Candidasa, a tourist's village in eastern Bali, is a centre point for trips to all over east Bali; where you can pass the hours with locals on the streets and beaches, or find someone to take you fishing, snorkeling or gambling. And let the crickets and crashing surf lull you to sleep each night.

Candidasa is the perfect blend; everything one would want in seaside resort-reasonable accommodations, variegated dining, interesting sea sports, warm-water bathing, and tranquil nights.

For a scenic land tour, you can hire bicycles or simply walk the gorgeous hill country above town. Visit nearby Tenganan to shop, and for a fascinating look at the ancient rituals of a traditional society, also Tirtagangga, Kusamba, Goa Lawah, and eastern mountain towns like Putung and Iseh can be reached in minutes from Candidasa.

Candidasa is derived from 'Cilidasa' meaning 'Ten Children.' It is indicated by a shrine in the eastern part of the village, on a hillside under a cliff, looking out over a spring-fed lotus lagoon emptying into the sea, was founded in the 11th century. At street level is a statue of the giantess Hariti, a fertility goddess, surrounded by her many children.