I didn’t think I could love anything more than I loved cookie butter… but Lovina has stolen my heart. I’m sorry Trader Joes, but I no longer need your speculoos spread to fill my heart with joy. The loveliness of this quaint, northern coastal town has shown me the true meaning of happiness, and I wouldn’t trade my time in Lovina for the world.
Lovina itself is a quiet town. On the northwestern side of Bali, the draw to Lovina is the black sand beaches and wild dolphins frolicking in the sea. On the first day of my visit, my travel buddy and I did what all must do when in this part of Bali, go dolphin watching. Based on suggestions from our host, we took the 8 AM tour instead of the 5 AM tour, since there are many boats that go out in the early morning. Being the lazy people we are, 8 am was also our preferred choice. We saw hundreds of dolphins, and were the only long boat in sight.
The next day, we rented scooters and drove to Singsing waterfall, which is less than 10 minutes away from Santhika. It’s important to note that there are two waterfalls at Singsing; the first waterfall is a 5 minute stroll off the main road, and the second one is another 5 minutes up a staircase and down a paved pathway. We were the only two people visiting that day, so we had the whole place to ourselves. Perhaps it was the time of year we were visiting (it was early March) but northern Bali is generally less busy compared to Kuta or Ubud.
Lovina is the perfect romantic getaway. As I lounged in the pond at Santhika, sipping coffee and enjoying the serenity, I couldn’t help but think how perfect this place would be as a honeymoon destination. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, or merely somewhere for some well deserving R & R, I highly recommend Lovina as a place to find your peace.
Accommodation in Lovina
Much of the accommodation in Lovina is rustic and full of charm. I stayed at Santhika B & B, which felt like a home away from home. Except not really, because my apartment back home is a dungeon compared to this quaint abode. Comfy daybeds were scattered throughout the lush garden, and a fresh water pond lay among the plants and shrubs. My travel buddy and I were welcomed with cold iced tea and foot massages. It was a pocket friendly paradise less than a 5 minute walk to the beach.
If you're looking for a more luxurious stay, head to The Damai. Hidden in the jungle-clad hills 3 km from Lovina beach, this all villa resort is sure to impress.
