Indonesia's most popular vacation island Bali has long been a top spot for digital nomads, with a large number of remote-friendly neighborhoods and a thriving community. The weather is warm, the people are friendly, and your backdrop can be anything from a black sand beach to a verdant jungle or purple-hued mountains.
The best thing about Bali is that it's one of the places where the cliche is true: there really is something for everyone. Fitness fanatics will love the surfing, scuba diving, and yoga communities while those with a passion for eating and drinking will adore the island's seriously impressive span of restaurants and bars. And, of course, there's a large number of coworking spaces and quiet cafes to ensure you get a little work done while you enjoy paradise.
Despite Bali’s relatively small size, you’ll find vastly different landscapes, terrains, and personalities less than 30 minutes apart from one another. Jungle-loving yoga fan? Head to Ubud. Want to spend your days working from the beach? Visit Canggu or Seminyak. Desperate to fill your downtime with surfing? Uluwatu’s calling. Moving to Bali with your family? Sanur’s a top spot. Read on for all of our favorite neighborhoods for remote workers in Bali.
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Canggu
It's hard to beat Canggu if you're looking to make friends in Bali. Arguably the biggest remote working haven across the island, Canggu is a laid-back surfer town with an endlessly growing community and a jam-packed schedule to match. It's almost impossible to visit a cafe or restaurant in Canggu without spotting at least one remote worker pulling out a laptop. There's always something going on in Canggu, from Sunday markets at La Brisa and Samadi to entrepreneurial or crypto meetups to cooking classes and surf retreats.
Canggu is home to the largest number of coworking spaces, with popular spots like Tropical Nomad perched right in the center and plenty of others on the outskirts like TRIBAL in Pererenan and Kinship Studio in Berawa. Canggu might be the busiest part of Bali (it's where almost all digital nomads gravitated towards at the start of the pandemic) but it's not without its green spaces and hidden gems.
Explore the quiet roads behind Echo Beach and Batu Bolong for peaceful strolls with rice terrace views that stretch for miles. Or, wander down to the beaches and you'll spot any number of warungs (small, family-run shops) selling local food and strong coffee where you can work, uninterrupted, as the waves splash just past your toes.
Seminyak
Seminyak is Canggu's quieter, slightly more refined older sibling. Just down the road from Canggu, it's home to sleek and stylish independent boutique stores, classy restaurants, and a lot of nightclubs. Considered to be Bali's second-busiest neighborhood, Seminyak is a hit for anyone who loves the buzz of Canggu but appreciates a little more room to breathe. You'll find five-star hotels here with beach clubs to match as well as rooftop bars with fancy cocktails.
While Canggu is known for its black sand, Seminyak’s beaches have a golden tone, are quieter, and the waves are more gentle. One thing you'll never lack here is a place to work, with large cafes like Coffee Cartel and Kynd Community filled to the brim with strong coffee and weekly deals. Most evenings in Seminyak come with some form of entertainment, like comedy nights at Ku De Ta, live music from any of the restaurants down Jalan Oberoi or chilled evenings sat on bean bags on the beach. You can spend a day working at Mano Beach House, followed by a trip to Sisterfields Cafe for a lunch break, and follow it up with an evening at 707 Beach Berm.
Ubud
Step into Ubud and feel a wave of tranquility wash over you. It may only be around an hour's drive north of Canggu but Ubud feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the south. Expect a slower pace of life here, in a neighborhood with a penchant for yoga and spirituality and a thriving community to match.
Roads here are cut straight into the jungle, with huge vines overhanging and dense forests on either side. The huge hills you’ll drive up and down on your motorbike offer spectacular backdrops. As do some of the neighborhood's best eating and drinking spots: dig into lunch at sky-high Zest or treat yourself to a fancy cocktail at Sayan House (or its more budget-friendly next-door neighbor, Sayan Point) and watch the dramatic valleys in front of you.
Ubud's also a lot more spread out than its southern neighbors, with independent cafes, restaurants, and coworking spaces dotted throughout the minuscule side streets. While it's not known best for its nightlife, Ubud's a good spot for finding a healthy, chilled-out community vibe.
Uluwatu
Head down to Bali's southernmost point and you'll find Uluwatu—a surfer's paradise filled with stunning sunset points, laidback beach bars, and some of the softest white sand across the island. Uluwatu is home to long, winding roads and jutting clifftops paving the way into individual, smaller neighborhoods with unique personalities. Most digital nomads who call Uluwatu home are surfers taking advantage of its world-class surf breaks. To feed the ravenous surfers after their sessions, there are many cafes and coffee shops with outdoor spaces, nutritious yet filling dishes, and friendly faces to chat away with.
Just about every workspace has an impressive view. , a cafe and bar, Mana is a top contender, overlooking Pecatu beach with a full, nourishing menu that carries you through from early breakfast to late-night cocktails. While many people head to Uluwatu for a romantic weekend break in one of the luxury beachfront hotels, there's a lot to do for all kinds of explorers. Savaya is one of the island's best super clubs, while nearby Jimbaran (home to Colabo Coworking) is best loved for its huge seafood market where you can choose your dish, watch it cook in front of you, and eat it on the beach.
Sanur
Sanur is the most family-friendly spot on the island with a huge community of online workers. This town may often seem busy but it also comes with miles of sandy beaches, cycle paths that follow the ocean, and plenty of highly-rated schools nearby. But it's not just restricted to families; plenty of younger people head to Sanur if they're more interested in living a low-key lifestyle rather than partying every weekend. This coastal town is peaceful and friendly, a place punctuated with brightly-colored fishing boats and where crime is pretty much non-existent.
Better yet, Sanur harbor is a brilliant jumping point for exploring the rest of Indonesia, with daily boats running to and from the Nusa islands as well as further afield spots like the Gili Islands and Lombok. It's possible to surf in Sanur and it's also renowned for its nearby scuba diving and snorkeling spots. Expect a stronger Balinese culture here, with plenty of hidden gems tucked away down side streets serving up delicious Indonesian food. The Sanur Night Market, which you might recognize as the Sindhu Market on Jalan Pungutan, is a great place for trying local delicacies at local prices.
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Discover our hand-picked neighborhoods for remote workers and digital nomads looking for a place to call home.