Candidasa Lotus Lagoon
Right in the centre of Jalan Raya Candidasa, a glassy lagoon erupts every morning in a riot of pink and fuchsia lotus flowers — one of East Bali's most photogenic surprises and it costs absolutely nothing to visit. A small garden island crowned with stone statues sits at its centre, while the namesake 11th-century temple watches from the opposite hillside.
A Fairytale Lagoon for Free
The Candidasa Lotus Lagoon sits right beside the main coastal road, making it an effortless stop on any drive through East Bali. The large, calm body of water is completely covered in lily pads and lotus flowers that open widest in the cool of the morning, rewarding early risers with a scene that looks straight out of a Balinese painting.
A small garden island with carved statues sits at the lagoon's centre, and from the far bank you can glimpse the offshore rock formations that define the Candidasa seascape. It is genuinely one of those places where you stop for five minutes and end up staying for an hour.
The Temple on the Hill
Directly across the road and up a short flight of steps stands the compact hillside temple that gave Candidasa its name. The twin shrines are tucked under dense tropical foliage, and from the terrace you get a sweeping top-down perspective of the entire lagoon with a sliver of the Lombok Strait glittering beyond it.
The temple is an active place of worship, so dress respectfully — a sarong and sash are appreciated. The combination of lagoon, temple and sea view in a single glance makes this the most underrated photo spot in the whole village.
Candidasa Lotus Lagoon on video
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