I’ve always been curious about the so-called “digital nomad” lifestyle — the idea of working from anywhere with just a laptop sounds incredibly free. Among the world’s top three digital nomad hubs — Chiang Mai, Lisbon, and Bali — the closest one to me is Bali. So this time, I decided to fly over and see what life is really like there.
Arrival and First Impressions
It only takes about two hours to fly from Singapore to Bali, which makes it super convenient. The immigration process was fast too — mostly self-service machines, no human staff involved. In terms of efficiency, I’d say it’s second only to Singapore.
The area outside the airport looks quite modern, but that’s actually the most developed part of the island. Once you leave that zone, the roads, buildings, and infrastructure quickly become rather basic.
One interesting thing is how the ride-hailing system works. When you book a car through Grab or Gojek, the app doesn’t automatically assign you a driver. Instead, you have to find an on-site staff member who takes your name and manually finds a driver for you — kind of like waiting for your number to be called at a hospital. No algorithms, no automatic dispatching — just people managing it by hand.
Getting Around: Gojek Is the Better Deal
I mostly used Gojek for transportation. It’s significantly cheaper than Grab — sometimes half the price for the same distance. You might have to wait a bit longer, but you can also pay a small premium for priority service. Overall, it’s quite cost-effective.
Just one thing to keep in mind — Bali’s traffic is terrible. A 10-kilometer trip can easily take over an hour. So riding a scooter is by far the best option. Nearly everyone — locals and nomads alike — gets around on scooters. Renting one only costs a few dollars a day, and fuel is almost negligible.
Different Areas: Canggu, Ubud, and the Southern Peninsula
I stayed in a few different parts of the island, and each had its own vibe.
- Canggu: The digital nomad hotspot — packed with cafés, bars, surf beaches, and co-working spaces. The vibe is young, energetic, and very convenient.
- Ubud: Up in the mountains — quiet, green, and almost like a small countryside town. It’s great for meditation, yoga, or just slowing down. The central area is livelier with lots of tourists.
- The Southern Peninsula (Jimbaran, Uluwatu): Mostly high-end resorts like Ayana. Beautifully designed, but it doesn’t really feel like “Bali” — more like Singapore.
A Day in the Life
My days in Bali followed a slow and easy rhythm:
Morning gym or yoga, lunch, then a few hours of work at a co-working space. Evenings were for massages or drinks with friends. The overall pace is very relaxed — almost no pressure at all.
For short trips, scooters make life simple. At first, the chaotic intersections with no traffic lights were intimidating, but since everyone drives slowly, you quickly get used to it.
Co-Working Spaces: Pricey but Comfortable
I visited several well-known co-working spaces like B Work Bali and Tropical Nomad Coworking Space. The environments were great — pools, open-air seating, free coffee, chill atmosphere.
But they’re not cheap: monthly plans range from $300 to $400 USD. Adding in accommodation, meals, and a gym, your total monthly cost could easily hit $1,000–1,500 USD.
I initially hoped to meet other nomads to share experiences, but most people I met were just short-term visitors. The only two I ended up chatting with were travelers from Turkey.
Cost of Living vs. Local Wages
What struck me most was Bali’s price structure. Restaurants can be expensive — about the same as in Shanghai, with nicer spots charging $40–50 per person. But if you eat local food, like fried rice or crispy duck, you can get by with just a few dollars.
The real issue is the wage gap — most locals working in hospitality earn only $200–300 USD per month. That means prices are really set for foreigners, not locals. Tourism brings in money, but most profits go to foreign investors and hotel groups, while local workers see very little benefit.
Weather and Environment
Bali is even hotter than Singapore — not humid, but intensely sunny. It’s fine as long as you stay in the shade, but a few minutes under direct sunlight and you can literally feel your skin burning. I got noticeably tanner after just one week.
Locals seem to love the sun, but for me, it was a bit too much. Personally, I prefer climates like Japan — cloudy, mild, and comfortable.
Convenience and Healthcare
Bali is perfect for a short vacation, but long-term living comes with challenges:
endless traffic, almost no public transport, and very limited healthcare. If you get sick or into an accident, you’re basically out of luck.
On top of that, shopping options are limited — not many choices for food or electronics. Then again, most people who live here long-term don’t seem to care much about material things anyway.
Conclusion: Great for a Break, Not for the Long Haul
Overall, Bali absolutely has its charm — beaches, sunshine, cafés, yoga studios — everything feels laid-back and easygoing. But it’s not the “cheap paradise” people imagine. The cost of living is higher than expected, infrastructure is mediocre, and healthcare is lacking. If you just want to relax, recharge, or work remotely for a while, Bali is a wonderful choice. But for long-term living, I’d personally prefer somewhere like Tokyo or Osaka — convenient, comfortable climate, and a steady rhythm of life.
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