Complete Guide: Bali For Digital Nomads

Bali has become one of the top playing grounds for travelers and those looking to live the digital nomad lifestyle. Many expats move here to get a taste of the digital nomad life, catch some waves, work remotely in the hip cafes, and adventure around the Islands of The Gods.

Bali offers the perfect balance of work and fun, and it is no surprise that is so popular with digital nomads. Read on to discover what is life as a digital nomad in Bali and coworking spaces in Bali.

Bali offers an abundance of awesome coworking, coliving spaces, which is an ideal place for experienced and wannabe digital nomads alike to get their head down and work, whilst meeting like-minded expats in the local community.

What is Co-Living?

Co-living is a new way of living, where young professionals and entrepreneurs share their living space in exciting places around the world.

You can settle into your own room with your personal space and share the common areas with other remote workers, with comfortable areas to work, with a community of digital nomads who will fast become your new friends. You can really hone in on improving your own professional skills, share creative work ideas, and connect with people from all over the world while coliving in Bali. You don’t have to worry about doing your laundry or spend time cleaning your room as most co-living spaces are fully serviced and allow you to focus more on productivity and enjoying yourself with your fellow co-living friends.

What is Coworking?

Coworking in Bali is the way to go when living the digital nomad lifestyle. Coworking is a when digital nomads come together in space and work together, as an alternative from working from home, at a coworking space you can spot start-up entrepreneurs, remote workers, to freelancers all hustling and doing what they can to build up their business up and live the digital nomad dream.

Co-working spaces are usually filled with many desks and private meeting rooms as well as seating areas outside, to accommodate those that like to work In the out and open!

Usually, the coworking spaces have a shared kitchen, unlimited coffee refills and fun events each week to help you meet other coworking friends, explore the local area and occasionally they host special interest events with motivational speakers and guests.

Not only are coworking spaces a fantastic way to make new friends, but it provides the opportunity to meet professionals that can even be your future clients, business investors or even business partners!

At times digital nomad life can get lonely when you are working for yourself, but at a coworking space, you are instantly part of a community of switched-on entrepreneurs and digital nomads with face-to-face interaction.

Coworking spaces even allow you to up your productivity levels by giving you the perfect designated working place and allows you to ’switch off’ when you leave.

The Digital Nomad Scene in Bali

Photo by Christina Sporer

Bali is digital nomad heaven, it is buzzing full with wannabe digital nomad and highly successful entrepreneurs who come to live the island life, and benefit from the solid Wi-Fi connection and lively digital nomad scene.

There are two main areas where the majority of digital nomads like to gather In Bali, these areas are Canggu and Ubud. That said, you can read our guide to learn about the best areas to live in Bali.

Canggu, Bali

Canggu is the ultimate chilled out digital nomad town in Bali with sweet surfing sports, delicious cafes, hipster skater bowls, colorful beachfront bars to watch the sunset and of course we can’t forget to mention the roaring nightlife.

Here you have most of the western comforts you’d find back home, but with a slight Bali twist! Canggu is located closely, but hidden away, from the stylish and touristic Seminyak and is popular with young backpackers as well as professional remote workers. (This is where I’ve been basing myself for the past year!)

Canggu coworking spaces:

• Outpost Coworking & Coliving
• Matra Coworking & Coliving
• Tropical Nomad

Ubud, Bali

Ubud is located among rice fields and jungle, with many magical waterfalls just waiting to be discovered. Ubud is the spiritual and cultural centre of Bali, you can try one of the famous Balinese spa treatments and massages, which can be found on virtually every street.

You can align your chakras at some of the world’s best yoga schools, many people flock to Ubud to immerse themselves in spiritual paradise and disconnect from the modern day chaos. You won’t find any wild parties In Ubud, instead, the typical nomad in Ubud prefer to opt for a sunrise meditation class!

Ubud coworking spaces:

• Outpost Ubud

Bali does a great job of attracting a creative, driven crowd of digital nomads, who are all searching for that work and play life balance, and Bali is the perfect place to live the bare-feet island life while getting stuck into work in some of the hippest co-working spaces in the world, who wouldn’t want to work on a laptop with a coconut in hand with views to Balinese rice fields while being surrounded be likeminded savvy, digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Retreats in Bali

That being said, if you’re trying out the digital nomad lifestyle in Bali, you might want to check the digital nomad programs offered by be-remote. The founders are experienced digital nomads who know a lot about Bali.  They basically are able to soften your experience when you first arrive in Bali.

They currently have coworking retreats in Ubud and in Canggu – as we mentioned earlier, these two spots are pretty popular in the digital nomad world.

Going on a retreat with be-remote is a great way to try different coworking spaces while enjoying Bali. They also provide a coliving space and activities. You’ll make new friends during the retreat, which can also become a great networking opportunity. I had a great time with be-remote, and I hope you will too!