$PlaybookChiang Mai
Thailand
80 Mbps
5/10
9/10
6/10
Ubud
Indonesia
Jungle rice terraces and jungle coworking — Bali's spiritual and creative heartland
EasyStart Playbook
The short answerLast updated July 2026
Ubud is a budget-friendly base for digital nomads — around $1,020/month all-in, with 50 Mbps internet and a 8.0/10 nomad score. US citizens get 30 visa-free days. Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Nomad Score
8.0/10
Cost Tier
Budget ($)
Internet
50 Mbps
Safety
8.5/10
Walkability
5/10
English-Friendly
8/10
About Ubud
Ubud is the quieter, more introspective counterpart to Canggu's surf-party scene. Set amid emerald rice paddies and jungle, the town has evolved into a world-class wellness and creative hub — yoga studios, raw food cafes, and art galleries sit alongside fast coworking spaces and reliable fiber. It draws a slightly older, slower-moving nomad crowd: people writing books, building products, or just trying to slow down. It's less party, more retreat — and all the better for it.
Ubud at a glance
The honest pros and cons, straight from the numbers on this page.
Pros
- Low cost of living (~$1,020/mo)
- Feels very safe (8.5/10)
- English widely spoken
Cons
- Tap water isn't drinkable
- Slower internet (~50 Mbps)
- Best to avoid Jan, Feb (weather)
- Short 30-day visa-free stay
Monthly Budget Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in USD for a single digital nomad.
Rent (Studio)$450
Coworking$100
Groceries$150
Eating Out$200
Transport$80
Phone/SIM$10
Gym$30
Total Monthly$1,020
Visa & Stay
Visa-Free for US Citizens
Yes
Max Stay (Visa-Free)
30 days
Digital Nomad Visa
Not Available
Climate
Climate Type
tropical
Best Months
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Avoid Months
Jan, Feb
Peak wet season — daily downpours, flooded roads, and high humidity. The jungle turns lush but getting around by scooter becomes significantly more challenging.
Monthly Temperatures
Average daily high–low in Ubud, °C (°F). 5-year averages (2019–2023).
Jan
23–29°C (73–84°F)
Feb
22–29°C (72–84°F)
Mar
22–29°C (72–84°F)
Apr
22–29°C (72–84°F)
May
22–29°C (72–84°F)
Jun
22–28°C (72–82°F)
Jul
21–27°C (70–81°F)
Aug
21–27°C (70–81°F)
Sep
21–28°C (70–82°F)
Oct
22–29°C (72–84°F)
Nov
22–29°C (72–84°F)
Dec
22–30°C (72–86°F)
Source: Open-Meteo historical reanalysis, 2019–2023 daily normals.
Timezone
WITA (UTC+8)
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Language
Indonesian
Continent
Asia
Good to know in Indonesia
Facts verified 2026-07-27The practical stuff worth knowing before you land.
Country calling code
+62
Plugs & voltage
Type C, Type F· 230V/50Hz
Emergency number
112
Tap water
Do not drinkAvoid tap water; drink sealed bottled water.
Tipping
Not customary; 5-10% appreciated where no service charge.
Topics & Vibes
yogawellnesscoworkingfoodspiritualityarttemplesnature
Is this information still accurate?
Before you go to Ubud
Four things worth sorting before you land, and the honest reason each one matters.
🏦
Why you need a VPN
Your home bank, broker, and PayPal often block or freeze logins from Ubud, and the cheaper the country, the harder they block it. A VPN gives you a home-country IP so your accounts, and your home streaming, keep working.
📶
Why you need an eSIM
Land with working data before you find Wi-Fi. Maps, ride-hailing, and the 2FA texts your bank sends all work the moment you step off the plane, with no airport SIM queue and no roaming bill.
🛡️
Why you need travel insurance
Hospitals in Ubud usually want payment up front, and your policy back home rarely follows you abroad. Monthly nomad cover fills that gap and you can start it after you have already left.
💸
Why you need a multi-currency account
Skip the 3-7% your home bank quietly adds every time you spend or get paid abroad. Hold local currency, pay at the real exchange rate, and get local bank details for rent and invoices.
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Related guides
Everything you need before and after landing in Ubud.
🛂Indonesia Nomad Visa→💳Banking for Nomads→💸Wise vs Revolut→🛡️Travel Insurance→🏠Finding Accommodation→🏘️Airbnb vs Booking.com→🧾Taxes as a Nomad→📶SIM Cards & eSIMs→🔒Best VPN for Nomads→
Free tools
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Frequently Asked Questions — Ubud
Common questions from digital nomads researching Ubud.
Is Ubud good for digital nomads?
Yes — Ubud scores 8/10 on Settled Nomad's nomad index, making it an excellent choice for remote workers. Jungle rice terraces and jungle coworking — Bali's spiritual and creative heartland. The city is rated "easy" difficulty for new arrivals, with a 8/10 English-friendliness score and 8.5/10 for safety. Internet averages 50 Mbps. Overall, Ubud is the quieter, more introspective counterpart to Canggu's surf-party scene.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud as a digital nomad?
A typical single digital nomad can expect to spend around $1,020/month in Ubud. The budget breaks down as: studio apartment rent ~$450, coworking space ~$100, groceries ~$150, eating out ~$200, local transport ~$80, phone/SIM ~$10, and gym ~$30. Overall, Ubud is a budget-friendly destination. Costs vary depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle, and whether you cook at home.
Do US citizens need a visa to work remotely in Ubud?
US citizens can enter Indonesia visa-free for up to 30 days — no advance visa is required. There is currently no dedicated digital nomad visa for Indonesia, so most nomads work within the 30-day tourist allowance and rotate to another country to reset.
What is the internet like in Ubud?
Internet speeds in Ubud average around 50 Mbps, which is solid — adequate for most remote work including video calls. Dedicated coworking spaces reliably deliver faster and more stable connections than cafes or short-term apartments. If you plan to work from home, confirm fibre availability before signing a lease — co-working memberships are a reliable fallback during slower periods.
Is Ubud safe for digital nomads?
Ubud has a safety rating of 8.5/10 on our scale — considered very safe for digital nomads. Standard urban awareness (securing valuables, using reputable transport) is all that is needed. As with any city, basic precautions apply: use ride-hailing apps rather than unmarked taxis, don't leave laptops unattended in cafes, and be aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
What is the best time of year to visit Ubud?
The best months to base yourself in Ubud are April, May, June, July, August, September. The climate type is tropical. We recommend avoiding January, February — peak wet season — daily downpours, flooded roads, and high humidity. The jungle turns lush but getting around by scooter becomes significantly more challenging..
What currency is used in Ubud and how should I handle money?
Ubud uses the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Cards are widely accepted in cities. For the best rates when converting USD, use Wise or Revolut rather than airport exchange kiosks. Keep some IDR cash on hand for markets, transport, and smaller establishments.
Plan your trip to Ubud
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Gear up for Ubud
Tools the Settled Nomad community relies on — vetted, nomad-tested.
🛡️Most popular
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads
Flexible monthly coverage starting at $42/mo. Cancel anytime, covers 180+ countries, and pays out in USD.
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Airalo
eSIM for 190+ countries
Skip the airport SIM queue. Buy a local eSIM before you land and stay connected from day one.
Get an eSIM
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Wise
International banking without the fees
Hold 50+ currencies, get local bank details in 10 countries, and send money at the real exchange rate.
Open a free account
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NordVPN
Stay secure on public Wi-Fi
Essential for coworking spaces and coffee shops. Access home streaming services and keep your data private.
Get NordVPN
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Booking.com
Monthly stays & apartments worldwide
Filter by monthly price, kitchen, and workspace. Thousands of nomad-friendly apartments not on Airbnb.
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Skyscanner
Find the cheapest flights anywhere
Compare hundreds of airlines in seconds. Set price alerts and book when the fare drops.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.