Indonesia

Written By Alex Hall

Indonesia, for me, has meant Bali, and I have been twice. I spent the end of 2023 and start of 2024 there, then returned for New Year 2025, with stops in Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud and a night in Jakarta.

What I did

  • Hiked Mount Batur for sunrise, with breakfast at the summit and a hot spring afterward.

  • Spent New Year's 2024 in Canggu.

  • Spent New Year's 2025 in Seminyak and Umalas.

  • Stayed at a resort and spa in Ubud's quieter southern edge.

  • Passed through Jakarta for a night before moving on.

Where to stay

  • Berawa, Canggu: the more polished end of Canggu, with beach clubs, cafes and coworking. I stayed at Citadines Berawa Beach.

  • Umalas and Seminyak: rice fields and villas near boutiques and restaurants. I stayed at Solterra Seminyak.

  • Lodtunduh, Ubud: quiet and green, a few kilometers south of central Ubud. I stayed at Ubud Nyuh Bali Resort and Spa.

  • Central Ubud: the cultural heart, with a palace, market and galleries.

Where I stayed

Getting there and around

  • Airport: Bali's airport is in the south. Canggu and Seminyak are 30 to 60 minutes away, depending on traffic. Ubud is 1 to 1.5 hours.

  • Within Bali: there is no rail. Use Grab or Gojek, hire a private driver by the day, or rent a scooter.

  • Pickup zones: some areas ban ride-hailing pickups. Walk out to the main road.

  • Jakarta: a rail link serves the airport, but traffic can take 1 to 2 hours by car.

What to eat

  • Babi guling, Balinese suckling pig, around Ubud.

  • Crispy duck in Ubud.

  • Nasi campur, rice with small dishes.

  • Sate lilit, minced fish satay.

  • Nasi goreng and mie goreng everywhere.

  • Smoothie bowls in Canggu.

What to drink

  • Beer: Bintang is the classic, ice cold after a hike or a beach day. Bali also has craft brewers such as Stark and Island Brewing.

  • Spirits: arak, the local distilled spirit, usually mixed into an Arak Attack with lime and honey. Brem is a sweet Balinese rice wine.

  • Wine: Hatten Wines near Sanur is Bali's best-known winery, with tastings and a tour.

  • Cocktails: beach clubs in Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu do sunset cocktails with tropical fruit.

  • Coffee: Balinese Kintamani coffee, with plenty of specialty cafes in Canggu and Ubud.

  • Fresh coconuts: sold everywhere, and fruit juices and smoothie bowls are excellent.

Don't miss

  • Mount Batur sunrise.

  • Tegallalang rice terraces, very early.

  • Tanah Lot temple at sunset.

  • Campuhan Ridge Walk in the morning.

  • Uluwatu temple and Kecak fire dance.

  • A Balinese massage.

Day trips and side trips

  • Nusa Penida for Kelingking Beach.

  • Uluwatu cliffs and beaches.

  • The Gili Islands and Lombok by fast boat.

  • Komodo National Park by flight to Labuan Bajo.

  • Borobudur and Prambanan near Yogyakarta.

Festivals and events

  • Nyepi: across Bali, usually in March. The Day of Silence, when the whole island shuts down, preceded by Ogoh-ogoh parades.

  • Galungan and Kuningan: across Bali, every 210 days. Penjor bamboo poles line the streets.

  • Bali Spirit Festival: Ubud, usually in spring. Yoga, music and dance.

  • Bali Arts Festival: Denpasar, usually June and July. A month of dance and music.

  • Bali Kite Festival: Sanur, usually July to August. Giant kites over the beach.

  • Ubud Writers and Readers Festival: Ubud, usually in October. A major literary festival.

  • Waisak: Borobudur, Java, usually in May. Buddhist ceremony with lantern release.

  • Pasola: Sumba, usually in February or March. Traditional horseback spear festival.

  • Java Jazz Festival: Jakarta, usually in the first half of the year. One of Asia's biggest jazz festivals.

  • We The Fest and Synchronize Fest: Jakarta, usually mid year and October. Big pop, rock and indie lineups.

  • Djakarta Warehouse Project: Jakarta, usually in December. Southeast Asia's biggest electronic music festival, with house and techno headliners.

  • Independence Day: across Indonesia, August 17. Flags and games in every village.

Music and dance

  • Gamelan: the traditional bronze percussion orchestra of Bali and Java. Hear it at nightly dance shows in Ubud.

  • Kecak: the chanting fire dance, performed at Uluwatu Temple at sunset.

  • Reggae and acoustic: beach bars in Canggu and Kuta play it nightly.

  • Electronic: Canggu and Uluwatu beach clubs run house and techno sets through the season, and Jakarta has a serious club scene.

  • Balinese dance: legong, barong and kecak performances run nightly in Ubud, and workshops let you try the basic hand and eye movements.

  • Beach dancing: Canggu and Uluwatu beach bars and clubs are where people go dancing in the evening.

Photography spots

  • Mount Batur: sunrise over Mount Agung and the lake. Bring a jacket.

  • Echo Beach and Batu Bolong: sunset, with surfers in silhouette.

  • Tegallalang: right at sunrise before the crowds.

  • Campuhan Ridge: morning mist.

  • Drones: permits are required, and temples, airports and government areas are restricted.

My experience

Bali gave me two very different New Years and a lot of range. Canggu felt like a nomad base with surf and cafes, Seminyak was more upscale, and Ubud was calm. I would recommend it to remote workers and anyone who likes a warm, active place with great food.

Cost of living

  • Overall: Canggu and Ubud in Bali: $$, about 55% cheaper than New York. Seminyak runs higher, and Jakarta is a different, more urban budget.

  • Coffee: about $2.50

  • Local lunch: about $4

  • Dinner for two at a nice restaurant: about $40

  • Beer or cocktail: about $3 / $8

  • Ride across town: about $3

  • Mid-range hotel: about $80 a night

  • Furnished one-bedroom in a good area: about $900 a month in Canggu, $700 in Ubud

  • Daily budget: about $45 budget, $110 comfortable, $300+ luxury in Canggu, about 15% less in Ubud

Bali is great value, though Canggu and Seminyak have become pricey compared with the rest of Indonesia. Local warungs are very cheap, while beach clubs and villas add up. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

  • Wi-Fi: Good in Canggu and Ubud, often 30 to 100 Mbps with fiber. Power cuts happen in rainy season, so a data SIM backup helps.

  • Coworking and cafes: Canggu is the biggest nomad hub, with Dojo Bali, Outpost and Tribal. Ubud is calmer, with yoga, wellness and its own coworking spaces. Seminyak and Uluwatu are other options for beach life.

  • Time zone: UTC+8 in Bali, 13 hours ahead of US Eastern (12 hours in summer, with a couple of weeks off at the daylight saving changes).

  • Visa for longer stays: US citizens can get a 30 day visa on arrival, extendable once. Indonesia has a Remote Worker Visa (E33G) for longer stays, plus a Second Home visa. Check current rules.

  • Nomad rating: 5 out of 5. Huge community, low cost and great weather, with traffic as the main drawback.

Good to know

  • Language: Bahasa Indonesia, with Balinese spoken locally on Bali. English is common in Bali's tourist areas and less so in Jakarta.

  • Currency: Indonesian rupiah. The numbers have lots of zeros, so double-check before you tap your card. Use bank ATMs, not standalone ones, to avoid skimming.

  • Plugs: Type C and F, 230V. Bring an adapter.

  • Entry for US citizens: Visa on arrival or an online e-VOA, plus a tourist levy for Bali. Check current rules.

  • Best time to visit: The dry season, roughly April to October. December and January are wet season, with afternoon storms, and big New Year crowds.

  • Getting around: Grab and Gojek for rides, or a private driver. Scooters are common but risky.

  • Apps: Grab and Gojek for rides, scooter taxis and food.

  • SIM/eSIM: Telkomsel has the strongest network. Buy at the airport or use an eSIM.

  • Water: Do not drink the tap water. Use bottled or filtered water.

  • Tipping: Not required. Restaurants often add a 5 to 10 percent service charge. Round up for drivers and tip spa therapists and guides if happy.

Useful phrases

  • Hello: Selamat pagi (good morning) or Halo

  • Thank you: Terima kasih

  • Please: Tolong

  • How much?: Berapa harganya?

  • The check, please: Minta bon

Nightlife

Bali nightlife follows the sun. Evenings start with a sunset drink on the beach, move to dinner, and then to a bar or a beach club, and the vibe stays relaxed and barefoot rather than formal. Ubud and the rest of Indonesia are much quieter, and Jakarta has a separate big city scene.

  • When people go out: Sunset is the start of the night in Bali. Dinner is around 8, bars fill after 9, and clubs run to 2 or 3 am. Sunday and midweek parties are a Canggu tradition.

  • Where the action is: In Bali, Canggu is casual with beach bars and live music, Seminyak is dressier with beach clubs and lounges, and Ubud is quiet with early nights. Jakarta has the big city clubs, many in hotels.

  • The music: House, deep house and reggae at the beach clubs, with live acoustic sets and DJ nights in Canggu.

  • Good to know: Beer is cheap and cocktails cost more. Beach clubs often have minimum spends for day beds. Dress is relaxed, smart casual in Seminyak. Drink only from sealed bottles and licensed bars, since methanol tainted arak is a known danger, and use Grab or Gojek, not a street taxi.

Meeting people

  • Social scene: Bali is one of the easiest places in the world to meet people. Canggu has the most active scene, with coworking spaces, surf camps, run clubs and fitness classes, and Ubud draws a wellness crowd.

  • Apps: Bumble, Tinder and Hinge are used, and Bali Facebook groups and WhatsApp nomad groups are very active.

  • Etiquette: A smile and a light handshake are the norm. Plans are relaxed and island time is real, and splitting the bill is normal. Use your right hand for giving and receiving.

  • Stay smart: Meet in public, watch your drink, and avoid unlabeled or cheap bootleg alcohol, since methanol poisoning is a known problem.

Staying safe

  • Scooter accidents are the main risk. Wear a helmet and carry an international license.

  • Stick to sealed bottles and reputable bars, since cheap spirits can contain methanol.

  • Watch for strong surf and rip currents. Monkeys in Ubud will grab sunglasses and phones.

  • Dress modestly at temples, with a sarong and sash.

Alex Hall
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