Bali’s charm is fading for many long-term remote workers, who cite pollution, infrastructure strain, and rising costs as the tipping points.
What once felt like the ideal remote-work lifestyle—surf breaks, rice-terraced backdrops, coworking over coconuts—has started to wear thin. Even staunch Bali advocates are pulling back. Olumide Gbenro, who lived there for nearly four years, recently left, citing pollution, congestion, and overcommercialization as key reasons.
Cost of Living in Bali Skyrocketing
As more foreigners and investors arrived, housing prices surged—particularly in hubs like Canggu and Ubud. Locals and expats alike point to inflation in imported goods, “nomad-targeted” cafes, and visa uncertainties as driving up weekly living costs.
Mid-Range Living Costs in Bali (Source: Bali.com)
A comfortable monthly budget in Bali typically ranges from USD 1,100 to 1,800, offering a balanced lifestyle with both local and Western comforts.
- Housing: USD 500–1,000 for a private apartment, simple villa, or modern co-living (usually includes electricity and internet).
- Food: USD 4–10 per meal; about USD 300–500 per month for a mix of local warungs, cafés, and restaurants.
- Transport: USD 60–100 for scooter rental, fuel, or app-based rides.
- Fitness & Wellness: USD 100–200 for gym memberships or yoga classes.
- Leisure & Extras: Around USD 300+ for shopping, weekend trips, and social activities.
This range supports a comfortable, active lifestyle for digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term visitors who want both affordability and convenience.
Pollution, Air Quality, Waste and Traffic
Trash accumulation and weak waste management are now daily realities, even in scenic areas. Moreover, seasonal crop burning worsens haze and degrades air quality—something longtime residents say becomes harder to ignore over time.
Bali’s infrastructure was never built for millions of transient visitors. Heavy monsoon rainfall and poor drainage can paralyze key roads. For scooter and car drivers, daily commutes often become a grind. Residents speak of a “breaking point” after a few years of this stress.
Policy & Pushback
In 2024, the Indonesian government imposed a moratorium on new hotels and villas in parts of Bali to stem overdevelopment. The Guardian Critics see this as evidence Bali is rejecting the very tourism & expat growth that fuelled its recent boom.
The Shift: Where Nomads Are Heading
Driven by a search for stability, lower costs, and legal clarity, many digital nomads are abandoning Bali. Here’s where they’re going:
Emerging Digital Nomad Hubs in Southeast Asia & Beyond
- Da Nang, Vietnam — Coastal life, lower rents, growing coworking scenes.
- Taipei, Taiwan — Launched a six-month digital nomad visa in 2025; strong infrastructure, culture, and safety.
- Siargao, Philippines — Surf + Wi-Fi lifestyle with a rising nomad community.
Popular Digital Nomad Hotspost in Europe & Eurasia
- Tbilisi, Georgia — Low cost of living, easy visa access, and growing remote infrastructure.
- Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Malta — With strong digital nomad policies and European stability, many nomads are trading tropics for temperate life.
Digital Nomad Hotspots in Central & South America
Popular destinations for American digital nomads due to same timezone as U.S.
- Medellin, Colombia – Well-established destination, affordable and welcoming to digital nomads.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina – Popular hotspot, culture and affordability drive digital nomads from all around the world.
- Mexico City, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico – Proximity from the U.S., affordability and established communities of remote workers and expats.
The Big Picture
Research shows global interest in remote-work destinations is exploding: Jamaica, Barbados, and the Philippines top the list for year-on-year growth in searches. Meanwhile, traditional players are losing share as nomads look for places that offer legitimacy over novelty.
Bali’s early promise as a remote-work utopia is colliding with reality—rising costs, environmental strain, and policy backlash. While it still holds appeal as a short-term base, many digital nomads are moving on in search of more sustainable, stable, and legally secure homes. The future of nomadism is diversifying, and the “next Bali” may well be outside Indonesia altogether.