In a nutshell
- The island of Nusa Penida, located east of Bali, is a must on any Bali round trip. You should plan to stay for at least 2 to 3 days.
- If it’s your first time visiting, we’d recommend booking a hotel in the west of the island — that’s where you’ll find most of the popular sights. Our tip: Penida Bambu Green.
- If you’re looking for a relaxed beach vibe and a bit more peace and quiet, the best places to stay in Nusa Penida are in the east of the island. It’s much less touristy over there.
- And if you’re up for a little adventure, head to the center of Nusa Penida, where you’ll be surrounded by jungle.
The Best Places to Stay in Nusa Penida on a Map
If you’re looking for places to stay in Nusa Penida, it’s helpful to divide the island into three areas. Depending on how you want to spend your time there, a different part of the island might be the perfect fit for you:
- Nusa Penida West: close to most of the island’s top sights
- Nusa Penida East: quieter and ideal for a relaxed beach getaway
- Nusa Penida Center: stay in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by nature
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida’s West: For First-Time Visitors
If it’s your first time on Nusa Penida, the west side of the island is the perfect place to stay.
Most ferries from Bali arrive here, so you won’t have far to go from the port to your hotel. Plus, most of the island’s famous sights are in the west, too. You’ll be super close to highlights like Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay. That’s perfect if you want to see as much as possible in a short amount of time.
No surprise then that most of the hotels in Nusa Penida are located in this part of the island.
And one more thing: the west coast is where the sun sets. So you’ll get to enjoy some incredible sunsets right by the sea.
Pros of accommodation in Nusa Penida West
- Close to the island’s main sights
- Close to the harbor
- Amazing sunset views
- Ideal if you don’t have much time
Cons of accommodation in Nusa Penida West
- It’s the busiest part of the island and attracts the most tourists
Our hotel tips for Nusa Penida’s West
In Penida Bambu Green you stay in cool bamboo bungalows. It’s one of our best hotel tips for Bali! Breakfast gets delivered straight to your room, and you have a private open-air bathroom.
Pramana Natura is one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Bali. Every room offers stunning sea views – even the bathroom.
Where to stay in Nusa Penida's East: Peaceful and Quiet Spot
If you’re looking for a quieter, more laid-back spot, the east coast of Nusa Penida is a great choice. It’s also perfect for a classic beach vacation.
Most day-trippers stick to the sights in the west, so the east coast stays much calmer, both during the day and at night. You’ll find far fewer tourists here compared to the busy west side.
There are fewer cliffs in this area, as well, which means you’ll find plenty of hotels located directly on the beach. So if relaxing by the sea is your thing, this is the place to be.
One thing to keep in mind, though: if you’re staying on the southern part of the east coast, you’ll need a little more time to get around. Many of the island’s top attractions are a bit further away than they would be from hotels in the west or center.
But here’s the good news: Atuh Beach and Diamond Beach, two of the most stunning beaches in Bali, are right on your doorstep. And if you’re staying here, you’ll have them almost to yourself in the early morning hours.
Pros of accommodation in Nusa Penida East
- Peaceful and less crowded than the west
- Lots of beautiful beachfront hotels
Cons of accommodation in Nusa Penida East
- Longer transfer from the harbor
- Top sights like Kelingking Beach are further away
Our hotel tips for Nusa Penida’s East
We still can’t believe a place like The Alana Penida Hotel exists. It’s right on the beach, brand new, and the price is unbeatable. It’s our top value-for-money pick among Bali’s best beach hotels. You should definitely book it!
Where to Stay in Nusa Penida's Center: In the Middle of the Jungle
If you’ve always dreamed of staying in the jungle, a hotel in the center of Nusa Penida is the way to go.
The island’s center is mostly covered in lush jungle – the perfect place for a stay surrounded by nature.
Most hotels here have bungalows scattered throughout the greenery, often with incredible jungle views. Some are even built higher up, offering stunning panoramas over the treetops.
A big plus: from the center, you can reach both the east and west coasts in about the same time. Most of the island’s top spots are roughly 30 minutes away by scooter, no matter which direction you head.
Pros of accommodation in the center of Nusa Penida
- Right in the middle of all the island’s sights
- Surrounded by nature and jungle views
Cons of accommodation in the center of Nusa Penida
- Not as many luxurious hotels as you’ll find on the coast
Our hotel tips for Nusa Penida’s center
We love the jungle views from the bungalows at The Mesare Eco Resort. If you book early and avoid peak season, you can score a really great deal here.
Is it better to stay on Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida?
That actually depends on what you want to experience on the islands. We were on both and can tell you that the focus on Nusa Penida is on sightseeing, while on Nusa Lembongan it’s more about a relaxed beach holiday.
If we had to choose, we would still pick Nusa Penida because the sights there are simply so incredibly beautiful that we wouldn’t want to miss them.
These are the best places to stay in Nusa Penida
Have you been to Nusa Penida before? Where did you stay in Nusa Penida? Got any hotel tips for us? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!