Amlapura

Amlapura is the administrative and transport hub of Karangasem regency, situated at the base of the rugged hills and mountains that surround Gunung Agung and midway between south-facing Candi Dasa and Amed on Bali's north coast. If travelling through East Bali exclusively by bemo, you will end up here as it is the main transport hub of the area.

There really isn't a whole lot to see or do in Amlapura aside from Puri Agung Karangasem, the palace of the former king of Karangasem. Additionally, as accommodation specifically for tourists isn't available in town it is best to make a beeline to your next destination. Most will choose the water palace, Tirta Gangga, as it is on the main road to the north coast and has a number of reasonable accommodation options nearby.

Another location with accommodation is Jasri Beach, about 5km southwest of Amlapura. Although much of the beach has gone (replaced by stone breakwaters) it remains a beautiful area. While this place is more difficult to get to by public transport, the ocean-side setting is fabulous and well worthy of a couple of days' relaxation.

This entire region of Bali is a great place to visit as you travel around Bali as it breaks up a trip coming from or heading to the north coast areas of Amed, Tulamben and Lovina or southwards (for the clockwise-inclined) to Candi Dasa and Padang Bai. The main attractions are the stunning rice terraces, the famous water palaces of Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung and amazing views of Gunung Agung either from ground level or atop Gunung Lempuyang.

Orientation
If you need to access an ATM (Jalan Gajah Mada), the police or any medical care, Amlapura has all of these within its small confines. Relatively fast WiFi is available on Jalan Diponegoro at Spydernet with unlimited WiFi usage costing 5,000 rupiah and the use of electricity 2,000 rupiah if you plug your laptop in.