In 2025, Bali has become more than just a short getaway, it’s a place to call home. These days, travellers are choosing to stay for months, weaving remote work into the island’s rhythm of surf, yoga, and rice field sunsets. What draws them isn’t just beauty or affordability, but the chance to build a lifestyle with a real connection.
And when you arrive as a newcomer, connection happens more easily than you might expect. Across the island, cafés act as gathering places where strangers become friends, surf buddies turn into collaborators and remote workers find their daily rhythm.
To make the most of that experience, you’ll need more than inspiration you’ll need practical guidance. This guide brings together everything you should know for a long stay in Bali in 2025: visas, living costs, neighbourhoods, lifestyle tips, and cultural insights, so you can settle in with confidence and start building your own Bali story.
Visas and Rules in 2025
Sorting your visa is the first step toward a smooth long term stay. In 2025, these are the most relevant options for expats and digital nomads:
| Visa Type | Duration | Highlights in 2025 |
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | 30 days + 30-day extension | Easiest entry(But not practical for stays beyond two months) |
| Social-Cultural Visa (Sosial Budaya) | 60 days + monthly extensions up to 6 months | Flexible and widely used(Requires a local sponsor) |
| KITAS(Temporary Stay Permit) | 1 year, renewable | Options for retirement, family, investor, or work(Requires sponsorship) |
| Digital Nomad Visa | Up to 1 year | Allows remote workers to stay tax-free if income is earned abroad(Proof of income required) |
Whichever visa you choose, keeping it valid is essential. In 2025, overstay penalties are tougher and more costly, so planning ahead will save you unnecessary stress.
Cost of Living in 2025
Life in Bali can be shaped to almost any budget. Some long-stayers live simply in a kos (a local boarding house), spending under USD 1,000 per month. Their days might include meals at warung (family-run eateries) for just a couple of dollars and scooter rentals for getting around with ease.
Others choose a mid-range lifestyle, renting villas with pools in Canggu or Ubud, mixing local food with café brunches, and budgeting between USD 1,200 and 2,000 each month. At the premium end, monthly expenses of USD 2,500 or more cover luxury villas, private drivers, international dining, and wellness memberships.
Choosing Where to Live
Each part of Bali offers its own rhythm. Canggu remains the epicenter of surf and café culture, buzzing with digital nomads who balance work and waves. Ubud moves at a gentler pace, with yoga studios, meditation centers, and rice fields that inspire artists and wellness seekers.
Seminyak and Kuta are still lively with nightlife, shopping, and dining, while Sanur has built a reputation for calm beaches and family-friendly communities. Emerging areas like Pererenan, Seseh, and Uluwatu are gaining attention in 2025, offering quieter streets without losing access to cafés and coworking hubs.
Wherever you decide to settle, cafés are central to daily life. In Canggu especially, BGS has become a social anchor where surfers and remote workers gather over cappuccinos before starting their day.
Getting Around
Transport is a big part of life in Bali, and the way you move shapes your experience on the island. E-bikes and electric scooters are becoming increasingly popular in 2025 as sustainable and affordable alternatives, but most expats still rely on motorbikes. To ride legally, you’ll need both an international license and a local SIM C. With police checks now more frequent, it’s worth making sure your paperwork is in order.
Apps like Gojek and Grab remain convenient for quick trips or food delivery, and many long-stayers combine them with their own scooter for flexibility. Roads can be hectic, especially during the rainy season, so wearing a helmet and driving cautiously are essential for staying safe.
Lifestyle and Building Community
Living long-term in Bali is about finding balance between productivity and leisure. Mornings often start with a surf session or yoga, followed by hours of remote work in a coworking space or a café with reliable Wi-Fi. By 2025, internet speeds have improved significantly, making Bali one of Southeast Asia’s most nomad-friendly destinations.
What keeps people here, however, is the sense of community. Beach clean-ups, yoga workshops, and creative events are regular ways to meet others, but the most meaningful connections often happen casually in cafés. At BGS, it’s not unusual to hear surfers swapping wave reports at one table while, just a few steps away, remote workers brainstorm their next project. Coffee culture here is more than taste, it’s the social fabric that weaves expats and locals together.
Health and Safety Essentials
Staying healthy and safe in Bali is mostly straightforward, but a few essentials are worth keeping in mind for a smoother long-term stay.
- Healthcare: Bali has reliable healthcare options, with international-standard clinics such as BIMC and Siloam available for expats. Local clinics are affordable and useful for minor needs.
- Insurance: Strongly recommended for long stays and, in some cases, now required for visa approval.
- Rainy Season (Nov–Mar): Brings a higher risk of flooding and dengue. Carry mosquito repellent and ride carefully on wet roads.
- Safety: Serious crime is rare, but petty theft can happen. Always lock your bike and keep valuables secure.
Culture and Sustainability in 2025
Living long-term in Bali also means adapting to its cultural and environmental values. Modesty is expected when visiting temples, shoes should be removed before entering homes, and ceremonies deserve full respect. Even a few simple phrases like terima kasih (thank you), tolong (please), and permisi (excuse me) can help bridge cultural gaps and show appreciation for local customs.
Sustainability in 2025 is more than just a buzzword, it’s a daily reality. Plastic bans are firmly enforced, and many places encourage the use of reusable bags and cups. Supporting local businesses, whether at a neighborhood warung or an artisanal shop, not only strengthens the community but also deepens your personal connection to the island.
Making Bali Home
Living long-term in Bali in 2025 isn’t just possible, it’s deeply rewarding. With the right visa, a realistic budget, and an openness to local culture, you can shape a lifestyle that feels both comfortable and meaningful. Yet beyond the practicalities, Bali’s true charm lies in its community.
And often, that community begins with a coffee. So when you arrive, don’t just set up your villa and Wi-Fi. Step into a café like BGS Bali, order your favorite brew, and say hello. You’ll soon realize that Bali isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a place to belong.
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