Bali is world-famous for being a hotspot for digital nomads, but post-COVID, the island has changed a lot in recent years. With hoards of tourists arriving and prices skyrocketing, Bali seems to be losing its appeal to many remote workers, who prefer to escape to nearby countries like Thailand or the Philippines instead.
Is Bali still a good destination for digital nomads in 2025?
And why are so many remote workers leaving Indonesia’s most famous island?
We’ve got the answers you need.
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Why you can trust this article about digital nomads in Bali
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m your go-to source for Bali and Indonesia travel information.
I’ve lived on this beautiful island for several years now and visited plenty of times before that, both as a tourist and backpacker. I know how to save money and when to splurge on things, so I’ll introduce you to the best luxury getaways for a special occasion but also the cheapest airport pickups and fun group tours you can join if you want to make friends.
I’ve been a digital nomad since 2016, having lived in places across almost all continents. I have to admit I’ve recently been spending quite a lot of time in Bali, which is why I’m the perfect person to tell you if the Island of the Gods is still worth it for digital nomads in 2025.
5 Reasons Why Digital Nomads Are Avoiding Bali In 2025
As a seasoned digital nomad, I’ve called a lot of places my temporary home over the years. From Perth in Australia to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Madrid in Spain to Medellin in Colombia, I finally made it to Bali several years ago and fell in love with this beautiful place.
The community of digital nomads has always been fantastic, but post-COVID I found that things were changing fast in Bali, and most remote workers are not a fan.
Here is why many digital nomads are leaving Bali in 2025, and my personal opinion on each reason to help you decide if Indonesia is still a good place to live for remote workers.
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The traffic
It’s no secret that Bali’s traffic is a disaster. The road system is not equipped to handle the nearly 5 million annual visitors coming to the island, and it’s difficult to expand it due to a lack of space in populated areas.
Traffic conditions in neighborhoods like Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak, and central Uluwatu have become catastrophic, leading to congestion that makes getting anywhere in southern Bali take several hours, even with grab or gojek.
To get from Canggu, where a lot of coworking spaces and facilities for digital nomads are located, to the airport, we now plan at least two to three hours, even though the distance is less than 18 kilometers. It’s even taken me three hours for that route one time.
If any time you leave Canggu, you need to sit in traffic for several hours, exploring Bali quickly stops being fun. That’s why many digital nomads are ditching the traffic and finding the island life they were looking for somewhere in Thailand instead.
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Traffic in Bali: My take
Yes, traffic in Bali is terrible year-round now, even during the low season. If you’re a digital nomad who wants to spend time in a peaceful place where getting around is easy, Bali might not be the best option for you in 2025.
Or, you could leave the busy streets of southern Bali behind and head to more quiet parts of the island like Amed, Sidemen, or West Bali. The traffic there won’t be an issue, but you’ll also be leaving fast internet connections and the bustling community and nightlife behind along with it.

Unfavorable visa conditions
Indonesia is not known for being particularly welcoming to foreigners who want to stay in the country long-term to work and live. This has always been the case, but with a rush of new digital nomads coming to Bali after the lockdown was lifted, regulations and rules have been tightening.
Despite new digital nomad visas being announced regularly, the current visa options for remote workers are expensive and limited, making legally working in Bali very difficult.
On top of that, the local government has been cracking down on misbehaving foreigners, even going so far as to implement a hotline, which can be used to call and report people.
Even volunteering or looking for a tenant for your room after you leave is seen as working in Bali, leading to dozens of deportations and bans of foreigners every month.
Most digital nomads are getting fed up with paying for expensive work permits or worrying about accidentally breaking the rules and are looking to other countries where the situation is more relaxed.
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Unfavorable visa conditions in Bali: My take
It’s easy to feel frustrated by the visa situation as a foreigner trying to make a more permanent home in Bali. However, keep in mind that you’re a guest in Indonesia and need to respect and follow the local rules.
It’s as simple as that.

Rising prices
Accommodation prices in Bali continue to skyrocket, especially around the popular Canggu and Uluwatu areas, where tourism is strong. This is a problem for the local community, who suddenly cannot afford to live in their own neighborhoods anymore.
While prices for a room in a guest house in Canggu used to lie somewhere between IDR 3 million to IDR 6 million in early to mid-2022, they have now risen up to IDR 8 million to IDR 15 million or even more.
It used to be realistic for digital nomads to find a room in a shared villa for somewhere between IDR 5 million to IDR 8 million per month, and now, the normal price lies closer to IDR 15 million to IDR 20 million.
Restaurants are also increasing their prices, and so are scooter rentals and bars.
Bali used to be hailed as an affordable place to live, but that seems to be a thing of the past as digital nomads are complaining they are paying more for their daily lifestyles than they would in Europe.
Rising prices in Bali: My take
Bali is getting more and more expensive, and it can be frustrating if you’ve been in Bali for a while. I recently came across a guest house I used to live in for IDR 3.5 million per month a few years ago and saw that they’re now asking for IDR 13 million for the same place.
But a rise in demand with a limited supply means an increase in prices, so this was to be expected.
If you’re hoping to still get a good deal, I would recommend moving away from Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, and Uluwatu and focusing on places like Dalung, Kerobokan, Jimbaran, or Sanur instead.


Pollution and waste problems
Bali has a huge plastic problem, and there seems to be no solution. Recycling is non-existent, and after a long drought in the summer of 2023, several of the island’s biggest landfills were on fire for weeks, covering neighborhoods in toxic smoke.
Bali officially banned single-use plastics in 2019, but there seems to have been little effect even years later.
During the rainy season, changing ocean currents bring masses of trash to Bali’s beaches, and the rivers are often heavily polluted. The water quality of the ocean is also a big problem, and tests have shown the presence of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and even fecal matter.
It comes as no surprise that digital nomads are seeking cleaner beaches elsewhere.
Pollution in Bali: My take
The waste situation in Bali is a huge problem; there’s no denying that. It can be shocking to see the largest amounts of trash by the side of the road, on beaches, and in rivers.
We’re all part of the problem, and the only way to improve the situation is to actively support organizations like Sungai Watch, who clean up and enforce recycling programs. We also recommend supporting coral restoration organisations like Livingseas in Padang Bai to keep Bali’s underwater world healthy.

Over-tourism and lack of culture
Bali is getting busy, and where you used to find small surfer towns and quaint rice fields, you’ll now encounter expensive new restaurants, billboards and construction for new villas.
It seems like the culture that made this island so special is making way for nightclubs, shirtless men on loud motorcycles, and crowded beaches.
Busy traffic, high prices, and over-tourism are all related and interlinked, causing many digital nomads to lose interest in the Island of the Gods and head to more authentic places instead.
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Group tours are an incredibly underrated way to travel and you’ll get to experience Bali with new friends without any of the stress of planning. Compare the best tours here or check out my all-time favourite below.
Overtourism in Bali: My take
As a tourist, you cannot expect to be the only one to enjoy a place. If Bali is getting crowded, then we’re all part of the problem.
Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu, and Ubud are probably best avoided if you’re not a fan of the tourist crowds. Why not head to quieter places instead, like northern or west Bali?

Bali for digital nomads in 2025 FAQ
Bali is very popular among digital nomads and has a thriving community of remote workers and lots of things to do.
Digital nomads have to be very careful when working remotely in Bali and should contact a visa agent or lawyer to asses their individual tax situation.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact number of remote workers in Bali, but the island is home to at least 100,000 international expats
The cost of being a digital nomad in Bali depends a lot on your lifestyle but can range anywhere from just US $1,000 to well over US $10,000 per month.
Digital nomads live all across the island, but many call Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu, or Seminyak their home.
Best Deals For Unmissable Bali Experiences
Make your own silver jewellery Balinese cooking class Day trip to Nusa Penida ATV & rafting tour Kecak Fire Dance Sunrise at Mount Batur Swim with manta rays
Before you go…
We’ve got plenty of resources to help you plan your trip to Bali. Check out our review of the best group tours and our private villa reviews for Gili Trawangan or Sanur.
You might also like our pros and cons guide on renting a villa vs a hotel and our best places to stay in Nusa Penida and Uluwatu articles.
Did I miss anything?
If you have any questions or feel like something is missing from this post, please leave a comment below or contact me.
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