The name of Candidasa came from an ancient rock carving
of 10 shrines. Candi means shrines, and Dasa means ten.
The location is just on the left side of the main road if
we drive to Amlapura. Around the rock carvings now is a
temple of Candidasa. The date of the carving is not yet
established, but based on typological study it was suposed
to have been carved during 18th century or at least not
older than 1677 AD when the peak of Karangasem power under
the king of
Gusti Gede Karangasem. Candidasa is 60 kms from Denpasar
city or currently around 2 hours by car. It lies between
2 cities of Klungkung and Amlapura, and near the Ferry port
of Padangbai, the main sea connection between Bali and Lombok.
In 1970 Candidasa was still a small fishing village like
Kusamba or other fishing village on the shore of Karangasem.
Started with small and simple lodging and restaurant on
the beach the village soon developed into a town with various
tourist facilities not only in the area of Candidasa, but
extended to the west area until Sengkidu village and Buitan
village a span of 4 kms. It was due to two main reasons
the development of Candidasa as the tourist resort. One
is the need of overnight stay for those visitors that join
Bali
circle island tour, and the need of more quieter environment
for a hide away holiday. Today Candidasa has many hotels,
from simple accommodation up to luxury villas such as Amankila,
and not less than 20 various category of hotels are available,
from Rp 12.500 per night up to US$ 600.00 per night. It
has happened also for restaurants, there are various from
small 25 seaters up to more than 100 seats are available
serving local, Chinese, and Western cuisines. The beach
is not special, consist of black sand with beach is narrow
and here and there are cliffs. Close interesting places
from Candidasa are Tenganan village, known as older
Balinese
village, Tirta Gangga king bathing place, and
Goa
Lawah bat cave temple. Candidasa is perfect choice for
your holiday in a quiet area away from the bustling city
life and having the atmosphere of traditional Bali.
Puri Rai Hotel Padangbai is located in Padangbai, a predominantly a fishing village and still has enough tourism aspirations
to qualify as a great holiday alternative in Bali.
Lotus Bungalows is conveniently located on the beach front of Candidasa in an un-crowded and in spacious lush tropical garden surrounded by mountain hills under coconut trees.
Alila Manggis Hotel is located on the beach of Buitan, just before Candidasa, no restaurant within
walking distance, sets among coconut trees, naturally carved landscape green views.
Puri Bagus Candidasa has a breathtaking views of Panorama with it's mountainous areas, rice fields on valleys and terraces, coconut trees, and narrow lowland along the beach side