Balisama: luxury resorts and villas in Bali

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Karangasem vs Nusa Penida

Choose Karangasem for culture and lower prices; choose Nusa Penida for better beaches and a shorter airport transfer.

Karangasem

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

Choose Karangasem for culture, lower prices.

  • 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
  • 7 resorts on Balisama, from about $55 a night

Nusa Penida

Dramatic cliffs & untouched nature. Best for: Adventurers, divers & photographers.

Choose Nusa Penida for better beaches, a shorter airport transfer.

  • Beach: Spectacular beaches (Kelingking, Diamond, Crystal Bay), but many need steep climbs, and swimming is banned at Kelingking and Diamond Beach.
  • Nightlife: Very little: a few bars near the harbors.
  • Prices: $$ · Moderate. Moderate: food is cheap, but drivers and boat transfers add up.
  • To the airport: 1½–2½ h. Drive to Sanur, then 30–45 minutes by fast boat
  • Climate: Hot & humid · coast
  • 17 resorts on Balisama, from about $77 a night

Karangasem and Nusa Penida are about 27 km apart, with a boat trip between them.

Ratings

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

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