Every time we travel to Bali, we visit Canggu, so we’ve had to find a scooter rental there a handful of times.
It’s relatively easy to find a scooter in Canggu. Since almost every traveler wants to rent a scooter, rental agencies have popped up all over town.
These days, you don’t even even have to worry about haggling. You can just reserve a scooter online and have it delivered to your hotel.
But there are still some logistics to be aware of to stay safe, avoid scams, and save money!
So, we’re sharing all the tips and secrets we’ve learned over the years to make you feel super confident about driving a scooter in Canggu!
Key Information
Choosing a Reliable Agency
Scooter rental agencies are everywhere in Canggu. When we first went to Canggu years ago, we would walk around town to compare rates at different shops before deciding. There were no reliable online options.
Sometimes, the villa we were staying in, Canggu, actually has scooters for its guests to rent, but usually, they don’t. They just call the agency they are partnered with and book it for you.
A few of the most popular agencies to consider if you rent a scooter in person are:
- Bikago Motobike Rental
- D’Scooter Canggu
- Fajar Bali Rent Motorbike
- Canggu Scooter & Car Rental Wira Services
Recently, we actually started booking our scooter rentals with Bikago. They are the first company to streamline online rentals and offer free hotel delivery, which is awesome.
I just scheduled it to be dropped off the morning after we arrive at our villa, and they show up with the bike first thing. It saves us a lot of time, and the bikes are cheaper than anything we can find in person anymore.
Plus, they offer additional benefits, such as:
- New and updated scooters with a phone holder
- 24/7 customer support
- Comprehensive rental insurance packages
- Two helmets and a first aid kit with every scooter.
It’s a newer agency but a local favorite for travelers and expats in Bali!
However, if you don’t mind negotiating in Canggu, you can occasionally find small local shops that can offer you a slightly cheaper rate.
How much does a Scooter Rental cost?
Hiring a scooter in Canggu is EXTREMELY affordable. You can secure a scooter rental for as low as 80K IDR ($5.50) per day).
The price depends on the type of scooter you need and the length of time you will rent it.
For example, if you book a rental for 3 days, it will cost between 150-200K IDR ($10-15) per day.
However, a month-long scooter rental will cost about 60-130K IDR ($4-9) per day.
What Kind of Scooter Do I need in Canggu?
There are a few different kinds of scooters available to rent in Canggu. Here are a few of the most popular options and their benefits/drawbacks.
Honda Scoopy: This basic, automatic scooter is great for getting to the best cafes or beach hopping around the beaches near Canngu. It’s the least powerful scooter, but it is reliable and gets the job done. My other issue with the scoopy is that the storage area is so tiny.
Honda Vario 125: This bike is slightly larger than the Scoopy and usually more advanced (like a digital dashboard, smart key, and phone holder). This makes it a little safer than the scoopy, and we also like to rent it if we plan on going outside of town on a couple of day trips.
Honda PCX: This scooter rental has all the same features as the Honda Vario, but it’s much more powerful, with a 160cc engine. This means it can easily tackle the steep mountain roads while you trek to waterfalls around Ubud or take a road trip to Mount Batur.
Yamaha NMax: This premium scooter has features similar to the Honda PCX but is still relatively lightweight and easy to handle. Whenever we took a short backpack trip up to Munduk for a few days, we made sure to rent an NMax. Anything else would have had a lot of trouble.
Also, I love getting a scooter with space in the center between my feet. I can put my bag here when Sarah and I are going to work at some of Canggu’s coffee shops or make longer trips a lot more comfortable.
Legal Requirements
If you’re considering renting a scooter in Canggu, you should know that there are some legal requirements.
For example, you have to be 18 years old (technically) to rent a scooter anywhere in Bali, but some companies require you to be 21 before getting a scooter rental. You’ll also need an International Driving Licence.
Getting an International Driving License
If you’re planning to rent a scooter in Canggu, it’s crucial to have the appropriate documents (i.e., International Driver’s License/International Driver’s Permit)
While you may be able to rent a scooter in Bali without one, driving without an official International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is against the law, and you could be subject to significant fines if you get pulled over by police.
They know this and specifically target tourists.
To acquire an International Driver’s Permit, all you need is a valid passport and driver’s license.
Securing an IDP is an uncomplicated and affordable process. Americans like us can head to AAA and get one for less than $20, but online services can get you your IDP even quicker for a slight surcharge (we’re talking less than minutes)!
Given the availability of online services, there’s no valid reason to risk driving illegally in Bali. Just bite the bullet and get your IDP, so you’re legally allowed to rent a scooter in Canggu and drive in Bali.
Safety Tips
Here are some ways to stay safe while driving a scooter in Canggu (or anywhere else in Bali).
Obviously, wearing a helmet, driving safely, and abstaining from drunk driving are basic must-dos, but there are some Bali-specific tips to have a safe scooter rental in Canggu.
Take Your Scooter for a Test Drive
Before you hand over your personal details, take the scooter for a quick test drive. This will allow you to evaluate its condition before committing to it!
Some things you should check for are;
- effective brakes and brake lights
- good tire traction
- a functional fuel gauge
- functioning headlights
- adequate acceleration (this is essential in the hilly areas of North Bali).
If something seems off, ask for a different bike. It’s never worth the risk.
Also, we always photograph any pre-existing scratches because I really don’t want to be blamed and charged for something I didn’t do!
Get a helmet with a Visor
I don’t see anyone else talking about this, but when you pick up your scooter, get a helmet with a visor. I promise you’ll thank me.
The air in Bali is not clean, so without a mask, you are guaranteed to get a whole bunch of dust and probably a couple of bugs in your eyes. When you’re going fast, this is painful!
Get Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential if you are considering renting a scooter in Canggu. It’s often ignored in the pursuit of saving money, but you need it in Bali.
I’ve seen a handful of accidents first-hand and have talked to multiple people in Bali who have been in semi-serious motorbike accidents that sent them to the hospital. You want to ensure you are covered financially, just in case.
We always use Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance, which provides comprehensive coverage at less than $40 per month.
Handling Interactions with Law Enforcement
Even if you haven’t violated any traffic laws, there’s a chance that Bali’s traffic police might stop you. It’s a corrupt system.
They set up numerous checkposts across the island, and most of the time, they’re just checking to make sure you have an International Driving License.
But they might claim that you’ve violated another traffic law and suggest what is essentially a ‘bribe’ to settle the case, ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 IDR ($12-30).
Fortunately, we never had this happen. There were times when the cops signaled us to pull over, but we pretended not to see them and kept driving. They didn’t follow us, but just in case, we always had around 150,000 IDR ($10) cash on hand.
Renting a Scooter Elsewhere in Bali
The price of scooter rentals doesn’t change much, no matter where you travel in Bali. We’ve personally rented scooters in Ubud, Uluwatu, and Nusa Penida.
But even when we travel to other beach towns like Seminyak, Jimbaran, or Nusa Dua, it doesn’t seem very difficult to find a scooter rental agency.
Our only advice is that if you’re renting a scooter in Uluwatu, Ubud, or anywhere else in north/east Bali, you need something larger than 125cc.
Some of the beaches in Uluwatu have really steep descents, and a few of the mountain roads to get to waterfalls in North Bali were very steep, and a smaller engine would not have been able to get two people back up the mountain.
Final Thoughts: Renting a Scooter in Canggu
Renting a scooter in Canggu and other areas of Bali is an experience you certainly don’t want to miss out on.
It’s totally legal to do as a foreigner, as long as you have a valid International Driver’s Permit, and you only have to be 18 years old.
We love the flexibility and freedom it provides and will likely never visit Bali without renting a scooter.
Of all the options we’ve tried, Bikago has the best prices, and they also have the most convenient system for booking and picking up your Canggu scooter rental, so that’s who we use.
If you’re still nervous about renting a scooter, check out these tips for staying safe on a scooter in Bali.
– Caleb & Sarah
