Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago — over 17,000 islands, 270 million people, and a coliving scene that has grown up almost entirely around the island of Bali. But that is changing. Jakarta has a fast-growing startup ecosystem and a professional coliving market emerging around its business districts. Lombok is attracting surfers and nomads priced out of Bali. Yogyakarta draws creatives looking for a slower, culturally rich base.
For most digital nomads, Indonesia means Bali — and Bali genuinely deserves its reputation. But if you want to explore beyond Canggu and Ubud, the country has more to offer than most guides acknowledge. Cost of living across Indonesia is low, the food is excellent, the people are genuinely welcoming, and the natural scenery is some of the most dramatic on the planet.
Visa rules apply across the whole country: most nomads use tourist or social-cultural visas, with stays typically capped at 60–180 days. Long-term residency for remote workers remains complicated, but workable with the right preparation.
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Indonesia offers a variety of destinations for remote workers. Here is what each city has to offer.
Bali is Indonesia's coliving heartland and the reason most digital nomads discover the country in the first place. Canggu has the highest density of colivings and coworking spaces in Southeast Asia. Ubud offers a slower, more creative pace. Together they account for the majority of the coliving infrastructure across Indonesia.
Lombok sits just east of Bali — a 20-minute flight or 4-hour ferry ride — but feels noticeably less crowded. The surf around Kuta Lombok and Selong Belanak is world-class and far less busy than Uluwatu. Coliving options are still limited but growing, and the island attracts nomads who want the Bali lifestyle at a lower price and with much more space.
Jakarta is Indonesia's capital and economic engine — a sprawling megacity of 30 million people with a fast-growing tech startup scene. It is not a traditional nomad destination, but the professional coliving market here is emerging quickly. If you're working in business, finance, or tech and need to be close to Indonesia's corporate world, Jakarta is increasingly viable.
Yogyakarta — called 'Jogja' by everyone who has been — is Indonesia's cultural heart. Batik workshops, gamelan music, proximity to Borobudur and Prambanan, and a large student population give it an energy that is completely different from Bali. Coliving is limited but growing. A great choice for nomads who want depth of culture and very low cost of living.
Typical price range
€300 – €900 / month
Indonesia as a whole is cheaper than Bali specifically. Lombok, Yogyakarta, and smaller destinations offer excellent value — often 20–40% less than equivalent Canggu pricing. Jakarta can be comparable to Bali due to its urban nature. All-inclusive pricing is standard in established colivings.
Typically included in the price:
In Bali — which accounts for most of the established coliving infrastructure — you can expect purpose-built spaces with fiber internet, private rooms, pool access, and active communities. Outside Bali, the market is less developed: colivings in Lombok and Yogyakarta tend to be smaller, sometimes converted guesthouses or villas with a community focus added on top.
Jakarta colivings lean more professional — less community events, more focus on workspace quality and location relative to business districts. The target resident is different: typically a contractor or business traveller on a longer assignment rather than a surf-and-work nomad.
Across all of Indonesia, the food situation is outstanding. Local warungs serve fresh, delicious meals for €1–€3. You can live extremely well on €600–€800 per month including accommodation if you spend wisely.
Visa planning is essential. Indonesia does not make long-term remote work legally simple — the official remote worker visa has a $60,000 USD minimum income requirement. Most nomads use social-cultural visas (up to 180 days) or manage stays with visa runs. Colivings on our platform can advise on current practice.
Indonesia offers some of the best lifestyle value in the world for remote workers — extraordinary natural beauty, a warm and welcoming culture, excellent food, and coliving prices that make European costs look absurd. Bali anchors the offer, but the rest of the archipelago is worth exploring if you have the time.
Bali has by far the most developed coliving infrastructure in Indonesia — purpose-built spaces, fast fiber internet, active communities, and a huge international nomad scene. Outside Bali, options exist in Lombok, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta but are fewer and less standardised. If you're new to Indonesia and want a smooth coliving experience, Bali is the right starting point. If you've already done Bali and want something different, Lombok and Yogyakarta are worth exploring.
Indonesia's official remote worker visa requires a minimum income of $60,000 USD per year, which excludes many nomads. In practice, most remote workers use a tourist visa on arrival (30 days, extendable once to 60 days) or arrange a B211A social-cultural visa before arrival (up to 180 days, obtainable through a visa agent). Visa runs to Singapore, Malaysia, or Australia are common for longer stays. Always check current requirements before travelling, as rules can change.
Prices vary by island and location. In Bali (Canggu), expect €500–€1,000/month all-inclusive. Ubud and Uluwatu are cheaper at €400–€700. Lombok is typically €300–€600. Yogyakarta can be as low as €300/month. All prices generally include WiFi, utilities, and cleaning. Daily food costs are very low — €5–€15 per day is realistic eating a mix of local and international food.
Bali and the main nomad destinations in Indonesia are generally safe for foreign remote workers. Petty theft in busy tourist areas and scooter accidents are the most common issues. Natural hazards (volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunamis in coastal areas) are real but rare. All colivings on our platform are located in established, vetted areas with good access to services.
Indonesia's dry season (May–October) is the most popular time to visit across Bali, Lombok, and Java. Humidity is lower, rain is minimal, and conditions are ideal for outdoor activities and surf. Rainy season (November–April) brings daily downpours, especially in Bali, but prices drop and the island is less crowded. Year-round warm temperatures (26–32°C) make Indonesia a viable base at any time of year.