💸 Living in Bali · practical information
Cost of living in Bali: 3 standards of living
Bali can be very accessible...or very lifestyle-oriented ✨ Here are some monthly cost estimates for staying there. Airfare (extra) + Bali Interns package €990 (extra).
Humbly
≈ $800/month
Guesthouse / shared accommodation • warungs • scooter
See a typical day →
Western-style
≈ $1,200/month
Comfort ++ • mix of local and cafés • activities
See a typical day →
Like a prince
≈ $1,500/month
Villa (depending on area) • frequent meals • trips
See a typical day →
Things to remember (quickly) 🧠
- Housing often makes up the budget.
- Transportation: scooter + Grab/Gojek (no subway 😅).
- Taxes often added at restaurants: 11% to 20%.
📱 + 🛵 + 💳 Useful information
Transportation & money: the right reflexes
Keep this in mind when you arrive—especially for apps, withdrawals, and currency exchange.
Applications (to be installed)
🛵
Gojek
The app number one : scooter/car transport + delivery (meals, shopping).
⚠️ Especially useful in the South — in bulk to Ubud.
⚠️ Especially useful in the South — in bulk to Ubud.
Cars are often slow (traffic jams). Scooters = more efficient.
🚖
Grab
A very practical alternative: transport + delivery, often very simple to use.
⚠️ Coverage mainly in the South — in bulk to Ubud.
⚠️ Coverage mainly in the South — in bulk to Ubud.
In the North / less touristy areas: it can be limited.
🏦
Revolut (online bank)
Super useful for Bali: payments at exchange rate, card usable everywhere, clear tracking of expenses.
Convenient for avoiding high fees + keeping control over your withdrawals.
Download Revolut →
Already used by over 60 Bali Interns clients.
Transportation & money (on site)
🛵Scooter = the basics
Public transportation is virtually non-existent. Scooter = fast + flexible.
Helmet + caution (roads, dogs, potholes 😅).
Helmet + caution (roads, dogs, potholes 😅).
🏧Cash withdrawal
Use BCA, Mandiri, or Permata to limit fees.
⚠️ ATMs do not always return the card automatically: remain attentive.
⚠️ ATMs do not always return the card automatically: remain attentive.
💳Card + cash + taxes
Many cafes/restaurants accept cards, but always keep some cash on you.
Taxes/service often added: 11% → 20%.
Taxes/service often added: 11% → 20%.
💱
Currency exchange: beware of scams
Common scam: "sleight of hand" with banknotes.
Always recount on site, and favors well-rated brands.
Always recount on site, and favors well-rated brands.
If you have any doubts: stop, recount, and change elsewhere.
🙂 Budget
Humbly: ≈ $800/month
Simple guesthouse/shared accommodation, warungs, basic scooter. Limited outings, but a cool and stable life.
📌 Benchmarks & expenses (monthly)
🏡Accommodation
$250–$450
guesthouse / single room / shared apartment
guesthouse / single room / shared apartment
🍜Food
$200–$320
warungs + a few cafés
warungs + a few cafés
🛵Transportation
$70–$140
scooter + 2–3 rides apps
scooter + 2–3 rides apps
🎉Outings
$80–$150
bars, beach, events
bars, beach, events
🧺Extras
$50–$100
laundry, data, small purchases
laundry, data, small purchases
✅What it enables
A simple routine, lots of sunshine, without depriving yourself of the essentials.
💡 Conclusion: Housing changes everything. Location + roommates = the #1 way to stay within your budget without sacrificing quality of life.
😎 Budget
Western style: ≈ $1,200/month
Shared villa, more restaurants, better scooter, more flexibility in daily life.
📌 Benchmarks & expenses (monthly)
🏡Accommodation
$500–$800
shared villa / premium room
shared villa / premium room
🍣Food
$300–$450
restaurants + cafés
restaurants + cafés
🛵Transportation
$90–$180
best engine capacity + apps
best engine capacity + apps
🏋️Sport
$60–$120
gym / classes / yoga
gym / classes / yoga
🎉Outings
$150–$300
bars, events, beach clubs
bars, events, beach clubs
✅What it enables
Regular coffee dates, frequent restaurant visits, more fun weekends. Embraced expat vibe.
✨ Conclusion: you are buying choice and comfort (coffee shops, sports, restaurants). To stay within €1,200, keep your accommodation "reasonable" and avoid using Grab/cars on a daily basis.
👑 Budget
Like a prince: ≈ $1,500/month
Solo villa (or top room), excellent restaurants, large scooter, maximum comfort.
📌 Benchmarks & expenses (monthly)
🏡Accommodation
$700–$1,100
standalone villa / top room
standalone villa / top room
🍱Food
$500–$750
Very good restaurants + cafés
Very good restaurants + cafés
🛵Transportation
$120–$260
large engine + comfort
large engine + comfort
🧘Well-being
$80–$180
massages / classes / recovery
massages / classes / recovery
🌴Activities
$200–$450
excursions, trips, extras
excursions, trips, extras
✅What it enables
Total comfort + freedom: you choose your spots, your outings, your weekends, without having to constantly calculate.
🔥 Conclusion: you mainly pay for accommodation + premium restaurants. If you want to live like a prince without breaking the bank, aim for a top villa with roommates + a big scooter.
✈️ One-time costs
Additional costs (not included in monthly budget)
Two lines to remember before doing your final calculation.
✈️Airline ticket
Varies depending on the season and departure city. Book early if you can: the difference can be huge.
🧾Bali Interns Package
€990 incl. tax — matching + support (process, arrival, framing). (Details on the Rates page.)
🧰Small "safety" margin
A simple reserve for unexpected events (health, deposit, equipment, repairs).
🧭 Learn More
Alright, you have the budget. Now let's move forward.
The three most useful pages after "Cost of Living": applying, choosing an area, and understanding the timeline.
Apply
Form + free call. Payment only after the agreement is signed.
Get Started →
Where to live?
Areas, atmospheres, routes, practical advice (and what to avoid).
Select my area →
Going for an internship
Timeline, milestones, completion, common mistakes. The overview in 5 minutes.
See the timeline →
• If you want, during the call, we can check your budget and your area to avoid any surprises.
Have a question before applying?
Contact us, we respond quickly.
📩 Email
team@bali-interns.com
