Digital nomads are out in full force now that the world is ready to welcome them with open arms.
From the Western to Eastern Hemispheres, numerous countries are now opening their doors to remote workers looking to linger in their territories for a while longer than habitual tourists, with some going as far as launching migration routes specific to this category.
One such destination is a popular island that’s always been on the radar of backpackers and wellness seekers, and it’s now reinventing itself as a global capital for digital nomadism, offering long-term guests a comparatively high quality of life and peace and quiet amid the thriving nature:
Bali Is The New Global Capital For Digital Nomads
One of the most famous and certainly the most touristic island-province of Indonesia, Bali has become a go-to spot for digital nomads venturing into Southeast Asia following the health crisis.
Though it remained off-limits for much of it, it has now resumed normality fully, and it’s taken an entirely different approach when it comes to potential entrepreneurial migrants.
Historically, Indonesia has always enforced some of the strictest immigration rules in the Asian continent, allowing Americans to enter for 30 days only, and that’s not without applying in advance for a tourist visa in advance, or upon arrival when landing in the country.
Now, it seems to be tracing the steps of Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao and the like and opening up further for the foreign investment and the broader international community, being listed as the top digital nomad hotspot for 2023.
Why Do Nomads Love Bali?
Bali is a tourist island best known for its abundance of natural landmarks and laid-back lifestyle.
It has a high biodiversity for marine species, as part of the landmark Coral Triangle, a high jungle coverage, and it is dotted with traditional Balinese villages dating back to the historic Bali Kingdom, which preceded the formation of Indonesia, and centuries-old temples.
If you’re visiting Bali, you are likely to have a professed love for nature, or in the very least you’re looking for a temporary escape from the hustle and bustle of your big city life.
Home to the Sacred Monkey Forest, a sanctuary near Ubud, the rolling rice-paddy fields of Ceking, Pura Bratan, an iconic Hindu Shaivite temple, and gorgeous tropical beaches, Bali is fascinating already as a sunny break.
It truly shines, however, as a medium to long-term home.
They’re Here For The Nature
Since Indonesia began loosening travel rules, digital nomads have been flocking to the island for some of its slow living and in an attempt to be nearer nature, as no matter where you are based in Bali, you are never too far from a sandy beach, unspoiled reserve, or majestic waterfall.
When picking their new homebase, a significant percentage of nomads actively favor and feel inspired by destinations that are the complete opposite of where they originally come from.
It is no surprise Westerners arriving from New York, Chicago, London, or other major global metropolises would feel drawn to Bali and its natural wonders.
On this Southeast Asian paradise, they can swap their office views opening onto huge concrete blocks of apartments or dispiritingly-gray clusters of skyscrapers for a vast expanse of green or a long sandy crescent hugged by the the azure Bali Sea.
Bali Is More Affordable
Additionally, the cost of living in Bali is significantly lower than in the Western World.
Canggu is both a coastal town and one of the most sought-after spots for nomads in Bali due to its highly-developed hospitality industry, relatively high concentration of work-friendly cafes, and lively social scene.
Overall, 68% of NomadList members – one of the largest platforms for digital nomads – approve of Canggu as a destination, awarding it a ‘good’ Quality of Life score and a perfect ‘green’ affordability rating.
On average, remote workers based in Canggu, easily the hippiest part of Bali and one of its most expensive towns, can expect to get by on US$1,898 a month.
Internet speed is fast, too, at 59Mbps on average, and the year-round temperature is another huge attractive. Bali’s median temperature is a perfect 87.8 degrees, so goodbye, winter blues.
Bali Is Safe For Foreigners
The island then scores ‘great’ on Safety, due to its low incidence of crime and violence, though it performs moderately on food safety, which nomads consider just ‘okay’ – food poisoning is a common concern all around Southeast Asia – and traffic safety (bad).
Still, there are ‘great’ places to work from, it is friendly to foreigners, and the nightlife is another strong point.
Tax Exemptions
Recently, Indonesia launched its very own Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) with a duration of not only two, as it is commonly expected, but a whole five years.
This means nomads can relocate to Bali, provided they fulfill the relevant criteria, and become residents for half a decade at first, with the best thing being they are tax-exempt.
Needless to say, hundreds of young entrepreneurs looking to escape their home country’s predatorial tax regimes, and creative startups have now been setting up base in Bali, which is being dubbed the new Singapore of Southeast Asia (without the hectic urbanization).
Last year, 95 percent of digital nomads named Indonesia as their preferred destination, and this trend is bound to accelerate going into 2024.
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