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Digital nomadism is perhaps the leading trend of the moment. Country hopping is easier than ever, and national governments have adopted it a more relaxed approach towards temporary migrants.
From the Western to Eastern Hemisphere, the options are truly endless, with specific visas for digital nomads being announced every semester and once strict regulations being relaxed to better accommodate the category.
Despite increased competition, especially with many countries jumping on the bandwagon, Asia is home to a traditional nomadic hotspot and island paradise that remains a favorite not only among remote workers, but also among long-term tourists.
They’re flocking to this destination, and many find it perfect for digital nomads, but why is that?
Bali is the perfect retreat for nomads
Bali is Indonesia’s most popular province and an island so popular that it deserves its own status as a whole, separate from the rest of the archipelago.
It is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, and time and again it makes headlines as the world’s ‘top destination’, having twice been awarded the coveted title of TripAdvisoronce in 2017, and then again in 2021.
Bali does best known for its picturesque coastal villagesrice fields, nature trails and spectacular beaches, but what exactly sets it apart from other countless Indonesian and Southeast Asian spots, to some extent, with similar tourism offerings?
And most importantly, why do digital nomads in particular make it their home base?
A slow lifestyle
First and foremost, Bali is what we call a ‘slow travel’ destination, existing in its own peaceful bubble, away from the organized chaos of Jakarta and other sprawling Indonesian metropolises on neighboring islands.
It’s a place you go to be closer to nature, work remotely from green fields while listening to the soothing crashing of the waves in the distance, and not be tied to the incessant hustle and bustle of the big city , the western lifestyle.
With nomadic communities flourishing in small towns like Ubud, Kuta and Canggu a strong café and coworking scene is developingNewcomers feel immediately at home in Bali, both among the locals, who are incredibly hospitable and eager to share their culture and customs, and among their expat peers.
Wellbeing is key
After enduring three rather stressful years and surviving a literal pandemic, nomads strongly prefer destinations where they can take it easy, work on their inner healing, and lighten up their daily activities.
When it comes to well-being, Bali is the ideal choiceas it boasts an enviable range of wellness retreats and relaxation spaces, making it a regional leader in South East Asia and one of the leading destinations in this segment globally.
Whether it’s well-appointed rejuvenation spas or Canggu’s affordable massage centers, you can be sure that you’ll never miss your opportunity to relax and pamper yourself after closing your computer at the end of a long, arduous day .
Bali wants you to stay longer
Bali is one of the few destinations in Asia that actually encourages visitors to stayas local authorities want to make it more attractive to slow travelers who spend more time and more money exploring the island at their own pace.
Like the Bali sun reportsit is ‘as synonymous with luxury as it is with budget backpackers’, and both categories of nomads – the luxury retreat type and the youth hostel enthusiast – will find that Bali has a wide range of accommodation options for an extensive ‘workcation’.
With Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy adamant that Bali will not succumb to overtourism, as most of Europe has done, we can expect a much bigger shift towards high-quality, sustainable tourism in the near future.
Because they tend to stay longer and inject more money into local businesses, nomads will benefit from much more liberal policies, especially regarding long-term rentals and short-term residence visas.
Bali is more affordable
Although it is certainly not the cheapest destination in Southeast Asia, Bali is still extremely affordable by US standards, with consumer prices up to 49.5% lower than other Western destinations.
When eating out in Ubud, one of the most popular retreat zones on the island, tourists can expect to pay as little as $26.15 for a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant. cheap restaurants will hand you a bill for a negligible $2.45 or less.
Plus, a pint of domestic beer costs an average of $2.29, and if you’re cooking from your AirBnB or extended-stay accommodation, you can certainly get by just fine spending between $20 and $30 on groceries every week.
Bali has a Digital Nomad visa
Regarding the latter, the final reason why Bali has become so popular among digital nomads is its relaxed visa policy that directly benefits this category.
Indonesia was among the first in Southeast Asia to launch a Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), allowing remote workers to apply for residency and set up a home base on the paradise island since September 2022.
While not a classic DNV like those of Colombia or Greece, which is instead called a ‘socio-cultural’ B211a visa, it does allow eligible applicants to enter Indonesia for a ‘workcation’, provided they meet all existing criteria.
This involves possession of a valid passport for at least one year, for single-entry visa applications with a term of 180 days, or a travel document with at least six months of validity remaining, for a 60-day visa.
Whatever category you fall into, you must provide a minimum amount of $2000 (two thousand dollars), or the equivalent of that amount, to cover your living expenses while in Indonesia, as well as a return or outward ticket to be redeemed on the scheduled date of departure.
Finally, when submitting their visa application, nomads must submit two color passport photos, measuring 4 cm x 6 cm. You can find more information about the Bali DNV application process via this link.
Conclusion
Now you know why digital nomads love Bali.
It has consistently stayed at the forefront of travel trends; local authorities have relaxed visa policies To better accommodate remote workers, there is a growing expat community, and the relaxed lifestyle offers foreigners a good work-life balance.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
