Why choose Indonesia?
Indonesia needs no introduction. Images of green rice fields, picturesque volcanoes, sumptuous聽Buddhist and Hindu temples, not to mention magnificent beaches and paradise islands,聽immediately come to mind.
Its pleasant atmosphere and affordable cost of living make Indonesia a favorite destination for聽travelers and digital nomads alike.
Indonesia also provides good internet coverage, even in the most remote areas, making it a聽suitable place for digital nomads, with or without experience.
Things to know before traveling to Indonesia
Indonesia has a rather flexible visa policy, which helps make it even more attractive to digital聽nomads. Nationals of most countries are exempt from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30聽days in Indonesia. Note, however, that there is no possibility to extend your stay in this case聽and that this exemption has been suspended since the advent of Covid-19 in Indonesia. For聽more information on this subject, please read our article on the formalities for聽entering聽Indonesia.
If you plan to stay for at least two months, you can apply for a visa on arrival that can be聽extended for another 30 days. Those planning to stay longer in Indonesia can apply for a 60-day聽tourist visa in advance. This visa can be extended for an additional 30 days for a total duration聽of 180 days. It is recommended that digital nomads have a work permit, especially when in聽office or coworking spaces. Failure to have a proper work permit may result in penalties,聽including imprisonment or deportation.
Which are the best Indonesian cities for digital nomads?
Jakarta is the capital and largest city in Indonesia and the political, economic and cultural center聽of the country as well. By choosing to settle down in Jakarta, you will experience vibrant聽nightlife, as well as large shopping malls and all the facilities that a big city usually offers. That聽said, it should be noted that high traffic congestion and pollution rates in Jakarta are the main聽reasons driving digital nomads, like travelers, to cities further afield, such as Bali.
One of Indonesia's largest islands, Bali offers a wide array of workspaces, especially in Canggu聽and Ubud.
The Canggu area stretches from the north of Seminyak to the south of Tahan Lot. The village of聽Canggu itself is a small coastal village located in the south of Bali. It used to be a rather quiet聽rural area, with rice fields alongside some of Bali's most beautiful beaches, but over the years, it聽has grown into a more developed region, although it has retained its quiet and serene聽atmosphere. The area is home to many small local businesses, as well as cafes with a laid-back聽atmosphere surrounded by lush nature and reliable infrastructure, which appeals to many聽digital nomads.
Ubud, on the other hand, is synonymous with yoga, meditation, healthy eating and smoothies!聽Ubud gained popularity thanks to the book "Eat, Pray, Love" which later inspired a movie of the聽same title starring Julia Roberts. If you are looking for a nature getaway with a healthy lifestyle,聽Ubud is definitely the place to be with its organic restaurants, vegan cafes, and huge cleansing聽centers. Ubud has become a favorite destination for digital nomads despite its overall relaxing聽atmosphere. Hubud, the region's first coworking space, was named one of the top 10 in the聽world by Lonely Planet.
As the world's largest archipelago, Indonesia has plenty of small, idyllic islands like Gili, Lombok聽and Sumatrato, to turn to if you're willing to skip the comforts of the bigger cities.
Internet and coworking spaces in Indonesia
Although it does not offer remarkable internet speed, Indonesia has made considerable聽progress in this area in recent years. According to the Speedtest Global Index, the average聽download speed is now around 10.51 Mbps.
You will have no trouble finding a comfortable place to work in Indonesia, unless you are in the聽countryside or in a remote location. There are plenty of coffee shops in most cities, and in聽some, you';ll even find coworking spaces. Jakarta is home to the most coworking spaces in the聽country, but you'll still find a few in Bali, including Canggu and Ubud.聽Be aware that many coworking spaces in Indonesia had to close their doors temporarily or聽permanently due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Check the Internet to find out more about the聽spaces that interest you.
Coworking spaces in Jakarta
, Kawasan Perkantoran Grand Panglima Polim, Kav 90, Jalan聽Panglima Polim Raya No. 16-17, RT.2/RW.1, Pulo
, The Maja Lantai 1, Jalan Kyai Maja No. 39, RT.12/RW.2,聽Gunung, Kby. Baru
, Jalan Wijaya 1 No. 5C, (Tendean-Wijaya Intersection), RT.7/RW.4, Petogogan,聽Kby. Baru
Coworking space in Canggu
, Jl. Batu Mejan No.88
Coworking space in Ubud
, Jl. Monkey Forest No.88X
Leisure in Indonesia
Indonesia offers the ideal setting for nature lovers, hikers, eco-travelers, and those who wish to聽combine their professional life with relaxation and beautiful scenery. The Komodo National聽Park, home to the 3-meter-long Komodo lizards, is one of the country's must-sees, as are the聽beautiful islands of Flores and Padar. You will also have the opportunity to contemplate聽magnificent Hindu and Buddhist temples, including Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in聽the world, Tanah Lot, a traditional Balinese temple located on a rock surrounded by water, and聽Prambanan, a Hindu temple from the 9th century, among many others.
Useful links:
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