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City guide · Updated June 2026
AsiaIndonesia-8.3° · 115.7°

Amed,Bali.

Bali's quiet east coast gem — black sand beaches, world-class diving, and zero crowds.

Diving & SnorkellingBeachBudget TravelDigital NomadNature & Adventure
Amed · IDAmed
AmedIndonesia
★
Nguyen Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS)NEAREST AIRPORT
Population
10,300
Total residents
Global rank
#66
Wanderlust index
Best time
April to October (dry season)…
Peak window
Time zone
Asia/Makassar
Local time
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Money in use
Language
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); Balinese widely spoken locally
Spoken locally
01 · Overview

About Amed

Bali's quiet east coast gem — black sand beaches, world-class diving, and zero crowds.

Amed is a 14-kilometre string of traditional fishing villages on Bali's northeastern coast, tucked between volcanic black-sand bays and the shadow of Mount Agung. A world away from the busy south, it draws divers, snorkellers, and slow-travel seekers with its remarkable coral gardens, easy access to the USAT Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben, and a pace of life that feels like Bali a decade ago. Warung-lined lanes, sunrise fishing boats, and a laid-back yoga scene round out the experience.

02 · Wanderlust scorecard

How Amed scores

Ratings run 0 to 5 unless marked. They come from our AI-assisted research and are refreshed on a rolling basis.
5
/ 5
Cost of living
Affordability, 0–5. Higher means cheaper.
3.5
/ 5
Leisure
Leisure rating, 0–5.
8
Mbps
Connectivity
Median internet speed.
4.5
/ 5
Safety
Safety rating, 0–5. Higher is safer.
3.5
/ 5
Overall livability
Overall rating, 0–5.
4.5
/ 5
Air quality
Air-quality rating, 0–5. Higher is cleaner.
8.1
index
Index score
Wanderlust ranking, 0–10: overall, safety, internet, cost, leisure and air quality, weighted.
03 · Weather & when to go

Best time to visit Amed

Current weather and the forecast, and the months our research rates best for a visit.

Month by month

Best months Either side Other months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sweet spot: April to October (dry season), with April–May and September–October offering the best mix of calm seas, lower crowds, and shoulder-season prices..

More cities for these months: Where to go in April · Where to go in May · Where to go in June · Where to go in July · Where to go in August · Where to go in September

04 · Things to do

Things to do in Amed

Top sights from our AI-assisted research, and other places we have photos of.
Top sight
Top sight

Jemeluk Bay (snorkelling & coral garden)

Top sight
Top sight

USAT Liberty Shipwreck (Tulamben)

Top sight
Top sight

Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven)

Top sight
Top sight

Tirta Gangga Royal Water Palace

Top sight
Top sight

Mount Agung & Bukit Cinta Sunrise Viewpoint

Top sight
Top sight

Amed Salt Centre

Top sight
Top sight

Fast boat day trips to Gili Islands

Top sight
Top sight

Besakih Mother Temple

05 · Monthly cost of living

Cost of living in Amed

Estimated monthly totals in USD from our AI-assisted research, one per profile. Treat them as a starting point for a budget, not a quote.
$1,131
estimated monthly spend · USD
ProfileExpat

Price references — vs. profile benchmarks

Nomadmonthly spend · USD
$1,422
+26%
Expatmonthly spend · USD
$1,131
baseline
Familymonthly spend · USD
$3,348.4
+196%
Localmonthly spend · USD
$844.1
-25%
Median fiber speeddownload · Mbps
8
Mbps
06 · Neighborhoods

Where to stay in Amed

Neighborhoods our AI-assisted research lists as popular with visitors.
Jemeluk
Lipah
Bunutan
Selang
07 · Insider tips

Sights and neighbourhoods, with a tip each.

Practical tips on places from this Amed guide, written with AI. One is free; Pro members see the rest. Double-check details before you go.

Insider tips · Wanderlust Pro

Practical tips on the sights and neighbourhoods in this Amedguide — when to go, what most visitors miss. Written with AI about the guide's own places; double-check details before you go. Pro members see every tip.

08 · Practical notes

Practical information for Amed

The essentials from this guide's data, in one place.
01

Getting there

  • Nearest airport — Nguyen Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS)
02

Money

  • Currency — Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
  • Affordability — 5/5 on the Wanderlust index (higher is cheaper)
03

Internet

  • Median speed — 8 Mbps
  • Internet score — 3.8/5
04

Safety

  • Safety score — 4.5/5 from our AI-assisted research
05

Language

  • Primary language — Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); Balinese widely spoken locally
06

Timing

  • Best window — April to October (dry season), with April–May and September–October offering the best mix of calm seas, lower crowds, and shoulder-season prices.
  • Time zone — Asia/Makassar
Questions

Frequently asked, plainly answered.

The quick answers travelers want before they commit to flights, neighborhoods, and how long to stay.

Is Amed safe for travelers?
+
Amed has a safety rating of 4.5 out of 5.
What is the best time to visit Amed?
+
The best time to visit Amed is April to October (dry season), with April–May and September–October offering the best mix of calm seas, lower crowds, and shoulder-season prices..
How expensive is Amed?
+
Amed has an affordability score of 5 out of 5, where 5 is most affordable.
What is the internet speed in Amed?
+
Amed has an average internet speed of 8 Mbps.
What currency does Amed use?
+
The currency used in Amed is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
What language is spoken in Amed?
+
The primary language spoken in Amed is Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia); Balinese widely spoken locally.
Researched city guide

Getting there, getting around and when to go

Written with AI-assisted web research. Where we have sources, they are listed under each part.

What works

  • World-class snorkelling and diving straight off the beach — no boat required at most sites
  • Genuinely low cost of living compared to south Bali hotspots
  • Calm, authentic fishing-village atmosphere with far fewer tourists than Canggu or Seminyak
  • Stunning scenery: black-sand bays, Mount Agung backdrop, and vivid coral underwater
  • Easy day-trip access to Tirta Gangga, Lempuyang Temple, and the Gili Islands
  • Less rain than the rest of Bali, even during wet season

What to weigh

  • No direct public transport — a private transfer or scooter is essential
  • Long, winding drive from Denpasar airport (2.5–3 hours) can be tiring after a long flight
  • Limited coworking spaces and patchy Wi-Fi (avg ~8 Mbps) — not ideal for data-heavy remote work
  • Nightlife and dining options are limited compared to south Bali
  • Coastal road can be narrow and potholed, especially after dark
Getting in

How to arrive

The gateway to Amed is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar — there is no airport in Amed itself. The drive covers roughly 95 km and takes 2.5–3 hours by car. No direct public bus service runs to Amed; the northeast coast sits well outside the Teman Bus network. A pre-booked private transfer is the most reliable option, costing approximately USD $60–$70 for a standard car. Shared shuttle services (e.g. via 12GoAsia) are more budget-friendly at around USD $20–$40 per person but require minimum passenger numbers. The Perama bus departs once daily from its Kuta office; take a taxi from the airport to Kuta first (budget extra for that leg), then join the Perama service to Amed at approximately IDR 175,000 per person. From Ubud the drive is 2–2.5 hours; a round-trip private driver with a waiting day runs about USD $45–60 and allows a stop at Tirta Gangga en route. Note: ride-hailing apps (Grab/Gojek) cannot legally pick up from the DPS arrivals terminal and rarely accept long-haul rides to the northeast coast.

Getting around

Moving through the city

Amed's 14 km coastal strip has no public transport — bemos and city buses do not run here. The two main options are renting a scooter (IDR 60,000–100,000/day, around USD $4–7) or hiring a private driver for a full day (typically USD $40–60 for 8–10 hours). Scooter rental shops are dotted along the main beach road, making them easy to find, though the coastal road involves tight bends and occasional potholes — confident riders only. The central Amed Beach strip is walkable for guests staying there, with most accommodation, warungs, and dive shops within easy walking distance of the shore. For day trips to Tirta Gangga, Lempuyang Temple, or Besakih, a private driver is the most practical choice. Fast boats depart daily from Jemeluk Bay to Gili Trawangan and Gili Air, reaching the islands in about 1 hour.

When to go

Timing your trip

Amed's sweet spot is the dry season from April through October, when skies are clear, seas are calm, and underwater visibility is at its best — ideal conditions for the snorkelling and diving that define the destination. July and August are the most popular months with the most reliable weather, though they also attract the most visitors. For the best balance of good conditions and thinner crowds, April–May and September–October are hard to beat: prices dip slightly, dive sites are quieter, and the ocean stays cooperative. The wet season runs roughly November to March, bringing short, heavy afternoon showers — but Amed typically receives less rain than central and western Bali, and storms rarely ruin a full day. If you visit in the low season, morning dives and beach time are usually fine; just pack a light rain jacket for afternoons.

Plan your trip

3 days in Amed: a sample itinerary

A ready-made starting point. Make it your own — clone it into an editable journey and reshape every stop.
Day 01

Day 1 — Arrive & Discover Jemeluk Bay

Morning

Settle into your accommodation, grab a fresh juice at a beachside warung, and walk the central Amed strip to get your bearings. Watch local jukung fishing boats return with the morning catch.

Afternoon

Rent snorkel gear from one of the dive shops around Jemeluk Bay and explore the coral gardens right off the shore — parrotfish, sea turtles, and garden eels are common sightings. No boat needed.

Evening

Sunset dinner at a beachfront warung in Jemeluk — order fresh grilled fish and sample classic Balinese dishes like lawar and nasi campur. Early night to rest after travel.

Day 02

Day 2 — Dive the Liberty Wreck & Explore East Bali

Morning

Rise before dawn for the 30-minute drive to Tulamben to dive or snorkel the USAT Liberty shipwreck — the iconic WWII cargo ship is shallowest (5 m) and calmest in the early morning before day-trippers arrive.

Afternoon

Head inland to Tirta Gangga Royal Water Palace (about 30 minutes from Amed) to stroll its lotus ponds and feed the koi. Continue if time allows to the Lempuyang Temple 'Gates of Heaven' for the famous Mount Agung framed shot — arrive by 10 am to avoid queues.

Evening

Return to Amed for a relaxed dinner. Ask your guesthouse owner about any upcoming Balinese Hindu temple ceremonies — attending one (respectfully, with a sarong) is an unmissable cultural experience.

Day 03

Day 3 — Sunrise Hike, Salt Centre & Gili Day Trip (or DIY)

Morning

Drive 30 minutes to Bukit Cinta ('Love Hill') before sunrise for panoramic views of Mount Agung rising above rice terraces at golden hour. Return to Amed for breakfast.

Afternoon

Visit the traditional Amed Salt Centre to see how local families still hand-harvest sea salt using ancient wooden log techniques — one of the last such operations in Bali. Then catch a fast boat from Jemeluk Bay for a quick afternoon escape to Gili Air (approx. 1 hour each way) for turquoise water and a sundowner swing.

Evening

Return to Amed in time for a final dinner. If skipping the Gilis, spend the afternoon on a freediving or beginner scuba intro course at one of Amed's many reputable dive centres.

Work-ready layer

Coworking spots and laptop-friendly anchors.

Real coworking spaces, laptop-friendly cafés, and libraries mapped near the center of the city — the closest, best-rated desks first.

Spots surfaced0
Categories—
Mapped0

No coworking-ready spots surfaced for this city yet.

Map pending

No mapped workspace points yet.

Pick a different category or check back once we’ve indexed more desks for this city.

Concierge

Ask the Amed concierge.

Share your travel style, must-see spots, or work schedule and the concierge will help turn this guide into something personal.
Personal trip brief

Tell it what kind of trip you're trying to have, and it will tighten the plan.

01
Travel style

Ask for cafés, quiet neighborhoods, date-night spots, or a first 48-hour plan.

02
Work constraints

Mention calls, Wi-Fi needs, or how much of the day has to stay laptop-friendly.

03
Real tradeoffs

Get faster answers on where to stay, when to move neighborhoods, and what to skip.

Traveler reviews

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