Cost of Living in Bali Indonesia- Canggu Bali’s Hipster Beachtown on $1250

What Is The Average Cost Of Living In Canggu, Bali?

My average monthly budget for a single person living in Canggu is $1,250 (17.4m IDR). This amount excludes business expenses and contractual UK bills, including my UK mobile phone, doctor's prescription, and drone insurance. 

I have a simple yet engaging life here in Canggu. I live in a decent guesthouse that has a lovely swimming pool. I commute everywhere on a rented scooter. Because I spend a lot of time working on my business in cafés, I usually have my meals there. I never cook. I don't really drink and party, partly because of the pandemic, partly because it's my choice, and alcohol is almost as expensive as back home.

I do travel a lot around Bali. But the cost of that is minimal because I travel on my scooter and stay in cheap hotels. The cost of traveling, which is about one week a month, is included in the total budget. 

Bali Cost Of Living Comparison Vs. The US

Even moving to "expensive" popular beach towns in Bali  could save you ~$18,000 in reduced living costs. 

It's hard to imagine that Canggu was until very recently a quiet surfer village surrounded by fields of rice. But with Seminyak, Kuta, and Ubud already swarming with tourists, travelers overflowed to Canggu.

The rice paddies are still here, but with a cement "shortcut" that becomes a parking lot of motorbikes and cars during rush hour.

Prices have increased across the board. The high monthly living cost in Canggu will shock expats from Vietnam, Mexico, Turkey, or other low-cost beach destinations. However, there are still plenty of geoarbitrage opportunities for Americans coming from the United States.

Let's add some context to the $1,250 monthly budget. The chart below compares a medium-cost city in the US (Portland) vs. the average cost of living in Bali, Indonesia.

The Top 4 essential costs in the US are housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. These 4 expenses make up 68% of the average costs in a major city.

Clearing your mind and enjoying $7 massages is one of Canggu's affordable luxuries.

What Is It Like Living In Canggu?

A typical day of a Canggu expat starts by waking up early in the morning to go for a workout or morning walk on the beach with your dog. If you're a surfer, you will be heading to the beach to catch the morning waves with your surfer friends. 

To compliment starting your morning with some healthy movement, you head to a trendy café for some fresh food. You snack on a delicious fruit smoothie bowl or smashed avocado on toast while working on your laptop until the afternoon. Next, you probably meet some new friends for lunch that you connected via Instagram or Facebook expat group. 

In the late afternoon, after a little more work, you head to your pool for a dip and some laps. Around 6-ish, you head to the beach to see another dazzling sunset, catch up with friends and plan some exciting adventures around Bali. There are so many stunning places nearby, and you cannot resist but plan excursions most weekends.

For Fun On The Weekends

Weekends in Canggu are much more chilled. Most people go away to Uluwatu to enjoy the beautiful beaches or head to Ubud to unwind in nature. Ubud is home to Bali's most Instagrammable hotels, including epic bamboo houses built right in the jungle. Also, Ubud is an excellent base for exploring north of Bali. Think chasing waterfalls, trekking through rice terraces, and volcano hikes that are a must on your Ubud itinerary! 

If you're less of an adventurer, a weekend spent in Canggu can be great too. Weekends are great for visiting Canggu markets and buying eco-friendly toiletries, hand-made bakes, and organic produce. Other typical weekend activities are spending a day in a fancy beach club such as Finns and getting pampered at a spa, followed by a seafood dinner and wine on the beach.

Most places you'll stay in Canggu will come with a gorgeous swimming pool to cool down from the warm weather.

What is an Estimated Food Budget For Canggu?

My daily average food budget is just under 250k IDR ($18). I'm vegetarian, perfect as Canggu restaurants focus on healthy foods. I also never cook at home. I don't have time to cook, plus I live on my own. Buying groceries and cooking for one person would be equally expensive as eating out. Plus, Canggu is chock full of chic cafés and bistros serving trendy yet delicious food. 

Typically, I eat three times a day. I start with a takeaway, fully loaded smoothie bowl that is topped up with peanut butter, granola, and cut-up fruit for 55k IDR ($3.8). Then I have lunch at a cheap to medium range café where I have a salad, a buddha bowl, or avocado on toast. If the café is more expensive, I only have a glass of complimentary water with my meal. 

Due to pandemic and closed borders, many cafés run promotions where you can have lunch or breakfast for 50k IDR, which is less than $4. In some places, that includes juice or coffee. I'll stop at a local warung for dinner, or depending on how hungry I am, maybe just some fresh fruit.

Example Of Meal Prices In Canggu

Budget Warungs– Fish or meat dish at a local warung – 39k IDR ($2.8). This includes rice or noodles, fish, two sides from the protein section – tofu, egg, spring rolls, and two vegetable sides. The meal is super filling and easily satisfies my hunger. Fresh coconut at the same warung cost 24k IDR ($1.7).

Mid-range cafés – Vegan burger with sweet potato fries– 85k IDR ($6). Try Secret Spot in Canggu for some great vegan eats. If you want to add coffee to go with your lunch, expect to pay around 30k IDR ($2). 

Upscale Restaurants– Evening meals are the most expensive but still very affordable. You can have an excellent, locally sourced barramundi fish with vegetables for 110k IDR ($7.6). A glass of wine to go with it will add another 85K ($5.9) on top of your bill. 

How Much Money Do You Spend For Entertainment?

Canggu is big on sports and gym memberships, and they are actually pretty pricey compared to what most people pay back in Europe or the US.

What Does Transportation Cost?

Bali's local transport is non-existent. Most foreigners living in Canggu use a scooter/motorbike to commute in Canggu and travel around Bali. 

Motorbike rental costs between 400k and 900k, depending on the type and your negotiation skills. I pay 600k IDR ($43) for a moppet. Petrol is very cheap in Bali and is sold by local vendors on the road's side in glass bottles. Expect to pay 30k IDR ($2) to fill up the tank of a moppet. My petrol budget is around $10a month, including driving around Canggu and at least one trip away within Bali. 

If you don't drive a scooter, you can use the Go Jek app to move around Canggu. Go Jek is is the Asian Uber. An average ride within Canggu will cost around 50k IR ($3.5).

Unfortunately, Canggu is not highly walkable. Most streets don't have sidewalks for pedestrians, and you rarely see anyone ever walking. The roads are poorly maintained in some parts, and the traffic on the main roads can be terrible. 

International Flights

Located in South Bali, Denpasar, between Kuta, Sanur, and Canggu is Bali's international airport.

Ngurah Rai International Airport(DPS) has direct flights to 9 different countries for roughly $100. A $35 flight to stopover in Jakarta, Indonesia opens up even more international destinations. 

Looking to plan a weekend trip in Southeast Asia? The top international destinations from here are Singapore (SIN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL). 

Airport Pick Up-  Avoid the stress and hassle of finding a taxi in a strange country. Get a safe airport pickup with no hidden costs.

Affordable Luxuries

Canggu is an excellent place to spoil yourself in affordable luxuries you would consider too indulgent back home. My favorite splurges include:

One-time moving costs

There were some one-time moving costs that I incurred. Although they may differ for you, you'll get a good feel of what they may be.

What is Healthcare Like In Bali?

Medical insurance for Foreigners- My travel insurance acts as my health insurance while traveling abroad. Any health issues or medical emergencies I have while traveling are covered for $700 a year. 

Quality of Healthcare- So far, I used Bali's healthcare system on two occasions: when I couldn't move my arm after the gym and when I had ear infections. In both cases, the pharmacy gave me medication which helped; I don't have complaints.

Will I Have To Pay Taxes Living In Bali?

Expats residing in Indonesia for more than 182 days over a 12-month period (rolling 12-months, not calendar year, is considered a tax resident. Foreigners also trigger tax residency if you live in Indonesia during the fiscal year AND intend to reside there. 

Indonesia has a Double Taxation Treaty with the US. Speak with a tax advisor to minimize your tax liability.

What Are The Visa Requirements For Bali Indonesia?

Visa Exempt or Visa Free Short Stays (less than 30 days)

Americans can enter Bali and stay for 30-days visa-exempt and at no cost. You can simply arrive and get stamped through immigration at the airport. This visa CANNOT be extended.

There are 169 countries eligible to enter Bali without a visa. 

Visa On Arrival (30 - 60 days)

Bali has a tourist visa for visitors looking to stay for over 30 days. The "Visa On Arrival" costs $35 can be purchased at the airport and can be extended for another 30 days (60 days total). 

The US and 61 other countries are eligible for a Visa on Arrival. 

Business, Social, or Cultural Visa

This is the prior loophole method many visitors were using to enter Bali during the lockdown. This visa required the assistance of a visa agent to organize the government documents required, including a "Letter of Invitation." 

Agents have informed me that as of January, 2021, the social visa option is no longer possible. The situation in Bali, as in many places in the world, is fluid and can change daily. 

Moving to Canggu – useful tips

There are some useful Facebook groups to check out before moving to Canggu. Canggu Community Housing is excellent for finding accommodation. Bali Expats are also great for some helpful information to do with visas and transition.

Bali For Women- There are two supportive and helpful Facebook groups focused on helping women acclimate to life in Bali or to just find a companion for sunset drinks and Bali adventures. 

It's also a good idea to just book one week on Airbnb and look for long-term accommodation while you're physically in Canggu. 

Making friends in Canggu is very easy; it is a small expat community here, and everyone knows everyone. You can connect with people through Instagram. 

I would recommend having at least two different types of debit/ credit cards in terms of finances. Some cards don't work in Bali, and ATMs tend to be sketchy, so it's always good to have a backup. I use Monzo Card and Revolt. 

Think carefully about what to take with you. Shipping to Bali when you're already here is very tricky and expensive. They also add duty and tax on anything shipped here, so chances are you won't be buying anything from abroad once you here.