The Ultimate Digital Nomad Guide To Canggu, Bali

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Are you a Digital Nomad? Take your remote work to Canguu – the place to be for location-independent lifestyle enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and Digital Nomads. Here’s why!

Start off your day with a morning yoga class or surf before indulging in a lush gluten-free, vegan pancake breakfast. Work in your private villa with high-speed internet connection beside the pool until noon, then meet new friends at a nearby co-working space for lunch and more work. End the day with a massage and BBQ on the beach, all for an average cost of no more than US$1200.

As a fellow Digital Nomad, I couldn’t resist the draw of Canggu. It’s more than just beautiful beaches and rice fields, it’s an alluring way of life. Check out my full guide on the Digital Nomad experience in Canggu – including pros and cons!

Sitting about 10km north of Seminyak, Canggu encompasses a large area from the chill Berawa to the busy Batu Bolong and stretching all the way to Cemagi.

Why choose Canggu as a Digital Nomad?

Visa – Options And Extensions

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Although visas can be obtained on arrival, they can pose a problem for those looking to extend their stay beyond the free 30-day limit. As a digital nomad, it’s possible to remain in the country for up to two months, but you’ll need to choose the “Visa on Arrival” option which costs $35 and allows for a renewal of the visa, thus granting you permission to stay for the full two months.

Luckily, the visa renewal process is straightforward with the help of an agent, who can take care of the necessary paperwork and arrange appointments with the Immigration office. The only requirements are your passport, fingerprints and brief inqueries for a cost of $45.

After two months, most digital nomads opt for a visa run with a short flight to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Fortunately, it’s a seamless process with no complications or inquisitions, allowing you to return quickly to continue your stay in Canggu.

Accommodation – Choosing Your Home Away From Home

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Discovering a well-priced Airbnb or a private villa with a pool is a breeze. But before securing your long-term spot, I recommend settling in at a cozy guesthouse. Here, you can explore and get to know the neighborhood. It’s essential to be familiar with the best cafés and yoga studios in the area before making any commitments.

Facebook groups are also an excellent option to find your new home! Here are a few groups to get started with.

For a room in a shared villa, the cost varies depending on the type and size of the house, but generally you should expect to pay somewhere between $200 (for a relatively basic, moderately sized room) up to $800 (if you like it more luxurious).

Internet – You’ll Cry Tears Of Gratitude

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After months of traveling across Eastern Europe, Asia and Australia, I am delighted to have finally found reliable WiFi that lets me work efficiently!

If you’re visiting Canggu, you can expect decent download speeds at your villa – if that’s not enough, there are plenty of coworking spaces in the area that offer high-speed internet access.

You can also easily get hold of affordable SIM cards and data packages.

Coworking – Working with Rice Field View

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Finding a great place to work isn’t difficult at all. There are many amazing cafes to work from, almost all of them with a decent internet connection (see below). But if you prefer to hustle in a co-working space, you’ve got plenty of options! For a monthly membership fee or a minimum spend, you’ll get access to fast wi-fi, meeting rooms, andmore!

Here are a few options for every Digital Nomad in Canggu:

Cafés – Where to Eat And Work Like a Boss

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There are loads of awesome cafés and restaurants in Canguu and besides brunch, date nights and vegan breakfast, they also offer you the opportunity to take your work outside and answer your mails while enjoying smoothie bowls or burgers and craft beer.

Here is a list of my favorite cafés with great wifi, very good coffee and a relaxed atmosphere!

Transportation (Getting There And Around)

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Ng Rai International Airport is Bali’s only airport, located just south of Kuta. International airlines connect Bali to Australia and Asian capitals, such as Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, with daily flights. However, the current runway length is inadequate for planes arriving nonstop from Europe.

If you’re living and working in Canggu, brace yourself. You may never want to leave. The area is renowned for its obsession with yoga and/or surfing. But be warned, getting around without a bike can be a hassle, and in the worst-case scenario, life-threatening. Pedestrians are rare, and there aren’t any sidewalks, which makes the puppy alley shortcut between Batu Bolong and Berawa a no-go. Even 11-year-olds ride scooters around here!

If the idea of riding a scooter doesn’t appeal to you, don’t fret. There’s a simple solution: Order a scooter taxi through the Go-Jek app, and you’ll travel for next to nothing. But if you do take the plunge and rent a bike, be sure to wear a helmet. Trust us, it’s the smart thing to do.

 Renting a scooter will allow you to explore the island even more and is incredibly affordable – it only costs around $50 per month. Remember, we all have to start somewhere. So if the idea of riding a scooter scares you, give it a go; it’s worth it.

Weather – Sunshine for Days

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Get ready to sweat! Bali is hottest from May to July, but it’s not uncommon to perspire profusely year-round. The rainy season from December to February can bring relief from the humidity, but it’s also when the town overflows with Digital Nomads fleeing the cold. Expect competition for the coolest co-working spaces.

Pack only the essentials for your Bali adventure. You’ll likely spend most of your time in your swimsuit, so bring along a light pair of shorts, easy-breathing tops, a rain jacket, airy dresses, and comfortable flip-flops.

Activities – Work Hard, Play Hard

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There is an incredible amount of things to do in Bali. Sometimes even too much. If you’re a Digital Nomad that gets distracted easily, be aware of the fact that you’ll have to try extra hard to stay on track!

Surfing, yoga, Crossfit, going for a hike, exploring temples and waterfalls, visiting the monkey forest in Ubud or taking a spa treat meant… the options are endless, affordable and super accessible.

Why Canggu might not be for you

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I’d like to give you a realistic picture of Bali. It’s beautiful, no doubt, but it can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, it’s become very touristy, which has brought many problems, including a distressing amount of garbage on the streets and beaches. Plus, there’s no public transportation, so you’ll need to learn to drive a scooter to make the most of your experience. Around Bali, loud custom bikes create noise pollution that can be obnoxious. That being said, Bali is a unique experience that’s worth the effort to get there and explore.

Crime & scams have become a real problem, so watch out, theft and ATM scams are unfortunately relatively common. I myself had the pleasure to visit the police station once, because someone managed to make a copy of my credit card. I recommend to only pick up money from official banks and avoid the ATM’s in and around Canggu. You might also want to consider getting a travel insurance to have you protected.

While ocean dips may be out of the question for casual swimmers, don’t let that deter you from the Digital Nomad lifestyle that Canggu has to offer. With more than 15 countries and three years under my belt, I can confidently say that I am living my best life in Bali.

Canggu boasts a high standard of living and great infrastructure, making it a no-brainer for location-independent workers. Opportunities abound for anyone willing to make the most of the work-anywhere life. With discipline and focus, you can be both productive and fulfilled here in Bali.

Not happy? Then check out our list of the 20 best Digital Nomad locations!