A digital nomad’s guide to working remotely in Bali

Bali, one of the main islands of archipelagic Indonesia, is lauded for its many riches – from its beautiful jungle and rice terraces to the unique black sand beaches and epic waves along its shoreline. While the island has long held a reputation as a destination for spirituality and wellness, it has more recently become a top destination for the digital nomad community. In Bali, many would choose remote work as a way to extend and enjoy their stay in this island paradise. 

Interested in starting a journey as a digital nomad? Here’s the ultimate guide to the best places to live, work and play in Bali.

Where to start

The Island of the Gods has made a name for itself as an affordable destination where remote workers and digital nomads can combine laptops and a good Internet connection with a beachy lifestyle. Pre-pandemic, Legian, Kuta and Seminyak were the places to be, but the cool crowd has since moved southwest along the coast to Canggu, a 10km-stretch of vibrant urban areas abutting some of the island’s best beaches including Canggu Beach, Batu Bolong and Echo Beach. Just a bit further, Pererenan has caught up to its fast-paced neighbour, quickly becoming a favourite among the tribe.

The magnificent orange, pink and purple sunsets along this coastline make dreamy silhouettes of the surf shacks and coconut palms. Imbibe the vibe at one of Canggu’s epic foreshore day clubs: La Brisa on black sandy Echo Beach has a rustic shipwreck theme with ocean views, cocktails and an excellent eco-conscious LYD market on Sunday. Next door, flashy Como Beach Club sits on the promenade with three excellent surf breaks. For lively beats and late-night fun, head to The Lawn on Canggu Beach, where you can relax on poolside daybeds or recliners on the sand.

Where to work 

A wide selection of cafés is set up for the digital nomad communities with solo tables and free Wi-Fi, including Indian eatery Rize , early-opener The Hula in Pererenan, and Acme bakehouse in Canggu. If you’re planning to work from Bali longer term, well-equipped spaces like Tropical Nomad Coworking Space in Canggu offer quality setups for video calls, meetings and 24-hour service – expect to see a creative community bouncing between dedicated desk space and a café with fresh coconuts and beanbags. Also in Canggu, Bwork offers the ultimate work-life balance with members enjoying breezy, café-style workstations along with yoga classes. In a quieter corner of Pererenan, Samada Worklife , is a funky new space providing full office support for bigger businesses with high-tech amenities, high-speed Wi-Fi and meeting rooms. 
 
Canggu’s work, play and stay trend is in full flow. Zin Café , near the quiet Nelayan Beach, boasts a free co-working café across three open-air spaces, along with a fitness studio, event venue and accommodation, including rooms, villas and suites for long-stayers. Nabbing a studio or room at Sokkool Coliving & Coworking grants access to a rooftop lounge and pool, a co-working space and a podcasting studio. In Pererenan, solo and budget-conscious travellers can opt for Tribal Co-Working Hostel , a low-impact, sustainably-run business with shared and mixed bedroom accommodation upstairs, and a pool and co-working café downstairs. Nearby, Shore Amora hotel’s One-Bedroom Nomad rooms and suites are a perfect fit for Boheme, complemented by its vibey poolside café and co-working space.

Downtime done right

There’s no shortage of things to do in Bali. But when the clock ticks down, health and wellness rule. In Pererenan, Canggu Yoga Centre is one of the few studios offering sweat-tastic hot yoga and pilates. At Breathwork Bali , explore this unique form of emotional healing in a stunning bamboo pavilion. Pamper yourself with luxurious facials at Goldust Spa in Canggu, or head to Pererenan’s Esthetic for a range of treatments, fromtraditional Balinese massages to soothing head spas. 

Meanwhile, enchanting Hotel Tugu Bali on Canggu Beach welcomes you to enjoy a vibrant line-up of cultural experiences, including jamu workshops and Balinese dance performances. For an art and design 101, Interior Design Retreats hosts a Canggu day tour around showrooms, galleries and boutique shops with a distinctly Balinese style. 

What to know

Despite Bali’s reputation as a holiday paradise, Balinese society is traditional and largely conservative. Before arriving, read Provincial Government of Bali’s Do’s and Don’ts pamphlet . It advises visitors to be mindful of local laws, culture and religion, and to respect places of worship, including temples, shrines and places of nature.

If you’re planning to work remotely from Bali, it’s equally important to understand visa conditions and entry and exit requirements. Make sure you have the appropriate visa before setting up your workspace. Bali’s E33G Bali Digital Nomad visa is a one-year multiple-entry visa limited to visitors who have an employment contract from abroad, receive payments via aforeign bank account and can prove they have a yearly income of at least US$60,000 (HK$470,985). The application fees start at IRD12,500,000 (HK$6,288).

Take something home

While sleeveless Bintang shirts remain a favourite, Bali’s craft spirit industry is making waves. Take home a bottle of locally made East Indies Archipelago dry gin home. Its neon pink, distinctly Balinese label will remind you of all those lazy Canggu sunsets, cocktail in hand, long after you return home. You can find it in bottle shops and at the airport’s duty-free.