Nusa Penida is the largest of the three Nusa Islands just located 30 minutes away from Bali. The breathtaking and stunning landscape is getting popular around the world which is why tourism is significantly growing here.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA
There is no central hub on the island, so in this article, I will help you decide where to stay in Nusa Penida. Basically, you can choose from the EAST or the West. I’ll also give you lots of awesome Nusa Penida accommodation options so you are all set with the best places to stay.
QUICK PICKS: 3 BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA
Don’t have time to read my detailed breakdown of all the best places to stay in Nusa Penida? No worries! These are my three picks for Nusa Penida accommodation. If you book one of these three, you are guaranteed to have a great vacation in a great location!
WHICH REGION TO STAY IN ON NUSA PENIDA
Here is a handy Nusa Penida accommodation checklist for you!
- CRYSTAL BAY: If you want to relax, swim, snorkel or watch the best sunset on Nusa Penida, Crystal Bay is your place! It is highly recommended. I suggest everyone stays here!
- EAST: If you want to spend a night in a secluded area yet you can still see some good and famous attractions such as the Thousand Islands Viewpoint and Diamond Beach, settle near Atuh Beach.
- NORTH: If you want a place close to good restaurants and bars to chill, beautiful temples, or just merely want to have a comfortable stay, the north of Nusa Penida is your choice.
NUSA PENIDA ACCOMMODATION COMPARISON TABLE
WHERE TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA: REGION BY REGION
Okay, I’ve broken this Nusa Penida Accommodation Guide down into all four different regions of the island. Below, I will share with you the best places to stay in each region of Nusa Penida.
AREA: West (Crystal Bay)
Located on the west coast, Crystal Bay is the most famous and highly recommended place to stay on Nusa Penida. Due to its beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters, this beach is known for being one of the best snorkeling spots on Nusa Penida. It’s also famous for its stunning palm trees line up on the road which leads to a dead-end on the beachfront where tourists grab a cold beer while watching the best sunset views on the Nusa Islands.
The beauty of Crystal Bay is that it is actually close to quite a few of the other locations you will want to visit. Definitely a winner! If you’re interested to stay for a couple of days, below is the list of top places to stay and I selected cheap hostels if you are on a budget.
THE TINSI
The Tinsi Value: The Tinsi is perfectly located less than ten minutes away from Crystal Bay. Personally, the highlight is the kindness of the people who run this property. They make sure you are taken care of. Absolutely legends! Good value for money as it’s walking distance to Crystal bay which is quite popular for nice sunsets and clear waters.
The Tinsi
- Perfectly located
- Good value for money
- Sunset views
RUJI ANANTA COTTAGE
Ruji Ananta Cottage: It’s a walking distance to Crystal Bay where you can go snorkel anytime. It’s got a pool surrounded by a lush jungle. Good value for money considering that it is close to the beach. For sure, your stay here will be all about relaxing and finding your inner peace. This is one of the better resorts and one of the best places to stay in Nusa Penida.
PENIDA BAY VILLAGE
Penida Bay Village – Value: Set literally just moments away from Crystal Beach, this village in Nusa Penida is a great value for money if being near a beach is your thing. It’s pretty amazing and the property itself is surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
The onsite restaurant serves great Indonesian food which combined with the room rates. But yeah… that garden really is a chill place to hang out. I love this location and think it is one of the best places to stay in Nusa Penida.
AREA: Northwest (Toya Pakeh)
The Northern part of Nusa Penida has plenty of delicious restaurants and this area has a splendid beach view and access to the water. Many dive operators are based in this area. There are various types of accommodation depending on your budget.
I’ve stayed in this region twice and there are lots of cheap and healthy food options around and you aren’t too far from Kelingking Beach (30-min drive) and other spots like Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Crystal Bay. It’s probably the most common area to stay for tourists because there are lots of nice hotels/bungalows and the most comprehensive food options.
THE BANANA HOUSE
The Banana House– Value: This tiny clean property is located near the main road that goes through the island. Although it is quite a bit away from the harbor, it’s location is still good enough to reach the famous sights in the eastern region. I especially like the staff here as they are very keen to help you with booking activities or renting scooters and even give advice on where to go and what to do on Nusa Penida. This Nusa Penida accommodaton is good value for money.
NUANSA PENIDA HOSTEL
Nuansa Penida Hostel– Budget: This boutique hostel in Nusa Penida is ideal for digital nomads who are working remotely. I can guarantee that as a backpacker like me, you deserve a little bit of fancy hostel-like Nuansa Penida. It’s honestly one of the nicest hostels I’ve ever seen and looks like a bit of a resort. This adult-only property has got some awesome amenities like a pool with comfy bean bags and sunbeds, colorful parasols, and hammocks.
It’s a great deal for 13USD a night. Plus it isn’t too far from Crystal Bay and other major attractions either, so if you fancy exploring that’s pretty easy to do using this hostel as a base. It would be one of my TOP picks for where to stay on Nusa Penida.
SAWIT GARDEN COTTAGES
Sawit Garden Cottages– Budget: Sawit Garden Cottages is an affordable option if you want to stay at a place with a great pool and chill vibe. I think this property is ideal for budget travelers not to mention it is also rated best for its location on Nusa Penida. A few nights to chill out, you can’t go wrong here. The recommended restaurant Warung Pande down the road on the left was amazing.
AMPEL HILL HOMESTAY
Ampel Hill Homestay: This sure is one beautiful Balinese cabin in the west of Nusa Penida. The location offers a perfect view of Mt. Agung and you can watch the best sunrise and sunset.
I highly recommend this place with its short distance to a few nice restaurants, dive shops, and even Kelingking is not too far off. Plus this place is run by a warm and welcoming family you’ll make you feel right at home. A few nights here are enough to recharge your batteries and start fresh.
WAHYU MASARI HOMESTAY
Wahyu Masari Homestay– Budget: This accommodation offers outstanding value and ideal for budget travelers. For 20 bucks a night, you will enjoy a hot tub, super comfy bed, and hospitable hosts.I didn’t really expect that you can get such a great service for an affordable price. It’s not too far for the best attractions in Nusa Penida so the location is quite good. Definitely worth staying here!
AREA: Southeast (Atuh Beach)
Atuh Beach is a secluded beach on the south-eastern coast of Nusa Penida, surrounded by unreal green hills and off-shore rock formations. Right on top of the cliff, you will see the view of the now-famous Diamond Beach. The long stretch of white sand and clear blue sea means that Diamond Beach is a perfect spot to relax, swim and take photos for your social media posts.
If you don’t stay out this way for at least a night or two, you will have a huge drive to and from Toya Pakeh to see these beaches, which are pretty popular and important spots on Nusa Penida. I’ve done the drive and while not anything too crazy it will be quite an adventure, especially if you aren’t too experienced on a moped.
ATUH FOREST COTTAGE
Atuh Forest Cottage– Value: Atuh Forest Cottage offers jungle and ocean views. The location is out from the main hub of the island but still great as it’s close to Atuh Beach which is rated as one of the best beaches in Nusa Penida. A relatively cool and simple place to rest up. In terms of hospitality, this property does a pretty good job.
YOU AND WE HOUSE
You and We House– Mid-Budget: This guesthouse is a remote private accommodation with only a few bungalows overlooking a lovely pool and stunning sea views. The room is very clean and excellent value for money. I think this place is perfect if you’re traveling in style but on a budget. Personally, the chill vibe at You and We House is something that really attracts me.
RUMAH POHON TREE HOUSE
Rumah Pohon Tree House– Unique/Location: The Rumah Treehouse is one of the most insta- worthy places to stay on Nusa Penida. The Ruma treehouse’s room is pretty basic which is why it’s only great for one night stay. Due to its popularity, many people visit this place during the day so it’s quite inconvenient but at night you will mostly get it to yourself and you really can’t beat the sunrise view. Watching the sunrise over the bay at Atuh King Five was out of this world
OGIX CLIFF PARADISE
Ogix Cliff Paradise– Tranquility: Looking for quiet accommodation with a dreamy ocean view, Ogix Cliff Paradise is the right place. To be honest, I am not a massive fan of staying away from the real crowd but for a night to chill out, you can’t fault this place. So if you’re looking for a place like Ogix, with the best restaurant in Nusa Penida just upstairs and not too far to Atuh Beach – this place is a great fit for you.
AREA: Northeast (Ped-Buyuk)
One of the two urbanized areas in Nusa Penida is in the north. This is where most tourists stay. Accommodation rates are slightly higher than in Bali but with a bit of bargaining, you can find a comfortable guesthouse from 15USD to 20USD per night if you are on a budget. I have narrowed it down to a few of my personal favorite places to stay that cater to luxury travelers and for budget backpackers.
KOMPYANG COTTAGE
Kompyang Cottage– Unique: These cottages surround a tranquil pool is actually rather stylish and luxurious. I really loved how Balinese in style it is. Perfect for Instagram photos, this cute cottage is a dream! Just imagine yourself waking up and heading directly to the swimming pool for a quick, refreshing swim followed by some delicious floating breakfast.
KURI GARDEN COTTAGE
Kuri Garden Cottage: Kuri Garden Cottage offers an in-house restaurant that serves delicious Balinese food for a good price. There are plenty of restaurants nearby which you can visit by scooters. The pool is perfect with comfy sunbeds. Who needs air conditioning when you can just jump straight into the pool to cool off! The area has got a lovely community feels which I prefer the most with lots of temples and entertainment.
SINGABU BUNGALOWS
Singabu Bungalows-Mid-budget: Singabu Bungalows was built to match its surroundings. It’s a great accommodation with all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay, not forgetting the tiny but lavish pool surrounded by its own beautiful garden.
Singabu’s got the best bar in town too! I can’t promise luxury at all, but the outdoor shower and a hot tub are quite a treat. The attractions, however, are a little further away but that is not a big deal.
THE PACKER BOX
The Packer Box: Perhaps you’re after a bit of privacy, or the possibility of arranged activities, The Packer Box is ideal for solo travelers looking for some quiet time. It is not a social hostel at all but is a great place to recoup and have a wonderful good night’s sleep. With its private capsules and hospitable staff, I couldn’t fault this place!
I hope this guide helps you decide where to stay on Nusa Penida and you enjoy your visit to the Nusa Islands.
WHERE TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA: EAST OR WEST
Most properties on Nusa Penida are located on the west or east and a few in the southeast. There are lots of accommodations to choose from whether you are looking for budget youth hostels to luxury bungalows or hotels. However, you need to make sure you choose the right region to make the most out of your visit to Nusa Penida.
For example, there are some great hotels that offer good service yet they are so far from the most visited places in Nusa Penida. I really recommend you do move around a few different areas to really maximize your trip to Nusa Penida. In this blog post, I will share recommendations of places that I know are in a great location, luxury, unique, or budget-friendly.
BEST NUSA PENIDA TOURS!
These are the four most popular Nusa Penida Tours. I’ve done all four and they are AWESOME!
How to get to the Nusa Islands
There are three main options to get to Nusa Penida depending on your budget and how many logistics you want to manage. Here are the three options with the cheapest first:
- Book your ticket: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Lembongan – Book a regular ferry that leaves from Sanur to Nusa Penida on the reliable website 12go. You then need to moped or taxi across to Nusa Penida via another ferry/boat.
- Book a fast boat: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option is great as you go direct from Bali to Penida without having to stop in Lembongan. This option is only slightly more expensive than stopping in Lembongan. This is my favorite option of the three and can be booked on Klook.
- Book a fast boat with hotel-pick up: Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida – This option includes a fast boat from Sanur (Bali) to Nusa Penida but also includes pick up from your hotel in Bali in a van. This option from GetYourGuide is a bit more expensive but takes all the hassle out of the transit from Bali to Nusa Penida.
MORE NUSA ISLANDS BLOG POSTS
There are a ton of epic things to do on Nusa Penida, but I also wrote detailed guides for all of the adventurous things to do on Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan. You can explore more of my guides by clicking one of the links below.
