Name: Sanur
Address: Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
Rating: 4.5

Colorful fishing boats dot beaches of this resort town with galleries, restaurants & an old temple.

Tanah Lot

Ralf Mertens

SGP Versluis

Supanut Promrungruang

Marika Ottinger

Rangesh TG

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

Provided by Google

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Ceking Rice Terrace

Pandawa Beach

wahyu radhitya

Bima Satria

Sofia Chirta

Tedi Paryono

Renab Sahir

Sanur is located on Bali's east coast, making it famous for its beautiful sunrise views over the ocean.

East Coast Location

A coral reef protects Sanur's coastline, creating calm and shallow waters ideal for swimming and water sports.

Protected Waters

Sanur was home to the Belgian artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merprés, and his house is now a museum showcasing his work and Balinese art.

Artist's Home

Sanur was one of the first areas in Bali to experience significant hotel development, paving the way for tourism on the island.

Hotel Development

Sanur's Mertasari Beach hosts an annual international kite festival, attracting kite enthusiasts from around the world.

Annual Kite Festival

Compared to other tourist hotspots in Bali, Sanur maintains a more relaxed and traditional atmosphere.

Relaxed Atmosphere

Sanur

Sanur, in Sanur, Bali, Indonesia, distinguishes itself through its preserved Balinese charm, a stark contrast to the bustling scenes found elsewhere on the island. Its relatively calm waters, protected by a reef, foster a unique ecosystem ideal for beginner divers and snorkelers, revealing vibrant coral gardens often overlooked by those seeking more challenging dive sites. The beachfront pathway, a continuous stretch connecting various hotels and restaurants, offers a glimpse into local life, where traditional ceremonies and daily routines unfold alongside tourist activities. Sanur's enduring appeal lies in its ability to balance tourism with the preservation of Balinese culture, evident in the numerous temples and family compounds that remain integral to the community. Unlike other areas, Sanur maintains a slower pace, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in the local rhythm and appreciate the subtle nuances of Balinese hospitality. The area is also known for its traditional kite festivals, a vibrant spectacle that showcases the artistic and cultural heritage of the region.

Introduction

Sanur's Balinese charm is reflected in its laid-back atmosphere and preservation of local culture, offering a distinct contrast to Bali's more bustling tourist hotspots. Segara Village Hotel exemplifies this charm, recreating the ambiance of a traditional Balinese community within its beachfront retreat, showcasing the island's culture and artistic heritage through Indonesian furnishings and weekly cultural evenings featuring Balinese dances and music. This commitment to Balinese aesthetics extends beyond the hotel, with local spas, warungs, markets, and produce filling the streets, allowing visitors to experience Bali without overwhelming crowds.

Taksu Sanur Hotel embodies "Taksu," or divine charisma, offering an authentic Balinese experience just 400 meters from Sanur Beach. The hotel's location in the cultural heart of Bali provides a tranquil oasis, allowing guests to unwind in Sanur’s renowned restaurants and cafes, all within walking distance. Even with tourism, Sanur maintains its Balinese identity, offering a more relaxed experience where the charm of the island is still palpable. This is further enhanced by attractions like the Le Mayeur Museum, which provides insights into Bali’s history and artistic heritage. The blend of traditional life and tourism makes Sanur a unique destination for those seeking an authentic Balinese experience.

Balinese Charm

Sanur, Bali, offers a distinct coastal tourism experience characterized by its tranquil beach culture. Unlike the vibrant, party-centric beaches of Ipanema, Sanur provides a more subdued and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for leisurely activities such as long walks along the beach and enjoying local cuisine at beachfront restaurants. The long boardwalk is lined with hotels and small shops selling local goods and services, contributing to the area's unique charm.

Traditional Balinese fishing boats, known as "jukung," line the beach, adding a colorful and picturesque element to the coastal scenery. While these boats are increasingly used for tourism, they maintain the area's cultural identity. Local fishermen can be seen bringing their daily catch to makeshift fish markets along the shore, offering a glimpse into the local way of life.

The coastal area also features hotels like the Sanur Beach Hotel, a beachfront property with amenities catering to tourists. The Meru Sanur, an all-suite beachfront resort, emphasizes wellness and integrates Balinese charm with modern luxury. Sanur's beaches become particularly lively on Sundays when local families gather for recreation and relaxation, creating a vibrant community atmosphere. The windy season brings colorful kites to the sky, adding to the visual appeal of Sanur's coastal environment.

Coastal Tourism

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia, is home to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated to health and wellness tourism, officially approved in July 2022. This zone aims to transform Sanur into a world-class medical and wellness center, providing alternatives for Indonesians seeking medical treatment abroad. The Sanur SEZ spans 41.26 hectares and anticipates investments totaling Rp. 10.2 trillion. It is projected to generate approximately 43,000 jobs and attract 140,000 patients by 2030, significantly boosting medical tourism.

The SEZ offers various incentives for investors, including tax exemptions, customs benefits, and visa facilitation. For instance, investors may receive income tax holidays and exemptions from value-added tax (PPN) and luxury goods sales tax (PPnBM). Simplified visa processes are available for business and medical purposes, facilitating the entry of international medical specialists.

The Sanur International Hospital, located within the SEZ, is a key component, offering primary care and specialized treatments. AECOM is providing a multi-disciplinary detailed master plan with basic design for landscape and infrastructure in the SEZ and guiding the design for Bali International Hospital, together with the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The development of the hospital involves cooperation between PT Hotel Indonesia Natour and the Indonesia Healthcare Corporation. Existing community facilities, including Balinese temples and a mosque, are retained within the project site. A 5-hectare botanical garden will serve as a public park for resort guests and the nearby community. A vocational nursing school will be established to upgrade local community skills in support of the international hospital.

Special Economic Zone

Sanur's historical narrative is rich, beginning as a humble Balinese fishing village with roots tracing back to ancient times. Its name, uniting "Saha" (union) and "Nuhur" (sacred), reflects a deep spiritual connection to the land and sea. Sanur's strategic coastal location made it a landing point for Dutch colonizers in the late 19th century, marking the start of Bali's colonial era. Remnants of colonial-style architecture offer glimpses into this past.

In the mid-20th century, during Indonesia's struggle for independence, Sanur became a significant site of resistance. Local leaders organized movements and secret meetings to strategize against colonial rule, symbolizing the village's resilience. Even earlier, the northern part of Sanur Beach served as the landing site for Dutch invasion troops in 1906, and later, Japanese forces during World War II.

Sanur holds the Blanjong pillar, Bali's oldest man-made artifact dating back to the 9th century, found in 1932. Established by King Sri Kesari Warmadewa, the pillar's inscription details the king’s military campaign. As Bali's oldest tourist area, predating Kuta, Sanur drew artists and celebrities in the 1950s and 60s. The Bali Beach Hotel, built in 1966 with Japanese war reparation funds, was Bali's first five-star luxury resort and the only structure allowed to exceed local building height regulations, marking the beginning of mass tourism on the island.

Sanur

Did You Know?

East Coast Location

Protected Waters

Artist's Home

Hotel Development

Highlights from Reviews

Location