If you’ve ever dreamed of running your remote business from paradise, Bali is the place that comes to mind first for most digital nomads, and for good reason. It’s not just beaches and smoothie bowls, although there’s plenty of that too. Bali is one of the most established digital nomad hubs in the world, with coworking spaces, wellness culture, community events, and an energy that’s hard to beat.
Best Time to Visit Bali
Dry season runs from April to October, and this is when you’ll get blue skies and warm sunshine pretty much every day. November to March is rainy season, still warm, but expect daily downpours.
When You Land
Download the Grab and Gojek apps before you fly, you’ll want them the second you land. We use them to get a taxi straight from the airport, comparing prices between the two, though both are very affordable either way.
We’d also recommend grabbing an eSIM before you arrive so you’ve got data from the moment you touch down. We use Airalo, and our code CHARLO5137 gets you money off your first SIM.
Where to Stay
Canggu is our favourite base. It’s buzzing, creative, and full of nomads from all over the world, with fitness studios, padel courts, and something happening most days, from sunset meetups to new cafe openings.
A few other spots worth knowing:
- Seminyak: a glossier, more resort-style area with great restaurants, beach clubs, and boutique shopping. Quieter on the nomad front, but a refined base with easy access to Canggu
- Ubud: surrounded by rice paddies and jungle, ideal if you want yoga, meditation, and a slower pace
- Uluwatu: best for surfing and cliffside cafes, with a relaxed, scenic lifestyle
Expect to pay £350 to £800 per month for a private room or studio. Teaming up with other nomads to split a villa is common, as well as staying in a guest house.
Coworking Spaces and Cafes
Canggu has some excellent options, including Outpost, B Work, and Tribal Bali, all offering reliable WiFi, community events, and a proper coworking setup. There are also countless cafes across the island with strong WiFi where you can work for the price of a coffee.
Getting Around
Grab and Gojek are cheap, fast, and reliable for getting around. If you’re staying longer, renting a scooter is the most flexible option, usually around £2 to £4 per day.
Driving in Bali takes some getting used to. If you want to ride yourself, we’d recommend taking a lesson first to build your confidence on the roads, we used Canggu Scooter Lessons ourselves and a lesson costs around £23. You can also apply for an Indonesian driving licence for around £68, which keeps you driving legally and is a smart move either way. Handy to know, this licence is also valid in Thailand, so it covers you if Thailand is on your route too.
Money and Costs
ATM withdrawals in Bali are usually fee-free or come with a very small charge. We always travel with a Revolut card, and having a backup card on hand is a good habit when you’re living overseas long term.
You can comfortably budget around £10 a day for food, including coffee, and live well on under £1,000 a month overall once accommodation, transport, and coworking are factored in.
Travel insurance is essential too. We recommend Genki Explorer, built specifically for digital nomads and long-term travellers, so you’re properly covered while you’re out here.
A Quick Word on Visas
If you’re planning to work while in Bali, even remotely for clients outside Indonesia, you do need to be on the correct visa. Working on a standard tourist or social visa is illegal in Indonesia, and enforcement has increased significantly in recent years, with consequences including fines, deportation, and being blacklisted from re-entry.
Indonesia’s Remote Worker Visa (E33G) is designed for people earning income from outside Indonesia who want to live and work in Bali legally, typically running for up to a year. We are not immigration lawyers, so please research current requirements thoroughly or speak with a qualified visa agent before making any decisions.
Want the Full Guide?
This is just a snapshot of what we cover. Our complete Bali guide, with full breakdowns on accommodation, budgets, safety, and all our on-the-ground recommendations, is one of the bonus resources included inside The Diary of a Digital Nomad programme, our step-by-step guide to building a freelance business you can run from anywhere in the world.
If Bali is on your radar, we’d love to help you get there.
