Cost of Living in Bali for Digital Nomads: Is Bali Expensive in 2025?
If you’re considering the digital nomad lifestyle, chances are Bali has crossed your radar more than once. But before packing your laptop and buying flight tickets, you’re probably wondering – is Bali expensive? What’s the real cost of living in Bali for someone living there long-term?
Back in 2023, I spent half a year in Bali, researching every aspect of living costs. After recently revisiting the island, I’ve updated my findings on Bali’s cost of living for 2025. Let’s jump right in!
Accommodation Costs in Bali
Accommodation usually takes up the biggest chunk of your monthly budget. The good news is Bali offers something for every wallet:
- Budget (Guesthouse or small studio): €300 – €700/month
- Mid-range (Private apartment or small villa): €400 – €1,000/month
- Luxury (Private villas with pool and amenities): €1,000 – €3,000/month
One piece of advice I have for budget travelers is to initially book a guesthouse through Airbnb or Booking.com for your first few days or up to a week. Once you’re in Bali, ask locals or other travelers for recommendations on affordable guesthouses or local apartments, then book a long-term stay directly. Avoid booking long-term stays via Booking or Airbnb.
Eating out: Local food vs. Western restaurants
Is Bali expensive when it comes to food? Thankfully, no! There’s something for everyone, regardless of your preferences or budget:
- Local Warungs: €1 – €3 per meal
- Western-style cafés and restaurants: €5 – €10 per meal
Dining in local warungs is super cheap but not always the best option. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you might struggle to find fully plant-based meals. Luckily, there are plenty of Western-style restaurants where you can find delicious food for much less than €10.
You might notice I didn’t mention cooking at home. Groceries are fairly expensive in Bali compared to eating out. On top of that, many guesthouses aren’t equipped with proper kitchenware, making cooking problematic. For these reasons, I simply don’t have much experience cooking at home while living in Bali.
Transportation around Bali
The island offers many affordable transportation options:
- Scooter rental: €60 – €100/month (the most popular option)
- Ride-hailing apps (Grab or Gojek): Short trips cost between €1 – €3
A scooter is your best friend in Bali, offering flexibility, affordability, and the ideal digital nomad experience (just be sure to ALWAYS wear a helmet!). But if you don’t know how to ride a scooter or don’t feel comfortable on Bali’s roads, Grab and Gojek are excellent alternatives. Generally speaking, as long as you’re staying in populated areas like Canggu, Ubud, or Uluwatu, Grab and Gojek will cover all your needs.
Internet and Coworking Spaces
For digital nomads, reliable internet is a necessity. Bali offers a range of coworking spaces, but that’s where things can start getting pricey:
- Mobile data plans: Starting at around €11 for 24GB/month
- Coworking spaces: €100 – €250/month (my coworking space of choice is Puco Rooftop for around €105/month—highly recommended)
Unfortunately, coworking space prices in Bali are rising, sometimes to the point where paying such high prices doesn’t make sense. Some are even more expensive than my accommodation (which I share with my girlfriend). It is CRAZY. Luckily, new coworking spaces continue to open, making it possible to find niche and affordable places to work. As mentioned above, I’m currently using Puco Rooftop and highly recommend it.
Visa Costs for Digital Nomads in Bali
Considering visa costs is important for your Bali cost-of-living calculation:
- Visa on Arrival (VOA): Around €35, extendable once for another €35
- B211 Business Visa (now called C1 visa): €60 for 60 days, extendable up to 180 days at an extra cost
- Digital Nomad KITAS: Approximately €750-€1,000/year (depending on whether you handle it yourself or use an agency)
Fortunately, Indonesia’s visa policy is quite straightforward. Depending on the length of your stay, choose the option that makes the most sense for you. I recommend starting with a VOA (preferably obtained online to make extensions easier and skip airport queues) and extending it if needed.
Entertainment and Lifestyle
Entertainment is another area where you can control your budget. Main activities on the island include:
- Yoga classes: €6 – €12/session
- Gyms: €120 – €200/month
- Surfing lessons: €15 – €25/session
- Bars and nightlife: €2 – €3 per beer and €5 – €10 per cocktail
Bali is anything but boring—whether you’re into surfing, yoga, nightlife, or simply beach lounging, the options are endless and affordable.
Bali offers various activities at fairly affordable prices. One notable exception is gyms and fitness studios, which unfortunately have extremely inflated prices. In popular areas, finding a gym for under €100/month is virtually impossible, even for newly opened ones. On the bright side, many other affordable activities exist on the island, ensuring everyone can find something enjoyable.
Health Insurance and Healthcare
Remember to always have insurance, regardless of how safe your destination is. We have a comprehensive blog post covering everything you need to know about health insurance. Here’s a quick summary:
- Travel insurance: Around €50/month
- Health insurance: Around €150 to €260/month, suitable for full-time travelers needing comprehensive coverage
Travel insurance costs are usually the same regardless of your destination. Remember to ALWAYS be insured during your travels!
Monthly Bali Cost of Living Breakdown
So, what’s the real monthly cost of living in Bali?
- Budget lifestyle: Approximately €800 – €1,000/month
- Comfortable lifestyle: Around €1,000 – €1,500/month
- Luxury lifestyle: €2,000+/month
Final Thoughts: Is Bali Worth It?
For digital nomads, Bali offers an ideal balance of affordability, comfort, and adventure. The vibrant nomad community, beautiful scenery, and manageable costs make Bali one of the most popular nomad destinations.
Ready to pack your bags and experience Bali? Read more about travel destinations, Tips and Tricks and digital nomad lifestyle in our other articles.
Best regards,
Kuba
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