In the last few years I have found myself a sustainable way of living in Bali as a digital nomad. On this lively, culturally rich, and beautifully chaotic tropical island, living affordably can sometimes prove tricky. However, with a bit of practice, patience and long-term planning, it is now a life I happily lead.
This is the scoop into how I live on a budget in Bali whilst working remotely, maximising my time in the water, and all the while saving up for epic surf trips around wider remote Indonesia.
Why Stay in Bali as a Digital Nomad Surfer?
Bali is one of the best locations in the world for digital nomad surfers.
There’s fast Wi-Fi almost anywhere you go, waves that are perfect for any level of surfer, affordable accommodation if you’re willing to look for it, and it is one of the most accessible parts of Indonesia. Easy access to remote surf destinations is a super important factor if you’re planning to go on trips to surf towns in more isolated parts of the country.
These are the main reasons why I have made Bali my home base, and why so many other digital nomad surfers have done so as well.
Below, I will tell you why Sanur is the best place to stay in Bali for remote surfers, share how much I actually spend on a monthly basis, and divulge tips for living affordably whilst making the most of online work, surf, and life in Bali as a remote working surfer.
What I Actually Spend in Bali in a Month as a Digital Nomad Surfer
Living in Sanur is great if you want to live affordably in Bali.
Over the years, I have found that the most costly activities in Bali are eating out at Western places and buying cocktails at bars and clubs. The former can be avoided, as Sanur, an expat surf town, has an abundant variety of amazing and delicious local food choices, and the latter as well, since Sanur does not provide a lively nightlife compared to other parts of Bali.
Additionally, Sanur is centrally located on the island of Bali. Within a 1-hour scooter drive, you can easily reach the other well-known surf towns of Bali, such as Uluwatu, Kuta, and Canggu. Check out our longboarding and shortboarding guides for in-depth information about the best surf and work hubs in Bali for digital nomad surfers.
There are also super fun waves in Sanur and the surrounding East coast of Bali during the wet season months of October to April, so this could be an especially good time to plant yourself in Sanur, as it is an underrated surf spot for remote workers.
As promised, below is a surf budget guide for Bali outlining what I spend on average living in Sanur and working remotely whilst prioritising waves and a budget-friendly way of life.
1-Month Sanur Budget Breakdown
| IDR | ||
| Homestay accommodation | 4,500,000 | Monthly rate. Includes AC, Wi-Fi, shared kitchen, and hot water |
| Scooter hire | 1,000,000 | Price can vary depending on model. As an alternative, you could purchase a second-hand scooter for 4,000,000 – 6,000,000, depending on model, age, and condition. |
| Visa | 500,000 – 3,000,000 | Difference varies based on type of visa and intended length of stay |
| Local prepaid sim card & plan | 70,000 | XL provides 15GB of data & 20 minutes of local call time. There are different packages available. |
| Discretionary spending | 5,768,000 | 1,442,000 per week – Including surf spending, petrol, food & drinks; see below for details |
Bali Travel Costs: What Things Cost in Sanur for Surfers (2025)
| Vendor | IDR | |
| Surfing | ||
| Surf taxi Airport Reef | 70,000 | |
| Surf taxi Serangan | 140,000 | |
| Surf wax “Wacks” | Ripcurl Store | 50,000 |
| Transport | ||
| Full scooter tank of Pertalite petrol | Pertamina | ~50,000 |
| Airport transfer | GoCar or Grab | 150,000 – 200,000 |
| Food & Drinks | ||
| Local & seasonal fruit (watermelon, bananas, mango, mandarins, papaya) | Local market | 7,000 – 20,000 per item |
| Local & seasonal vegetables (water spinach, cabbage, tofu, tempe, tomato, garlic, shallots) | Local market | 2,000 – 12,000 per item |
| Oat milk | Grand Lucky | 43,000 |
| Bertolli Classico Olive Oil 250ml | Grand Lucky | 85,000 |
| San Remo instant spaghetti pasta 500g | Grand Lucky | 28,000 |
| Soy sauce 620ml | Grand Lucky | 28,000 |
| Jay’s Italian herbs seasoning | Grand Lucky | 29,000 |
| Indomie instant noodles | Indomaret | 3,000 |
| Nescafe instant black coffee | Indomaret | 9,000 |
| Baccardi rum 750ml | The Bottle Shop | 300,000 |
| Eating out | ||
| Local meal | 15,000 – 35,000 | |
| Western-style meal | 60,000 – 150,000 | |
| Coffee | 35,000 – 55,000 | |
| Tap beer | 60,000 – 130,000 | |
| Imported liquor cocktail | 120,000 – 200,000 | |
| Local liquor cocktail | 40,000 – 100,000 | |
| Laundry | 15,000 – 30,000 per kg |
My Bali cost of living for surfers is an average spending estimate. Some essentials are one-off purchases, whilst others are ongoing and weekly.
If you know you are going to be staying in Bali long term, you can save on your budget by doing things such as buying a scooter instead of renting one monthly, buying premium ingredients in bulk, and choosing accomodation that has in-house laundry services (or hand-washing your clothes as I do), fast Wi-Fi, and a work station so as to avoid renting out a co-working space or working remotely from an internet cafe.
Some digital nomad-friendly accommodations in Sanur may also be open to discussing long-term rental deals, such as quarterly or biannually which may be more affordable.
Furthermore, I also shop at local markets, avoiding large supermarkets when it isn’t essential, and also aim to buy seasonal ingredients. These practices significantly decrease my monthly spending (as well as my carbon footprint!) and allow me to increase my budget on surf trips and surf-related endeavours.
I generally find myself spending the most on boat hires to get to surf breaks. However, I find this totally worth it when I get to surf perfect waves with minimal crowds. We all pick and choose what our priorities are, right?
Other Costs to Budget for Your Bali Stay
- Flights & potential layovers
- Airport transfers in your home country
- Checked baggage and surfboard fees
- Surfboard travel bag & packaging material
- Travel insurance
- International Driver’s Permit (if you plan to drive a scooter or car)
- Hiring a driver (if you do not plan to drive a scooter or car)
- Surfboard ding repairs and replacement gear
You’re All Set For Your Next Adventure!
Check out our guide on how to balance surfing and work to learn more about making the most of life as a digital nomad in Bali.
The digital nomad surf lifestyle is all about the adventure and the discovery. Are you ready for it?
