The black and white checkered cloth standard of Bali's netherworld is nowhere more aptly hung than on the ancient coral statues and shrines of Bali's largest traditional village: Sanur. This was Bali's first beach resort a place of remarkable contrasts.

Sanur today is a golden mile of Baliesque hotels that has attracted millions of paradise seeking globetrotters. And yet, within the very grounds of the 11-story The Grand Bali Beach Hotel, a war-reparation gift from the Japanese, nestles the sacred and spiky temple of Ratu Ayu of Singgi, the much feared spirit consort of Sanur's fabled Black Barong.

Sanur is famous throughout Bali for its sorcery. Black and white magic pervades the coconut groves of the resort hotels like an invisible chess game. And yet the community is modern and prosperous.

Sanur is one of the few remaining brahman kuasa villages in Bali controlled by members of the priestly caste - and boasts among its charms some of the handsomest processions on the island, Bali's only all female keris dance, the island's oldest stone inscription, and the hotel world's most beautiful tropical garden. Even the souvenirs sold on the beach - beautifully crafted kites and toy outriggers are a cut above those found on the rest of the island.

Sanur is where Bali's first luxury beach hotel was built over 30 years ago, and has since been the spot for luxurious seaside accommodation. Conveniently located near Denpasar on the main road leading to the east, Sanur is not nearly as frenetic as Kuta, nor as well-mannered as Nusa Dua. Many foreigners have built lavish villas and bungalows here and this is the preferred place for up-market, long-term stays on the island, especially in the BatuJimbar and Belanjong areas.
The main attraction here is the white sand beach bordering a reef-sheltered lagoon. The beach stretches south from the The Grand Bali Beach Hotel and ends up in the mangrove marshes opposite Serangan Island. Due to the protection of the lagoon, this beach is one of the safest on the island, and thus perfect for families. There is no surf apart from out on the reef, and one cannot swim at low tide, but at other times this is the best place in Bali for windsurfing and sailing.

Biking around Sanur is also fun. in Semawang, you can rent a bike for Rp15,000/ day; try bargaining. The bicycles aren't the greatest. It may be wise to pay more by renting through your hotel.

Sanur is an ideal base for trips to Bali's rice growing heartland and the mountain areas. Rent a self-drive car or a minibus with driver on a daily basis. There are car rental companies on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai and on JI. Danau Tamblingan. Cars and minibuses for hire are found outside all major hotels, or go through one of many car rental companies.

The most reputable self-drive rental agencies are Avis, which has desks at Jimbaran, in the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and the Sheraton Lagoon Nusa Dua; Bali Car Rental on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai; and Toyota Rent a Car at the airport, Jimbaran, on JI. Raya Airport 99X, in the Bali Padma Hotel in Legian, and Kartika Plaza Hotel in Tuban.

Sanur hotels
» Radisson Bali Hotel (USD 47.00, 4 Star)
» Raddin Sanur Bali Hotel (USD 52.00, 4 Star)
» Sanur Beach Hotel (USD 80.00, 5 Star)
» Grand Bali Beach Hotel (USD 57.00, 5 Star)
» Alit Sanur hotel (USD 31.00, 2 Star)
» Besakih Hotel (BSB) (USD 52.00, 2 Star)
» Diwangkara Beach (USD 37.00, 2 Star)
» Segara Village (USD 52.00, 3 Star)
» Gazebo Cottages (USD 41.00, 2 Star)
» Griya Santrian (USD 57.00, 3 Star)
» La Taverna (USD 45.00, 2 Star)
» Natour's Sindhu (USD 42.00, 3 Star)
» Peneeda View (USD 39.00, 2 Star)
» Puri Dalem Hotel (USD 27.00, 2 Star)
» Sativa Sanur Cottages (USD 49.00, 2 Star)
» Tanjungsari Hotel (USD 137.00, 4 Star)
» Bali hyatt (USD 82.00, 5 Star)
» Bali kesumasari hotel (USD 22.00, 2 Star)
» Bali warma hotel (USD 27.00, 2 Star)
» Leghawa beach hotel (USD 34.00, 2 Star)
» Mentari sanur hotel (USD 42.00, 2 Star)
» Parigata resort sanur (USD 52.00, 2 Star)
» Pondok Bali (USD 22.00, 2 Star)
» Puri santrian (USD 62.00, 3 Star)
» Segara village (USD 52.00, 3 Star)
» Swastika bungalows (USD 22.00, 2 Star)
» Tamukami hotel (USD 57.00, 3 Star)
» Wakamaya hotel (USD 109.00, 4 Star)
» Natour's Bali Hotel (USD 29.00, 3 Star)

Sanur Restaurants

Sanur's "in" place to eat is the Cafe Batujimbar in Batujimbar. Its hanging vines and sturdy furniture gives it the look of a Riviera roadside cafe. This is the haunt of the local expert colony, many of whom live in the sumptuous Batujimbar Estates just across the road. The cafe offers light, healthy food with daily specials at reasonable prices. Coffee is a specialty.

Sanur Dance Performance

Sanur is just a short taxi ride away from Denpasar and Batubulan, where barong, keris, fire, and kecak dance performances are held regularly.

Sanur Shopping,Restaurants,Hotels

Tourist shops,hotels,spas,restaurants line all the main streets of Sanur, so you don't have to worry about what to do when youre bored in your hotel rooms. Although there is more choice in Kuta and Legian, prices are similar if you bargain well. Otherwise, go to the arcades in the main hotels for high quality goods and no bargaining

Activites or Marine Sport Perhaps?

You can find almost every watersport imaginable here. Most of the facilities are found right on the beach in front of the big hotels such as The Grand Bali Beach, Segara Village and the Bali Hyatt. Rents Hobiecats, Lazers and windsurfing boards ? or Courses for those wishing to learn windsurfing ?

Sanur offers diving and snorkeling, although not the best in Bali.
Offering diving, parasailing, banana boat, glass bottom boat, jet ski, Turtle Island, and dolphin tours. The beach counter is on JI. Duyung.