Bali Digital Nomad Guide: Coworking, Visas, and Cost of Living

The two main digital nomad hubs in Bali are Canggu and Ubud, and they offer distinctly different lifestyles. Choosing between them -- or splitting your time -- is the first decision to make. Canggu is the louder, more social option. This former fishing village on the southwest coast has transformed into Bali's trendiest area, with a dense concentration of cafes, coworking spaces, surf breaks, and nightlife. The nomad community here skews younger (25-35), more social, and more entrepreneurial. Batu Bolong and Berawa are the main strips where most nomads base themselves. You can walk or scooter between your accommodation, coworking space, the beach, and dozens of restaurants within minutes. The vibe is energetic and sometimes chaotic -- Canggu's popularity has brought traffic congestion and rapid development. Monthly rent for a room with pool access runs IDR 4,000,000-8,000,000 ($265-530), and a private villa starts at IDR 8,000,000-15,000,000 ($530-1,000). Ubud is the calmer, more introspective choice. Nestled among rice terraces and jungle in Bali's interior, Ubud attracts nomads who prioritize wellness, creativity, and nature. The community here is slightly older, more focused on personal development, and less party-oriented. Coworking at Hubud or Outpost Ubud puts you in a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery. Accommodation is generally cheaper than Canggu, with rooms from IDR 3,000,000-6,000,000 ($200-400) per month. The trade-off is fewer late-night social options and a 1-1.5 hour drive to the airport or southern beaches.

Bali's coworking scene is one of the best in the world, with spaces that combine professional work environments with the kind of community you simply cannot find in a WeWork back home. Dojo Bali in Canggu is the original Bali coworking space and still one of the best. Located right on Batu Bolong, it offers fast fiber internet (50-100 Mbps up/down), standing desks, meeting rooms, a pool, and a packed events calendar including weekly presentations, skill shares, and social nights. Day passes cost IDR 150,000 ($10), weekly passes IDR 650,000 ($43), and monthly memberships start at IDR 2,000,000 ($133). The community here is diverse -- founders, freelancers, marketers, developers, and creatives all mix. Outpost has locations in both Canggu and Ubud and is known for its professional atmosphere and excellent facilities. The Canggu location has a rooftop workspace with rice field views, while Ubud sits among tropical gardens. Expect fast internet (50-80 Mbps), phone booths for calls, a podcast studio, and ergonomic chairs. Day passes run IDR 200,000-250,000 ($13-17) and monthly from IDR 2,500,000 ($165). Hubud in Ubud was one of Bali's first coworking spaces and remains a community institution. The bamboo building surrounded by rice paddies is one of the most photographed workspaces in the world. Internet is reliable at 30-50 Mbps, and the tight-knit community organizes weekly lunches, workshops, and networking events. Monthly membership is IDR 2,200,000 ($145). Other notable spaces include Tropical Nomad in Canggu (budget-friendly at IDR 100,000/day), B-Work Bali in Canggu (newer, excellent facilities), and Livit Hub in Sanur (great for families). Most spaces offer free trials or discounted first-day rates.

Navigating Indonesia's visa system is one of the trickiest parts of nomad life in Bali. The rules have evolved significantly, and getting it right is important to avoid fines or deportation. The Visa on Arrival (VOA) is the simplest option for short stays. Available to citizens of 90+ countries, it costs IDR 500,000 ($33) at the airport and grants 30 days. You can extend it once for another 30 days at an immigration office or through a visa agent (total cost around IDR 800,000-1,000,000 / $53-67 for the extension). This gives you a maximum of 60 days, which is enough for a trial nomad stint. The B211A visa (also called the Social/Cultural Visa) is the most popular option for nomads staying 2-6 months. It must be arranged before arrival through a visa agent or sponsor. The initial visa grants 60 days and can be extended up to four times for 30 days each, giving a maximum stay of approximately 180 days (6 months). Total cost through an agent is typically IDR 5,000,000-8,000,000 ($330-530) including all extensions. Reliable visa agents include Bali Visas, Visa4Bali, and numerous agencies advertising in nomad Facebook groups. Indonesia announced a Digital Nomad Visa (B319) concept, which is still being finalized as of early 2026. If implemented, it would allow remote workers to stay up to 1 year with proof of foreign income. Check the latest status before making plans based on this option. Important: technically, you are not allowed to work for Indonesian companies or earn Indonesian-sourced income on any tourist or social visa. Working remotely for foreign clients or employers is a gray area that Indonesian immigration has tacitly tolerated in practice, but it is not explicitly legal. The B211A is the standard approach used by the vast majority of Bali's nomad community.

One of Bali's biggest draws for nomads is the cost of living. You can maintain a comfortable lifestyle for $1,000-2,000 per month, which is a fraction of what the same quality of life costs in Western cities. Here is a realistic monthly breakdown for a nomad based in Canggu or Ubud. Accommodation is your biggest expense. A private room in a shared villa with pool access costs IDR 4,000,000-8,000,000 ($265-530) per month. A studio apartment runs IDR 5,000,000-10,000,000 ($330-665). A small private villa with your own pool starts at IDR 8,000,000-15,000,000 ($530-1,000). At the budget end, a room in a guesthouse costs IDR 2,500,000-4,000,000 ($165-265). Coworking costs IDR 2,000,000-2,500,000 ($133-165) per month for a dedicated desk. Many nomads alternate between coworking spaces and cafes to save money -- a coffee and a meal at a work-friendly cafe runs IDR 50,000-80,000 ($3.30-5.30) for a half-day session. Food ranges widely. Eating primarily at local warungs costs IDR 1,500,000-2,500,000 ($100-165) per month. A mix of warungs and Western-style cafes runs IDR 3,000,000-5,000,000 ($200-330). Eating mostly at trendy Canggu cafes and restaurants costs IDR 5,000,000-8,000,000 ($330-530). Most nomads land in the middle at around IDR 3,500,000-4,500,000 ($230-300) per month. Transport via scooter rental costs IDR 800,000-1,200,000 ($53-80) per month. Health insurance through SafetyWing or Genki runs $40-80 per month. A gym membership is IDR 500,000-1,000,000 ($33-67) per month, while yoga class packages run IDR 800,000-1,500,000 ($53-100) per month. Phone data (local SIM with 30GB) costs IDR 100,000-200,000 ($7-13) per month. Total monthly costs: budget nomad at $1,000-1,200, comfortable nomad at $1,500-2,000, premium nomad at $2,000-3,000+.

Reliable internet is non-negotiable for digital nomads, and Bali delivers -- mostly. The island's connectivity has improved dramatically in recent years, with fiber internet now available in most of Canggu, Ubud, and Seminyak. However, speeds and reliability vary significantly by location, and having a backup plan is essential. Coworking spaces offer the most reliable internet, with speeds of 50-100 Mbps symmetrical (upload and download) at spaces like Dojo, Outpost, and Hubud. These connections are fiber-based, redundant, and managed by IT staff. If your work involves video calls, large file uploads, or real-time collaboration, a coworking space is the safest bet. Cafes are a mixed bag. Popular nomad cafes in Canggu (Crate Cafe, Satu-Satu, Machinery) and Ubud (Seniman, Clear Cafe) typically offer WiFi at 10-30 Mbps, which is adequate for most tasks but can slow down during peak hours when dozens of laptops are connected. Always test the speed before settling in for a work session. Home internet in villas and apartments varies widely. Fiber connections through providers like IndiHome (Telkom) or Biznet offer 20-100 Mbps plans starting at IDR 300,000-500,000 ($20-33) per month. However, installation can take 1-2 weeks, and some areas still only have slower DSL connections. Always ask about internet speed and provider before signing a rental agreement. For backup connectivity, an Indonesian SIM card with a 4G/LTE data plan is essential. Telkomsel has the best coverage on the island, with 4G speeds of 15-40 Mbps in most areas. A 30GB monthly plan costs about IDR 100,000-150,000 ($7-10). Use your phone as a mobile hotspot when your primary connection fails. Starlink has also become available in Bali, and some villas and coworking spaces now offer it as a backup. Power outages occur occasionally, especially during heavy rain. A small portable battery pack for your laptop and phone is a wise investment. Coworking spaces have UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems and generators.

The digital nomad community in Bali is one of the largest and most active in the world. At any given time, thousands of remote workers from dozens of countries are living on the island, creating a diverse professional network that spans tech, marketing, design, writing, coaching, e-commerce, and virtually every remote-friendly profession. Coworking communities are the natural starting point. Dojo Bali runs weekly Dojo Connect events where members pitch their projects and offer skills. Outpost hosts founder talks and industry meetups. Hubud in Ubud organizes weekly community lunches where everyone shares what they are working on. These events are free for members and typically open to visitors for a small fee. Beyond coworking, Bali has a rich calendar of nomad-focused events. The monthly Startup Grind Bali meetup brings together founders and investors. Nomad Summit and various nomad conferences host events in Bali regularly. Sunday Markets in Canggu combine local artisan products with community socializing. Full moon parties, cacao ceremonies, and ecstatic dance events attract the spiritual-entrepreneurial crowd that Bali is known for. For professional networking, the Bali Digital Nomads Facebook group (50,000+ members) is the most active online community. NomadList's Bali chat, various Slack groups for specific professions, and WhatsApp groups for area-specific communities all provide ways to connect. LinkedIn networking is also active -- many Bali nomads are building legitimate businesses, not just freelancing. One of Bali's unique advantages is access to a wide range of skills and perspectives at a low cost. Need a photographer for your brand? A developer for your app? A yoga teacher for your team retreat? The talent pool in Bali is deep and collaborative, and many nomads actively seek project partnerships.