Ubud has overtaken Chiang Mai as the new favorite Digital Nomad destination. It’s no surprise about this fact, as Bali is known for its tropical paradise and affordable living scene. So who wouldn’t want to live and work in a paradise place? However, what makes Ubud, Bali special? Well, you’ve probably heard from many well-known digital nomad bloggers about their stay in Ubud. If you've been enamored by all those amazing photos, you've come to the right place. Here are some reasons why Ubud, Indonesia is the new favorite Digital Nomad destination and is definitely worth considering for a few months or a long-term move even.
VISA
It’s easy to obtain a Visa to enter Bali, and there are 2 ways to obtain it. Most nationalities, including USA, Canada, UK and EU, can enter Bali through Visa on Arrival process and stay up to 30 days. However, for those who are looking to stay up to 60 days or even longer, it is best to apply in your home country before arriving in Bali.
Some digital nomads would remain in Bali for their first visit (30 days), and later on, they would apply for the 60-day tourist visa at Asian embassies, such as Singapore or Malaysia, for their second trip. With this option, they get to explore other places while waiting for their second visa. In other option, you can extend your visa by visiting the Denpasar immigration office. However, you are required to visit three separate occasions to the immigration office with an Indonesian national. So, most of them will use an agent to help them with this.
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet access is one of the key major components when it comes to digital nomad lifestyle. Though the Internet in Ubud has improved for a couple of years, it’s still typically slow. Thus, avoid Bali Internet cafes and restaurants especially if you’re regularly online for your scheduled Skype meetings.
On top of that, make sure to find the right accommodation that offers free wifi. If your accommodation doesn’t have fast Internet, the next best thing is a co-working space. Some of the best are Hubud and Outpost, to name but a few.
ACCOMODATION
Bali is known for its beautiful range of accommodations from simple one-room cottages, cheap guesthouses, and hostels to marvelous five-star hotels. In other words, it’s not difficult when it comes to finding accommodation. If you’re looking to book a rental house or apartment in advance, it is best to look on AirBnb. It’s cheaper than most vacation villa websites, and you have the choice of renting 1 bedroom or the entire place.
However, if you’re on a budget and planning to stay in Ubud for more than a month, it is recommended to wait until you arrive. You can stay in a hostel and start asking around. Moreover, you can search for Facebook Groups; Ubud Rentals or Ubud, Bali – Housing, Rental & Pricing Awareness. It’s a great place to start your search, as many will response to your questions and arrange a number of viewings. Lastly, explore different villages and always compare the rental prices.
GETTING AROUND
Getting around Ubud or Bali is easy. The cheapest and best way to get around is by motorbike. The monthly rates are very cheap, but it varies depending on the travel agent. There are plenty of places offering rentals but not all provide the monthly rates. The renting is very simple as all you have to do fill out a form with your passport number and accommodation address.
FOOD
One of the many reasons why Ubud is the new favoritism for digital nomads is because of the food. There are plenty of options for you to dine. In other words, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, this is the place to be!
Not only that, there are health food stores and imported goods’ markets at Ubud. Places, like the Bali Buda, sells from beans, lentils, kombucha and rice to baked goods. Not to mention, Ubud Central Market sells fresh fruits and vegetables.
FINAL WORD
Is Ubud the new digital nomad destination? To keep it short, Ubud is a beautiful place to live with wide options of simple accommodation availability. Not to mention, the food is great. The only downside to this place is the slow Internet. If you can survive with the slow Internet, Ubud is the next best destination you will never forget.