A Digital Nomad Guide to Bali, Indonesia
Situated between Java and Lombok, southern Indonesia is where Bali is located and has earned a reputation as a top tourist spot in the country. It holds a special allure for backpackers, budget travellers and digital nomads who make up a significant portion of its visitors. Although Bali has a considerable population of over 4 million people, the majority of them live in the island’s southern regions, while the rural areas of the north and centre remain less densely populated.
Bali’s popularity among tourists has exceeded 6 million visitors annually, suggesting that its image as an unspoiled paradise is no longer valid. Despite its size of over 5,700 square kilometers, there are still portions of the island that remain unexplored by the masses. In contrast, the smaller nearby islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and the Gili Islands are presently appealing to both vacationers and digital nomads.
Aside from its world-class beaches and pleasant climate, Bali boasts of a distinct culture and history that sets it apart from other parts of Indonesia. Bali is replete with spectacular surf spots, verdant rice plantations, ancient sacred sites, striking natural panoramas, picturesque volcanoes, and a myriad of other enthralling attractions. Its globally-renowned snorkelling and diving spots attract swarms of tourists to the island year in, year out, compelling several digital nomads, entrepreneurs and remote workers to settle there permanently.
With its impressive mountains, dense jungles, and breathtaking beaches, Bali is often regarded as a flawless island that has it all. Although it’s widely recognized for its yoga and meditation retreats, Bali also boasts some of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable nightlife, featuring significant nightclubs and regular performances by global artists. While certain sections of the island are home to luxury resorts and high-end beachside eateries, others have a more relaxed vibe, popular among backpackers and surfers. Bali truly has something to offer for everyone.
Digital Nomad Personal Experience in Bali
Throughout the years, I have been presented with several chances to reside and labor on the Bali island for different durations. Presently, Bali is arguably the predominant location for digital nomads and for good reason. Its exceptional blend of elements allures remote workers globally, which occasionally leads to them relinquishing their location autonomy and settling in this phenomenal destination.
Since I first arrived on Bali, it has always been a familiar place to me. I was backpacking and not yet working remotely when I first set foot on the island. I was impressed by both the island’s breathtaking beauty and the significant expat community that resided there. Though my backpacking adventure lasted nearly three months, none of the other South East Asian islands I visited left an indelible impression as strong as Bali.
I haven’t encountered many places that I could imagine living in for an extended period of time, but Bali is definitely one of them. Typically, it’s easy to grow tired of a place once you’ve resided and labored there for a while; however, Bali distinguishes itself from the rest. The island is vast and rich in variety that it’s quite challenging to become disenchanted. You could reside in Bali for numerous years and have yet to explore everything it has to offer. If one region of the island ceases to captivate you, you can easily relocate to another and have a completely unique encounter.
Nowhere else in the world can one find a digital nomad community as unique as the one in Bali. The island is a hub for freelancers and individuals who have opted for a lifestyle of independence and impromptu decisions, abandoning the traditional societal norms. While remote work may be an isolating experience, Bali offers a plethora of kindred spirits, and one is highly likely to encounter them wherever they go. It is this exceptional attribute that draws me back to the island time and time again.
Work in Bali
As a digital nomad, it can be difficult to work from home indefinitely. Even though you can work comfortably from your own place, you may want to consider working at a coffee shop, restaurant, or coworking area to boost your productivity. Bali boasts numerous breathtaking beachfront restaurants and coffee shops, particularly in the Canggu neighborhood. Among our top picks are the Crate Cafe, District Canggu, and ZIN cafe. These establishments are all budget-friendly, with modern and spacious interiors and WiFi access.
Although some digital nomads occasionally like working in cafes and restaurants, the majority favor real coworking spaces. Such spaces not only offer high-speed internet, comfortable work environment, and desks but also present opportunities for socializing and networking with fellow remote workers. Listed below are the most preferred coworking spaces in Bali.
Best Places to Work in Bali
Dojo Bali
In Canggu and all of Bali, Dojo Bali is perhaps the most famous coworking space. With a day-pass price of $15, you can access a speedy 300Mbps wifi connection, air-conditioned conference and Skype rooms, a stunning swimming pool, printers, and lockers to secure your valuables. Dojo is an invaluable resource for digital nomads because they regularly organize workshops and networking events. Dojo sees themselves as more of a community of like-minded people who happen to work together, rather than just a coworking space. Anyone looking for a fully immersive coworking experience that includes social aspects should consider Dojo.
Tropical Nomad Bali
Located at the center of Canggu, the Tropical Nomad Bali is a recently established coworking space that provides a day-pass for $13, alongside monthly and unlimited packages. With a contemporary and spacious structure, the space is fully equipped with remarkable amenities including high-speed internet, comfortable ergonomic chairs, private skype rooms, and a conveniently located in-house café. The place emphasizes on productivity and work efficiency, rather than on community building, unlike Dojo Bali. For individuals seeking a state-of-the-art work environment without diversions, the Tropical Nomad Bali is an ideal place to visit.
Bali Bustle
Bali Bustle is a contemporary coworking area positioned in a central location. It provides excellent amenities, including a gym, and is among the most cost-effective workspaces in Bali. Daily fees begin at 10$, with free-flow coffee, access to lockers and the gym, as well as free limited printing. While the wifi at Bali Bustle is not the fastest on this list, running at 50-70 Mbps, the workspace compensates with its other offerings. The rooftop lounge is an ideal place to complete your work, while weekly events such as yoga and cooking classes provide additional opportunities for engagement.
Bali Tribal
The 5 Best Places for Digital Nomads in Bali to Stay
1. Seminyak
Seminyak is an ideal base for digital nomads in Bali . It’s home to many beautiful beaches and fantastic beach bars where you can hang out and relax after a day of working. Best of all, Seminyak has numerous accommodation options for digital nomads, from budget hotels to luxury villas. Because of its central location, staying in Seminyak will give you easy access to the most popular spots in Bali.
Seminyak is known for its vibrant nightlife, and this is why many of Bali’s popular night spots are located here. For Bali’s digital nomads who enjoy partying, Seminyak is the ideal destination as it boasts numerous co-working spaces and cafes to work from. The area is also renowned for shopping, with stylish boutiques and shops lining its streets. When not working, one can explore the lively surroundings by strolling through its bustling streets, browsing through various shopping stalls that offer a diverse range of souvenirs, beachwear, and accessories.
Seminyak is a surprisingly affordable place to reside in. The average monthly cost of living in Seminyak totals up to $830. Despite many lavish hotels and villas, you can come across inexpensive options for long-term renting. For example, a studio apartment in Seminyak may cost around $409 on average.
spaces dedicated to coworking
Biliq Bali Cosharing Space and Kembali Innovation Hub are the two most popular co-working spaces in Seminyak, making it one of the top destinations for digital nomads in Bali with a growing selection of such spaces.
2. Ubud
Ubud is a highly recommended location for digital nomads seeking the best spots in Bali due to its scenic beauty and peaceful vibe. The town has become synonymous with relaxation due to its serene surroundings. Ubud is regarded as the center of Bali’s culture and creativity, with a thriving arts and crafts community as well as acclaimed writers and artists. Julia Robert’s famous movie “Eat, Pray, Love,” has brought the town to the world map.
If you’re looking for a break from your laptop work, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Ubud, such as hiking through picturesque rice fields, practicing yoga, visiting temples or discovering nearby villages. Every day, locals can be seen dressing in vivid prayer garments and bringing baskets of gifts to the temples around the city for their daily offering to the gods. Digital nomads who wish to immerse themselves in Balinese culture should consider staying in Ubud as it offers a fantastic opportunity to do so.
Ubud, being one of the top tourist destinations in Bali, has a relatively expensive cost of living. The estimated monthly expenditure here is around $1,365 on average, and renting a studio apartment would cost approximately $409 per month.
Spaces for coworking
The number of digital nomads settling in Ubud is increasing. They can often be found frequenting various co-working spaces in the area, such as Outpost Ubud Penestanan and Beluna House of Creatives.
3. Canggu
Canggu is another area in Bali that’s very popular with digital nomads. Located on the west coast of Bali, about an hour’s drive from the airport, Canggu is a picturesque resort village surrounded by terraced rice fields and home to stunning black sand beaches popular with surfers.
Canggu has become a hub for digital nomads in Bali due to its ideal blend of work and leisure. With a plethora of trendy cafes and top-notch co-working facilities, you can easily connect with other nomads. In your downtime, you can catch some waves at the beach, participate in a yoga session, or relax at one of the many bars and beach clubs.
However, there is a downside to all of these advantages. The cost of living in Canggu is the highest in Bali, requiring an average monthly expense of $1,517. Digital nomad-friendly lodgings in Canggu are available, but they typically cost $341 per month on average.
Spaces for individuals to work in a shared environment are known as coworking spaces.
Dojo Bali, Outpost Canggu, and Tropical Nomad Coworking Space are the most well-known co-working spaces in Canggu, which happens to be the go-to destination for digital nomads in Bali.
4. Seseh
Located on the west coast of Bali, between Tabanan and Seminyak, the picturesque coastal village of Seseh is nestled amongst tranquil rice paddies and boasts stunning vistas of the Indian Ocean. It is an ideal haven for digital nomads seeking peace and serenity in Bali.
In contrast to numerous tourist spots in Bali, Seseh has preserved its authentic Balinese countryside appeal, providing a peaceful oceanfront environment devoid of crowds. Additionally, the area boasts a few of Bali’s desirable must-see sights that visitors can venture out and visit during a work hiatus. A prime example is Tanah Lot, which is Bali’s most recognizable landmark.
Living in Seseh as a digital nomad can be advantageous due to its reasonable living expenses. Typically, you can manage to maintain a monthly budget of $539, classifying it as the most economical location for digital nomads to reside in Bali.
5. Uluwatu
One of the primary tourist destinations in Bali is Uluwatu, which features the renowned Uluwatu Temple, an iconic and frequently visited site. The temple, situated on a cliff with a sprawling vista of the vast Indian Ocean, is considered one of Bali’s most significant structures. While it may not be a favored location for digital nomads in Bali, Uluwatu remains a desirable location for those seeking more luxurious experiences on the island.
Several luxurious resorts and stunning beaches inhabit Uluwatu in Bali. Compared to other places on the island, this area is notably more peaceful and offers many secluded beaches ideal for unwinding after a long day. In addition, Uluwatu is known for its cliffside restaurants that boast panoramic ocean views, providing an upscale dining experience.
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