Best Places to Stay in Bali Every Expat Should Know

Bali is one of those places where many visitors arrive for a short trip but end up thinking about staying much longer. Maybe it happens while you're watching the sunset on the beach. Maybe it's when you realize your daily routine suddenly includes smoothie bowls, scooter rides, and working from cafés with rice field views. And honestly, Bali makes that idea very tempting.

However, living in Bali is not exactly the same as visiting for a short trip. The island may look small on the map, but each area offers a completely different experience. Some places are lively and full of cafés, coworking spaces, and digital nomads working remotely. Other areas are quieter, surrounded by rice fields, beaches, or jungle views that create a slower and more peaceful rhythm of life.

Ultimately, choosing your Balinese home isn't about finding the 'best' area, but finding the one that mirrors your daily rhythm. For anyone planning a longer stay on the island, here are some of the places in Bali that many travelers and expats often consider the best areas to live.

Source: Bali Holiday Secrets

Canggu is often considered one of the best places to stay in Bali, especially for digital nomads and remote workers who enjoy a lively and social environment. It’s also one of the safest spots for tourists in Bali, whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, family, or as an expat.

Area Ambience and Lifestyle

Canggu is full of trendy cafés, murals, and creative spaces, with spots like Love Anchor Market adding to its modern bohemian vibe. Toward sunset, people naturally gather around beaches such as Echo Beach and Batu Bolong Beach, where surfers, beach bars, and sunset views create a lively and relaxed social scene.

While Canggu is a digital nomad's dream, it’s far from a quiet retreat. The energy here is high-octane, characterized by a bustling café culture and a legendary afternoon rush hour. The lifestyle here usually revolves around working from cafés or coworking spaces, followed by surfing, gym sessions, or sunset hangouts.

Local Community and Everyday Interactions

Daily interactions in Canggu are generally easy and friendly. Many locals work in tourism related businesses such as cafés, surf schools, villa rentals, and small shops, so meeting international visitors is already part of everyday life. It is common to have casual conversations with café staff, drivers, or shop owners, and most people are welcoming and helpful when visitors need assistance.

English is also widely understood in Canggu, especially among younger locals, so basic communication rarely becomes a problem. In smaller local shops or traditional markets the English might not be very advanced, but interactions are still easy with basic phrases. Showing simple respect for local etiquette or using a few Indonesian words like “terima kasih” is often appreciated and can make interactions feel warmer and more genuine.

Healthcare and Public Service

When it comes to healthcare, Canggu is actually quite convenient for everyday situations. There are several clinics around the area such as Siloam Medika Canggu, Asta Medical Center, and BaliMed Canggu, and most of them are used to dealing with international patients. Staff usually speak English, so getting basic treatment or a quick check up is generally straightforward. If something more serious happens, larger hospitals like BIMC Hospital Kuta are not too far away.

Public services are also fairly accessible, including the local police station North Kuta Police Sector and national emergency numbers like 112 or 118. One thing to keep in mind though is traffic, which can get quite busy in Canggu, so some residents prefer using home visit doctor services for non emergency situations.

Cost of Living

If you decide to stay in Canggu, the cost of living can feel a little higher compared to some other parts of Bali. Long term stays are still doable though. Many people rent apartments, studios, or stay in guest houses monthly. Food is also quite flexible. If you eat at trendy cafés every day it can add up, but food stalls are still affordable and easy to find.

Things to Consider

Canggu can be a really fun place to live, especially if you enjoy a social and active environment. But it’s also worth knowing that the area gets quite busy. If you like being around cafés, beach spots, and a big international community, you’ll probably enjoy it here. But if you’re looking for something quieter and slower, some other parts of Bali might suit you better.

Uluwatu, Bali’s Stunning Coastal Hideaway

Source: Bali Untold

If you’re thinking about moving to Bali but don’t want the constant buzz of Canggu, you’ll probably hear people mention Uluwatu or Bingin beach pretty quickly. This part of the island offers a raw, dramatic landscape where life slows down to the pace of the tides. It’s the ultimate sanctuary for those who prioritize ocean views over city convenience.

You’ll notice pretty fast that life here revolves around the ocean. Surf in the morning, slow cafés during the day, and sunsets that people actually plan their evenings around. It’s not the most convenient area in Bali, but if you like space, sea views, and a slower pace, this place can feel pretty special.

Area Ambience and Lifestyle

Uluwatu feels very different from places like Canggu. The area is more open, windy, and built along cliffs, so it still feels like there’s space to breathe. Mornings usually revolve around surfing or slow café breakfasts, afternoons are quiet, and evenings are all about sunset views over the ocean. Around Bingin and Padang Padang, the community vibe almost feels like a small coastal town.

Local Community and Everyday Interactions

The local community around Pecatu and Ungasan is still very traditional, so you’ll notice a lot of ceremonies and strong cultural presence. People are generally warm and welcoming as long as you respect the local culture. English is common in cafés and surf spots, but in small shops or local markets it can be more limited compared to Canggu.

Healthcare and Public Service

There are a few solid clinics nearby like Nusa Medica Clinic for everyday health needs. For bigger hospitals though, most people still drive down to Jimbaran. Roads on the main route are good, but smaller roads near beaches can be narrow. Internet is decent in many places, although not every area has fiber yet.

Cost of Living

Uluwatu has become one of the pricier areas in Bali, mainly because of the cliffside locations and limited space. Long term rentals are still available, but they can cost more if you want to stay close to the ocean. However, eating in Uluwatu doesn’t always have to be expensive. Cafés near the beach can be pricier, but local food stalls are still very budget-friendly.

Things to Consider

Uluwatu can feel a bit isolated from the rest of Bali. Going to the airport or areas like Seminyak can easily take close to an hour depending on traffic. You’ll also need your own scooter or car because everything is spread out. The trade off though is quieter beaches, dramatic cliffs, and some of the best sunsets on the island.

Sanur, A Peaceful Coastal Haven

Source: Envato

If you’re looking for somewhere calmer but still comfortable to live in Bali, Sanur often comes up in conversations. It has a slower pace compared to places like Canggu or Ubud. The area feels more settled, a bit more local, and honestly a lot less chaotic.

Area Ambience and Lifestyle

Sanur exudes a timeless charm, offering a sophisticated and family-friendly atmosphere that feels like a perpetual Sunday morning by the sea. One of the best things about the area is the long beach boardwalk that stretches for several kilometers. People use it for jogging, cycling, or just slow morning walks. The lifestyle here is very easygoing. Sunrise views are a big part of daily life, and the ocean is usually calm enough for paddle boarding or kayaking.

Local Community and Everyday Interactions

The community in Sanur feels very balanced between locals and expats. Many foreigners have lived here for years, especially families and retirees, but the local Balinese community is still very present. Everyday interactions tend to feel friendly and natural. Locals are known for being polite and not overly pushy with tourists, and English is widely spoken because Sanur has been a tourism area for a long time.

Healthcare and Public Service

One of Sanur’s biggest advantages is healthcare access. The area is becoming a medical hub in Bali, especially with the opening of Bali International Hospital. Clinics, pharmacies, and specialist services are easy to find along the main roads. Infrastructure also feels more organized here, with working sidewalks, stable electricity, and reliable fiber internet in many neighborhoods.

Cost of Living

Compared to trendier areas, living costs in Sanur are generally more stable. A simple apartment or long-term guesthouse can range from about IDR 8 to 40 million per month. Food options are also flexible, from affordable local stalls to many cafés around the area.

Things to Consider

Sanur is great if you want a calm beach lifestyle with a strong expat community and good infrastructure. But if you’re looking for nightlife or a very young digital nomad crowd, it may feel a bit quiet. Some people love that slower pace though.

How Expats Handle International Transfers in Bali

If you’re planning to stay longer in Bali, managing money between countries will likely become part of your routine. Many expats still need to send money from Indonesia to their home country or move funds between international accounts. Because of this, having a simple and transparent remittance service is important.

Topremit is a popular choice among expats for sending money from Indonesia to 90+ countries worldwide. It’s trusted by over 300K users and has been licensed by Bank Indonesia since 2009. With just a few taps on your phone, you can send money internationally and have it arrive in minutes.

If you find yourself transferring money regularly while living in Indonesia, having a reliable service like Topremit can make things much easier.

Even better, you can enjoy 50% OFF vouchers by signing up with the referral code ‘BALI26’. This voucher can be used for transactions to all countries via all services. Make sure to claim it before June 30, 2026.

Download Topremit now and enjoy fast, safe and transparent international transfers with Topremit!