Canggu (Bali) Digital Nomad Guide (2025)
TL;DR#
Canggu blends surf-side cafés, ultra-Instagrammable coworking spaces, epic sunsets, wellness, and a buzzing international remote work community—all just a stone’s throw from the beach. Expect fast-growing prices, hectic traffic, and rice fields turning into villas, but also endless networking, great food, and a lifestyle that’s hard to beat.
📌 Quick Facts#
- Internet Speed: 30–200 Mbps (coworking spaces often hit 100+ Mbps)
- Average Monthly Cost (Solo Nomad): $800–$1,700+
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), ~$1 = 16,000 IDR
- Time Zone: UTC+8 (Central Indonesia Time, WITA)
- Power Plug: Type C & F; 230V, 50Hz (same as mainland Europe)
- Best Time to Visit: April–October (dry season)
Note: Rainy season from November–March is hot, humid, with daily showers. - Population (Canggu Area): 45,000–55,000 (rapidly growing)
✅ Pros & Cons#
Pros#
- 🌴 Thriving nomad community, surf-town vibes, and strong social/networking scene
- ☕ World-class café and coworking culture, super work-friendly
- 🏄♂️ Tons of healthy food, yoga/fitness studios, wellness options, and great surf
- 🤙 Beach lifestyle: rice field views, epic sunsets, and lively nightlife
Cons#
- 🚦 Traffic jams—roads aren’t built for the crowds; scooters everywhere
- 💸 Increasing cost of living (especially in 2023-2025)
- 🙄 Overdevelopment & pollution (noise, shrinking rice fields, trash, air from burning)
- 🦮 Stray dogs, spotty sidewalks, and “Bali belly” risk
- ⚡️ Occasional outages (electricity/water); bring backups for work
💸 Cost of Living (Monthly Estimates)#
| Category | Typical Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $300–1,600+ | Guesthouse to private villa/coliving |
| Food & Coffee | $3–12/meal | Local warung $1–3; cafes $5–10+ |
| Coworking | $80–250 | Monthly unlimited at top spaces |
| Transport | $60–120 | Scooter rental + fuel |
| SIM/Data | $4–12 | Telkomsel, XL Axiata, Airalo eSIM |
| Gym/Yoga | $30–120+ | Single classes $6–12 |
Nomad Budget Examples#
| Lifestyle | Estimated Monthly Budget | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ~$800–$1,000 | Guesthouse/dorm, street food, scooter |
| Mid-range | ~$1,200–$1,500 | 1BR apt/coliving, western cafes, coworking |
| Comfort | ~$1,700+ | Private villa, unlimited coworking, fitness |
💻 Where to Work: Coworking & Cafés#
Top Coworking Spaces#
- Dojo Bali — OG hub, near Echo Beach, amazing community and events
- Outpost Canggu — Big space, coliving, 24/7, 8min to beach
- Tropical Nomad — Big, lush outdoor vibe, strong networking
- B Work Bali — Spacious, eco-modern, podcast rooms, professional crowd
- Kinship Studio — Creative/freelancer focus, great venue
- Tribal Bali — Cafe/coworking/hostel hybrid in Pererenan
- Genesis Creative Centre — For makers, podcasters, designers
- Shashvata Bali — Coliving + coworking with rice field views
- Matra Coliving & Coworking — Budget-friendly, 24/7 access
Best Work-Friendly Cafés#
- ZIN Cafe — Rooftop workspaces, super laptop-friendly, close to Batu Bolong
- Crate Cafe — Trendy, affordable, huge breakfast, fast Wi-Fi
- Cinta Cafe — Bright, tons of expats, solid coffee & Wi-Fi
- Cafe Coach — Calm, great service, reliable Wi-Fi
- Miel Cafe — Minimalist, comfortable indoor/outdoor workspaces
- Copenhagen — Hearty Scandi-style breakfasts, casual coworking
- Hungry Bird — Strong coffee, fast Wi-Fi, fills up with digital nomads
- Amolas Cafe, Doppio Cafe, Neighbourhood Food — All laptop-friendly
Pro Tip: Work from coworking spaces during peak hours (or heavy rain) for more reliable Wi-Fi/power.
📶 Connectivity (SIMs, eSIMs, Wi-Fi)#
Prepaid SIM Cards#
- Best coverage: Telkomsel, then XL Axiata or Smartfren
- Available at local shops or airport (cheaper in town)
- 16GB/30 days: ~$4–6 USD
- Activate with your passport, shops will register and set up
eSIM#
- Ideal for quick arrival, but pricier per GB than local SIM
- Airalo Bali eSIM is popular
Wi-Fi#
- Fast & reliable in most coworking/cafés and villas (30–200 Mbps typical)
- Outages possible: tether with 4G data as backup
- Remote/rural areas: expect slower speeds
🛂 Visas & Bureaucracy#
Popular Visa Options#
- Visa on Arrival (VOA):
- 30 days, extendable once for 30 days (total 60 days)
- Cost: 500,000 IDR (~$32), extend at immigration
- B211A “Social/Business” Visa:
- 60 days, extendable up to 180 days (via local agent)
- Not a work permit, but used by many remote workers
- Second Home Visa (Digital Nomad Visa):
- Requires steep financial proof (2 billion IDR in bank, ~$130,000)
- 5–10 years, intended for high-net worth, not mainstream yet
- KITAS (long-term/retirement/investor, for expats):
- More complex, expensive, and not used by typical nomads
Warning: You CANNOT legally take work for Indonesian companies on tourist/voa/business visa—remote work for overseas clients is tolerated but not formally “legal.” Laws change!
Key Tips
- Don’t overstay—fines are steep; have onward ticket ready
- Arrange extensions via agent for smoothest process
- Always keep a digital + paper copy of your passport and visa
Official Visa Info: Imigrasi Indonesia
🏘️ Best Neighborhoods for Nomads#
Popular Areas in Canggu#
| Neighborhood | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Batu Bolong | Heart of Canggu, close to Echo Beach, coworking, cafés |
| Berawa | Chill, cafes/fitness vibe, Finns Beach Club, near beach |
| Echo Beach | Trendy, nightlife, slightly less touristy, surf breaks |
| Pererenan | Quieter, green, residential, up-and-coming |
| Babakan | Emerging spot, more affordable, local/rural feel |
| Padang Linjong | Leafy, mainly locals and long-term expats |
| Kerobokan | Just inland, cheaper rents, fewer tourists |
How to Find Accommodation#
- Guesthouses: Private room w/ ensuite + pool, communal kitchen ($250–$500/mo)
- Coliving Spaces: All-inclusive work/life setups ($350–$1,600/mo)
- Villas: Solo or shared, huge range ($600–$2,500+/mo)
- Hostels: Friendly for short-term/month-to-month ($7–$15/night)
- Facebook Groups: Canggu Community, Bali Housing & Villa Rentals
- Walk-ins: Many deals found by asking on the ground!
Pro Tip: Book a week in a hostel/guesthouse, scout neighborhoods/scooter, then negotiate monthly rates in person.
🛵 Getting Around#
Transport Options#
- Scooter Rental: Most common; $60–$120/mo; IDP (international license) mandatory!
- Grab/Gojek: Scooter or car taxi apps (like Uber), super convenient
- Taxis: Bluebird is the reputable “metered” operator, but less common in Canggu; otherwise, use apps
- Bicycle: Not practical—roads aren’t built for it
- On Foot: Some neighborhoods walkable, but no sidewalks in many places
Tips#
- Always wear a helmet; get travel insurance covering scooter accidents
- Avoid the “Canggu Shortcut” at rush hour!
- Police may target foreigners for random checks (license/helmet)
🍜 Food & Essentials#
Eating Out#
- Warungs (local): $1–$3 for Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, Nasi Campur
- Health Cafés & Brunch: $5–$12 for smoothie bowls, avo toast, poké bowls
- Western/Japanese/Steak: $8–$30+ per meal
- Local Markets: Cheap fresh fruit/veg
Groceries & Delivery#
- Supermarkets: Pepito, Frestive, Popular Market (imported goods pricier)
- Local Markets: Pasar Desa Canggu for fresh produce, staples
- Delivery Apps: Grab, Gojek/GoFood (order anything!)
Coffee Culture#
- Canggu has some of the best third-wave coffee in Asia. Try: Crate, ZIN, Hungry Bird, BGS, Cat Cafe, or Copenhagen.
🏥 Health & Safety#
Medical Care#
- Clinics/Pharmacies: Bundled everywhere—English-speaking, fast service
- Hospitals: Siloam, BIMC, Kasih Ibu (private, higher standard for emergencies)
- Travel Insurance: Highly recommended (e.g., SafetyWing)
- Vaccinations: Check latest Indo entry rules; COVID vax often required; Tetanus, Hep A/B, Typhoid, Rabies advised
Safety#
- Street crime is rare—be mindful of valuables, phone snatchings, ATM scams
- Lock up helmet/bags, protect against credit card fraud
- Scooter accidents: Main health risk; ride carefully!
- Drink bottled water only ("Bali belly" is real)
Emergency Numbers
- Police: 110
- Ambulance: 118
- Fire: 113
🌄 Local Experiences#
Must-See in & Around Canggu#
- Surfing — Batu Bolong, Berawa, Echo Beach (rent boards/lessons anywhere)
- Sunset Beach Clubs — The Lawn, La Brisa, Finns, Old Man’s
- Tanah Lot Temple — Iconic sea temple, sunset spot
- Market Days — Love Anchor Canggu, Samadi Sunday Market
- Wellness/Workshops — Yoga at Samadi, pilates, Muay Thai, meditation
- Nightlife — Deus Ex Machina (live music), The Shady Fox (cocktails), Black Sand Brewery (craft beer), Luigi’s Hot Pizza (Monday parties)
- Day Trips — Ubud (rice terraces), Uluwatu (surf/cliffs), waterfalls, Nusa Penida (island-hop)
🌐 Remote Work Community#
Networking & Community#
- Canggu Community Facebook Group
- Weekly events at Dojo, Outpost, Tropical Nomad (skill/meetups)
- WhatsApp groups for gym, surf, digital skill-sharing
- Frequent wellness, yoga, entrepreneurship, and creator meetups
- Many coworking spaces host socials (evening events, workshops)
Language Tips#
- Indonesian (“Bahasa Indonesia”) is easy to learn basics; English widely spoken
- Useful phrases:
- Hello — Halo
- Thank you — Terima kasih
- How much? — Berapa harganya?
- Bathroom — Kamar mandi
💡 Other Tips#
Money & ATMs#
- Cash is king for small stuff, tips, markets; cards widely accepted at big spots
- Withdraw at indoor/supermarket ATMs for safety; beware card skimmers
- Currency: IDR (lots of zeros—1,000,000 IDR ≈ $60–65 USD)
Gyms/Wellness#
- Wanderlust (CrossFit), Avenue Fitness, Body Factory, Victory Fitness Club
- Yoga: Samadi, The Practice, Radiantly Alive (variety of drop-in classes)
- Surf, MMA, boxing—find studios easily on Maps/Google
Nightlife Highlights#
- The Lawn — Iconic Canggu sunset, pool, and DJ nights
- Finns Beach Club — Massive, pool parties, international DJs
- Deus Ex Machina — Food + live music + art
- The Shady Fox, Pretty Poison — Stylish bars, skate bowl, live gigs
Starter Checklist#
- ✅ Book first week’s accommodation (guesthouse/coliving)
- ✅ Rent a scooter + bring/purchase international license
- ✅ Grab a SIM or eSIM at a local shop (not the airport!)
- ✅ Join a coworking space for instant community
- ✅ Try a beach brunch, catch a sunset, join at least one meetup
- ✅ Respect daily rituals/offerings—and don’t step on canang sari!
🚦 Canggu At-A-Glance#
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Internet | 30–200 Mbps typical in workspaces & villas |
| Where to Work | Dojo, Outpost, Tropical Nomad, Tribal, ZIN, Crate, etc. |
| Wake-up Call | Roosters, traffic, and gamelan—not just the ocean |
| Community | Young, global, entrepreneurial, positive-vibes |
| Best For | Social butterflies, wellness nerds, creators, surfers |
| Avoid If | You want deep cultural immersion, or absolute peace |
🪓 The Real Bottom Line#
- Bali’s overcaffeinated, overpriced bro-town: fast Wi-Fi, packed coworking spaces, and influencer hell (if you’re into that).
- Beautiful in photos but the traffic is unbearable and construction is endless.
- The “community” is mostly transitory and more about networking than genuine connection.
- Visas are a game of roulette, and the authorities are cracking down.
- The cost of living has doubled in five years.
- Come for a month, get your Instagram shots, and then move on before the FOMO wears off.
