The lazy life of Lovina Beach...

When walking through the Lovina beach village, you could say that it is now what Kuta, Legian and Seminyak looked like in the past.

Lovina is not actually a village, but a collective name of 6 villages: Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Anturan, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus.

Getting around: Plus important addresses and handy phone numbers...
Things to do: Watch dolphins in the morning, go snorkeling at Menjangan island, visit the old capital, waterfalls and hot springs...
Restaurants: Our favorites can be found near the beach with amazing sunset views...
Hotels: Relax in style in value-for-money hotels right on the beach or stay at very cheap options in one of the many side streets...

These villages are not so densely populated and built as in the Kuta area. Here the rice paddies between the string of beach-resorts and hotels still dominate giving it a country-like character...

Mountains and rice fields dominate one side of Lovina...

Not only does the calm sea attract many travelers who want to spend their holiday at the volcanic black beach, snorkeling or scuba diving at Lovina or Menjangan island but every day the beautiful waters also attract dolphins that playfully hunt for breakfast...

In the past the northern part of Bali had great influence and was especially important for the Dutch and Chinese with their trade shipping around the world.

Lovina beach at sunset

The large city of Singaraja, meaning 'Lion King' was the capital of Bali during the colonial time and until today you can still find historical remainders around the city.

In the 1950’s tourism started at the northern coastal region. It is said that Anak Agung Panji Tisna, the king of Northern Bali had given the small strip of beaches its current name which is taken from the word ‘love’.

In the mid 70’s the area had become one of the first tourist beach destinations but was destroyed by an earthquake.

Volcanic sand and the smooth ocean at Lovina beach...

Only in the 80’s did travelers start to return and large numbers of guest-houses and resorts began to pop up in these villages along the 8 kilometer beach.

At first the area mostly attracted backpackers who were in search for the tropical beach with swaying palm trees and the relaxed lifestyle.

But today all types of travelers visit this area as it offers beautiful hotels set along the beach and in the mountains.

Watching dolphins is what most travelers come for...

Compared to Kuta beach, Lovina beach doesn't get a large stream of travelers which gives you enough space for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, exploring the northern part of the island and watching dolphins make somersaults in the air.

The big mountain range which dominates the landscape creates an even more secluded feeling and a sense of tranquility...

Despite this beautiful setting, the relaxed atmosphere can be disturbed by pushy sellers and other people offering to help you ‘find’ a hotel.

Fishermen busy at dawn...

With the economic crisis in the late 90’s and the 2002 Bali bombing in Kuta, Lovina beach has suffered from low numbers of tourists these last couple of years.

The sellers at the beach have a more aggressive sales-approach than other areas in Bali as they will not take 'no' for an answer too easily.

Of course they are harmless but after a while it can get somewhat annoying, so just be prepared.

Lovina beach is however slowly recovering and you can see positive tourist development in the area. It is very likely that this development is going to conitnue as the government is planning to built a second airport in North Bali soon...