If you enjoy a cup of specialty coffee as much as I do, or simply love to travel (or both), stick around because in this post I'm going to introduce you to Kintamani, the new specialty coffee mecca in Bali.
Logistics and Practical Details
Location and How to Get There
Kintamani is located in northern Bali, about 60 km from Canggu. To get there, you can ride a scooter or take a car; for both options, you can use Grab or Gojek, which are the quintessential ride-hailing (and much more) apps in the country. Depending on traffic, it will take you between 1.5 h and 2 h to arrive (it took me 2 h). If you are leaving from Ubud, it will take you approximately 1 h.
How Much Time Should You Spend?
This depends on the activities you want to do in Kintamani. If you just want to go spend the day, eat at a café, and so on, that's fine; if, on the other hand, you want to climb Mount Batur, I would stay a couple of days. I stayed 3 days because I had time and wanted to take it easy and enjoy myself.
The Climate Factor
When we think of Bali, the first things that come to mind are heat and humidity, but at 1,500 m of altitude, things change. I recommend bringing a sweatshirt or jacket, especially in the mornings when the sun goes down, or above all if you are traveling by scooter.
The Secret of Kintamani: Altitude and Ash
Unlike other parts of Bali, where heat and humidity are the norm, Kintamani sits at about 1,500 meters above sea level. At this altitude, the climate is cooler, which is precisely what Arabica coffee plants need to mature slowly and concentrate all their sugars.
But what really matters is underground. This entire region lies in the shadow of Mount Batur, an active volcano. The ash and minerals from past eruptions have created a super-fertile volcanic soil, giving the beans unique characteristics.
The result is a specialty coffee very different from typical Indonesian coffee, which tends to have a heavier-bodied or more earthy profile. The coffee grown here stands out for being very clean in the cup, with a bright acidity and very fruity notes.
The Coffee Route: Mandatory Stops
The entire main road bordering the crater is lined with cafés featuring mind-blowing modern architecture. Trendy venues, immense glass windows, on-site coffee roasters, and all with terraces offering spectacular views of Mount Batur.
Ultimately, in terms of coffee quality, they are generally all very good, but I'm going to share my favorite cafés based on the venue itself, the service, and, of course, the coffee.
1. Pahdi Specialty Coffee
Without a doubt my favorite café; when you walk past on the street, you don't even realize it's a café because of the exterior design of the entrance.
The café itself is located downstairs—you can take the elevator or the stairs—and as soon as you step down, you see the immensity and spectacular design of the place.
Truly, it doesn't look like a café at all, but it is, and I have to say that I tasted one of the best coffees in all of Bali there, which is why I put it in the top 1.
To eat, they have everything from pastries to more elaborate dishes. It is worth noting that for coffee, they only have plant-based milk available.
A very relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a good coffee and a bite to eat.
Here is the direct link to their Google Maps listing.
2. Kintamani Coffee - Eco Bike Coffee
Just like the other cafés, Eco Bike also boasts spectacular views of Mount Batur, but what undoubtedly made me fall in love with this café was the comprehensive tour I took about coffee.
Lasting approximately 3 hours, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the entire specialty coffee process, from the coffee plant, through the proper harvesting of the cherries (they must be completely red), to the fermentation process, drying, roasting, and finally, grinding.
I had the opportunity to ask as many questions as I wanted, and the tour guide answered every single one of them. Without a doubt, one of the best experiences for me in Bali; if you love coffee, you will love the tour.
At the end of the tour, we also roasted our own coffee and did several blind tastings to tell the difference between a specialty coffee and a more ordinary one.
Here is the direct link to their Google Maps listing.
3. Montana Del Cafe
I've placed this one last, but honestly, there are many other cafés that could easily take this spot. In the end, to be frank and honest, practically all the cafés have many things in common: Beautiful design, views of Mount Batur, and good coffee.
If you are someone who likes to take Instagrammable photos, you will like this place because they have a sort of net/trampoline where you can lie down and take pictures.
These are the three cafés I would recommend visiting if you go to Kintamani, but of course, to each their own.
Beyond the Cup (For Non-Coffee Drinkers)
Although Kintamani has become the paradise of specialty coffee, the area has much more to offer. If you are traveling with someone who prefers tea or simply want to make the most of your trip, here are some plans you can do:
- Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking: It is the great classic of the area and the reason many people go, aside from the coffee.
What people usually do is wake up very early to start climbing the volcano in the dark and reach the summit just in time to watch the sunrise above the clouds, with Mount Agung in the background. It's a demanding route but very popular, and the views from the top are spectacular.
Personally, I didn't climb it because I was researching and, despite not being mandatory to go with a guide, let's say they "force" you to hire one... I read a blog by a guy who tried to climb it completely on his own and the local guides put a lot of obstacles in his way to continue the path. Since I don't like that vibe of being forced to do something, I just passed on it.
- Relax in the Hot Springs: Right at the foot of the volcano and on the shores of Lake Batur, there are several natural hot spring complexes. After the morning chill or doing the trekking (or whenever you feel like it), soaking in those hot volcanic water pools while looking out at the lake is a fantastic plan.
- Viewpoints and Pure Contemplation: If you don't feel like sweating, simply walking along the main road or stopping at the various Penelokan viewpoints is already worth it. The panoramic views of Lake Batur and the volcano are some of the best postcards you will take home from Bali.