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Amed vs Karangasem

Choose Amed for calm water and sunsets; choose Karangasem for culture and better beaches.

Amed

Reef diving off quiet fishing bays. Best for: Divers, snorkelers & slow travelers.

Choose Amed for calm water, sunsets.

Beach: Black-sand and pebble bays with fishing boats; the reef starts a short swim out at Jemeluk and Lipah.
Nightlife: A few beach bars and warungs; quiet after dinner.
Prices: $ · Budget. Inexpensive: dive lodges and bungalows, with a few upscale villa resorts.
To the airport: 100 km · 2½–3 h
Climate: Hot & humid · coast
20 resorts on Balisama, from about $52 a night

Sacred mountains & water palaces. Best for: Divers, hikers & culture enthusiasts.

Choose Karangasem for culture, better beaches.

Beach: Black-sand fishing bays and a few white-sand coves such as Virgin Beach; calm in many spots.
Nightlife: Almost none.
Prices: $ · Budget. Inexpensive, apart from a few luxury retreats.
To the airport: 80 km · 2–2½ h
Climate: Hot & humid · coast
27 resorts on Balisama, from about $52 a night

Amed and Karangasem are about 14 km apart.

Beaches: Amed Fair (2/5), Karangasem Good (3/5)
Calm-water swimming: Amed Very good (4/5), Karangasem Good (3/5)
Surfing: Amed None (0/5), Karangasem Poor (1/5)
Diving & snorkeling: Amed Excellent (5/5), Karangasem Excellent (5/5)
Sunsets: Amed Good (3/5), Karangasem Fair (2/5)
Nightlife: Amed Poor (1/5), Karangasem None (0/5)
Restaurants & cafés: Amed Fair (2/5), Karangasem Fair (2/5)
Culture & temples: Amed Fair (2/5), Karangasem Excellent (5/5)
Nature & landscapes: Amed Very good (4/5), Karangasem Excellent (5/5)
Yoga & wellness: Amed Good (3/5), Karangasem Good (3/5)
Family-friendly: Amed Fair (2/5), Karangasem Good (3/5)
Peace & quiet: Amed Excellent (5/5), Karangasem Excellent (5/5)
Remote work: Amed Poor (1/5), Karangasem Poor (1/5)
Walkability: Amed Poor (1/5), Karangasem Poor (1/5)

Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.