The Digital Nomad's Guide to Bali
Here's a guide to one of my favorite nomad spots after 6 years on the road: Bali.
I cover the essentials for people looking to work out of Bali. This includes places to work, workout, stay, eat, surf, party, chill, and extras like transportation.
Canggu vs Ubud
Most nomads in Bali end up either in Canggu or Ubud.
Canggu's vibe is entrepreneurial surfer nomads. Ubud's vibe is new-age yoga hippies.
There are other spots like Seminyak for fancy, luxury hotels and Kuta for trashy partying. No judgement if this is what you like, but neither of those appeal to me.
I love the vibe and lifestyle of Canggu and so this guide is primarily focused on living here.
Canggu
Ubud
Where to Work
Tropical Nomad. I like to start working with 0 downtime when I get to a new location. If you're the same way, just get a membership at Tropical Nomad. Of all the coworking spots I've sampled across the world, this is my favorite.
- Comfortable seats and tables
- Healthy food and drinks
- Booths for private meetings
- Great wifi
- Frequent social events to meet others
Where to Workout
Nirvana Life. Not only does Bali have the best coworking spot I've seen, it also has the best gym (Equinox can't compare).
There are actually a ton of other great options in Canggu, but I've found Nirvana Life to be the best all-round one.
- Free weights and 100+ classes for strength, mobility, technique, etc
- Sauna, ice bath, steam room
- Pool
- Hot tubs
- Restaurant with healthy food
- Coworking spot with private booths for calls
- Several areas to chill
Where to Stay
I won't recommend a specific spot here. It's easy enough to find a hotel or Airbnb.
Instead, I'll leave you a pro tip: only book a spot for a week.
Once you're here, drive around and find a spot you like. Then, just go to the reception and ask for availability.
There are a ton of guesthouses that aren't listed online that are comfortable and have daily cleaning, which you can book for less than $1000/mo.
If you're planning a short trip and couldn't be bothered with the hassle, just get an Airbnb.
Where to Eat
So many good, cheap, healthy options. Here are a few:
Breakfast:
- Baked
- Milk and Madu
- Nirvana Life (yes, it's the gym, lol)
- Crate Cafe
- Nude Cafe
- Avocado Factory
Lunch / Dinner:
- L'osteria (Italian)
- Warung Local (Indonesian)
- Sista Dumpling (Chinese)
- Just Kitchen (Georgian)
- Kajin Sushi (Japanese)
- Duatiga (Vietnamese)
- Sensorium (Asian-Aussie fusion)
- Secret Spot (Vegan, if that's your thing, lol)
Where to Surf
Batu Bolong Beach. The hardcore surfers probably have better suggestions here. That said, I learned how to surf here and it's a great spot with gentle waves and plenty of good instructors for beginners.
Where to Party
Savaya. I'm not a big party person, and there's generally a pretty high bar for me to consider going out. Savaya is one of the few spots I'd consider though.
It's ranked a top 10 club in the world and the #1 club in Asia (idk who decides these things, lol). But for something more objective, they've held multiple sets for Circle and get world class DJs.
Where to Chill
Beach clubs. There are some ELABORATE beach clubs in Canggu. Good spots to lounge around, sip a martini, and enjoy the sunset. A few of my favs:
- La Brisa
- Potato Head
- Mari Beach Club
- Finns Beach Club
Transportation
The best way to get around is definitely by scooter.
That said, if you've never driven one, this is NOT the spot to pop your cherry.
Traffic is dense and drivers are unforgiving. But what makes the roads especially treacherous is that they're filled with a bunch of tourists riding a scooter for the first time. They have no clue what they're doing and they're who you need to watch out for.
If you're not confident in your scooter abilities, just hail a scooter on Grab or Gojek (uber-equivalents).
Diving
Adventure Divers Bali. If you've ever wanted to get certified for scuba diving, this is the best place to do it. Incredible instructors and unbelievable dive sites.
The highlight: diving a Japanese shipwreck in Amed. It's a WWII ship that's been reclaimed by coral and marine life. Surreal experience.
Day Trips
Bali is a massive island and there are tons of day trips you can do. The one I'd recommend above all else is the Mount Batur sunrise hike.
You wake up at 2am, drive to the base, hike up in the dark, and watch the sunrise from the top of an active volcano. One of the most memorable experiences I've had anywhere.
