Getting around Medewi is fairly straightforward, but having your own transport makes life much easier.
Medewi isn’t a compact resort where everything is within a few minutes’ walk. Accommodation, restaurants, beaches and places to visit are spread along the coast and into the surrounding countryside.
For us, a scooter was an easy way to get around during our stay – we even used a scooter with a surfboard rack on to get our gear to the beach. If you’re not comfortable riding one, though, aren’t properly licensed to ride in Bali, there are other options.
Getting around Medewi by scooter
A scooter is probably the most convenient way to explore Medewi and the surrounding area.
You can use one to get to the beach, find somewhere to eat, visit nearby beaches and explore some of the roads away from the main coastal route.
We hired a scooter during our stay and found it gave us the freedom to come and go without having to arrange transport every time we wanted to go somewhere.
If you’re an experienced scooter rider, this is probably the simplest option.
If you’re not confident riding a scooter in Bali, I wouldn’t recommend using Medewi as the place to learn. Traffic, road conditions and other road users can be very different from what you’re used to at home.
Always make sure you’re properly licensed and insured to ride in Bali, and wear a helmet.
Walking around Medewi
You can walk to some places, particularly if you’re staying close to the beach and have restaurants or cafés nearby.
Walking is a nice way to see a little more of the area at a slower pace. But I wouldn’t plan to walk everywhere.
Medewi is spread out, and some of the roads aren’t particularly pedestrian-friendly. If you’re staying outside the immediate beach area, you’ll probably want another way of getting around.
We did find that exploring on foot was quicker at times, and Medewi is great for an off-road run.
Getting a driver
If you don’t want to ride a scooter, you can arrange a private driver for longer journeys or days out.
This is particularly useful if you’re travelling as a couple or group and want to visit several places without worrying about navigating or parking.
Your accommodation will often be able to help arrange a driver. We used this option when we arrived in Bali, with our host at The Nyamo Surfschool & Stay arranging a driver to collect us from the airport. We then took his WhatsApp details and messaged him when we wanted to pop out. We mostly used him for quick trips to the cash machine, which was a bit far out of town and had fairly small withdrawal limits.
For a day trip, you can also ask your accommodation about arranging a driver in advance. Just remember to agree what you want to see and how long you’ll be out so that you can get a price.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps
Don’t expect Medewi to have the same availability of taxis or ride-hailing services that you’ll find in the busier parts of Bali.
You may be able to arrange local transport, but I wouldn’t rely on simply opening an app whenever you need a ride.
This is another reason that staying somewhere with helpful hosts can make a difference. They can often point you towards local drivers or help arrange transport when you need it.
Getting to nearby places
Having transport also makes it easier to explore beyond Medewi.
You can head along the coast towards places such as Yeh Sumbul and Pulukan, or travel further towards Balian.
If you’re planning to explore more of west Bali, a scooter gives you the most flexibility. For longer journeys, particularly if you’re not used to riding in Bali, a private driver can be a more comfortable option.
Do you need a car in Medewi?
Probably not if you’re comfortable on a scooter.
A car can be useful if you’re travelling with lots of luggage, with children, or simply don’t want to ride a scooter. For most couples who are happy riding, though, a scooter is a much easier way to get around.
If you don’t ride, I’d choose accommodation with restaurants and the beach reasonably close by, and arrange local transport when you need it.
Where to stay in Medewi
Where you stay will make a difference to how much transport you need.
Some accommodation is close to Medewi Beach and the surf, while other places are further away and more spread out.
We stayed at The Nyamo Surfschool & Stay, which was a good base for us and within easy reach of the beach.
You can browse accommodation in the area using the map below, or read our full guide to Where to Stay in Medewi.
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This How to Get Around Medewi post was last updated in September 2026. If you spot an error, please let us know info@inmedewi.com