Bali has long been a destination for international travelers looking for exotic beaches with black sand, natural beauty, incredible views, and delicious food. But it’s also a must-see spot for digital nomads looking for a mix of culture and fun. Designed with digital nomads in mind, here’s our Bali travel guide to work, live, and play in this tropical paradise.
Why Visit Bali?
Bali is an ideal destination for its calm surf and captivating beauty. With diverse cultural attractions, there’s tons of history to explore, along with incredible cuisine. You can soak up beautiful Balinese art or go on a jungle adventure to see wildlife without leaving Bali. It’s also becoming a hotspot for digital nomads looking for a slower pace with affordable accommodations. It also helps that the remote workforce is so strong and welcoming here, making it an easy choice for your Bali travel guide to stay awhile or stop through on your digital nomad adventure.
Why Bali is a Haven for Remote Workers
Beyond its stunning beaches and vibrant markets, Bali has cultivated a community of digital nomads, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Co-working spaces like Dojo Bali and Hubud provide state-of-the-art facilities against a tropical backdrop that fosters a blend of collaboration and innovation. If you’re thinking of staying longer, Bali also offers tax-free status to anyone who moves there to permanently work from home.
Where to Find the Best Co-Working Spaces in Bali
Bali’s diverse landscapes are as unique as its co-working spaces. Here are some stops to consider:
Dojo Bali: Nestled in Canggu, Dojo Bali offers 24/7 access with access to Echo Beach. It’s uniquely positioned as a collaborative hub for networking and attracts global digital nomads.
Outpost: With locations in Ubud and Canggu, Outpost is designed to feel like home and even features cozy rooms and private bathrooms to live, work, and play while you work remotely. Meeting rooms, workshop spaces, and private offices are also available with high-speed WiFi.
The Onion Collective: Situated in Denpasar, The Onion Collective welcomes tribes of digital nomads looking for boutique accommodations, co-working spaces, or authentic food and cocktail bars for an all-encompassing way to live and work remotely.
Tropical Nomad: Located in Seminyak, Tropical Nomad offers a co-working community for professionals, creatives, and artists located in the heart of Canggu, Bali. Find a spot outside in one of the cozy gazebos and work surrounded by rice fields.
Bamboo Creative: Work in the heart of Ubud at Bamboo Creative where bamboo architecture adds a touch of eco-friendliness to your workday.
There are also scores of cafes with reliable WiFi around every corner in Bali’s towns and cities. They’re accustomed to digital nomads and are welcoming to the extra income and company.
The Best Times to Visit Bali
Your Bali travel guide should also time your visit to maximize your work and leisure time. Settle into your digital nomad lifestyle during the dry season, from April to October, for pleasant weather with lower humidity and minimal rainfall. It’s also an ideal time to explore Bali’s outdoor wonders and enjoy pristine beaches without the interruption of heavy rains. Despite the warm weather, it’s also humid and what travelers call “soupy.” The trade-off is worth the scant crowds and better deals on accommodations, food, and shopping.
Explore the Best Adventures and Experiences in Bali
When you’re done working, close up your laptop and indulge in Bali’s must-visit places and activities:
Uluwatu Temple
Perched on a cliff, Uluwatu Temple offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. It’s also one of Bali’s six key temples and is locally called Pura Luhur Uluwatu. This Balinese Hindu sea temple is dedicated to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa and his manifestation as Rudra. The location is stunning and a draw for the Insta-worthy photos alone.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Tegallalang ranks in our Bali travel guide for its cascading area of rice fields, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site and a popular area during sunrise and sunset. The lush greenery and intricate irrigation system create a picturesque landscape. Water from its springs flows into water temples and is then distributed through the rice paddies, showcasing Bali’s ingenuity that dates back to the 11th century.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
This nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud, Bali, attracts visitors to see its nearly 1,260 long-tailed macaques. Its beautiful temples and natural backdrop make it worth the stop to soak up a different side of Bali. The sanctuary’s forest monkeys are not shy at all and are ready for a photo op.
Water Temples of Bali
Digital nomads make the most of their time abroad at Bali’s holy water temples, including Pura Ulun Danu at Lake Beratan, Pura Tirta Tawar at Gianyar, Pura Tirta Harum at Bangli, and Pura Tirta Taman Mumbul at Badung. Some of the temples, such as Tirta Empul, date back to 926 A.D. and are still actively used today.
Tips on Where Digital Nomads Should Stay in Bali
Choosing the right accommodation for your Bali travel guide enhances your immersive experience as a digital nomad. Consider a villa in Ubud for tranquility or a beachfront bungalow in Seminyak for easy access to the ocean. For stunning views, embrace a cliffside retreat in Uluwatu for stunning panoramic views. But for optimal convenience, many of the coworking spaces in Bali also offer on-site accommodations, such as Outpost.
Bali Safety and Transportation Know-How
While Bali is generally a safe destination for travelers, even if you’re going solo, it’s essential to exercise caution, particularly in crowded tourist areas. Be mindful of your belongings and electronics. Bali’s transportation options include taxis, ride-sharing services, and scooters, providing flexibility for exploration. To optimize convenience, you can charter a car. Or look to more affordable but well-established options in the area, such as Perama Shuttle.
The Best Excursions from Bali
Despite how glorious Bali is for digital nomads and remote travelers, make the most of your adventure by venturing beyond Bali’s shores for unforgettable excursions.
Gili Islands
A short boat ride from Bali, the Gili Islands boast pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling and diving. The area is made up of three small islands, ili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, and is located near Lombok Island. The islands are also a popular destination to see sunken ships, sea turtles, and coral reefs.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek offers some of the best mountain views in Bali that attract travelers in the pre-dawn hours. Spend the night in the area to embark on a pre-dawn hike up Mount Batur for a breathtaking sunrise overlooking the island. The ascent can be done in about six hours, making it wise to go with a group to avoid middle-of-the-night solo hiking.
Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is located on the southern island of Bali and is the largest of the three Nusa Islands. It’s home to Hindu temples, lagoons, and cliff formations. Its beaches attract digital nomads to the renowned Angel Billabong, Atuh Beach, and Broken Beach.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces is made up of over 600 hectares of rice fields that flow through the hillside of the Batukaru mountain range. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jatiluwih offers stunning views and contoured rice terraces.
Next Steps
Grab your Odyssey app and your Bali travel guide to make the most of your trip to work, live, and play in paradise. Whether you want to see ancient water temples or soak up some of the culture around Bali, we’ll help get you there. Ready to explore Bali or set up a digital nomad lifestyle around the world? Download the Odyssey app here.
