Ubud (Bali) Digital Nomad Guide (2025)

TL;DR#

Ubud is Bali’s lush, spiritual and cultural heart, offering a tranquil digital nomad experience: think rice fields, cheap local eats, world-class yoga, reliable Wi-Fi, and a thriving wellness scene. Great for focused work, nature lovers, and those seeking a strong (but chilled) nomad community.

📌 Quick Facts#

• Internet Speed: 20–80 Mbps (typical); cafes vary, coworking is faster
• Average Monthly Cost (Solo Nomad): $750–1,300
• Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR), ~$1 = 15,600 IDR
• Time Zone: UTC+8 (WITA)
• Power Plug: Type C, F (2-pin Euro style); 220V
• Best Time to Visit: April–October (dry season; Sept/Oct are sweet spots)
• Population: ~75,000 (Ubud Proper)

✅ Pros & Cons#

Pros#

• 🍃 Surrounded by nature: rice terraces, jungle, waterfalls
• 🕉️ Yoga & wellness paradise: world-famous studios, spas, retreats
• 🍲 Incredible food scene: vegan-friendly, local warungs to high-end
• 💻 Good coworking spaces, fast Wi-Fi in most colivings/cafés
• 💰 Lower cost of living vs. beach towns (esp. Canggu/Seminyak)
• 🫂 Friendly & easy-to-meet international community
• 🙏 Deep Balinese culture, temples, art everywhere
• 🛵 Bali-wide transport options (bike, grab, scooters)

Cons#

• 🚧 Walkability not great (sidewalks rare, traffic can be nuts)
• ☔ Wet season (Nov–Mar): rain daily, sometimes heavy
• 💸 Visa situation still unclear for long-term remote workers
• 🚗 Traffic in/out of Ubud can get bad, especially weekends
• 🦝 Cheeky monkeys are a real theft risk (bags, phones, food)
• 🦟 Mosquitoes are common, dengue is possible
• 💡 Power outages & inconsistent water/Internet in some rentals
• 👝 Petty theft (mostly in tourist zones; don’t leave stuff unlocked)

💸 Cost of Living (Monthly Estimates)#

Nomad Budget Examples#

💻 Where to Work: Coworking & Cafés#

Top Coworking Spaces#

• Outpost Ubud: Bali’s OG coworking, 2 locations (Central & Penestanan), strong community vibe, pool, events, coliving available
• Beluna – House of Creatives: Beautiful setting, excellent Wi-Fi, lush garden café, artistic crowd
• Hubud: Historically iconic, bamboo architecture, community events (Note: status/quality can change; check recent reviews)

Best Work-Friendly Cafés#

• Rusters Ubud: Views over rice fields, strong coffee, cozy vibe
• Alchemy Café: Epic raw vegan menu, healthy eats, very reliable Wi-Fi
• Seniman Coffee Studio: Ubud’s craft coffee pioneers, good pastries
• Watercress Ubud: Bright, modern, Wi-Fi decent, food great
• Old Friends Coffee: Specialty beans, chill spot, friendly service
• Sayuri Healing Food: Vegan/nutrition café, mindful crowd
• Yellow Flower Cafe: Great for ambient work and hill views

Pro Tip: Most cafés are fine with laptops, but be conscious during busy meal times. Buy food/drinks regularly if lingering.

📶 Connectivity (SIM, eSIM, Wi-Fi)#

Mobile SIM Tips#

• Best Local Providers: Telkomsel (most reliable), XL Axiata; buy at official outlets/phone shops, not at airport (cheaper in town)
• Average Deals: 16–30 GB for ~$5–10/month
• eSIM: Airalo, Saily; instant activation if phone supports
• At Airport: Convenient but can be twice the price
• Process: Bring passport, shop sets up & registers SIM for you

Wi-Fi#

• Most coworking spaces/cafés have 20–80 Mbps speeds (ask before settling in for calls)
• Fiber optic internet is increasingly common but not everywhere; power cuts can disrupt

🛂 Visas & Bureaucracy#

Visa Basics#

• Visa on Arrival (VoA):
  • 30 days, extendable ONCE for another 30 days = total 60 days
  • Cost: ~500,000 IDR (~$35 USD) + ~500,000 IDR to extend
  • Needed: Passport (6+ months validity), proof of onward travel
• Single Entry Visit Visa – B211A (“Social/Tourist Visa”):
  • Valid for 60 days, extendable twice (max 180 days)
  • Must apply before arriving (online or via agent)
  • Requires Indonesian sponsor (agent will provide)
• KITAS (Long-Term Stay/Work Visa):
  • Complicated, expensive, requires employment or investment
  • Not for most nomads

Note:

• Indonesia’s “digital nomad visa” (Second Home) is still restrictive & mainly aimed at high-wealth individuals.
• Check official immigration site for latest policy.
• DON’T overstay: Fines/deportation common.

Insurance & Health#

• Not always checked, but highly recommended (e.g., SafetyWing, World Nomads)
• Watch for “Bali Belly”; motorbike crashes are a major expat health problem—travel coverage is a must

🏘️ Best Neighborhoods for Nomads#

How to Find Housing#

• Book Airbnb/Booking for first days then look in Facebook groups (“Ubud Area Housing”; “Bali Long Term Rentals”)
• Coliving options (eg. Outpost Ubud Suites, Kunang-Kunang, Yogastudiokoliving)
• Walk around to spot “Room for Rent” signs or local guesthouses

Tip: Prices drop outside peak season; longer commitment = better rates

🛵 Getting Around#

Options#

• Motorbike/Scooter: Most common, $50–90/month; international license is legally required; always wear a helmet!
• Grab & GoJek: App-based motorbike taxis & car rides, safe and cheap for short distances
• Car Hire/Driver: Handy for day-trips (and escaping rain)

Tips#

• Ubud is not walkable: no sidewalks, big hills
• Beware of cheeky monkeys (esp. near Monkey Forest)
• Download Grab/GoJek apps on arrival

🍜 Food & Essentials#

Eating Out#

• Local Warung Meal: $1–2 (try Nasi Campur, Mie Goreng)
• Café/Western Meal: $4–7; smoothie bowls, brunch, burgers
• Vegan/Healthy: Ubud is Bali’s plant-based capital

Recommended

• Nusantara by Locavore – authentic Indonesian, beautifully done
• Sage – Exceptional vegan, coconut cake is legendary
• Laka Leke – Famous for crispy duck
• Ciao Nonna – Cozy Italian
• Watercress – International brunch classics
• Rusters – Best for view, coffee & all-day menu
• Alchemy – Raw vegan, big salad bar
• Warung Leker Life – Cheap, homey, by Outpost Ubud

Groceries & Delivery#

• Supermarkets: Bintang, Coco, Delta Dewata
• Markets: Ubud Art Market, Ubud Morning Market (local produce)
• Delivery Apps: Grab, GoFood (via GoJek)

Coffee Culture#

• Specialty locations: Rusters, Seniman, Old Friends, Anomali, Monkey Cave
• Most have reliable Wi-Fi & a healthy remote work crowd

🏥 Health & Safety#

Safety#

• Ubud is safe; use usual precautions (scooter theft, pickpocketing)
• Watch for monkeys (honestly)—don’t bring snacks or valuables to Monkey Forest
• Don’t walk alone on dark roads late (rare, but some petty thefts)

Healthcare#

• Clinics/Hospitals: Ubud has good expat-focused clinics (UbudCare, Toya Medika)
• For emergencies or major issues: head to BIMC Hospital (Ubud/Denpasar)
• Pharmacies: Guardian, Kimia Farma, or local Apotek

Emergency Numbers#

• Police: 110
• Ambulance: 118
• Tourist Police (Denpasar): +62 361 759687

🌄 Local Experiences#

Must-See & Do#

• Tegallalang Rice Terraces – iconic rice fields, sunrise/sunset beautiful
• Campuhan Ridge Walk – scenic hilltop hike near center
• Waterfalls: Tegenungan, Tibumana, Sumampan (rent a scooter & explore)
• Yoga Classes/Retreats: The Yoga Barn, Ubud Yoga Center, Alchemy Yoga
• Balinese Temples: Ubud Palace, Pura Taman Saraswati, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
• Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Yes, touristy, but fun—lock up all loose belongings!
• Cooking classes: Join a Balinese family for the morning market & hands-on class
• Art/Markets: Ubud Art Market, Blanco Renaissance Museum
• Day Trips: Kintamani (volcano/lake views), Mt. Batur sunrise hike, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Fitness & Wellness#

• Gyms: Titi Batu Ubud Club (amazing pool, sauna, café), Gymnasium Bali
• Spas & Massage: Ubud is wellness heaven—try Jaens Spa or Ubud Traditional Spa

🌐 Remote Work Community#

Networking & Community#

• Ubud Digital Nomads Facebook Group
• Outpost and Beluna host talks, skill shares, and community events
• WhatsApp/Telegram groups for: coworking events, yoga, hiking
• Yoga and meditation retreats: easy to meet likeminded people

Language Tips#

• Indonesian is the language, but English widely spoken
• Learn greetings:
  • Hello = “Halo”
  • Thank you = “Terima kasih”
• Balinese is still used in ceremonies, but most communication is in Bahasa Indonesia/English

💡 Other Tips#

• ATMs: Use units inside supermarkets or banks; card cloning does happen
• Currency exchanges: Use authorized money changers (PT Central Kuta, BMC Money Changer)
• Bring a power surge protector for electronics, especially during rainy season
• Pack cosmetics & toiletries if picky—imported items are expensive locally
• Buy a proper helmet if riding a scooter (rental helmets can be bad)
• Avoid driving in “rush hour” (morning/late afternoon); traffic slows to a crawl

Nightlife#

• Ubud is chill—not party central.
• Live music at Laughing Buddha Bar, CP Lounge (late-night cocktails)
• Temple festivals and art dance shows are more authentic than clubs
• Pool day: Tis Cafe (by the rice fields), or Bambu Indah ecopool

Quick Starter Checklist#

• ✅ Book a guesthouse/coliving as a base
• ✅ Rent a scooter or get Grab/GoJek app
• ✅ Buy a local SIM/eSIM on arrival
• ✅ Try coworking at Outpost or Beluna
• ✅ Walk Campuhan Ridge at sunrise
• ✅ Eat Nasi Campur at a warung
• ✅ Join a yoga class at the Yoga Barn
• ✅ Respect local ceremonies/temple etiquette

🪓 The Real Bottom Line#

• Sells “healing energy” to the world, but behind the yoga/vegan veneer is a fully-gentrified, Instagrammed town choking on traffic and unchecked tourism.
• Coworking is expensive, Wi-Fi fluctuates, and short-term rentals aren’t cheap anymore.
• The global “wellness” scene is here, but actual Balinese culture is being pushed out.
• If you’re seeking spiritual experiences, you’ll find them—along with endless smoothie bowls and hustlepreneurs.
• Just know you’re a cog in the tourist machine, not a pioneer.