Cost of Living as a Digital Nomad in Bali
Bali is a top destination for many digital nomads, and it’s easy to see why. The weather is glorious, the culture is interesting, and the place is well-equipped for long-term stays.
However, there is a downside to all of this. Parts of Bali are becoming overrun and the rice paddies are disappearing.
We chose to stay away from the south of the island and spent time in Ubud and then on the northern coast in the little town of Lovina.
If you’re eyeing Bali as a digital nomad, consider staying in a less busy part of the Island of the Gods. There are so many gems all over this gorgeous island.
Rent
In Ubud, we stayed in a homestay. We were in a little apartment that was part of the family’s property. We had our own kitchen and private space but entered through their communal space.
This was perfect for us as we interacted with our local family and participated in some of their daily activities. They also had the cutest dog! But we still had privacy and could make breakfast for ourselves.
Mocha, the puppy from our homestay in Ubud
It was also large enough to set up and work from the apartment, either in the outdoor dining kitchen or at the desk in the bedroom.
In Lovina, we stayed at a boutique hotel called Suma Beach Hotel. It was a delightful place. We had a large, sun-filled room with a balcony overlooking the pool. The lovely staff made us feel welcome during our long stay there.
Our room at the Suma Beach Hotel
Both places were ideal for working from home, although the desk setup in Ubud was better.
Dining Out
This cost was for the two of us to eat out for lunch and dinner each day. In Ubud, we made breakfast at home, and breakfast was included in Lovina.
One of the great things about Indonesia, and Bali specifically, is the food. There are everything from high-end Western-style restaurants to local warungs serving cheap, delicious options.
If you want to eat at Western-style restaurants more often, you can spend a lot of money in Bali. The smoothie bowls, flat whites, and salad bowls are all delicious! We mixed our food up but mostly ate at local restaurants.
Some restaurants are worth it for the view
Delicious local curry in Lovina
Spending
This is our personal spending money. We use it for alcoholic drinks, yoga classes, souvenirs, and sightseeing.
The yoga studios in Ubud are legendary
One highlight was the Agung Rai Museum of Art in Ubud. We spent several hours wandering between the different buildings, looking at some incredible local pieces. There’s a great cafe up the back to sit and recharge halfway through your visit.
Agung Rai Museum of Art
Gardens at the Museum of Art
In Lovina, we chose not to do the number one tourist attraction: swimming with the dolphins. Although we were told that they were kind to the dolphins, there were too many reviews online talking about masses of boats swarming the pod or chasing them around. Avoid activities that don’t allow wild animals to behave normally.
Instead, cruise through the rice paddies and visit the local waterfall. This will get you close to nature in a calm and relaxing environment.
Aling-Aling Waterfall near Lovina
Aling-Aling Waterfall was so peaceful
Transport
This one shocked me. It’s high for us.
It includes bike hire for some of the time we were in Lovina and all the time we were in Ubud. Grab taxi bikes are also the best way to get around Ubud! No need to worry about parking, navigating or the traffic.
Hiring a bike gives you freedom
How great a bike taxis?
We also had transfers - one from the airport to Ubud and one from the port in Padang Bai up to Lovina. Getting around this island with transfers is not cheap!
Our transfer from the ferry wasn't cheap, but worth it for this sign
Moving around definitely increases your costs, so if you’re a digital nomad looking to save money, staying in one place for longer has many benefits.
Visas
To enter Indonesia, most people will need a Visa on Arrival (also available as an e-visa before arrival). This costs around $30USD per person and gives you 30 days in the country.
This is also extendable by another 30 days for about the same price. This definitely raises the cost of visiting Indonesia compared to other Southeast Asian countries.
Temples are everywhere in Ubud
Groceries
We bought groceries to make breakfast while we were in Ubud, but that was the extent of our cooking during our time in Bali. The food is so cheap to eat out, why would you cook?
We went to the large supermarket in Ubud. There, you can find many non-Indonesian options (hello, hummus!), but they were pricey. I’m talking about $5 USD for a small container of hummus.
Opt for local made snacks and goods to keep your prices down here.
The Monkey Forest in Ubud
Cellphone and Subscriptions
We’ll opt for an eSIM like Saily when taking a short trip. But it’s usually worth investing in a local SIM card and data package for longer stays.
We generally avoid getting these at the airport. They’re generally priced higher and offer fewer package options.
Be careful with this advice, though. If you’re staying somewhere remote that doesn’t have phone shops. Then opt for buying at the airport.
Our subscriptions are boring but necessary things like digital storage, VPN and streaming services.
How beautiful is the Balinese culture?
Final Note
Bali, while gorgeous, is definitely not the cheapest place to be a digital nomad. But can you call yourself a digital nomad if you don’t spend at least a month living in Bali?
We found Lovina a bit too quiet and Ubud too busy. That led to our decision to base ourselves nearby on the island of Lombok. It’s got a similar vibe to parts of Bali but on a much smaller scale. Things are much cheaper than they are over on Bali too.
Have you spent time staying on Bali or Lombok? Let us know in the comments which one you prefer and how much you spent while living there.
