Digital Nomad in Canggu: A Complete Guide

Digital Nomad in Canggu: A Complete Guide

Last updated on August 26th, 2024 at 12:50 am

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Are you interested in becoming a digital nomad in Canggu? Perhaps you are looking to become a digital nomad in Southeast Asia and have heard that Bali is a great destination for remote workers. If you are curious about the life of a digital nomad in Canggu, keep reading!

In May 2023, Luke and I made the transition to living nomadically. We started by spending two months living in Tibubeneng, right on the border of Canggu. This is a great area to base yourself as a digital nomad in Bali. If you are interested in living in Bali or living nomadically, this guide to living in Canggu is for you.

Where is Canggu? 

Canggu is a village on the southwest coast of Bali, an island in Indonesia. It is bordered on the east side by Tibubeneng and on the north side by Pererenan. Canggu is known for its beaches, surfing, beach clubs, and cafe culture. It is about an hour from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. 

Why become a digital nomad in Canggu?

Bali is a popular spot for digital nomads and therefore has plenty of options for co-working spaces and cafes with free Wi-Fi. Canggu is no exception. The cafes are often extravagant in design too, featuring pools or huge, open spaces with plants. This makes it so easy to be a digital nomad in Canggu. 

While prices have increased in Bali, it is still possible to spend significantly less than you would in the US. Certain things are expensive such as wine and liquor. Western food can be more expensive, especially at Beach Clubs and trendy restaurants. Local food is still pretty cheap in most places, even more so outside of the touristy areas. Excursions like scuba diving can still be expensive. However, hiring a driver for the day is affordable compared to the US. 

Bali attracts many expats and digital nomads, so it is easy to meet people as a digital nomad in Canggu if you make an effort. I suggest striking up a conversation with the person sitting next to you at a cafe or co-working space as a start. 

Additionally, Bali is a beautiful and diverse place with beaches, mountains, rice fields, and waterfalls. It has plenty to keep you entertained. 

Lake Buyan in Bali
Lake Buyan in Bali.

How long can you stay in Indonesia? 

The Indonesia visa on arrival is good for 30 days from the date of entry for visitors from more than 90 countries, including the US. This can be extended once for another 30 days by paying a fee and visiting an embassy. Make sure you check the entry requirements specific to your country of origin. Many people opt to leave Indonesia and return to get another 30-day visa on arrival instead of extending their visa. This is called a visa run and is technically a workaround that can be frowned upon. You may be denied entry if you do this many times, however doing it a few times will probably be fine. 

Another option is to apply for the 211A visa for tourism. If you are not eligible for the visa on arrival, you might qualify for the 211A visa for tourism, which is available for almost all nationalities. It allows a stay of up to 60 days and is not extendable. 

The B211A e-Visa allows a stay of up to 60 days and can be extended twice for another 60-day period. The maximum number of days you can stay in Bali on the B211A visa is 180 days if the visa is extended twice. 

How to apply for a tourist visa for Indonesia? 

You can apply for the visa on arrival once you arrive at immigration in Bali or you can apply online and skip the slow immigration line. The visa on arrival requires a valid passport with at least six months validity, an outbound ticket from Indonesia (although they didn’t check this when we entered, they typically just ask for your departure date), and 500,000 IDR (about $32 USD).

For the 211A visa, you must apply ahead of time on the immigration website. The visa requires 1,500,000 IDR (about $98 USD), an outbound ticket from Indonesia, a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining, a recent passport photo, and financial proof of at least $2,000 USD.

To apply for the B211A visa, I recommend using an immigration service to help you apply. If you use a service, they will help you with the sponsorship letter and visa extension. The visa requires 1,500,000 IDR (about $98 USD), an outbound ticket from Indonesia, a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining, a recent passport photo, financial proof of at least $2000 USD, and a letter of sponsorship. 

If you apply online, once you are approved for the visa, you will receive a link to download the visa.  

Does Indonesia have a digital nomad visa? 

While talks of a digital nomad visa have been in the works, there is not an official digital nomad visa at the moment. The second home visa was released recently and is good for staying in Indonesia for five years if you are financially sufficient. You must have at least 2 billion IDR (about $131,544 USD) in your bank account and it costs 21,000,000 IDR (about $1,381 USD) to apply. 

Technically you are not permitted to work on the tourist visas offered in Indonesia. However, this rule is not enforced if you are working remotely during your stay and many people do it. 

Read More: 30 Amazing Places to Eat in Canggu

Cost of Living in Canggu 

One of the reasons that Bali was originally attractive to expats and digital nomads is the low cost of living. The cost of living has increased as people continue to move to Bali, however, it is still possible to live relatively cheaply in Bali. I know for us, it was much cheaper to live in Bali than in Denver, CO. However, that doesn’t mean that everything is cheaper. Some things are cheaper, like local food and massages, and others are more expensive, like wine. Western food and cocktails are often a little bit cheaper in Bali or about the same. 

Here is how much we spent living in Canggu during the months of May and June of 2023. 

Average Monthly Expenses for 2 People

 Cost (USD)

Rent (Two-bedroom villa with private pool)

$873.27

Motorbike

$87.92

Gas

$6.72

Groceries

$204.22

Restaurants/Bars

$1,959.20

Activities (massages, scuba diving, waterfalls, tours, beach chairs, yoga)

$972.84

Laundry

$34.52

Gym

$50.09

Total

$4188.78

We planned on cooking more, but once we got to Bali we decided that we weren’t going to bother too much. We got some granola, eggs, and coffee for breakfast and decided to eat out for other meals. Food in restaurants isn’t expensive enough to go to the trouble of cooking every day and we didn’t love our outdoor kitchen set up for cooking. Plus it was more fun to go out. We tried to keep our meals out to twice a day. 

Also, note that it is significantly cheaper to eat local food in Bali. There are many places in Canggu with Western food that tend to be more expensive. If you eat more local food, you could probably spend much less than we did on restaurants. 

Exploring Bali from Canggu 

One of the things you may want to do during your time as a digital nomad in Canggu is explore the rest of Bali. After all, Bali is a big island with many things to see including waterfalls, rice terraces, temples, and beaches. Depending on what you want out of your Bali digital nomad experience, Canggu may not be the best place for you to stay. 

Swimming in a waterfall in Bali
Swimming in a waterfall in north Bali.

Most of the waterfalls in Bali are in the central or northern parts of the island. The best place to see the terraced rice fields and take pictures is Tegallalang. If you want to see more waterfalls and rice fields, then Ubud might be a better place to base yourself. Another option is to split your time between Ubud and Canggu. Make sure you map out the things you want to do in Bali so that you have an idea of the best place to stay for you.

If you still prefer the idea of being a digital nomad in Canggu, it is possible to hire a driver to take you to some of the spots around Bali. We did this twice, once in the area around Ubud and once in the north of Bali. It was a great experience that allowed us to see much more of Bali and it isn’t that expensive to hire a driver for the day. You can book this kind of excursion on Get Your Guide

Things to Know as a Digital Nomad in Canggu

Canggu is a fairly chaotic place. Canggu is one of the most popular places to visit in Bali along with Ubud and Uluwatu. It is pretty congested with locals, tourists, and expats. Canggu has really taken off in the last few years and areas farther north are currently being developed. However, Canggu is still very much in the middle of the action. There are many businesses and villas being built around Canggu. 

Traffic

Canggu is known around Bali to have particularly bad traffic, although personally, I found that many other tourist areas, such as Ubud, also have bad traffic. I think Canggu gets an unnecessarily bad rap for traffic. That being said, when traveling around Bali I would leave an additional 30 minutes at least to get where you are going because the traffic can be unpredictable. 

Transportation 

Driving in Canggu 

The primary way to get around Bali is by driving a motorbike or a car. Driving in Bali is also not for the faint of heart. People primarily commute using motorbikes but there are also bigger cars and trucks toting tourists and other cargo around. The motorbikes weave in and out of traffic, take turns across ongoing traffic, and sometimes carry large cargo. It can be overwhelming. 

I recommend renting a scooter while you are in Bali, but know that it is not a great place to learn how to drive a scooter, nor is it necessarily very safe. Practice safety measures such as wearing a helmet and taking it slow. People will often pull out onto the street in front of traffic because there is not much room on the shoulder and you may need to stop suddenly. It is common practice in Bali to use your horn to notify other drivers that you see them or that you are rounding a corner with low visibility. 

All that being said, I decided not to drive in Bali, but Luke taught himself to drive the scooter when we got there and that was a lifesaver. 

Luke on the motorbike
Luke on the motorbike.

Ride Share in Canggu

If you don’t want to drive the scooter yourself, you can request a ride on a scooter or in a car on the ride-sharing app Gojek for a very low fare. The Gojek car rides around Canggu tend to be about 50,000 IDR as a standard. A scooter is typically cheaper. Gojek is a good ride-share app to use but you must use cash. If you want to use a card, Grab is another ride-share app that you can try but it is a little more expensive than Gojek.

Walking in Canggu

Canggu is not a very walkable town, which is why I highly recommend getting a scooter or getting around using Gojek. There are sidewalks near the beach but as you go inland you will see fewer sidewalks. The side of the road is often utilized for other things, such as car or scooter parking or a place to put a large pile of dirt for construction (I have to mention that because it is surprisingly common). The streets can be fairly narrow to begin with, so if you are walking expect many motorbikes to speed by you. You also might encounter loose dogs or chickens on the road. Between the congestion, the lack of sidewalks, and the heat, walking is not very enjoyable in Canggu. Unless you are staying right on the beach, you probably won’t be close enough to walk to everything either. 

Tourism 

Since Canggu is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay in Bali, there are many tourists in this area. This drives prices up so that things are more expensive than they might be in other areas. On the beach, there are many vendors selling things including sarongs, ice cream, jewelry, and more. I didn’t find the hawkers at Batu Balong Beach to be too disruptive. If you nicely tell them, no, thank you, they will usually leave you alone. We had a much worse experience with hawkers when we visited Seminyak Beach. They wouldn’t take no for an answer. 

Bartering

If you do wish to buy something from one of the vendors on the beach or on the street, bartering is expected. They will initially give you a high price and if you try to walk away, they will ask you how much you want to pay for the item. That can be a little overwhelming the first few times and honestly, I have still not gotten the hang of it. Personally, it makes shopping even less fun than it already is, but sometimes it is necessary. Of course, you are able to get a better price as long as you can come to an agreement. 

Language 

In Bali, the locals speak Indonesian and Balinese. Many locals also speak very good English, but we did encounter a few people who didn’t speak English at all. It is always good to learn a few words, such as thank you and hello. People really seem to appreciate this small bit of effort. 

Climate and Weather 

The temperature in Canggu is consistent throughout the year, averaging between 84℉ and 95℉. While it is usually humid in Bali, higher humidity and heavy rain can be experienced from November to April. June to September is considered the best time to visit Canggu when the humidity and chance of rain are lower. 

Enjoying Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Enjoying Ulun Danu Bratan Temple in Bali.

Water 

The water in Bali is not safe to drink. You must purchase filtered water. This was provided for us at our Airbnb. I always recommend carrying a reusable water bottle with you to limit the amount of plastic waste you generate. 

Currency 

Indonesian Rupiah is the currency in Indonesia. At the time of writing, $1 USD is approximately 15,322 IDR. Many places in Bali only accept cash, so you should always have cash on hand. Some of the more touristy restaurants and beach clubs will accept cards, but there may be an additional fee. 

Tipping and Taxes

Tipping is not expected in Bali, but it is appreciated. We usually tipped 5-10% unless the experience was exceptional. It is good to tip waiters, drivers, tour guides, housekeepers, and spa technicians if you had a good experience. Make sure that you are not already being charged a service fee, however. Many restaurants and bars, particularly touristy places, are able to change a service tax between 10% and 21%. This is usually listed on the menu. It is something to watch out for so you can avoid paying more than expected for a meal. 

Safety

Canggu, and Bali in general, is a fairly safe place. In my experience, the most unsafe aspect of Bali is the transportation. Be careful if you will be driving a motorbike or a car. When walking, also be aware of obstructions or holes in the walkways. 

Other than these instances, I didn’t feel unsafe in Bali. There have been instances reported of purses or phones being snatched from a perpetrator on a motorbike, but I didn’t see anything like this. Always be aware of your surroundings and belongings. 

Once you get used to the chaotic nature of Canggu and Bali in general, it is a really nice place to be. In Canggu, you can enjoy the beach and rice fields. There are also plenty of cute shops, restaurants, and villas. 

Wi-Fi

As a digital nomad in Canggu, Wi-Fi is a very important thing. Luckily, almost all of the restaurants, cafes, and bars have consistent free Wi-Fi. This makes it so easy to be a remote worker in Canggu.

Things to do in Canggu

Here are a few things that you must do in your time as a digital nomad in Canggu. 

Catch a Sunset

Canggu is one of the best places in Bali to catch magnificent sunsets. The beach is a great place to watch the sun go down and there are plenty of bars are restaurants that provide great viewing opportunities. Our favorite was Sand Bar, where you can get a seat on the covered patio that looks out onto the beach and sip a cheap Bali Hai. Another great option is The Lawn, although it is more expensive. The Lawn makes great cocktails and has a pool overlooking the beach so I highly recommend spending at least one Canggu sunset there. The sunset attracts a crowd to the beach so the people watching is some of the best ever. 

Of course, watching the sunset over a rice field is also a beautiful sight to behold. A great place to do this in Canggu is Padi Club Bar and Restaurant, where you can get cocktails, including happy hour deals, or beers and watch the sunset from the rice fields. 

Sunset at Batu Bolong Beach
Enjoying the sunset at Batu Bolong Beach from The Lawn.

Visit Batu Balong Beach

Another thing that you should absolutely do while in Canggu is a beach day. Our favorite place to hang out on the beach was Times Beach Warung. It is only 100,000 IDR for two chairs for the entire day, which is about $6.70 USD. You can order beers, fresh coconuts, water, and soda on the beach or go to the adjacent restaurant where they have a full menu including food and cocktails. They also have a bathroom that you can use. Just be careful when you are swimming in the ocean as the waves and the current can get pretty strong at Batu Balong Beach. 

You will likely see many surfers out on the water and others learning to surf for the first time. If you are interested, Canggu is a great place to learn to surf and there are many places along the beach where they offer lessons, including Times Beach Warung. 

See Tanah Lot

Another thing that is popular to do when visiting Canggu is to visit Tanah Lot. Tanah Lot is a Hindu temple that is on the beach about 30 minutes from Canggu. When the tide is high, the temple is accessible only by boat. At low tide, you can walk out to the temple. It is another great place to go around sunset but it will be crowded at that time. At Tanah Lot, you can view the temple and receive a blessing from the Hindu priests. You are not allowed to go into the main temple. For this reason, you don’t have to wear the usual appropriate clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when you visit. 

Tanah Lot
Visiting Tanah Lot.

Visit a Beach Club

While you are in Canggu, you absolutely must visit at least one beach club. There are plenty to choose from including The Lawn, Como, Finn’s, and La Brisa. Each one has a different vibe. Como is pretty chill and is good for families because it has a specific kid’s area. Finn’s Beach Club is where you go to party. 

We really enjoyed La Brisa, which is absolutely gorgeous with a nautical theme down to the finest details. It has two pools and is shaded by a grove of palm trees. There are a variety of table options to choose from, each with a different minimum spend. Some tables face the beach, making them ideal for sunset observers, others are near the pool under the palm trees. Some are better for lounging throughout the day, others are better for grabbing a drink.

If you want a particular type of table, I recommend making a reservation in advance. I had to make a reservation about a month in advance. It looks like they save some tables for walk-ins, but I imagine they are the tables that are less sought after, so I wouldn’t risk going without a reservation. The food and the cocktails here are exquisite too and everything is made with ingredients sourced from Indonesia. 

The pool at La Brisa
One of the beautiful pools at La Brisa.

Where to stay in Canggu?   

If you wish for rice field views, open space, or quiet, you will be better off staying more inland like we did. If you want to be near the action, I recommend staying closer to the beach. 

Villa Maui

Although the first few days we spent in Canggu I was reeling from the culture shock, we ended up really enjoying our stay at Villa Maui. The location is great for a long-term stay since it is a little ways away from the chaos of Canggu and it is very affordable. There are several really good restaurants near there but we found that we almost always had to drive wherever we wanted to go. However, it is only about a ten to twenty-minute drive from Villa Maui to most of the places we wanted to go. The area around us was green, open, and dotted with rice fields. 

Rice field near Villa Maui
The rice field across the street from Villa Maui.

The Airbnb itself was very nice, although most of it was outside. You enter through a sliding gate into the garden and pool area. It has a private plunge pool which was perfect for those hot afternoons. There are two lounge chairs for the pool, which is lined with beautiful plants such as birds of paradise. 

From the pool area, you enter a covered space, which has a kitchen, a dining room area, and a chaise lounge. This area was still very much outside, even though it was covered, so it was frequented by bugs, lizards, and sometimes birds. The kitchen was nice to have but we didn’t use it as much as we had hoped because it was outside and the utensils and appliances were open to bugs and lizards. There are two bedrooms accessed from this area via sliding glass doors that lock. The bedrooms have AC units and curtains as well as their own bathrooms. 

Enjoying the pool at Villa Maui
Enjoying the pool at Villa Maui.

In Bali, you can’t drink the water from the faucet, but Villa Maui provides filtered water for guests. The property manager is also very nice and will help you with anything that you need. We rented our motorbike from him. He took us to the airport several times and also picked my mom up when she came to visit. Villa Maui is cleaned weekly while you stay and the garden and pool may also be serviced. We had a great time at Villa Maui and I recommend it for a true Bali experience. 

Read More: How we ended up spending two-months in Bali

Best Cafes for Remote Work in Canggu

Digital nomads and expats have been frequenting Bali for so long that there is a cafe working culture. There are a ton of cafes in Canggu that would be good for working, but these are some of the ones that we visited that were the best for working remotely. Some of these are also on my list of the best restaurants in Canggu but a good working space has different attributes so they deserve their own list. Make sure that you can use public WiFi safely with Nord VPN. Nord VPN shields your IP address, protecting your privacy and location, making this an essential tool for digital nomads. 

Fine by Satu Satu 

Fine by Satu Satu is a really nice spot for working remotely that opened this year in the Babakan area. It is two floors, also with wood decor. It is spacious and open with white walls and big windows that let it light. There is a nice outdoor patio. You can order breakfast, lunch, and coffee here. The food is decent. They offer egg dishes, smoothie bowls, pasta, and more. It is a good place to get in a few hours of work. There are a good amount of tables and most of them are near an outlet.  

Amola’s Cafe

Amola’s Cafe is a very cute place that is good for working remotely as a digital nomad in Canggu. They had a large inside area with AC, Wi-Fi, and plenty of plugs. There is also a nice outdoor area with a pool and plenty of tropical plants. The food is good as well, they have smoothie bowls, local dishes, pasta, and some other Western foods. It can get pretty busy with remote workers but luckily it seems like there is enough space to accommodate everyone. 

Working as a digital nomad in Canggu
Amola’s Cafe is perfect for remote work.

Sangkala Cafe

Sangkala cafe is a lovely place out of the hustle and bustle of the main Canggu area for remote work. There is a small inside with AC and a covered outside area. There are lots of plants and decor that make the area pleasant. They have Wi-Fi, like most places in Bali. The food and drinks are very good here. We tried the Chicken Sambal, which was fried chicken with rice and sambal matah, a spicy sauce with shallots and lemongrass, and the chicken satay. The caramel macchiato was also very good. 

Sangkala Cafe
Getting breakfast at Sangkala Cafe.

Nude Babakan 

Nude Babakan is one of my favorite restaurants in Canggu, but it is also a great place to work. There is an inside room with AC where you can often find a few people working remotely. There isn’t a ton of room, but there are usually a few seats open. Nude has great coffee, food, and smoothies. The staff at Nude are very nice and will treat you well.  

Mandatina Cafe Canggu

Mandatina Cafe is a great place to work remotely in Canggu. The food is pretty good, but the coffee and the atmosphere are the reasons I think this is a great place to work in Canggu as a digital nomad. It is a very cute, modern space with plants and large windows. There is AC and Wi-Fi, everything you need for a productive day of working in Bali. 

Blacklist Coffee Roasters 

Blacklist Coffee Roasters is a great coffee shop for Canggu digital nomads. The food is great, like the truffle mushrooms on toast or the breakfast burger. The coffee, which they roast themselves, is great. They also offer cocktails and specialty drinks. With plenty of good snacks and drinks, Blacklist Coffee Roasters is a great place to work remotely. There are plenty of seats inside, where there is AC and Wi-Fi, and plenty of plugs to go around. 

Drinking coffee at Blacklist Coffee Roasters
Drinking coffee at Blacklist Coffee Roasters.

Samm’s Farm Coffee

Samm’s Farm Coffee is another coffee shop and restaurant that produces and roasts its own coffee beans. We really enjoyed getting the pour-over coffee, which you can get hot or iced. It comes in this cute little coffee set. There are plants and a coy pond that provide plenty of peaceful scenery for getting some work done. There is a room inside with AC and plugs for working. 

Co-Working Spaces for Digital Nomads in Canggu 

While we didn’t visit all of the co-working spaces in Canggu because there were so many cafes that were great for working, here are a few that I recommend for Canggu digital nomads. 

ZIN Cafe 

ZIN Cafe has a great free co-working space for digital nomads in Canggu. At the back of their restaurant is a designated co-working area. It is a calming covered outdoor space with wood decor and plants that spans four floors. There is one indoor focus room with AC. You can order food and drinks from the restaurant, which has good coffee and decent food. I tried the ZIN smoothie bowl which was very good. 

ZIN Cafe in Canggu
ZIN Cafe in Canggu.

Tribal 

Tribal is a popular co-working space in Canggu, however, we didn’t get a chance to visit. You must purchase food or drink to work for the first three hours. After three hours, there is a minimum spend of 100K IDR. It is in Perenenan, which provides a quiet and calm atmosphere for focusing on work. The space is open-air and there is no air conditioning. They do have a pool though!

BWork Bali

BWork is also a co-working space in Canggu that is very popular with remote workers. You can work in the cafe for free, but if you want access to all the facilities you must purchase a membership. The membership plans include access to air-conditioned rooms, a pool, lectures, events, and yoga classes. A day pass is 280,000 IDR. 

Read More: What’s next in our plans for nomad life after Bali

Where to exercise as a Canggu Digital Nomad

Being a digital nomad doesn’t mean that you can’t have some of the same routines as you do at home. After all, we’re just living our life nomadically. This often means finding a way to be active while you’re traveling. Bali has plenty of options for staying active. There is a really strong fitness culture in Canggu and Bali. Here are some of my suggestions for staying active in Canggu.  

Brothers Gym 

Canggu has several gyms, some of which are large complexes with lots of amenities. We wanted something a little cheaper, so we went to Brother’s Gym. It is an open-air gym with no AC, unfortunately, but there is a nice view of rice fields from the large windows back of the gym. The cardio equipment includes two treadmills, one non-motorized treadmill, and three bikes. There is a lot of weight equipment including free weights and machine weights. A monthly membership at Brother’s Gym is 350,000 IDR, which is about $23 USD. 

Trails in Canggu

During our time living in Canggu, I saw quite a few people running outside in the mornings. If you are a runner, biker, or walker, there is a lovely trail near PADI Club Restaurant and Bar that goes through a large patch of rice fields. It is a great place to run or walk in the morning or evenings as it is a smaller road that sees less traffic from motorbikes. The sunrise and sunset are absolutely beautiful from this road. It is only about 1.3 km, but when I ran from Villa Maui it was about 5 km. It begins at Ring Djinar Coffee & Resto and ends at Raya Canggu, which is a busy highway. 

Rice Fields near running trail
Rice Fields near my favorite running trail in Canggu.

Yoga 

Bali is well-known for its yoga culture. If you are interested in experiencing yoga in Canggu, I recommend Ubuntu Bali. They also have lodging, but they offer yoga classes at their outdoor yoga studio. It is in a field of green trees and shrubs, covered, but open air so it doesn’t get too hot. It is a lovely place to do yoga. They offer Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Yin Yoga, and more. I tried a few Hatha Yoga classes, where we started with some meditation and chanting to open class and then moved into postures. The classes are challenging but easy enough to pick up. They have yoga blocks and mats available for anyone. 

Ubuntu yoga
Ubuntu yoga studio.

Other Services for a Digital Nomad in Canggu

Groceries

The best place to get groceries in Canggu is Pepito. You can find almost everything that you need at this grocery store including fresh produce, meat, fish, frozen products, snacks, liquor, and toiletries.

Fruit at Pepito
Local fruit at Pepito.

Pharmacy

In Bali, you can get many drugs over the counter as needed but you must visit a pharmacy. The word for pharmacy in Indonesian is Apotek. We visited Apotek Kimia Farma 940 many times for various things including immodium, which you’ll probably need at some point during your stay, and bandages for when I got injured on the motorbike. This was also where we got our sunscreen because it was one of the cheapest places to find it (about 150 IDR).

Laundry Service 

As a digital nomad in Canggu, it is common to use a laundry service, since most places don’t come with a washer and dryer. For laundry service in Canggu, we recommend Heavenly Cleaners Babakan. We used them almost weekly during our two-month stay in Canggu. We set up a recurring weekly pick up/drop off with them for one-day service laundry. They also have the option for you to drop off and pick up. They will pick up and drop off for anyone in a 6 km radius.

Heavenly Cleaners offers pre-treatment, eco-wash using plant-based detergents, sun-drying, pressing, and folding. They also use environmentally friendly bags made of cotton or cassava. The standard two-day service is 22,000 IDR per kilogram, but they have one-day and 5-hour express service too. Our only minimal complaint with them is that their pick-up and drop-off time wasn’t consistent each week and a few times we were unprepared for them. 

ATMs 

You will definitely need cash while in Bali. Many of the restaurants in Canggu and other touristy areas accept cards, but there are plenty of services, restaurants, and stores where only cash is accepted. Always be cautious around ATMs. Make sure that no one is lingering around the ATM and check the card reader for an ATM skimmer. Try to avoid visiting an ATM at night or after you’ve been drinking. These are a few of the ATMs that we used around Canggu and we didn’t have any issues with them. 

Shocked Dog Market

Next to TYGR Sushi

Next to Mad Ronin 

Spas in Canggu 

Spa services in Canggu, particularly massages, are highly affordable so it is one thing that you absolutely must do while you are in Canggu. When we spent two months living in Canggu, we had a massage almost every week. 

Casa Spa Delivery 

Casa Spa Delivery will have technicians come to your villa and perform massages, facials, body scrubs, or a combination of these things. They bring their own tables and tools. They just need enough room to set up. This is a great option for the Canggu and Tibubeneng areas, but they service many areas. They only require three hours notice for weekdays and 24-hour notice for weekends. We had Casa Spa Deliveries come to our house many times during our stay and each time was excellent. We tried the full body massage, the facial, and the body scrub. For a 60-minute full body massage, it was 216,000 IDR or about $14 USD. 

Espace Spa 

If you are not able to do an at-home spa delivery, Espace Spa is another excellent place to get a massage or spa treatment in Canggu. We did a 90-minute traditional massage at Espace Spa and it was incredibly relaxing. For 90 minutes, it was 380,000 IDR or about $25 USD. The facilities are also nice and clean. They offered us tea beforehand which was very nice. 

Salons

If you need a good nail salon in Canggu, I recommend Colors Batu Bolong. They provided a good manicure and pedicure for my mom and me. Colors was clean and artfully decorated. The technicians were very nice and efficient. They have many colors to choose from and the reviews for nail art were good as well. 

Level 21 Cinema 

If you want to see a movie while you are in Canggu as an expat or digital nomad, there aren’t many theaters close by. Your best bet is to go to Denpasar, the largest city on the island. 

We saw Guardians of the Galaxy at the Level 21 Cinema and it was really fun. They show movies in English with Indonesian subtitles. The seats were comfy and spacious. Otherwise, the theatre was similar to those in the US.

They also offered lots of good movie snacks, popcorn in regular, caramel, or mixed flavors, French fries, milk teas, and even meals. We were curious what it would be like to see a movie in Indonesia and we were pleased with our experience at Level 21 Cinema. 

Emergency Services

It’s always good to know how to contact emergency services just in case something happens. In Canggu, 112 is the number for the main emergency and medical services. If you have a local sim, dial 0361 112. If you have an overseas sim card, dial +62 361 112. 

Our two months in Canggu was a great experience and I highly recommend it for digital nomads and expats. Is there anything else you need to know about being a digital nomad in Canggu? Have you ever worked remotely in Bali? What was your experience? I would love to hear from you in the comments.

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Digital Nomad in Canggu A Complete Guide

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