Is Canggu safe?
Safe with normal care. Scooter crashes, rip currents and bag theft are the main problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Indonesia: 0.3 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Indonesia: 11.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Canggu at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Bag snatching from scooters, theft from beaches and unlocked villas, and card skimming at standalone ATMs. |
| At night | Bars and clubs run until 2–3 am and feel safe. Take Gojek rather than riding after drinking; lanes are dark. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with many women-only communities. Expect occasional catcalls from scooters; watch drinks and use app rides late. |
| Other risks | Scooter crashes on crowded lanes; Rip currents and shore break; Flooded streets in heavy rain |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Money changers short-counting notes; use a changer with a posted rate
- Scooter rental damage claims; photograph the bike first
- Beach club or tour touts adding hidden fees
Take care
- Batu Bolong and Echo Beach: rip currents, strong shore breaks
- Jl. Batu Bolong and Jl. Pantai Berawa: gridlock and crashes
- Walking after dark on unlit lanes: stray dogs and potholes
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- From 2026, sex outside marriage and unmarried cohabitation are crimes, prosecuted only on a spouse's, parent's or child's complaint
- Drug trafficking can bring the death penalty; even small amounts mean prison
- Disrespecting temples or sacred sites in Bali can lead to deportation
How Canggu compares in Indonesia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Nusa Dua | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bali | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ubud | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Canggu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seminyak | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Penida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sanur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Raja Ampat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bandung | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amed | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Batam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bintan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Surabaya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jimbaran | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jakarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Kuta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Medan | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Canggu safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with many women-only communities. Expect occasional catcalls from scooters; watch drinks and use app rides late.
Is Canggu safe at night?
Bars and clubs run until 2–3 am and feel safe. Take Gojek rather than riding after drinking; lanes are dark.
What is the crime rate in Canggu?
Bag snatching from scooters, theft from beaches and unlocked villas, and card skimming at standalone ATMs. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Canggu?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Canggu
Going to Canggu solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- Dojo Bali
- Gojek Indonesia
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.