Where To Stay in Lovina: Ultimate Area & Hotel Guide

Located on the island's northern coast, Lovina has made a name for itself thanks to the pods of dolphins that can be seen swimming offshore in the morning. But the coastal resort area also makes a great base for exploring north Bali.

Lovina strikes the perfect balance for anyone looking to enjoy the quieter, more laid-back side of the island while still having access to great accommodation and tourist-friendly restaurants.

After numerous visits, we’ve put together this guide to where to stay in Lovina, including our favourite areas and hotels.

Quick Summary

Lovina is the name of the resort area made up of several smaller villages in the Buleleng region. It's an amalgamation of the words "Love" and "Indonesia", created to attract tourism to the region.

It won't make a huge difference to your trip which of these areas you decide to stay in. Lovina is fairly spread out along the coastline and will require transportation to get to most nearby attractions. But it's still useful to understand the differences between the areas shown on this map:

Area Guides & Accommodation

Kalibukbuk (Central Lovina)

Kalibukbuk is the main village in Lovina's central resort area. Here, you'll find busy Lovina Beach, home to the famous dolphin statue, and several lively beach bars.

The surrounding streets are full of shops and spas, and the main road that runs parallel to the beach is where you'll find most of Lovina's best restaurants.

The majority of accommodation here is small, budget-friendly hotels and local guesthouses. But with plenty of amenities within walking distance, it's the best area to stay if you don't have your own transport.

Dolphin spotting tours often pick up in the Kalibukbuk area. However, most other things to do in Lovina are spread out across the region, so you’ll still need to arrange transport to get around.

Hotels in Kalibukbuk (Central Lovina)

Where To Eat in Kalibukbuk

• The Global Village Foundation Kafe - A local cafe and restaurant with a strong social purpose. They serve Asian and Western dishes, with all proceeds supporting disabled and disadvantaged people in Bali.

• La Madre – The friendliness of the owner is what sets this Italian restaurant apart. Not to mention their delicious homemade bruschetta. They do a range of Italian and Indonesian food, but we recommend sticking to Italian because it’s great. We're still sad their highly rated tiramisu was sold out!

East Lovina

To the east of Kalibukbuk are the villages of Tukadmungga and Pemaron. These villages gradually continue along the coast, so you'll hardly notice you're moving from one to another.

Despite being slightly more rural, this area is home to several fantastic beachfront hotels and large resorts. These accommodations offer varying levels of luxury, but one thing they all have in common is that they're a fraction of what you’d pay in southern Bali.

There aren't quite as many restaurants and shops as you'll find in central Lovina. However, most hotels have their own on-site restaurants and offer free guest shuttles into the main town area.

You'll also find an increasing number of ocean view villas in East Lovina. These are ideal for families wanting to enjoy the quieter side of Bali.

Hotels in East Lovina

Where to eat in East Lovina

• Berutz Bar & Restaurant – A cool modern restaurant that serves a range of Indonesian and Western food, all at very reasonable prices. The food is good for the price, but the fun vibe is what makes it. Daily live music gets people on the dance floor and on Thursdays and Saturdays the party keeps going with a live DJ. Emily ended up coming back here two nights in a row!

Lovina Hills

As you venture inland, away from central Lovina, the landscape rises into picturesque hills. Here, you’ll find a handful of great resorts offering panoramic views across the coast.

While central Lovina is already calm and uncrowded, staying up in the hills provides even more seclusion and a level of relaxation that’s hard to match.

The roads leading into the hills are a little steep and windy, so it’s not the most convenient place to stay. You have to drive back down to the main road to visit any attractions so the journey times can be longer. We loved our stay in the hills and think it’s worth the extra effort.

Hotels in Lovina Hills