Bali felt like a dream—and I don’t mean the postcard kind. There’s something about the rice fields and the smell of incense that made me feel at home instantly. I came for the WiFi and coworking spaces but stayed for the warmth of the people, the community vibes, and the unbeatable work-life balance.
Quick Overview for Digital Nomads
- Cost of living: €500–€1,000/month (excluding rent)
- WiFi reliability: Strong in hubs like Canggu and Ubud; coworking spaces are everywhere
- Language: Bahasa Indonesia; English is widely spoken in tourist areas
- Food: Veggie-friendly heaven! Warungs (local eateries) serve cheap and delicious plant-based meals
- Accommodation: Dorms from €5/night, private rooms from €15/night
- Getting there: Fly to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar)
- Getting around: Scooters are king (€3–5/day), apps like Grab are handy
- People: Incredibly welcoming; I made friends within days
- Gyms: Yoga in Ubud, surf fitness in Canggu—plenty of options
- Visa: 30-day visa on arrival, easily extendable
- Personal recommendation: Perfect for remote workers who love a blend of productivity, nature, and community.
Best Places to Live, Work, and Party
Bali is more than just beaches and temples—each area has its own vibe. Whether you’re chasing waves, peace, or a buzzing nightlife, there’s a spot for you. Here are my top picks:
Working in Canggu
This is digital nomad central, and for good reason. Coworking spaces are top-notch, and the sunset surf scene is unbeatable. It’s easy to meet people here, whether at coworking spaces or over a smoothie bowl. Personally, I felt it was a bit crowded and didn’t quite feel like peaceful quiet Bali anymore.
- Accommodation: Tribal co-living – Pool, coworking space, and easy to make friends
- Cost: Moderate (€700–€1,200/month)
- Day Trips: Tanah Lot Temple (20 min by scooter), Tegalalang Rice Terraces (1 hr, great for weekends)
- Café recommendation: Crate Café – Big portions, great WiFi, and a creative vibe
Working in Ubud
Ubud is the heart of Bali’s culture and nature. I loved the slower pace here—perfect for deep work sessions in the jungle. Yoga classes before work, waterfalls on the weekend.
- Accommodation: Puri Garden Hostel – Pool, free yoga, and a great place to network
- Cost: Affordable (€500–€900/month)
- Day Trips: Campuhan Ridge Walk (walk from town), Tegenungan Waterfall (30 min by scooter)
- Café recommendation: Seniman Coffee Studio – My go-to for great coffee and good vibes.
Working in Seminyak
For a more upscale vibe with trendy spots and nightlife. It’s pricier than Canggu but has some fantastic co-working cafes.
- Accommodation: Kayun Hostel – Budget-friendly, modern, and central
- Cost: Higher (€800–€1,500/month)
- Day Trips: Petitenget Temple (5 min by scooter), Double Six Beach (walking distance)
- Café recommendation: Revolver Espresso – Strong coffee and laptop-friendly
Working in Uluwatu (Great for Surf Lovers)
Cliffside views, epic waves, and the chillest vibes on the island. It’s less of a digital nomad hub but perfect if you want to balance work with surf. I actually haven’t been, but I heared really good stories about it and would go there next time.
- Accommodation: Karma Backpacker House – Cozy, social, and budget-friendly
- Cost: Moderate (€700–€1,100/month)
- Day Trips: Uluwatu Temple (10 min by scooter), Padang Padang Beach (5 min by scooter)
- Café recommendation: The Cashew Tree – Post-surf smoothies and great WiFi
Working in Kuta (Best for Nightlife)
If you’re here to party between work sessions, Kuta has you covered. It’s touristy and busy, but you’ll find affordable stays and endless beach bars.
- Accommodation: Bali Caps Hostel – Pod-style beds, social area, and good vibes
- Cost: Cheap (€500–€800/month)
- Day Trips: Waterbom Bali (5 min walk), Beachwalk Shopping Center (walking distance)
- Café recommendation: The Coffee Library – Solid WiFi, comfy seating
Working in Amed
Amed, on Bali’s northeastern coast, is a peaceful fishing village perfect for digital nomads craving a slower pace and stunning ocean views. It may not have the co-working buzz of Canggu, but it offers a unique blend of tranquility and natural beauty. I loved starting my mornings with a swim before settling in for deep work sessions with a view of Mount Agung.
- Accommodation: Blue Earth Village – Eco-friendly bungalows with stunning sea views and an on-site café.
- Cost: Affordable (€400–€800/month)
- Day Trips: Snorkeling at the Japanese Shipwreck (15 min by scooter), visiting Tirta Gangga Water Palace (30 min by scooter)
- Café recommendation: Rimba Café – Relaxed atmosphere, great coffee, fantastic healthy bowls.
- WiFi warning: single digits mostly in Amed. If your work requires video calls, Amed might not be your place to do them from.
Best Combination of Living and Working
For me, Amed is the winner. It’s peaceful, affordable, and perfect for focused work sessions with nature all around. Plus, having the ocean just steps away is unbeatable—mornings snorkeling, afternoons working at Rimba Café, and evenings watching the sunset with new friends. It’s where I found the best balance between productivity and relaxation.
Best Times to Travel
Bali’s good year-round, but I always recommend the dry season for the best balance of weather and vibes.
- My favorite months: May to September – Dry season, perfect sunsets, fewer mosquitoes
- Dry season: May–September – Ideal for beach hopping and outdoor adventures
- Wet season: October–April – More humid, but cheaper stays and lush landscapes
Top 10 Tourist Attractions
Whether you explore on weekends or after work, Bali has plenty to offer:
- Tanah Lot Temple: Iconic sea temple, 20 minutes from Canggu by scooter
- Uluwatu Temple: Cliffside views and Kecak dance, near Uluwatu
- Sacred Monkey Forest: Playful monkeys and temples, walking distance in Ubud
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces: Stunning sunrise views, easy day trip from Canggu
- Campuhan Ridge Walk: Scenic trail in Ubud, best at sunset
- Mount Batur: Sunrise hike, guided tours from anywhere on the island
- Nusa Penida: Unreal cliffs and beaches, short ferry from Sanur – I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of Kelingking Beach (below). It’s super crowded. If you wait long enough, you’ll be able to get your instagrammable photo. But already getting there is a pain (by minivan – stuck in traffic with 100 more minivans). My solution? Pic a different spot, go by scooter.
- Waterbom Bali: waterpark, 5 minutes from Kuta
- Sekumpul Waterfalls: Worth the long drive, ideal for a day trip
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: UNESCO-listed, less touristy than Tegalalang
Local secrets (less touristy, more magic)
- Seseh Beach: Quiet sunsets just north of Canggu, fewer crowds
- Tukad Cepung Waterfall: Hidden waterfall in a cave, 1 hour from Ubud
- Nyang Nyang Beach: Remote, pristine beach near Uluwatu, perfect for a quiet day
Getting There
- Fly into:Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) – Well-connected globally
- Best Airlines for Budget: AirAsia, Scoot, and Jetstar from regional hubs
- Best Routes: From Europe, fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for cheaper options
Getting Around
- Best Option: Scooter rental (€3–5/day) – It’s how everyone gets around
- Apps: Grab (like Uber) and Gojek (for short rides or deliveries)
- Public Transport: Almost none—Bali is best explored on two wheels
- Eco-Friendly Alternative: Electric scooters (check GoRide Electric)
- For Longer Trips: Perama Shuttle or shared car hires with other nomads (on Facebook groups you can find drivers, prices are quite similar, if you use a driver more than once, though, you have better chances to get better prices.)
Visa: Digital Nomads
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days
- Digital Nomad Visa: New long-stay visa in development (check updates)
- Best Source for Visa Info: Indonesia Immigration Website
Local Food and Vegetarian Options
Bali is paradise for vegetarians and vegans:
- Try Local Warungs: Cheap, homemade, and often plant-based
- Must-Try Veggie Dishes:
- Nasi Campur: Mixed rice with veggies, tempeh, and sambal
- Gado-Gado: Veggie salad with peanut sauce
- Tempeh Goreng: Fried fermented soybeans (so good!)
Sustainable travel in Bali
Bali is beautiful but faces environmental challenges. Here’s how you can help:
- Eco-friendly stays: Stay at places that avoid plastic and support local workers
- Refill, don’t buy: Use refill stations for your water bottle (cafés often offer them as well)
- Join a cleanup: Every Saturday, Sungai Watch organizes beach clean-ups (sungai.watch)
- Support local: Buy from local markets and artisans
More questions? Share them in the comments below!
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