lovina has a wide variety of activities you can do. Among the most popular are traditional balinese cooking classes, dolphin watching, snorkelling, hot spring baths and visits to the buddhist temple.
⇒ Check out our selection of activities you can do in Lovina
POINTS OF INTEREST NEAR LOVINA
Near Lovina there are quite a few interesting places like the buddhist temple Brahma Vihara Arama, the Air Panas Banjar hot springs, rice fields, lakes and waterfalls (Red Coral and Melanting) in Munduk village, the twin lakes Buyan and Tamblingan, or the famous temple Ulun Danu Beratan which may be a good choice if you are interested in visiting other sites in the area.
Also, it is important to note that most of Bali’s main waterfalls are located in the north of the island, fairly close to Lovina. If you go there with time, you might want to see at least a couple of them.
⇒ Read our complete guide about the waterfalls in Bali
If you have more time, you may consider diving or snorkelling in Menjangan Island. Although it is a little further away from Lovina, it is worth experiencing water activities in one of the best places in the world for scuba diving.
- Brahma Vihara Arama - buddhist temple
- Air Panas Banjar Hot Springs
- Munduk
- Red Coral Waterfall
- Melanting Waterfall
- Gitgit Waterfall
- Sekumpul Waterfall
- Air Terjun Munduk Waterfall
- Buyan Lake
- Tamblingan Lake
- West Bali National Park
In the following map you can find all the points of interest in Lovina mentioned in this article. You can use it to organise your routes around Bali. We hope you will find it useful.