Canggu Shortcut – saves you lots of time

This is the best shortcut to get from Canggu to Seminyak in Bali without huge traffic jams or waiting at intersections; it’s the Canggu to Seminyak shortcut.

For those that know about it, it’s a lifesaver and is really the most popular way to get between the 2 areas.

Canggu & Seminyak are the two most popular tourist destinations in Bali and as you can imagine the traffic between the 2 areas is basically horrific.

If you’re holidaying in one of our Seminyak villas and want to spend the day in Canggu you either have to leave really early in the morning to avoid the traffic or you can expect to be stuck somewhere along Jalan Raya Canggu for 60 minutes. This is the reality of driving a car in Bali and this is the sad truth for many travellers who are coming to Bali with their family or in a group and want to do some sightseeing. The traffic in one word is: ‘terrible’. The truth of the matter is that it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any bettering the short time so shortcuts like the one in the video are essential passageways, thoroughfares or arteries in getting around the place.

This is just one of the hundreds of shortcuts dotted all over the island, but if you ask anyone which shortcut they use mostly and 9 out of 10 people will talk about this famous shortcut through the rice fields between Canggu and Seminyak.

Finding it can be a bit hard if you are a newbie to Bali and don’t really know the roads that well but once you get your bearings you will soon realise that this shortcut is a lifesaver. It knocks about 30 -45 minutes off your travel times between the 2 destinations. You have to make your way to the Finns Recreation Club and it’s about 100 metres on the left-hand side as you head north. Just look for the small intersection with all the scooters, taxis, trucks and minivans queuing up here and you know you’ve arrived at the sweet spot.

Map of Canggu to Seminyak shortcut

The shortcut itself takes about 5 minutes to drive through, again depending on the traffic & the number of vehicles it can take up to 15 minutes during peak periods. It’s actually controlled chaos as the ‘so-called’ road is no larger than the width of 1 large car. Just imagine the scene if there are 2 cars on it at the same time driving in opposite directions. It’s mayhem as one driver has to reverse all the way back to let the other through. In the interim, all the traffic is constantly building up waiting to get through. It can get polluted, and noisy and drivers can lose their temper. But with all its pitfalls it’s still a lot quicker than taking the main road.

One thing to note as well is the number of novice drivers who try to navigate this for the first time. Many of these make the mistake of misjudging the coming cars and driving over the 1-metre edge to the rice fields on the side. This is a daily occurrence and many novices get seriously injured as they try to wedge themselves through the oncoming traffic.

I know all of this sounds horrible but believe us when we tell you once you get the hang of it and make the journey a couple of times, you will find that the Canggu to Seminyak shortcut becomes your best ally in this road-clogged southern part of Bali.

Quick facts about the Canggu to Seminyak shortcut

• It starts at the beginning of Jalan Nelayan and ends where you see the Warung Heboh – just keep following the traffic and you will end up there.
• Gets really busy during early morning peak hours when the Balinese staff make their way to work along with the trucks carrying supplies of food to the restaurants in Canggu
• Never try to overtake the path as you will end up over the side in the rice fields. This is an undisputed fact. Beginners and scooter novices please take note
• Avoid this at night time as the lighting is poor
• It’s really polluted with so many scooters so take something to cover your nose or mouth
• There are no cafes or stops for fuel along the way ( this has been updated in Aug ’19 and they are starting to build a small type of cafe on the side of the shortcut). Video updated 6 February 2023 and there are lots of cafes and places to stop for food, petrol etc.
• You actually don’t end up at Seminyak but in the Berawa area. Seminyak is only 15 minutes from here but you can take the road which is fairly uncrowded. Turn left at the end of the shortcut and keep on going. If you get lost pull over and ask a local for directions.