Top 5 Spots for Digital Nomads in Indonesia

Indonesia is a digital nomad’s dream. It’s a country I unexpectedly fell in love with thanks to its diverse climate, welcoming people, visa options, and affordability. 

So many people only go to Bali. But that’s a mistake. Let me share the places I fell in love with and why they are ideal for digital nomads in Indonesia. 

Spoiler alert! These five spots are the best destinations for co-working, building community, and incredible adventures.

Medan

Few tourists bother coming to this city tucked away in the west of Indonesia, perhaps because it’s more conservative than the hippie-loving Bali. But you should give it a go if you want a city vibe for your first weeks of nomadic life.

The vibrant, mildly chaotic atmosphere is akin to many of Indonesia’s cities, and there is plenty to do to stay occupied between working hours. Medan is the ideal location to immerse yourself in Indonesian culture, with all the conveniences of city life to aid your transition into nomadic life.

Additionally, its low cost of living and friendly locals make it easy to adapt to Indonesian life.

Pick between countless co-working spaces to maximize productivity and zip around the city on a motorbike to avoid overpaying for taxis.

What to do in Medan?

Spend days off exploring the nearby beaches or take a trip to the beach on Pulau Samosir, an island in Lake Toba.

Visit Maimoon Palace, which has a stunning mixture of traditional and modern architecture, and spend an afternoon relaxing at the nearby Taman Simalem resort.

The nightlife is milder than in other cities because it’s quite a conservative destination, so this city is best for the more seasoned traveler ready for a slower-paced nomadic life.

Where do digital nomads stay in Medan?

Stick to neighborhoods around the city center when staying in Medan. It’s close to all the top attractions and has dozens of unique places to eat and work.

For a quieter area, opt for the Deli Serdang district, which is primarily a residential area.

What to eat?

The best dishes in Medan include the classic gado-gado, an Indonesian salad comprising vegetables, eggs, fried tofu, and tempeh served with sumptuous peanut sauce.

You should also sample satay and pempek, a savory fish cake delicacy made from fish and tapioca. Sometimes menus will list it as mpek-mpek or empek-empek.

Coffee addicts should book a coffee tour to taste the delicious coffee originating from the region.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia and the country’s business hub. This bustling city is ideal for digital nomads eager to meet fellow travelers and immerse themselves in Indonesian culture.

Nicknamed the “Big Durian,” it’s a little costlier than other destinations, but the pay-off is worth the price tag. 

The vast metropolis attracts a considerable number of nomads for a reason. 

You’ll never run out of things to do. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy during the day, and the nightlife and food scenes are equally exciting and delicious.

There are always new people to meet thanks to its popularity as a tourist and digital nomad destination.

It’s a buzzing city with an electric atmosphere that sucks you in immediately. I’d recommend staying for at least a few weeks to soak it all up.

Jakarta has an old-school surface thanks to its conservative culture. Yet, beneath it, a vibrant nightlife and modern culture wait to be unearthed.

However, if you’re looking for a beachside town, this isn’t the destination for you.

What to do in Jakarta?

Visit the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta Cathedral, and the National Museum of Indonesia for a fascinating glimpse into the country’s diverse history.

Art enthusiasts will enjoy the eclectic offerings at Wayang Museum.

There are also plenty of theme parks, aquariums, and go-karting areas for digital nomads traveling with family. The Taman Mini Indonesia Indah theme park is perfect for letting off steam after a hard morning’s work.

Where do digital nomads stay in Jakarta?

Most stay inside the Golden Triangle, extending from south to central Jakarta.

Menteng is a popular and old neighborhood, perfect for quieter nomads. It doesn’t have a lot of bars and clubs, but it’s great for more of a relaxed, family vibe.

Glodok is a busy but safe area in the heart of Jakarta’s Chinatown.

What to eat in Jakarta?

Jakarta enjoys a diverse cuisine thanks to influences from all over the country. 

Visiting the Pekan Raya Fair is a great way to soak up the culture and food. It happens in June and July each year and hosts cultural performances alongside dozens of delicious eateries serving traditional dishes.

Start by trying otak-otak, which means brain-brain fish cake. No, it doesn’t have any brain in it, only deliciousness. It’s made of fish paste, spices, coconut milk, and lemongrass. Then it’s steamed in a banana leaf and served with spicy peanut sauce.

Another top dish to try is ketoprak, a rice cake made from bean sprouts, tofu, cabbage, and rice and served with a sliced boiled egg, peanut sauce, rice crackers, and fried shallots.

Pro tip: Ask vendors for “tourist spice” if you’re scared of the local spice tolerance. It took me a year to adjust my English tastebuds to half what the locals can handle, so be patient!

Bali: to skip or not to skip?

Bali is undeniably great. There is a reason so many digital nomads and tourists flock to this island.

It has an incredibly diverse scene with something for everyone, from the hippiest of hippies to the reclusive tech nerd.

I vote for visiting Bali but try not to get sucked in for too long. A few months is enough to enjoy everything it has to offer. 

However, if you’re not a fan of the hippie/boho-style culture, you’ll lose your mind after spending five minutes here.

What to do in Bali?

Visit Ubud’s iconic Monkey Forest to explore the beautiful nature surrounded by hundreds of adorable furry monkeys.

Visit the Holy Spring Temple — Pura Tirta Empul on Google Maps — to experience the water purification ceremony adored by locals and foreigners.

Pick from dozens of waterfalls to cool off in, trek up Mount Agung, and learn to surf in Uluwatu or Canggu.

Dip your toe into the waters of spirituality by attending an ecstatic dance event or a sound healing class. It’s not for everyone, but I recommend giving it a go. I was the biggest skeptic until I let myself relax in the atmosphere. 

I’m not a converted hippie now, yet I adored the community feeling discovered in these classes and events.

Where do digital nomads stay in Bali? 

If you are a social animal, stay around Canggu or Ubud. These buzzing areas have everything a nomad could desire, from amazing co-working spaces to bustling communities and delicious eateries.

For a quieter scene, head south to Uluwatu or north to Sidemen.

Uluwatu is my favorite, thanks to its endless beaches and stunning panoramic views.

I’d also avoid spending too much time in Denpasar. It feels too much like a Western city, and there isn’t much to do. Plus, the traffic is terrifying!

What to eat in Bali?

Bali is home to the most sumptuous food you can imagine, with something for every palette.

After you’ve sampled all the local food, pick a region of the world and enjoy finding the best restaurant. I found incredible Mexican, sushi, and Italian cuisine between visits to my favorite warungs (cafés).

The Nusa Islands

The Nusa Islands (Penida and Lembongan) south of Bali may not be a common destination for nomads due to their remoteness and quiet community, but I still recommend trying it out.

They may not be ideal for people who need top internet speeds. Still, if you’re like me and can go a few weeks with medium speed to submit work, this is an excellent location for some nomadic peace.

I loved spending a week here, enjoying the serenity, and finding cozy spots to tap away while the ocean waves serenaded me in the background.

What is there to do? 

The beaches are the shining beacon of this destination. You can work in a cliff-edge cafe before clambering down to see the magic up close.

Kelinging Beach on Nusa Penida is iconic but terrifying to climb down to, and it is only suitable for very strong swimmers. I’m an experienced swimmer, and even I struggled getting in and out of the ten-foot waves. Worth the momentary fear, though!

Next, walk around Broken Beach and Angel Billabong for surreal views and a clifftop workspot.

Crystal Bay is ideal for sunsets and relaxed swimming with work breaks on the shore.

Go snorkeling or diving to see the stunning underwater world surrounding the islands.

Book a day trip to Nusa Lembongan to see the sights and hop over to Ceningan Island on your way back to Penida.

Where do digital nomads stay? 

I stayed in Nusa Penida for my trip, but you could also stay in Nusa Ceningan. Both islands have plenty of great, affordable options.

However, staying in Nusa Penida is likely to be the quietest option. It’s mostly visited by daytrippers, so you’ll have the island to yourself in the mornings and evenings.

Opt for homestays or guesthouses to meet locals and keep costs down.

Or rent out a luxurious villa with a few nomad friends.

What to eat?

Try grilled catfish and enjoy the classics like nasi goreng and anything with noodles.

Avoid Western food while you’re here. It’s especially expensive and just not tasty.

The Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are another grouping of islands that nomads don’t tend to frequent, but this is just another reason to go.

Plenty of permanent foreign residents call it home, so it’s easy to make friends. 

You’ll never struggle to find a cozy place to work or a spot to sunbathe on the beach.

I spent many happy mornings writing with a beachfront view before spending the afternoon swimming and sunbathing until sunset beckoned me to my favorite massage parlor.

You can hop between each island easily and spend as little or as long as you want. Gili Air is my favorite, but Gili Meno is also a serene location.

Unless you’re a party animal, I’d avoid staying on Gili Trawangan for too long. Pop over for a couple of days to experience the nightlife, and then retreat to one of the more peaceful islands.

What is there to do? 

There is almost nothing to do on these islands. It’s why I love them so much.

The peace allowed me to focus entirely on work. Between sessions, I got countless massages and facials and went horseback riding on the beach at sunset.

It’s also an incredible destination for your PADI scuba diving course or snorkeling with turtles and manta rays.

Where do digital nomads stay?

Location doesn’t matter much because the islands can easily be walked or cycled around.

I’d recommend staying in a local homestay, particularly if you want a cozy corner to work from home while you’re there. 

Stay in a hotel or Airbnb to enjoy a more spacious, luxurious work and living spot.

Avoid the hostels if you need to focus on work because you’ll get pulled into the social chaos.

What to eat?

I almost exclusively ate seafood during my time on the Gili Islands. It’s caught daily and melts in your mouth. I ate the most divine fish curry of my life on the beach of Gili Air. Just writing about it makes my mouth water. 

Internet woes

If you want to be a digital nomad in Indonesia, then you’ll have to learn to accept the sometimes slow internet.

Northern and central Jakarta tend to have better internet connections than anywhere else in Indonesia. And you’ll find high-speed internet access in a few other destinations, like Bali.

But the average speed sits around 16 Mbps across the country. 

I recommend buying a dongle or SIM card with a high amount of data to balance it out. Sign on with an ISP like Biznet, Indihom, or Oxygen to get a relatively stable connection wherever you go.

Weather in Indonesia

Indonesia’s overall climate is humid and hot, so it’s not suitable for anyone who struggles with heat.

With just a wet and dry season, there is no fall or spring to enjoy. 

Visit between April and October for the dry season, but it will be busier.

If you don’t mind the occasional tropical shower, brave the wet season for lower prices and fewer tourists.

Packing list essentials for digital nomads in Indonesia

On your nomad journey, don’t forget to bring:

• A rechargeable battery back
• An electric adapter 
• Plenty of layers for the hot and wet weather
• Sunscreen because it’s very expensive in Indonesia
• At least one warm jacket for early morning adventures
• A durable rain jacket
• One pair of sunny shoes and one waterproof pair suitable for hiking or trekking

Map of the best places for digital nomads in Indonesia

Indonesia has a lot of islands. A lot. I’ve broken it down to the top spots for digital nomads, so you don’t have to. This map should put it all into perspective for you.  

A digital nomad’s dream

Indonesia is a digital nomad’s paradise, and you can spend your time slow-traveling from one end to the other if you like.

I recommend jumping around the country for a few months before deciding on a spot to settle.

It’s easy to get sucked into the Bali bubble and never leave. Still, there is so much more to this incredible country than the one Westernized island.

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