Independent Amed hotels

Along the eastern coastline of Bali is a strip of beautiful little fishing villages called Amed. The stretch begins at the village of Culik and includes other laid-back villages like Jemeluk, Lipah, and Banyuning. It is most famous for its relaxed atmosphere. This beach-front district is the latest part of the island to see development occur, but it also welcomes thousands of scuba divers each year. Tourism is growing, but the area is not overly popular.

Amed’s vibrant underwater sea life is a big part of the district’s attraction. Just off the volcanic-sanded beaches is a crystal-clear sea. It is a highly sought-after destination for scuba divers—free diving is also famous here The USS ship wreck, known as Liberty, provides a great spot for divers.

At the nearby Selang district, the Mini Zoo is an ideal attraction for the whole family. Even though it is considered to be a ‘mini’ zoo, there are still a range of interesting animals found within the complex including rare birds like cockatoos. You'll also see mammals such as porcupines and slow loris. It’s open every day from 07:00 to 21:00.

Most of the dining scene is operated by local owners, though the menus are predominantly designed for tourists. This means tourist-catered food is blander and less appetizing. However, most restaurants do offer a more ‘Balinese’ style dish, though tourists should make sure to ask for it. The nightlife in Amed is quiet, but many of the cafés transform into a bar after the sun goes down. Sometimes they offer incredible live music venues. Nevertheless, the night life doesn’t compare to that of Kuta or Seminyak.

The Amed district is not home to any major department stores. There is some shopping, though most of the items on sale here are souvenir-related or offer basic necessities. A good choice of handicraft items, locally-made clothing, and even silversmith merchants can be found within Amed.