An extremely important factor to consider when thinking about Indonesia and Bali as a potential destination will be if Ubud is safe for remote workers. With a fantastic infrastructure for tourists, we can say with a good degree of confidence that Bali is indeed very safe for remote workers to live.
Balinese people are welcoming, helpful and very willing to engage with visitors, making life of the island easy and rewarding. Having said that, Remote workers who choose Ubud as their base should be aware of some basic tips and information to ensure their time on this iconic island is incident-free and as safe as possible.
When it comes to crime, we can say that Ubud is safe for remote workers.
Nonetheless, petty theft is increasing in the city and estimates show that this has been the trend as the town becomes increasingly gentrified and visitors continue to flock in. Pick-pocketing, bag-snatching and scamming are the main forms of petty crime in Ubud, and remote workers are thus advised to always keep an eye on their belongings and use their judgment when paying for goods and services.
As in a lot of Southeast Asia, a lot of scamming occurs in relation to taxi services, and you should always be sure to establish prices before starting any journeys. A huge number of remote workers already in Bali and, specifically, in Ubud go ahead and rent motorbikes to easily get around the town and to the other major cities on the island. It is important to keep in mind that, although Ubud is safe for remote workers, you should be extra careful when using these vehicles in Bali, and carefully observe local laws - an international license and wearing a helmet are absolutely required when driving. It is important to ease yourself into the experience, and note that Ubud lacks a lot of the traffic controls and norms that are expected in other cities.
If you happen to have an accident or need medical assistance in Ubud, there are some well-equipped clinics and hospitals in the city. The Ubud Clinic on Jl. Raya Campuhan comes well-recommended by expats in the city, and taking out a good health insurance policy before travelling is strongly encouraged.
In general, however, remote workers will want to avoid any encounters with the local health system due to its lack of resources and difficulty of access. For major surgeries, the best options are likely to be in Singapore or Bangkok.
Another thing remote workers will want to be on the look out for in Ubud is the heat. It is important to know that Bali is hot year-round, with temperatures averaging out at around 29-30 C (85 F). All visitors should know their limits in terms of heat tolerance and take the appropriate measures in terms of apartments and workspaces in Ubud to navigate these. Thankfully, Ubud’s best cafes and coworking spaces are all equipped with good AC features.
Remote workers in Bali should also know that the island has three active volcanoes and, as such, are encouraged to know the local eruption and earthquake protocols. Ubud is not a particularly active nightlife hotspot, but across Bali it is recommended that visitors are careful with fake liquor scams and generally stick to beer as the safest option. Water on the island is not drinkable, but the food is widely considered among one of the healthiest and conscious in the world.
As long as you exercise your judgment and treat the local culture with respect, be prepared to have a safe and pleasant time in Ubud!
For more information about living in Ubud as a remote worker, check out our complete Ubud guide.