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In general, Bali is a beautiful place on our planet, where you can survive pretty well on a very small budget. The Cost of Living here is dramatically lower than in the US, old Europe, Australia or even some other parts in Asia.
I was asked many times by readers how much I spend here and what the Costs for my daily expenses are. There isn’t a general answer to these questions - after all it depends a lot on your personal preferences and demands.
Show me the money:
To putting that in a better perspective; I compiled a spreadsheet with the most common day-2-day items and put some real life prices behind it.
It’s a simple and subjective list of items, which of course won’t reflect completely your own lifestyle or spendings. But you will get the picture. 
Please be aware that those are all local average prices - like everywhere else, you can spend a whole fortune here in a short time; if you don’t calculate, pay attention to your spendings or which channels your money goes.
Also bear in mind that prices go up all the time. The official inflation rate in Indonesia is currently 7.5%, in reality it’s probably even higher.
Good for you - if you earn your money in a country with less inflation and your base currency is stable or appreciating, you still save more or spend less over a year - even with rising prices in Rupiah.
Costs in Bali are generally higher than in other parts of Indonesia, with the exemption of maybe Jakarta. Some items are surely way more expensive than in other parts of Asia or the old World.
I would see Electricity Costs and Internet Costs (not in this chart - but more details here or for 3G internet here) falling into that category.
Would you like to see additional items or expenses in this list?
Please let me know via the Comment Form and I will update the spreadsheet accordingly.
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Great info here Chris. I think these prices are quite correct. Funny you brought in divers products, from eggs to hair extensions
Thanks! I didn’t realise rent was so cheap in Bali. You’ve gotten me interested…
yeah thats right dude, thats why Bali is a paradise for the rest of us, not only by the beauty of the island but especially because how cheap things are in Bali in regard to the huge difference of the exchange rate
hi, could you find the prices for toiletries like toothpaste ect? Also maybe waxing costs for us girls? great bit of information there!
Soph, I will try to get some waxing costs for you and add to the chart. What comes to my mind right away; a piece of soap (local brand) costs around Rp1.500, while some branded soap (Dove or similar) is around Rp6.000-10.000.
Those differences apply to other toiletries as well. I use a local Toothpaste for Rp6.000, but you can also spend easily Rp30.000 for Sensodyne or other branded/premium products. Hair Shampoo similar. Will check the latest Flyer of Carrefour to get some more examples for you there…..
I guess putting it into a bit of perspective you’d have to take into account average wages on Bali as well, unless you don’t need to work or you’re on an expat package of course, then it might not matter, but to most folks it would.
You know the prices better than me, though!
Update: I added the requested toiletries and some Waxing costs, as well adjusted the exchange rates (19/03/2008: 1 USD=Rp9,254.09, 1 EURO=Rp14,509.47)
@ Indonesia Matters: yup, that is an interesting point!
Based on my readership I assumed that most foreigners interested in living here, will either be (semi-)retired (and live off their savings in USD/Euro) or have some sort of Income in hard currency via Online or Export Businesses. Only than it’s truly cheap or very affordable to live here.
I have to say, that I don’t know any Expat in Bali, who works on a local job, besides voluntarily or for charity. With an estimated starting salary from Rp700.000 (or even less) and an average household income of Rp1.5-3 Mio. it’s easy to see, that many Balinese struggle to make ends meet, especially in the rural areas - and even with the above costs of living.
I wish I was there right now. Maybe after the Olympics…
You can easily live off of 500 USD a month (if you are way frugal) to “the sky’s the limit” in Indonesia. I would say that 1000 USD a month is probably the average if you want an apartment, booze, food, transportation, entertainment, DVD’s, ect, ect.., your basic middle class lifestyle
If you want an Upper Class lifestyle with a big house, maid, driver, dinners at the Ritz Carlton and a generally large life you will spend around 5000 USD a month in Jakarta
Personally I like Jakarta better than Bali (I have lived in Jakarta for over 5 years), but I am more of a city person. Plus the touts and hustlers in Bali annoy me
Hi! Your blog is so nice. I will be travelling to Bali by end of march. Would you know the best airline from Jakarta to Bali and how long is the flight going there? Thanks!
It should take about 1 and ½ hours from Jakarta
As far as flights…
Indonesian airlines are a bit scary considering there safety record but if I had to suggest one I would say garuda air because they have supposable gotten there safety back in order. I also like Lion Air, when I first moved to Indonesia I used to take them all the time. But my flying hobbits have changed after a few planes dropped out iof the sky – lol
Hi Chris, you know the price better than indonesian people like me. Two thumbs for you!
I just want you to know that I’ve never been on Bali Chris
But I’am sure that the living price in Bali is more expensive than Bandung.
Yes that correct living cost in Indonesia is very cheap compare to Europe or US. Bali is region with high living cost for Indonesia standard (the others Jakarta, Batam, Surabaya). Income like $1000 a month is count high for Indonesia people.
And also if you depend so much in technology like Internet, Indonesia can make your life ruin
James G, thanks for helping out Julie, while I was traveling the last couple of days!
I can only second your impression about Lion Air, they really seem to be the most reliable Airline in Indonesia currently.
And yes, regarding Cost of Living, it seems that we have a similar thinking there as well.
Julie and denny, thanks for the compliments! Yep, Bali is probably a bit more expensive than Bandung, but then here are also more foreigners and it’s further away from Java, so everything has to be brought here over longer distances. These points maybe drive the prices up as well. Still, for the average foreigner, things are still very affordable and mostly cheaper than in our home countries.
Great Info , Chris …
Chris …
What is your job in Indonesia ??
If you move from any country … from years to years …
I wonder how you get incomes / salary to support your life ??
Even if i work hard it will be very difficult to travel like you …
I want to know how you manage your finance to do this nomad life
Holy crap, they need to re-evaluate the currency. All those zeros are crazy. Tell them to reprint some money.
digitalnomad - agree with you completely. That idea was brought up already many times, but nobody decided on it yet. Let’s see another 5-10 years with 7% inflation each and the pressure to do something will surely rise.
Budi S - I don’t work. Instead I live from passive income like rent, interest, dividends accumulated during my previous working life. I’m by no means a millionaire, but have low demands and don’t define myself by the material goods I need to possess, so I can survive fairly well from it. I tried to put this concept into some posts, which you can find under the categories ‘retire’ and ‘money’ on this site. Simply chose the category in the upper-left sidebar and scroll through the older posts for some more information on the matter.
Oh yeah, I’m trying to earn some money from this site as well, thus the Google and other Ads. Although this income stream is improving quite nicely, it wouldn’t be enough yet to make a living from it.
Hi there, really good information here =D>. I am going to be on holiday in Bali for 6 days. Would like to make the most of it . How much would you say it would cost me approximately (I dont need exact figures
for food , to check out the local nightlife and a bit of scuba diving and travel to some of the nearby islands and places of cultural interest? Thanks
Hey Chris – I put up a Cost of Living Example for Jakarta, Indonesia on my blog if you or anyone else here would like to check it out
http://www.TheProfessionalAdventurer.com/?p=17
.
rashmi - figures for food and nightlife you can find in the chart above. As for travel to surrounding islands, that really depends on *where* (Lombok, Java, Flores, Komodo, Nusa Penida, …) you want to go and how - by ferry, plane, speedboat. It’s tough to give any general recommendations, as prices vary a lot. Although I would say that within 6 days, you won’t have enough time anyway to check out Bali AND surrounding islands. It’s easy to underestimate the size of the island and distances/time to get from A to B.
As far as I recall Scuba Diving Prices are in the range of USD 25-55 per dive, depending on location and what equipment you bring/rent.
James G, thanks for the link - looks interesting and very familiar!
wow thanks for finding that out! incredible considering a brazilian wax in the uk cost around $60 (£30). im off in two months and i cant wait!!!!
soph - you may want to check out Bella Waxing Salon in Jalan Kunti (close to Bali Deli). That’s were the above prices are from. My fiancee tried a few other places but always goes back there for Waxing. Although the prices are generally quite low in Bali, some places really don’t seem to know what they’re doing, techniques vary a lot and you might experience some more pain than usual.
Hi chris - we are planning to go Bali this week. We are from Malaysia. Do you think with RM500 (ringgit malaysia) can survive for 2days and 4 days in lombok. we are in tight budget…..TQ
Aron Nat - that may be manageable, if you have your transport options (flights/ferry) paid/covered already. It really depends as well where you are staying and what you plan to spend on food and entertainment.
Sounds like you are at least 2 people, so is the amount for both of you or per person? Please also bear in mind that every person has to pay an airport tax of Rp 150.000 (about RM50) upon departure. All the best for your trip!
Hi Chris ,
You seem to know so much.
Would you have an idea about…..how much a maid-cook…..how much a gardener-driver….per month . If one rented a house , and it was not included.
And - is it easy/difficult to find these for a 4 month term ?
Muchas gracias !
Rolando - thanks for the compliment! Actually I only put together what I deal with every day anyway.
I don’t have a maid here, but you could probably get a full-time one for Rp 300-500.000 per month, if you provide a room and food. Or someone to come by once a week for Rp. 50.000 for 2-4 hours for cleaning.
Gardener-Driver is a funny combination, but I’m sure that’s possible as well, I just don’t know the costs.
But if you think about it that the average salary for housing staff is here usually below 1 Mio. Rupiah and the average office salary is between 1-3 Mio. Rupiah, you get the picture about what sums we are talking here.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to find someone for a limited period like 2-4 months. I would recommend asking around, your neighbors, your landlord or other people you know. Usually they will try to help and come up with some relatives or other people they know with the required skills.
Hi there!
I’m going to Bali on Sat for 2 weeks, the first week I will be in tanjung Benoa, the second week in ubud. I am having a budgeting panic, do you think $1000AUS will be enough or am I dreaming? Accomm is paid for already, I don’t plan on doing much sightseeing/shopping, just relaxing and eating!
Please help!!!
Don’t know exactly about Bali but elsewhere, say Java, a full time driver is going to cost you up to a million a month I think.
[...] Cost of Living here is still highly affordable for the average foreigner and it will improve even more, due to higher inflation compared to your [...]
Kirsty, 1.000 AUD is almost 9 Mio. Rupiah, that is almost double what I spend here in a *month* (if I count out housing and other costs you won’t have). I would say you can live perfectly well from that without being too frugal. But then - it all comes down to what you need and what your demands are in a perfect holiday.
Indonesia Matters - many thanks for helping out with the estimated driver costs.
Hahaha, wow, thank you!
I’m planning on spending a decent amount on food, but that’s about it really!
Hey Mate,
Very impressive site, i imagine you would help a lot of people all over the world with your information. my girlfriend and i are seriously thinking of moving to Bali for around a year soon and i am investigating the surrounding costs.
I was wondering what housing would in your opinion would suit a couple who dont want any luxuries and are on a limited budget? and the prices for a years rent and electricity?
Also what types of employment are available for people in their early 20’s? i am willing to work in any conditions.
Thankyou so much mate i really appreciate it
Dan
Kirsty - don’t worry, you will be fine then. Great food is really affordable here, especially if you are used to Australian prices.
Daniel, thanks for the friendly words - I try my best to be of any help.
For a young couple you could rent a small house for about USD 300 per month. If you look around you can even find one fully furnished, which would ease the initial reduction from your starting capital for new furniture. That’s what we did and are still happy with.
But it’s really up to you. In the list above you can find some examples for what is available (as well as electricity), but don’t let yourself restrict by it too much.
There are plenty of housing options available here, in fact supply is much higher than demand. So you as the customer are king - if you take your time, negotiate good and see at least a dozen places. There are plenty if overpriced deals as well, so it really pays for you to take your time. You could live the first month in a small ‘Koskosan’, which is actually a room with attached bathroom (around Rp.400.000-700.000) and look around first to find your right place for longer term.
Regarding work, I wrote a few articles about that already in more detail. Basically it would be better, if you could generate an income in hard currency (EUR, AUD, USD) and use the softer Rupiah and higher inflation in Indonesia to your advantage. That means basically Online Business like Blogging, Daytrading, Webdesign, Programming for foreign companies or else.
Here on the ground, there are surely local jobs for foreigners available, teaching English, Dive Instructor or similar i.e. in the Hotel Business come to mind. It depends on your skills of course. But it will also be more difficult to find these jobs as there is plenty of competition and - maybe more important - you will be paid local wages.
This can be quite tricky, as the local average here is maybe between Rp. 750.000 up to 3 Mio. Rupiah.
As an Expat that could mean a very frugal life for you.
Some other people work in Import/Export businesses or in the Art Scene. But again - highly competitive and surely no guarantees for easy success.
I know that maybe doesn’t sound too encouraging, but you’ll have to find your own way with the options that are there.
Hey Chris:
Great info mate! Seriously I’ve been to Indonesia 3 yrs ago and man I’ve loved it………..I haven’t been to Bali or other islands in Indonesia mainly in Java in Jakarta for business with a friend. I know the prices in Jakarta I was there for 2 months living there and compared to New York that’s where I’m from, it’s cheaper than New York I gotta say. I’m trying to go back this 2008 hopefully at the of May or early June but this time for a get away on a backpacker budget really budgeting than the last time I was there. I was thinking $2,500 or $3,000 until mid August would be possible……….What do you think mate?? I will land in BKK first then off to Jakarta to vist some old friends then off to Bali maybe to the Gillis. Please tell me if it is possible on a avg budget of $3,000 is possible?
Thanks a million!
Chris,
My wife and I am looking to relocate from Singapore to Bali to retire I have found a school for my 7 year old daughter, a house, and pretty much everything I need to live a good life on the island. My concern is and it really is the only one, is safety, security, and the underlying coruption. Having read a number of blogs some of them have distilled the above to such a degree that know one would from any other country live here. This is clearly not the case 20,000+ expats seem to enjoy it. You nseam to be a level headed person with no particular axe to grind, I would appriciate your thougths,
Kind regards
Chris J Parr
[...] in the tradition of the Cost of Living Chart for Bali (which I updated with todays exchange rates for better comparison), you can find the costs for [...]
Rodney, I think you should get along with it, if you’ve been in Indonesia already before. It’s more than what I would spend in a similar period, if your flight costs are covered already. So don’t worry, enjoy your trip and your stay here!
Chris Parr, first congrats to your decision to retire in Bali!
As an ex-Singaporean Expat myself - I can relate to your security concerns. Hardly any cities/regions come close to Singapore in that regard. But Bali shouldn’t be a problem for you. Of course you have the usual pickpocketing and overpricing for foreigners, mainly in the more touristy areas. But once you get the hang of local customs, you pay (almost) local prices and simply won’t leave the house with your gold necklaces or jewelry around your neck or hanging out of your pockets.
Robberies are rare and usually not done by Balinese, as they would risk being alienated within their own communities. If you rent a Villa or house you can have your own security guard(s) as well, alternatively the local Banjar (community leader) will certainly approach you for using their services (patrolling around your house at night etc.).
Of course, corruption is present, the most obvious examples are the Traffic Cops, but besides that it can be easily avoided. Don’t do anything illegal - especially drugs - and you won’t have any problems. But hey - there is no difference to that in Singapore.
Getting by without bribing governmental institutions or officials (e.g. for Visa and other things) is very well possible - it just sometimes requires more time and patience. If you feel better spending money than your time, you can always engage an agent to do these things for you. It then simply depends what costs more, the bribe or the agent. So it’s up to you in which way you want to support the local ‘economy’.
Just don’t expect a very efficient and quick bureaucracy like in Singapore and you are well set. Things will work here as well in the end.
All the best for you move!
Thanks so much for this information. As a potential first time visitor to Bali I found this so interesting and helpful
Regards
Ebony
Hi, I’m Indonesian-American actually. So sick and tired of this Western life now ;( OK, I have this question, how do you handle your tax as a German? Do you also know by any chance how the American fellow travelers like you handle their tax thing? Or maybe even a pointer or a link, if you have. I’ll start roaming again in 2010 I guess. So I’m trying to get armed with the right information.
Thanks a lot!
Hi JD, there is definitely an advantage in the German Income Tax System here. I get only taxed in the country where I earn money. As I’m currently not residing in Germany I don’t pay any taxes there. If I would work in Indonesia I’d only have to pay taxes here, but I don’t. When I was working in Singapore I only paid my taxes there - so it’s really pretty straight-forward.
The American tax system is - as far as I know - based on world-wide taxation. That means, wherever you work on our planet, the IRS will get its share of your income. I don’t know what would be the best way to handle that, probably via an Accounting/Tax Expert or Expat Support Service like ORCA or else. Maybe some of the American readers can elaborate a bit more how they do it?
Hey Chris,
Great Info…
I’m just wondering what the absoult cheapest would be to live renting a studio apparetment, single person and still eating cleaning all that jazz :P would be for say a year?
Working with the Australian $ …
> . .<
Thanks Chris! Sorry for my late gratitude.
BTW, I do wish to see less Aussie in Bali. No Aussie is even better. They are completely white-trash. You know what I mean, right?
German like you is ok though.
Dear Chris,
I am from Vancouver Canda with a wife and 2 year old and one on the way..I am seriously thinking of moving to Bali for a year. I have sufficeint funds to live there for a year so that is not an issue…the questions i have are regarding the aspect of raising kids there….ex pat Social scene for the young family type..also asshe is preggers with number 2 …due Dec 26th are there good facilites availble for a home birth? difficult question but any info would be most appreciated..
The concept of living there for a few years whilst the kids are still young intrigues me…..
Bettina, just scroll down a bit in the chart above, you cam find the prices for that under Housing. With Studio Apartment it’s a bit a hit and miss, depending on the facilities. You can rent one from as low as Rp.300.000-500.000 (Kos Kosan, maybe the cheaper equivalent to a Studio) and up only the sky is the limit. An average I would say is maybe 2 Mio to 5 Mio, if you want a decent apartment (3-5 years old) with modern equipment.
JD, I sometimes have a similar feeling with my fellow Germans as well. But then, you have black and white sheep in any herd, and let’s not forget the even more colorful ones.
Ravi, I want to strongly encourage you to try that out. It’s really not that difficult, plenty of foreigners live for a shorter or longer period of time here. Myself, I wanted to stay maybe a year, now it will be almost 2. Kids are naturally welcomed here and won’t have difficulties of bonding with others, foreign or local alike. Bali has as well modern medical facilities, if you want to be really sure, use Australian-operated hospitals or medical institutes like BIMC. About home birth, I have to pass - I’m sure it’s possible, many Balinese do that also, but I have no idea about that concept. You might want to check with local hospitals, if they offer that as a service as well?
Dear Chris,
Thank You for your prompt and courteous reply. Much appreciated. I will look into the Australian hospital facilites also.
Can you recomend a place for a young family to live …close to the beach and amenites and ex pat community ….but not too close to the night clubs and noise..?
Also what about car and driver…. do i have to buy a car? or should we cab it? how much to get a driver and car for on call duty?
I will be working in Bangalore bi weekly also FYI. I welcome your thoughts and once again thank You for your valuable insight..we should meet up for beers when i get there? You rule…thanx for your help…
Ravi, you might want to check out Seminyak, Kerobokan or Canggu just north-west of Kuta. That’s where most foreigners live who don’t want to have the noise. It’s a pretty mixed area and taking your time to look around, you can still get good deals on housing. Jimbaran and further to the South can be interesting too, great scenery, but I heard that in the dry season, it can be hard to have water permanently. It’s quite rocky and dry in general.
Plenty of foreigners live in Sanur as well, there is a substantial Expat scene as well.
You can rent or buy a car - it really depends on your needs. A driver for a day can cost anything between Rp 80.000 - 300.000, so if you plan to have one permanently, it may be better to employ one. Thus you could get away with Rp. 750.000 to maybe 1.5 Mio. Rupiah, As well, driving yourself isn’t that hard once you get used to it.
Hi Chris, next year i’m planning on living and studying in bali for 6months-1year on a social visa. I was wanting to know how much is the cost of living per month for living in legian/seminyak/west denpasar (near nakula) in a 1-2bedroom indonesian style house or apartment or bungalow? I’ve got many friends that i’ve asked about this but it seems a get a different answer everytime. Food etc i’m happy with local food (nasi bungkus/campur etc) along with the occasional western meal. I’m also probably going to buy secondhand motorbike which i’ll sell at the end of my stay. Cheers, Ali
ali, to help finding your own specific costs of living, I compiled the above chart for you. You may get different answers from different people, as only you will know your needs and demands. Do you smoke? How many pack a day? Like to drink beer? Party? Need 4 beer or 8 cocktails to enjoy your night out? See the point?
There are people here surviving on USD 500 a month, most Expats I know need between USD 1.000-2.500 and other spend easily USD 5.000 or more. It all depends. Take your time to find the place you like and avoid touts and agents, you can save more money doing that. If you don’t have time, but plenty of cash, simply do the opposite.
Hi….wow…talk about EXACTLY what I have been looking for! I was all over the expat sites and have been looking everywhere for this and other information about Bali. Thanks! I really like the large amount of info. that requires/allows me to sift through and make my own judgements. Lots of interesting stuff. Naturally, any additional “costs” for living in Bali such as internet/phone costs would be great. Was wondering if there is a section/article about visas on here? It is a VERY confusing but important topic. Thanks again!
just wanted to say thanks for all the useful advice and information in the chart. im off in 2 days and i cant wait, im so excited!!!
hi mate is there a limit on bringin rp into bali i have changed 5mil and have 800usd is that ok with the customs there
soph - have a great trip and plenty of adventures!
Robbie Marshall, if I remember correctly, the limit is 10 Mio Rupiah, so you should be fine. Just watch out for crook money changers, it’s most of the time better, to simply draw local currency with a bank or atm card. The fees are comparable.
Sydjapan, just click on the ‘Visa category’ in the sidebar to the left. There are a few articles you might want to read first. If you have any specific questions, just post them in the comment form of the respective article. Thanks!
Thanks
Hi Chris, thank you so much for the advice! I’ll be back in Bali at the end of the year and I have also have a strong social network up there whom all have said they’ll help me find somewhere to live. Just their idea of the cost of living in Bali is a bit different to mine (120USD per month !) I think i’ll plan for about 1000USD per month just be be on the very safe side. I smoke alot more in Bali than usual as its so cheap but dont drink that much, probably once per week or fortnight. I cant believe people would spend 5000 a month! Are they eating at ku de ta and drinking over priced australian wine every night?!? Again thanks for the advice. ali
Hi Chris,
Great information!!!
My wife and I have been living in Vietnam for the past 7 years. I work in the furniture industry and she works in the hotel industry.
We are planning to move to Bali to live there, for a year, or as yourself, for longer! We know South East Asia pretty well, are accustomed and love to be living here. I reckon from your info that we may live on about $2500 usd/month including house and home expenses (that’s now a bare minimum in Vietnam for 2 expats)
We have a new born baby, so no bar hoping or anything like that for us. We are considering Bali for its beauty, generous spirit and access to a wonderful natural environment. We both love sea activities.
I would like to ask if you have any resources for job hunting and what you think salaries are like in the furniture industry ?
My wife wont be working, so I would need to make enough to live and enjoy the island. In any case, we are very excited and feel lucky to be even able to consider moving there!
Cheers,
AA
AA, wow, where do you live right now in Vietnam, spending USD 2500 with ease? I would say you can survive fairly well on that money here in Bali, including your little family.
For job hunting I would start with the Bali Advertiser, The Bali Times and other publications which advertise jobs. I saw that you posted on the balipod.com forum as well, that’s also good. But check around with other Expats too. I’m not familiar with the furniture industry, but from what I see, it’s highly competitive. There are countless furniture shops in every main road all over the island, so unless you know what you’re doing and bring experiences/clients from other countries, I would see it as a tough bet.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the feedback.
We live in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) and yes cost of living has climbed steeply in the past 5 years, and specially in the past 3 years.
I will check for local furniture manufacturers etc… I have a good network of international clients and experience in international sales and marketing that I hope to present to companies in Bali.
For housing, are there double pricing? Meaning a price for locals and one for foreigners? (that’s the case in Vietnam) Any good sites for house hunting?
Cheers,
AA
AA, oh yeah, here is plenty of double-pricing. I would recommend coming here and taking your time for house-hunting. Also try to talk to the owners instead of talking to agents. Agents will definitely inflate the rental prices to increase their commissions. Drive around the area you like and look for the rental signs with telephone numbers. Make calls and see at least 10-15 objects to get a better overview of the market. Don’t agree on the first price thrown in, but negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!
I like HCM/Saigon very much, it has a nice laid-back charm. Didn’t know that it became so expensive though. Anyway - all the best for your move and all the new plans!
Thanks for the info Chris,
If you do come by Saigon, let me know, we’ll grab a 333 Bia Lan!
Cheers,
AA
AA - thanks for the offer! I will take you up on that one day!
Chris,
I am making a trip to Bali in Oct 08. I had a few questions?
I live in America..so with your expense chart..i should be fine
tell me..how is the cell phone network? Do you get pre paid cell sims easily? Wats the cost? Am looking for an accomodation for 2 weeks max 1 week min. I doubt they have websites to get a decent house/bungalow. Where do you suggest i should search for these? I am looking for a furnished place.
What about driving? Can you rent cars from airports? Do they have Hertz etc? What side of the road do they drive? UK or US Style? Is Bali a safe island?
Whats the best way to travel to bali? Coming from LA?
Thanks buddy!
Hi Travel 101, there are at least half a dozen prepaid providers available here, you can buy a SIM card literally at every corner. You can rent cars or bikes (scooters), although more expensive at the airport. I’m not sure about Hertz, but there are some bigger rental companies at the airport, although I would take a taxi first and rent somewhere close to my hotel. It would be much cheaper this way. Driving is on the left side of the road. Best way to get here is surely by plane, but I’ve no idea, what’s the best airline from LA currently. Probably Singapore Airlines, Cathay or Thai - I’m not so up2date about American airlines per se. Is Bali safe? Safer than most American or European Cities, I would say. Burglary or Pickpocketing exist here as anywhere else, but hard crime is veeery rare. Regarding safety, there is an interesting thread over at Lonely Planet, for anyone who is interested. Anyway - all the best for your trip!
Hi Chris.
Firstly may i say, many thanks for taking the time out and making this blog with all this invaluable info. It has really helped me a lot in assessing everything.
I’m living in Australia at the moment and studying a very demanding course correspondence through a UNI in South Africa. So i just want to go somewhere inexpensive to just chill and study without having to worry about paying my way in a place like Sydney which as you probably know is ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, and easily the most expensive in Australasia.
Do you know any good sites I can check out for apartment/villa/flat/house rentals?
Many thanks mate
Keep up the good work
Chris
Very valuable information here. Any experience using VPN and Remote Desktop services as well as VoIP services like Vonage in Bali and/or Jakarta areas?
Thanks for the valuable information chris
Also interested in answer to billy’s comment. I’m currently work from home and do all my work over the internet. I’m considering moving to bali and curious to know if internet access and mobile phone services is reliable since it’s vital for my job.
Billy and Tim K, not sure about the detailed VPN or Remote Service you require, but they shouldn’t cause any problems. You can get meanwhile reliable and affordable internet in Bali, the services you need are just another layer on top of it. So, you might want to check out these posts and valuable comments, regarding Internet Access Options and 3G Wireless in Bali.
Skype VoIP for instance works very fluent here including Video Chat and I tried successfully logmein.com as a remote services with computers of my relatives back in Germany.
Chris, the better option is to check here on the ground. My experience is that you don’t get the real good deals per e-mail or online. Come here, stay 1-2 weeks and drive around to your favorite area, to check the available options and prices. Negotiate and try again. This way you don’t overpay and don’t contribute (too much) to the ever increasing housing costs here.
It’s great what you have done,Chris.Very informative.
I’m only taking a decent rp3.5mil to spend for 4 days. I haven’t booked any accomodations, but I’m only eyeing the budget Inns that are plenty around Kuta. Do you know by any chance wether it’s peak tourist season or not? I’d be worried that my chances of getting a room would be slim. 
If I calculate my spendings according to the prices on your chart, I think I’ll survive,don’t you think? I’ll be moderate. The cheapest room I’ve seen on the net is $12 per nite at Suka Beach Inn. Could this true? If it is, I fear that it’ll be fully occupied. Any suggestions for spontaneous travelers like me in going about looking for a cheap place to stay? Could I just walk-in without reservations?This is my first trip out of Malaysia, I hope Rp3.5mil is enough to at least enjoy myself there, even a little bit. 
Wish me luck…
I’m flying solo to Bali tommorow from Kuala Lumpur. Hope the prices from your chart are still current.
Thanks
Biej, while I admire your adventurous side, it IS currently high season in Bali. It can be a bit difficult to find a cheap room, as there are heaps of tourists around. Your best bet is probably walking around the Poppies Lane/Kuta area, checking out the cheaper guest houses OR to get out of Kuta as soon as possible! Probably it will be easier and cheaper to find a stay in Kuta, due to more choice and easier access. Best of luck!!
My family and I are coming in October to Sanur. This is our first time in south east Asia and we are very excited. My nine yr old daughter is concerned about snakes, should she be?
What are the must see in Bali?
No beach (we live in Honolulu, Hawaii).
Thank you for all your help.
Hi Nadege, although there are plenty of snake species in Bali, most of them are harmless. You won’t probably see any of them during a normal holiday.
hi chris,
i am a filipina (philippines) and had been offered a job to work in Indonesia in the garments industry.. i was having second thoughts because though there are similarities in culture and language, i dont have knowledge in the cost of living. Its great therefore to have found yoursite for the very informative piece there regarding costs and stuff… thank you!
Hi Chris,
Very informative site man!!! I have been sponsored by a company in Bali and am moving over there in Nov 08 from Perth AU . My needs are simple as a single male, although enjoy the obvious party on occasion . If a furnished rental equates to $300 US p/m in Jimbaran or similar, what are the costs of other ammenities (power etc) ? Realistically $500-1000 US per/m - is comfortable??
I wish to live close to the beach however not in the club / hussle regions - any areas you can recommend?
Insurances - better from this end or are there companies there worth checking out?
Cheers
Rellies
gina, thanks for the compliments and all the best with your new job!
Rellies - all in all, your budget is perfectly realistic for a single male to get along!
I can’t tell you much about insurances, as I don’t believe in the whole concept. But there are some Expat insurances here also, though it may pay to compare a bit with the ones offered in your home country. Medicine is overall cheaper than in the West, medical services are from very basic and local to what-costs-the-world-all-best-standard. And you could always fly to Singapore, if in need of some serious fixing.
hi there.very good site my friend.you gave me a lot of information which i really needed.well done =D>
$5000 a month, sounds a bit much i took just under $5000 for 6 weeks in bali with my wife and 2 children, i ate at restaurants, hired a bike, hired a car, took taxis , presents for my family, shower, tv, for there home, bribed the police, ate all day my wife went shopping everyday and bali women can shop harder then most women and i couldnt spend all my money , i came back with $1000, possibly $2000 if i wasnt giveing it away .
=D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Hi Chris
Your info is really great. Been looking at numerous sites re-early retirement ,Costa Rica, Dominica Republic, Ecuador etc but all are really to far from home. Except for Bali !! After what has been happening in the financial markets, things are pretty grim. If I brought over AU$350K could I really buy a small place (2 bed, 2 bath, aircon, telephone connection, laundry, outdoor area to have a BBQ) close to golf course and beach and live off the rest. I have no children or partner. I will not receive a pension of any kind for 9 years as I am 51 now. Small super in 4 years. What power do you have there? I would like to bring my electrical stuff etc. What would the cost be for a good piece of rump or fillet steak cost? Sausages? for a bbq ofcourse. The cost of a reasonable car to go to the golf club, food shopping etc? 5 year old and small. No need for extravagance there. Do you know any expats around my age from either NZ or Aust that is now living there who may wish to give me a hand via the internet?
Am going to plan a 3 week visit to have a look around. During that visit, where do you think I should make my headquarters?
Lets see what comes of this
Many Thanks
Patrick
Patrick, it’s good that you will come here for a short trip first, before making your decision to move permanently. This way you can experience the place firsthand and make up your mind, if Bali is for you. You should be fine with the money you have, although I would recommend against buying property. Sure, there are plenty of Villa Enterprises, who will tell you differently, but the facts remain - there is no legal and safe way for a foreigner to own land or a Villa in Bali.
As well you won’t have troubles finding other Aussies or NZers to connect with, just use common sense, if people try to help you too much. As like in every holiday paradise, rip-off and other scam artists exist aplenty.
Hi Chris
Can you tell me of some websites to look at rental/lease properties?
The ones I have found so far are very expensive compared to your list.
Patrick
Hi Chris…
very useful information you have kept…
I am from India..and want to plan my honeymoon in Bali..
can you guide me for the same..??
Thanks
Patrick, you won’t find the best deals on websites, as most of the better deals are offered by locals who either don’t know the internet or can’t afford agents. I would recommend a local approach as well on finding those deals. Rent a bike/car and drive around the areas you would like to live. You will find rental signs aplenty with the direct telephone numbers of the owners. No middleman, no agency, no overhead for internet advertising. Don’t forget to bargain though!
Isha - wow, what a nice thought celebrating your honeymoon in Bali. Although I must admit that I’m the wrong person to ask on how to organize it. I’m neither married and I right now only one person I know come to my mind, who did that here in Bali - Travel Betty. Maybe you want to get in contact with her?
hello Chris, greetings from Mauritius. I have questions for the ‘other way round’. I would like to recruit 2 spa therapists to work in Mauritius, as expat for 1 or 2 years. How much do you think I should offer as wages for someone to work abroad, taking into consideration airticket & accommodation be paid by the company in Mauritius ?
For a similar expat position in the admin department, how much would be a good salary? Would US$ 600-700 be interesting?
Thanks, Terry
Terry, I have to pass on this one. For local Indonesians there are for sure certain formalities to comply with, of which I have no idea of. It could help though to ask your question again in the Bali Forum. There are always knowledgeable people glad to help.
Hi Chris..
Thanks for the information but that link is not opening..
Regards,
Isha
Isha, oops, just saw that you have to click through on the link which comes after. Or try balipod.com only without the www in front.
Hey, i’m interested in moving to either bali or jakarta, i am a chef with about 3 years experience. What type of salary would I be looking at there? And would that be enough to survive off of?
Any help would be greatly appreciated…
Also, how long of a process is it to get a work permit? (1 year permit)
Chris, this is really good info. I hope you have time to update it. Here’s a question for you, though. Is it significantly cheaper to shop for food - rice vegetables, tofu, tempeh, fruit,etc. - in local ‘pasar’ or in supermarkets? E.g., in Thailand now, in urban centers, supremarkets can actually be cheaper beacuse of their bulk purchasing power. And what about quality?
[...] From Food, Drinks, to Housing or Transportation - Bali will give you plenty of bang for your buck. Your Dollar or Euro will go a long way here - if you want to calculate that in more detail, check out my Cost of Living Chart for Bali. [...]
hi chris, how much to rent a 3 bedroom standard indonesian house in bali for a year,bye russell
Justin, I’m sorry - can’t help you with that. Hoped that somebody would answer, that’s why my late reply. It all would depend on your international experience and skills. You certainly would be able to live comfortably off your salary. A Working Visa is usually furnished in short time, once you have a confirmed employer.
John, it usually is cheaper to buy bulk on a local pasar, but supply can be unsteady and limited. If the Tofu is finished that day, it will be finished. That wouldn’t happen so easily in Carrefour or any other big retailer, but then it surely depends on how much you buy and what kind of products. Quality-wise you can have good or bad luck in both. I bought milk and cheese which was off in Carrefour, even before expiry date. Old fish hit us on our local market, Pasar Taman Sari, but the Cat had the worst of it.
russell, too many factors to consider here. Location, layout, standard, facilities. It will probably be anything around Rp. 3-7 Mio. per month. More easily, if you engage an agent to find your special place for you.
Hi Chris,
shopping, taxi and meals. already have a place to stay.
heading to bali this saturday from perth and wondering if 3million rupiah would be enough for my basic living like few beers every day
thanks mate
HI
I am Jason a commertial pilot in usa . I want to fly at a beautiful place .
although got a job offer too from a company based in Jakarta . They are paying on average $1000-$1300 Per Month, housing and food (local) is also provided .
Is this enough to stay there and even save some money for my further training .
Planing to work for 18 months .
Is food a problem there for americans and what about local food , can we adjust with that or its totaly different from what we have
How much will i be spending on average for a normal living habits
Thnx
mitchell, Rp. 3 Mio for how long? For a week for you alone I would say sufficient, for a month probably not. It all depends on your lifestyle.
Jason, is that USD you are talking about? It still sounds a bit too low, if you are a commercial pilot, even though housing/food would be provided. I have no idea about salaries in the airline industry, but for Jakarta standards I would guess that it’s pretty low for a Pilot.
cheers chris
can u recommend any good places to shop?
it will be for 8 days cant wait man lol.
but sounds like it should be enough money
stayin in legian….
or should i just play it by ear?
dont live like a king just a beak from work and a few pressies and grog lol so should be enough u think?
cheers for the info if i see ya there i’ll buy you a drink mate
mitchell, for shopping, Erlangga Market in Denpasar is famous for cheap clothes and all the kinds of souvenirs you find in the touristy areas. Just that Erlangga has price tags, so no bargaining and no rip offs. Matahari or Ramayana shopping centers are nice as well for everything else. You can find them in Kuta or Denpasar.
After 2 years Bali, I moved on to Goa already, so we probably have to postpone the drinks for now. Anyway - enjoy your trip!
Such a good source of info………..i have no questions left.Thanks very much…..going to bali to surf and chill for a fair while!Cheers!
thx for the info chris. i’m from jakarta and just got a new job at an IT company based in seminyak. i’ll be moving to bali by the end of this year. this article will be a great help to start planning my move.
but i still have a few questions:
1. where can i find more info about kos-kosan, rumah susun or other rented housing?
2. i heard public transportation basically doesn’t exist in bali. should i buy a motorcycle?
3. r u planning to add laundry cost to ur chart anytime soon? if u do, could u also add the cost of hiring a maid? here in jakarta there are maids that’s only hired to do the laundry (i dont know if this is also common in bali), so u might wanna add this too.
btw, currently 1 USD == IDR 13.400 [via: http://www.klikbca.com
Rizky, the smaller rooms are usually not offered via agents, you have to drive or ask around and find them yourself.
You heard right, besides ‘bemo mini buses’ there isn’t much of public transportation, you would have to rent/buy a bike or a car. Maybe even with chauffeur, but coming from Jakarta, the traffic here shouldn’t be a problem for you.
I currently don’t plan to update the chart with extra positions, as I can’t verify them (I moved to India recently). There are countless laundries everywhere in the main centers, most charge per Kilogram, or they have price lists. You will have to shop around and compare a bit. For a household of 2 persons, we spent around Rp 100.000 every 2 weeks for laundry.
You can have a maid as well, again as live-in maid for 300.000 to 500.000 per month. It all depends, what you want the maid to do and if they live in your place or come (every day, bi-weekly or else) to your place to work.
Yup, the Rupiah is much lower the last couple of weeks, I will probably update the exchange rates of the chart in a few days. I want to wait first, if the trend continues or reverses and the Rupiah will go back to more normal levels. I wrote an article about that just today. Have a great time in Bali!
how often do you update your currency chart?
I will probably update it within the next 2 weeks, when I publish one for Goa/India as well for direct comparison.
hi chris,
I’m from jakarta, but dont know much about bali like u. Well.. I must move to bali on dec 15th to start working at hotel there in tuban. can u give me some info about ‘kos-kossan’ for me around it ? i need full furnish+bathroom+ AC in my room. thanx
yotasya, as I said many times earlier, you would have to come here first and look around for yourself. Kos kosan is mainly a one-room flat and never advertised on the internet or elsewhere, otherwise it wouldn’t be so cheap.
There are plenty of them in the Tuban area as well, just walk around in the second row (away from the main road) or ask around. People are very helpful and I’m sure you won’t have problems finding some. The should cost anything between Rp 400.000 to 800.000/month, depending on how old, bath inside/outside, if AC, furniture, tv, electricity included etc.
Have a good trip and good luck for your new job in Bali!
[...] Cost of Living Chart - Bali [...]
Good list - Of course being Irish I checked beer and am surprised local beer is so expensive in comparison to other food stuffs - must be an additional tax?
Yup! Beer is one really expensive item in Indonesia, compared to neigbors Philippines or other countries in Asia like Laos, Vietnam or even Thailand.
Here in India, beer is cheap as well, although not so tasty like a precious Bintang or Bir Lao, due to the glycerne they use as preservative in India.
You live in India now? I’ve travelled as well now but i’m now making my last stop in Bali. lots of respect to people like you though> how long have you been doing this and where else have you been or are you planning to be?
have fun.
Hi Ramon, just read the box “Who’s that guy?” in the left sidebar.
There are no concrete plans for other destinations so far, but I will stay probably another few years in the Asia region. Simply love it here, weather, food, people-wise.
Hi Chris
Your resourcefulness and easy approach are impressive and likeable.
I am a Singaporean who have lived the last 20 years in Europe. I have 2 children and in recent years, feel a pull towards moving back to Asia. I still have family in Singapore but have no desire to live there with my kids (visits are OK). I am thinking of visiting Bali for a few weeks next summer with the children (June 2009) to have a feel of the place with the intention of moving there at least for a couple of years the following year.
Since we would not have a lot of time to get to know Bali well enough to decide on which part to relocate to, I write to ask for suggestions. Ideally, near the beach but not too touristy and also preferably close enough to the mountains. Would you recommend looking into Ubud or Sanur parts of Bali?
I hold a Singapore passport, speaks English as a native does, have done a TEFL course (though 8 years ago now) - how easy or difficult would it be for me to get a teaching job there?
My kids are of schooling age and have no Bahasa behind them - would like preferably place them in a public school where English is also taught alongside Bahasa.
Your information and suggestions are much appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
Zuzi, your approach, coming to Bali for a few weeks is the right way to do it! Some things you can probably clarify via internet meanwhile (see below). Sanur could be a good choice to live and even from Ubud the ocean is only 1-2 hours drive away. Another option could maybe be Singaraya in the North, which sees less tourists and is pretty nice and quiet. Seminyak or Canggu could be options as well, due to close proximity of international schools. So far so good.
Now to the more difficult parts: job, visa and schooling. You can certainly try to land a better-paid English teaching job, but it could be difficult to get one (lot’s of competition). A local job wouldn’t be sufficient to supply you 3 guys, especially when you are used to Europe’s standard of living. Internationally paid jobs are very rare in Bali. The average salary is between 1-3 Mio. Rupiah, definitely not enough for a family of 3, who isn’t born here.
Visa is another topic, where I would see need for clarification. Singapore and Indonesia are both ASEAN nations, but even among those there are different regulations. You should check, how long you can stay on your Singapore passport in Indonesia. Initially there is no VOA (Visa on Arrival) necessary for ASEAN countries, but if I’m not wrong, the time to stay is limited also. So you would probably need a different Visa for longer stay. And your children would probably need their own passports (what citizenship do they have?). Maybe you can check with the Indonesian Embassy or reader Channel 1 can answer that. You might want to contact him via his website (see link), as he is doing Visa services as well.
The next thing is schooling. Although I think it is possible to get your children into a local school, teaching is definitely done in Bahasa Indonesia except maybe for English as a subject. That wouldn’t be sufficient for them. Another option are the international schools in Bali, which are mainly in the Seminyak/Denpasar area. They are more expensive as well, but lessons are done in English. Maybe you can contact them via the internet and inquire for rates and locations? Then you could check them out in detail, when you are here, visiting.
You see, there is still plenty of homework to do, as well I can’t unfortunately answer all your questions. Sorry!
Anyway, all the best for your next steps!
the only difference between Asean passport holders and others is 30 days free VOA…it used to be 60 days…
[...] Cost of Living Chart Bali in Rupiah, Euro and Dollar [...]
Hey Chris,
Great blog. I’ve spent many months in Bali pre 2004 but have been off on other travels since then, but am coming back to settle for a few months before settling in Brazil (whoop!). Your costings are pretty much spot on and they haven’t really changed that much which is good news for everyone.
My only advice to your readers is escape the kuta trap ……. many many pounds and dollars are frittered away there (we love to party). Hang out there a bit for sure, its amazing fun and i used to rent a room for a $3 as a base for the night to crash and recover but to settle for a while and experience Bali head out to a more rural area where its cheap and CHILLED.
My question to you is about internet speed and reliability there these days. I know there is broadband, but is it fast? reliable? and are the wifi spots any good? I’m an intraday currency trader so reliable broadband is vital to keep me trading …….. and ultimately travelling.
Thanks Chris. Keep up the great work!
Dave H, Brazil? Wow! That sounds to me like a great destination to settle down! I was only once for a week shortly before the South American Financial Crisis and the only thing I remember, that they fed me with lots of meat (stifado?) every day, until I couldn’t move anymore.
Regarding internet in Bali, they have broadband (it’s called Telkom Speedy) and 3G as well. Reliability is both a mixed bag and depending on your location, although it was getting better with every passing year. You might want to check out my posts regarding ISP’s in Bali and XL’s 3G Service with more details and prices. A rant regarding reliability you can find here as well. Good luck!
Hi
what I read some of you have good access and experience to Bali
maybe you can give me some advice..
I want to move to Bali with my future wife (she is from Jawa Indo)
I just dont have any income when I move how can i live has anyone got any ideas
I have been offered a Hotel to rent or Villa which i rent and can rent out to other poeple but I am not sure if this is a serious business
I NEED ADVICE…….
I will be thankful for any tips…..
AJHinter, that’s a tough call. The best jobs with better (international) salaries are probably in the hotel and restaurant business, at least 4-5 stars. If you can work online on the internet with an international firm, that would be a way also. Or you are a famous DJ or Artist to perform at one of the many Bali clubs. Teaching English - maybe.
Other than that - if you don’t offer any unique services or possess unique skill set or are already financially secure - it will be tough for you to make a living here. The average local salaries are something you’d spend in 1 week instead of a month.
Renting a hotel or villa to sub-rent is nothing to make a living from in my view - too much competition and serious me-too service. Import/Export is done by many, but I would say more than 50% don’t turn a great profit through that, again competition, customs and other hidden costs.
Sorry to disappoint you, but without any current income streams to come and start here from scratch will only work if you have serious savings to keep you afloat for awhile (at least 1 year), to keep you going to buildup your future income streams.
Hi!
This information is wonderful!! Thank you very very much! I am an MBA student in the US with a huge global project on Indonesia. This cost of living information is impossible to find anywhere else - & I’ve been searching for days!!! I do have to say though that this project has given me a whole new perspective about Indonesia. I apologize for bothering you, but I was hoping that you could help me with three questions….Do you happen to know what the hourly minimum wage is there? the price per gallon of fuel? and (this is a hard one…anywhere I could find how to estimate the costs of building a soda bottle cap manufacturing plant (land, materials, regulation issues, etc.) there, specifically in Jakarta - but I’m thinking that there is close enough :-) This is completely a theoretical project…and it has been very very difficult to obtain any information. Any help at all would be greatly greatly appreciated! I know very few people out of my state and no one that lives out of the country! Again, Thank You!
yup cris all the prices is same as me went go to indonesia is perfectly cheap.and you know whwt tootpaste only Rp3000,00 so cheap i hope i can stay more longer then when i back to visit indonesia thanks chris very good blog
hi chris keep up the good work, great information!
im looking at being in indonesia in july for a month and after seeing jakarta and a few other places in java im going to base myself in bali and see lombok, rinca etc.
i was wondering where you would recommend in bali to stay for two people renting a 2 bedroom place for around 2-3 weeks, we would like some mod-cons but nothing too luxurious. we are both quite young (mid 20’s) therefore we would like to be near some entertainment but nothing too crazy. how much would you think renting a place woud be?
plus what would you say a rough budget would be for 3 weeks in bali.
thanks in advance
rich
Lisa, sorry no idea about that. An office worker may earn around Rp 1-1.5 Mio per month, working Monday to Saturday. But salaries vary a lot and most people would probably make much less. So I’m not sure if that’s enough to calculate an average for your project.
Camilla, somehow your style of writing remind me of some other reader of this site…
Richard T, you can stay almost anywhere in the Southern tourist belt. Rooms and Villas are available in all price ranges, hard for me giving you any good particular recommendation. Most action is naturally in Kuta, but Jimbaran or Sanur are maybe for your liking as well. Renting a 2-bedroom place would probably be a Villa (more expensive, starting minimum from USD 75-100 per day) or 2 Hotel Rooms (from Rp 50.000 each to sky-high). If you plan to go to Lombok, the ferries go from Padang Bai, which is further to the East. Despite some Reggae Bars, there is almost no entertainment in East Bali all the way to Padang Bay.
Regarding your budget - it’s all up to you. See the prices above and calculate: how much you’d like to party, if you need 2 or 3 full meals every day, if you like McDonalds or prefer local food and you can get a much better picture regarding your necessary budget than I could get using my crystal ball.
Hey chris… Wow ur site is amazing…
Ok im goin to bali for the first time.. even the first time out of aus for me .. i have heard so many great things about bali… do u think ausD 1000 will be enuf for my one week stay.. and i would like to see the tigers over there but couldnt find price or info about it … and also what are ur top 5 things u would tell a newbi like me to do whilst on holiday at bali
many thanx Zoe
Oh and is Kuta paradiso hotel a nice hotel and area to be staying in ???
Zoe, congrats for taking your first trip out of Australia! 1.000 AUD should be enough for a week in Bali, depending on your needs for accommodation, partying and other expenses. Sorry, no idea about hotels, I stayed in a rented place the last 2 years. Tigers??? You probably mean the Bali Zoo? There is actually 2 of them, but I’m not sure, which one has Tigers. The most popular one (the Bali Safari & Marine Park) - even recommend by the late Steve Irwin - is just East of Sanur, on the highway to Padang Bai, but the entrance fees are quite steep. Something around USD 25 per person, if I’m not wrong. Good luck and have a great trip!
still interested in Bali……
Thanks for the infos, I am still not sure how i can get to Bali and stay, to live 2-3 years is not aproblem on my funds,
I am an advertising expert but I think in this line of business in bali is not so good,
I also do Day Trading from europe is this possable from Bali, and if anyone knows with which company or Bank i can do online handle with cfds which is easy to make money and how about the connection?
I also would like to rent out jetskis is this interesting? as far as i can see there are 3 companies in bali doing this.
One company in Bali have garanteed me if i rent villas they will rent them out with 55-60% a year making a profit upto 50000,00 USD a year, I am not sure if they are cheating, it sounds to stupid to be true and they garantee this, I think they are not serious.
Hope to hear from you all with some tips
Thanks
AJHinter, are you serious??? You are kidding, no??? This offer “Villa Rent Guarantee offer” is obviously a scam, there are many cases like this, especially in Bali. Be very careful with something, that sounds too good to be true.
Just think about it, why would anyone guarantee you a profit of 50.000 USD a year? You are the foreigner and give some local a ton of money. They will promise you anything but will run as far as they can and you will never have a chance to even get back what you put in. Even if you have everything in Writing. Even if you find them. Even if you have a (good! and expensive!) lawyer. Even if you know the Police Chief of Bali.
Remember, this is not your home country, being right and getting right are 2 completely different pair of shoes. I can’t believe that you even consider that offer, it’s for me simply a joke to see, how far they can go with a ‘bule begoh’.
AJHinter, sorry, forgot to answer your other questions:
I don’t want to disappoint you, but renting out Jetskis isn’t a new idea. As you mentioned yourself, there are at least 3 companies who do that already, so first you will compete against local businesses (not a good idea, as you can easily run into trouble and nobody will protect you - the foreigner) and second you have only a “me-too” business. Third - it will require a substantial amount of upfront investment. Sorry, but I just don’t see how you will even be able to make ROI within 3-5 years, not to talk about making a living from that.
Regarding Daytrading, that’s perfectly possible, either with your trading system back in Europe (just login via a secure internet connection). Make sure that you have a stable internet provider. There is as well a service provider for the JSX (Jakarta Stock Exchange) and BEJ (Bursa Efek Jakarta). One of their offices is at Jalan Marlboro close to the intersection Jalan Teuku Umar. They provide direct access via trading rooms, trading screens or connections to your home as well. I’m not so sure about the initial costs, but everything is possible.
Sorry, if I may sound a bit too negative, but you can more easily burn a lot of money with businesses in Bali than making some. What you need is either a unique product, service or skill, an online business which is not dependent on the local economy or something where you have costs in local currency, but income in foreign (hard) currency. Any other business, where you offer “me-too” services or compete with locals will most likely fail. And definitely no Real Estate. No joke!
hi..chris are you stay along in Bali..maybe i will come in short period time there for working..Now i’m stay at Dubai,UAE..if salary goes to SGD 5800 are good for get a quality life..
Mukri, I don’t stay currently in Bali, but in Goa/India for the last 4 months. After this I will probably move to other countries in South East Asia before moving back to Bali. Anyway - have a great trip and sure, with that salary you can live almost anywhere very well, especially in Indonesia.
Hey Chris,
So me and a few friends are going to Bali for 8 or 9 days for mid-semester break. I read about the Bemo “buses”. Are they reliable at all? Or should we plan on having to take a taxi everywhere? We plan on going from Denpasar to Jimbara/Uluwatu and Kuta then back up north to Ubud. What would be the cheapest and/or most reliable way to travel around?
Jeff, sure the Bemos are reliable, although open and without aircon. After all, the Balinese use them every day. Bemos take as many people as will pay/fit and are a reasonable fast mode of transportation, although a bit of an hassle, if you have plenty of luggage.
For me the best mode is renting a bike, but I can understand if you don’t want to risk your life in the crazy Denpasar traffic. The Traffic Cops of Bali are a different topic with which you have to deal, when driving yourself.
If you are a few friends together, even taking Taxis is relatively cheap, if you only stay in the Southern part of Bali. Just make sure they use the meter and you should be set.
Hey Chris,howsit going mate..
Listen probaly out of all the websites ive checked yours has got exactly the information ive been looking for..
A mate and I are going to Bali in April this year for amonth,pretty stoked and can hardly wait to surf some of the worls greatest lefts..
We’re quite easy going blokes with no need for luxauries and sorts so on say bout $500.00 each you reckon we’l be alright?We have agreat place to stay round Uluwatu’s bout $100 for 30days so thats accomodation sorted..so you think we’l do ok on the remainder? We’re from Africa by the way
Appreciate you giving me ashout back
Thanks
Jay
Jay, thanks for your friendly comment! I’m sure you guys will be alright with the planned funds. Uluwatu is pretty laid back and cheap. Food is very affordable almost everywhere in Bali, especially a bit further away from the touristy aeas, Uluwatu included. If you get bored out there, for more action you can always swing yourself on a bike and drive to Jimbaran, Tuban or Kuta. Maybe 30-45 minute ride.
Hi Chris
My husband and I are thinking of relocating to Bali and wonder how we would go. My husband is a young 70 year old. He is a carpenter joiner by trade and would never live without doing something. I am a few years younger than him and can teach internet/typing/sewing/knitting etc.
What sort of things should be our main priority etc.
Thanks. Love your site.
Sue
Sue, you will for sure enjoy it! The locals are friendly and very respectful of elder persons. Just make sure you have your visa papers in order and move a bit away from the noisy and overcrowded tourists scenes. For a bit more quieter area, plenty of people like North Bali.
Handicrafts are mainly produced in the area around Ubud, which you might want to check out as well, if you are interested in these activities. Best thing would probably be to check it all out when visiting before making the big move. What in particular are your concerns?
Hi
Im going to Bali in 2 weeks time we are staying in Nusa Dua, we were looking at taking between £1500 to £2000 spending money for 2 and a 1/2 weeks. We already have our accomodation paid for and it is on a b&b basis, going off your chart at the top i am guessing that this should be plenty…would you just be able to confirm this and am i right in thinking that Nusa Dua is a little bit more pricey?
Many thanks
Natasha
Natasha -definitely confirmed. And confirmed also. Have a great trip!
Hi Chris, I appreciate what you’re doing here, and it’s great to speak with someone who takes the time to thoroughly answer all of these questions by everyone interested in living in Bali.
I currently reside in the U.S., and don’t have a whole lot of money. You see, jobs are being cut left and right and I have lost my job. What little money I had is almost all gone, and I feel that my only way out is to live elsewhere in the world where what I have left will go a little farther than it would here.
If I were to get myself to Bali on just $2,000 to $3,000, how long will that last me while I settle in (finding a job, getting a cheap place, maybe eat only 2 or 3 small meals a day, etc.)? I know you have said that it all depends on how you live, but I’m saying that I can live on as small a budget as I can for as long as it takes to come up with some sort of income.
As far as my skill-set, I know enough to be a health and fitness trainer, I’m pretty good with computers, fluent in English, and I do quite a bit of writing (maybe work as a newspaper editor? I don’t know…).
Any help would be appreciated, and thanks again for all your insights!
Sha, you are welcome. I feel you - concerning your job, costs of living and life savings!
However I’m not sure, if it would be a good idea to move to Bali with 2.000 or 3.000 USD only. That would bring you probably over 2-3 months, if you live thriftily and don’t have high demands. But then what? Getting a job in Bali as a foreigner is the hardest thing, if you don’t have special skills, as there is always someone who will work more, longer and harder for less money. The average salary in Bali is around 1-1.5 Mio. Rupiah, which is currently app. 85-130 USD/month. No way you as a foreigner would be able to survive from that, as you’d pay already more for day-2-day items.
If you don’t have a working internet business, can do successful stock or forex trading or don’t have special skills in the restaurant, hotel or tourist industry - it will be especially hard for you to survive more than a few months in Bali on that amount.
Seriously. Plenty of locals speak great English, have excellent computer skills. You could try to check-out English schools, if they need a native speaker, but competition will be tough.
And we don’t even talk about your Visa yet (costs, sponsor).
Health and Fitness trainer might be something, but then you would certainly more cater to the Expat community, as that’s where most of the money is. Not sure, if you can build up something within 2-3 months. Regarding newspaper editor, there are some (few) English newspapers (mainly weeklies) in Bali, you might want to check beforehand, if they have any job openings. Google for Bali Times, daily Jakarta Post (Bali office), Bali advertiser (distributed free, Ad-financed).
I’m sorry, if my reply doesn’t sound too rosy, but I seriously hope you can work out a way that works for you!
Howsit going again Chris..
Listen thanks for the response on my earlier message,appreciated alot..
been living like a beach bum for the last month and abit just to get my ass over there haha
Regards and Respects mate
Hi Chris,
We will take your advice. We have been to Bali before so we do know a smidgin of the life style and if we did decide to move there we would have no problem with income.
All the best.
Jay and Sue, you are most welcome! Enjoy your stay in Bali or wherever you may roam.
Hi Chris,
I appreciate your advice in general.
I live in Bali already several years and can confirm that your advice - especially for tighter budgets - is great.
However, when it comes to a (great) living here, it’s wise to avoid many traps. Especially if you want to invest!
It starts with the understanding that Asian have a smile for every mood.
It’s the culture to avoid direct conflicts or confrontation. (loosing face).
A Peer Steinbrueck (the German Finanzminister) would have big problems here. http://www.nomad4ever.com/wp-includes/images/yahoo/14.gif
Don’t insist if they might reluctantly say MAYBE (mungkin), it was probably a ”nicer way” of telling you NO!
Sure, some of them consider the foreigner as an ATM machine and try their luck, but they are harmless compared to the foreigners doing business here
especially in “helping” other foreigners.
They easily get your trust because they are white and speak your language and know your mentality!
I call them Cowboys.
A lot of them live and work in a grey area.
It starts at the airport when they promise (on big ads) you can own freehold land.
Bali is a dream island and people easily get carried away.
They do or accept deals they never would do in their own country.
(I sure paid my own lessons some 9 years ago.)
legal) things are changing in Bali too.
As a foreigner you can ”own” land but only with the right of use! (Hak pakai).
That’s the most secure way for a foreigner (the government remains the owner).
Using a nominee (= borrowing a name is tricky and dangerous, even they try to convince you it is not).
Ask for simple documents before you buy, like, was the construction tax paid, exist the IMB (building permit) aand is the swimming pool mentioned, was the land and building tax paid in the last couple of years!
Since last October: for any land deal is a tax number required!
(The same is valid for business and many foreigners are having problems now).
Eg: doing rental business without a license was very common!
Even if you rent: Clarify (at least) a fire insurance.
The landlord usually doesn’t have one and if you check the electricity cabling, you understand what I mean.
There are many things to consider, but when you could avoid the worst traps,
Bali is the best place to retire (that’s what I do).
I did trading via e-banking myself.
Globalxtreme (ISP) is reasonable ok.
I cannot recommend to trade on the JSX. (Jakarta bourse).
(you mentioned the possibility in a previous blog).
Manni
Manni, great insight here! Especially being aware of other long-term Expats. And I can’t stress enough the dangers of getting involved in real estate and property deals in Indonesia. There is nothing what can make your money disappear faster (maybe only doing drugs). As a foreigner you will never ever own land in Indonesia and real estate property probably neither. Even as an Indonesian you will loose out in court against a Balinese concerning estate in Bali and if your skin is even white, prepare to be taken for a great ride!
Hi Chris
Where is a good place to start looking for rental accommodation on the net as we are just trying to put a budget together for later this year. We have been to Bali many times and know our way around reasonable well. Thanks for the costs they are pretty much what we were paying in January.
Thanks
Viv
Viv, I would say, forget online! The best deals you won’t find there. Only overpriced houses, villas or accommodation in USD. Get a hotel room for the first 2 weeks, rent a bike and drive around the area of your choice. There will be plenty available. You will see a small sign ‘for rent’ or better ‘dikontrakan’ and the owners telephone number on available houses. If there is an agent’s name, forget it. It will cost you an arm and a leg. The longer you rent in advance, the cheaper for you.
Some rental information in addition:
The online issue for expats living in Bali can be interesting to get a feeling for some rental prices.
http://www.baliadvertiser.biz/current_ads/index.html
This link is pretty useful.
I myself was looking for a while into another interesting option:
Looking into overcontracts for some leaseholds!
If only some years are left on the current contract (1-2 years?), very interesting prices can be negotiated. They are usually furnished or semifurnished.
Not many clients want them.
If you are flexible, that gives a lot of time to look around for the future home.
Most houses are declared as a “villa” (even they are not) and the less expensive ones/simpler ones are called a rumah.
(Usually the difference is an existing swimming pool ?).
Most owners asked for a yearly rent in advance.
Be prepared to be responsible for any maintenance, insurance or other costs
(garbage, banjar costs, etc.)
It also depends if you live rather in an expat area or within a local housing area.
Manni
Again, to rent on a yearly base, no rental license is required by the owner.
But any short time rental requires a license and I bet, not many owner got one.
Great advice, Manni!
Hey Guys
Thanks for your help we will try what you suggest
Viv
hi chris,
i’ve only just stumbled across your website ….i love it
lot’s of great info. i see you’re no longer in bali so not sure if you’re still taking questions on it? i agree with your pros and cons of the place. i’ve just returned home from my last trip there. i visited lovina and then amed on the east coast this time and have to say amed is almost my favourite place in asia. do you know much about the place? i’m considering living there for a while.
cheers
john
john, sure, try it out! Just make sure, that you don’t overstay your Visa, as that could lead to manifold complications. Other than that - you are welcome!
thanx for the reply chris
i’m sure you answer many questions but i actually had a question in there for you……”amed” do you know much about amed or have any useful tips or information about it other than it’s a great place to snorkel
and yes the visa issue is one i need to figure out…leaving the country for a day every month is a pain and is costly
john, sorry - I simply didn’t know what you meant with your question “knowing much”.
Amed is a pretty quiet fishing village, without any particular action and it has a nice hill overlooking the whole scene (called ‘Lovers Rock’, as that’s where the Beach Boys bring their prey for a romantic evening). They produce some of the best Arak of Bali here and in the neighboring villages. It’s called Fire Arak. Besides exploring that and what you mentioned (snorkeling), nothing much you can do there, but that’s what many people come here for. Simply hang out, do nothing and enjoy the day and surrounding nature in a very basic way.
For me the best thing about Amed is the view towards Gunung Agung. It appears very close. Seeing the clouds built up there and the changing colors and cloud formations is simply breath-taking.
I wrote some more articles about Bali’s Eastern coast (including Amed), you might want to check out this one and this one here.
hay i am going there in 3 months bye myslef and i wonted to know what would it cost to do like tours and staff over there .. and what is over there to do
ricky, congrats on your decision to visit Bali. There are many tours, tour operators, destinations and what else in all colors and price classes. It will be difficult without any specific details to shoot an average price for you.
For a bunch of possible activities, you might want to check out the following article, especially the 2nd section ‘The Good’ and corresponding links from there.
i am to stay at club bali jayakarta bali residence.. is there anything close to that i can do and is it cheap over there becasue i am goign to take about $1500 aussie dollars over there,, cheers mate
ricky, if that mentioned Club Jayakarta is in/near the Jayakarta Hotel in Kuta, that’s quite an upmarket resort.
Still for tours I don’t know what you are looking for - zoo, diving, camel ride, see waterfalls, swim with dolphins, roundtrip around the island, volcano climb, jungle trekking or else. There are millions of options. In the above link there are some suggestions, but regarding prices, there’s way too many options to give any concrete advise.
Upmarket hotels usually charge tours in USD, while if you look around and check with independent tour operators, you can pay in Rupiah, even negotiate and save a lot of money. $1500 Aussie seems quite a lot to me, but then it’s not clear if you stay 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 months and if you are a big spender/clubber and what you prefer to spend your money on. Cheap is something else for anybody.
Generally I would say for an 1-2 week holiday it should be more than sufficient, but your mileage may vary.
yer i dodnt know anything about the hotel becasue i got time share so i didnt choose it..and it is in Kuta..andi am there for just under 2 weeks..so i will have to get me money converted to usd ?? and will $1500 be enough if i have to covert it to usd i will have 1103.10
Convert to USD? Sure, why not - if you want to go on tours 24/7. Otherwise I would insist on paying in Rupiah, after all you are in Indonesia. Right?
cheers mate thanks for the help
i am going to take aussie doallars think it iwill better
Hi Chris,
Hows it goin. I’m thinking of heading to Bali for around a month in June. How much $AUD do u reckon i wud need for to have a good time and b comfortable. I enjoy havin a few drinks couple of nites a week and will prob stay in half decent hostel but not fussy!! Will take up some of the well known activities and tours but dont want to spend too much on them!! Just a rough Backpackers estimate of costs please in order to have a good time for a month! Thanks
kevin, again - these estimations are hard to make from my side. I don’t know you, your funds or your spending habits. Most cost items you have in the spreadsheet above.
Also I would always advise not to bring too much cash (or cash only). A Bank Card is much better, just draw what you need. You will avoid the crazy money changers and still get a good rate for your day-to-day expenses.
Hi Chris,
Great blog! Inspired me and helped a lot as I’m planning a trip to Indonesia in August.
I was planning to split my 15 days in Indo between Bali and Yogyakarta. Of course, I was planning to use a domestic airline to fly between Bali and Jogja…until I read about the airline safety record.
Now, I’m thinking of staying only in Bali and trying to explore as much of the island as is possible. Do you think it’s worthwhile to do this - or would it be worthwhile to risk flying to Jogja for a couple of days?
I don’t know much about Bali - do you know of any good hikes there?
Is it better to book accommodation in Bali before August, or can I just arrive there and then find a place/places to stay? I’m afraid the reasonable accommodation places might be fully booked by the time I arrive…
If you can help with info - thanks!!
mich
Michelle, actually most Indonesian airlines improved their safety standards significantly over the last couple of years. The most notorious Airline (Adam Air) was shut down a while ago. I can especially recommend Lion Air for cheap and reliable travel within Indonesia.
Regarding accommodation: I wouldn’t recommend booking too far in advance, as you will pay more. There are so many options available locally, there will also always be rooms in any range available. Also most hotel websites are poorly maintained and rarely up-2-date. To have Bali fully booked, the tourism numbers would probably have to double, which is pretty unlikely in the current economic climate. Just come here, check out the area you want to stay with a taxi and negotiate a hotel price locally.
For a better overview of activities in Bali, you can also check out this article, including links.
For hikes, there are plenty of options in Bali. Either ask a tourist information, which are every few meters in the most touristy areas, or rent a car or bike and explore the island yourself. You can also rent bicycles in most areas, but check this with a tourist information.
Thanks Chris - that’s probably the quickest response to an enquiry in the history of enquiring ^^
I’m flying with Garuda airlines, which I’m told has an okay record (if you don’t count the couple of accidents in 2007 - I’m trying not to think about it too much). If Garuda is actually an awful airline, please let me know.
Otherwise, thanks for all the info. I look forward to exploring the islands - as much as is possible in such a short time.
And thanks for your website - it has helped me more than even my Lonely Planet guidebooks.
Michelle, you are most welcome. You also should be fine with Garuda! Have a great trip!
hay mate i payed off me trip to bali i am staying Bakung sari hotel kuta…. have u heard of that hotel? i am there for 10 days .. should be good
ricky, no idea about your hotel! I never stayed in too many hotels anywhere in Bali. But I’m sure you will like it! Otherwise simply move to another, there is more supply than demand.
cheers mate
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to thankyou for all the info on Bali. Just got back last week and took the costs sheet above with me and it helped out a lot, especially buying at the markets. Stayed away from Kuta except for the first night the Balinese were asking as why we were staying in Lembongan,Sanur and Ubud instead of Kuta with the rest of the Aussie’s LOL. I went originally as a cheap holiday, but was totally blown away by the culture, architecture and the friendliness of the Balinese people. I will definately be going back. Thanks again for a great website!!
Shane
Shane, wow - many thanks for your nice comment! Makes me really feel good and reminds me that it’s all worth it, coming up with new articles once in a while.
I’m also happy that you enjoyed Bali and even better that you’re planning to return. It is truly a paradise island and over time you’ll love it even more. For me it’s also that when I’m away from Bali that I’m longing for it and can appreciate even more all the treasures it has to offer. Cheers mate!
Hi Chris
How do expat Australians go in Bali for their regulation medications? i.e. blood pressure/cholesterol medication.
You have done a marvellous job with all your answers.
Sue
Sue, thanks for the compliments! Regarding your question, tough to answer. I suppose they use (Australian-run) BIMC hospital or similar. I found them always at the higher end of my affordable price range. There are a few hospitals in Denpasar also, but it pays probably to shop around and compare prices first.
Great website.
I have not read through all the posts above so I hope I am asking you to repeat yourself but…. What does it cost at an internet cafe in Bali for say a half hour or so?
Cheers
Darrwhyl
darrwhyl, if I remember correctly, it was between 3.000-6.000 Rupiah per hour, depending on location (Kuta more, Denpasar less)…maybe someone can update us with some current prices?
Hi all
I like this site very much, I like too see a well serviced site.
I have written before a few times about livng in Bali, I asked for advice, and was not sure how i can get there, well things have changed to good and bad for me, i have a girlfriend from Java she stayed with me in Germany 1 year, now she says she wants to leave, our plan was to got to java where we have built a house together, she has paid a vast amount and me to, it was was a good project together i also helped her family with new accomodation in the new big house, in the time that the house was built i have concentrated on stock markets and invested my savings, with the hope i will be able to make a living in indo, well i studied so hard and took many risks and now i can say i make 100.000,00 euros a week which is crazy… just indo girls are a bit strange i dont know why they discard a clever good looking guy like me, who gave his sole, love and promise in making a good life for his future wife. What ever she do i will make a good life in Asia one day. Just don`t understand this culture..
ajhinter, are you sure you’re doing the right thing? If you are in doubt it’s maybe time to assess where you are now and what you want to do?
Surely Indonesians and all other Nationalities are different from our own (and other again also) and it’s hard to find someone ticking with the same wavelength like you. Just be careful with your money and don’t invest all your life savings at once (wherever you go)! As you found out already, things work different here and rules can change any time.
Reg. the love and promises thing - sometimes I feel we Westerners are quite contrary to the typical Asian male, we allow for more independence and equality which for some maybe is too new/different a concept to grasp and deep down inside there is some insecurity in the female psych towards that (which can be overcome only over time together), but opens subconscious cravings for the established (role) models. Does that make sense somehow or sound to indirect or even macho-like?
Hi Chris, I just arrived to Bali yesterday starting my nomadic life and wanted to update your list on two important items. Petrol went down to 4.500 Rps and a large Bintang went up to 17-20.000. Will let you know with more updates in the coming days.
Hi Guys and girls, Jurgen you must be German, but its does not matter, actually the Petrol prices are always around 4500 RP just in Bali the people get ripped off, I also have been ripped off in Bali at the petrol staion I filled my car which only can hold 120000 RP which I know but the Petrol boy turned off the meter and said 220000 RP I reported him to the police, but people be aware of the indos many will try to cheat because of there poorness.
I have my life in Jawa its cool there but go shopping alone no way all are trying to make a fast Buck…… Jurgen would I be glad to meet up….
Jurgen, the Petrol prices were reduced again due to the Economic Crisis. Actually they should’ve left it at 6.000, as that would reduce their subsidies and increase the money available for other projects. But then - there are elections coming up…
ajhinter, the petrol scams are everywhere. I had it also in Goa/India, where they simply ‘forget’ to reset the counter to 0 and add your fuel to the one of the previous guy. He paid already and you will pay yours and his and the petrol guy makes a quick profit. So always check, if the counter is set on 0.
Chris, are you sure that petrol prices are subsidized in Indonesia? I always thought that they are just lower taxed than in the rest of the world. If you consider that on the momentary price of one liter petrol in Germany (Euro 1.30) the government takes nearly 70% in taxes from it, we are at net price about the same level as in Indonesia. Further I believe that, in case you’re right with subsidies, it’s better to let the common people have a real impact on their portfolios instead of making some corrupt politician or bureaucrat even richer.
ajhinterYeah, let’s meet for a couple of drinks, maybe you can teach me in this occasion how to make 100.000 Euros a week…
Hi Chris,
Nice website – congratulations!!
I will arrive to Bali on July 3 and I am going to stay there for about two or three months. It would be too expensive for me to pay for a hotel for such a long time. Would you know if I could rent a studio or 1 bedroom apartment, furnished with internet access for two or three months only no more than EUR 200? What are should I be looking for?
Secondly, I will have to do some medical checkup and I don’t have a good insurance so most of the costs I will have to cover by myself. Would you know about the costs of let’s say visiting a general praxis and doing some medical testing? I am asking coz currently I am staying in the Philippines and I was surprised when I visited a doctor here, especially the medicine was very expensive, much more than in some European countries for simply antibiotics. It is very hard to find some information about this topic in internet.
And since I noticed that you are in the Philippines currently, how would you compare costs of living here and Indonesia? In general, where is cheaper?
If too many questions, just getting answer to one of them would be already great. Thank you!!!
Jurgen, I’m 100% sure about that one. Even wrote an article about it some time earlier. The problem with Indonesia’s fuel is, that they are not very efficient in producing it. So even though the country has its own oil reserves, it became a net importer a few years ago. For more info, just google ‘indonesia fuel subsidies’. And yeah, you can’t really compare Germany and Indonesia, as the first practically imports 99% of its fuel, while Indonesia currently only imports a small percentage of its oil demand.
cyryl, you might want to check out places like Canggu, Sanur or Nusa Dua (Village) for cheaper accommodation options than let’s say Kuta, Seminyak or Kerobokan. Try to find places directly from the owner (avoid agents) to get better deals and contract for the whole period instead of paying monthly, to bring the total cost down.
Regarding medicals, you are right, the Philippines seem to be here on the more expensive side. Best thing for you in Bali would be to go to a general practitioner for instance in Denpasar or Kerobokan, you will pay around 50.000-70.000 per visit, medicine is extra. There are plenty of pharmacies, so best to shop around for the best price - you will be surprised, how much they can differ for the same kind of medicine. The Kimia Farma near the big Teuku Umar Junction (Kerobokan/Denpasar) has usually good prices - and they have practising doctors also or can refer you to a specialist, if necessary. For international standard, you could try the BIMC (an Australian-run hospital).
Where is it cheaper, Indonesia or Philippines? Depends - Indonesia is generally cheaper, especially food-wise, accommodation (hotels) and overall cheaper costs of living. Cheaper in the Philippines is 3G internet (and more reliable, available also!) and beer (San Miguel of course), westernized/american-style food. That’s what I see so far.
Have fun in Bali!
Hi Chris,
My partner and I are going to Bali next week for 7 days and were wondering how much AUD$ we should take. Accommodation is all paid for, will be looking at doing a few tours, eating and drinking out and a few spa treatments as well as a moderate amount of shopping.
Fantastic website by the way :-)
Cheers
Kaz
Kaz, that’s hard for me to say and would solely depend on your behavior. I don’t know you and your drinking and food capacity, if you prefer local warungs, high-style restaurants, cheap stalls or Kartika Mall for shopping. My advice, bring some cash and a bank card and withdraw necessary funds accordingly. There are even Australian Banks, where you would be able to withdraw with less fees (aka Commonwealth Bank and others). Have lots of fun in Bali!
What a brilliant website Chris, thank you so much for the breadth of advice you have provided everyone.
Just finished reading all the comments, I am 18 and travelling to Bali for the first time on the 7th of July for 8 days. Do you know the costs of branded clothing? e.g Quiksilver or Volcom
Hoping to pick up a few bargains!
Thanks again Chris, this is by far the best website for information on living expenses in Bali.
Matt, wow thanks for the friendly comment! Hope that you will have lots of fun in Bali and will return many times in the near future.
Branded clothing - I don’t know the actual pricing, but there are some factory outlets of those brands mentioned in Bali (one near the airport at “Jalan Bypass” and several shops on Jalan Legian and in Kuta). A few years ago there was also Harry’s (or Hardy’s?) shopping center in Sanur for great bargains on brands, but I heard they stopped selling brands and concentrated on Bali crafts and souvenirs only. Anyway - shop around and compare, negotiate hard and don’t buy on the first days of your trip - you will most likely see what you like someplace else cheaper….