‘Not the typical Bali’: why little-known Pengembak Beach is hosting Jia Curated 2026
With its relatively undiscovered feel, Pengembak Beach is the perfect location for this year’s edition of Jia Curated, one co-founder says
From surfing hotspots and hedonistic hang-outs to wave-lapped wellness retreats and exclusive seafront resorts, Bali is home to some of the world’s most iconic beaches. But while the likes of Uluwatu, Seminyak and Jimbaran Bay draw sunseekers in their thousands, another lesser-known beach on the island’s southeastern coast is emerging as an alternative to its more famous peers.
But while Pengembak Beach has gone largely under the radar for international visitors thus far, that could all be about to change thanks to Jia Curated, which has chosen the area as the location for its upcoming fifth edition.
Spiritual significance and intimacy with nature
Taking place from August 13 to 17, the annual design fair will welcome more than 250 Indonesian and international exhibitors and feature around 70 site-specific pavilions and design installations, as well as exhibitions, talks, dining, live music and cultural performances.
For Jia Curated co-founder and co-curator Budiman Ong, Pengembak Beach was the perfect choice for the fair because of its relative obscurity.
“We wanted a bit of Bali, but not the typical Bali, or what people associate with Bali,” he says. “We were also looking for a place where we feel there’s intimacy, because we want to create that vibe.”
