Cost of Living in Bali for a Month: Our Detailed Expense Breakdown

I took my mom on an unforgettable adventure to Bali, which was the third stop on our Southeast Asian journey. To help others planning a similar trip or looking to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, I’ve detailed our expenses below:

📅 Travel Dates: March 3 – March 27, totaling 25 days
I categorized our expenses into three main areas: major transportation (round-trip airfare), accommodation, and other daily expenses. Here’s the breakdown for two people.

✈️ Major Transportation
– Bangkok to Bali: ¥1046
We flew with Batik Air, each enjoying 20kg of luggage.
– Bali to Harbin: ¥2516
Our return flight with Xiamen Airlines included 23kg of luggage per person, with a layover in Xiamen, and the convenience of direct luggage check-through.

🏨 Accommodation
1️⃣ Canggu, March 3-10, 7 nights, ¥1063
Nestled close to the beach, this area is teeming with vibrant beach clubs, charming boutique cafes, and bustling digital nomad spaces, though it comes with a higher cost of living.
2️⃣ Ubud, March 10-15, 5 nights, ¥998
A cultural and artistic haven, Ubud is dotted with yoga centers and perfect for self-reflection, offering a moderate cost of living.

3️⃣ Sidemen, March 15-22, 7 nights, ¥694
A serene local village, untouched by tourism, where you can marvel at terraced fields, though it’s less convenient for getting around.
4️⃣ Denpasar, March 22-26, 4 nights, ¥342
A local city, conveniently located near the airport.
Total: ¥3097

🍚 Other
1️⃣ E-VISA, ¥480
Applied online, allowing us to breeze through the machine without queuing.
2️⃣ SIM Card, ¥200
Getting an Indonesian SIM card was a bit more challenging than in Thailand. The one we bought in China didn’t work, so we got a refund and purchased a new one locally, which provided 18G for nearly ¥100.

3️⃣ Grab Taxi, ¥865
Bali is expansive, and taxi fares between different areas can be pricey, but short distances are quite reasonable. It’s advisable to link a bank card, as drivers often don’t have change for cash payments.
4️⃣ Yoga Barn, ¥195
We indulged in three rejuvenating yoga and meditation classes in Ubud.

5️⃣ Airbnb Experiences, ¥355
We participated in two unique experiences: a relaxing home massage and a delightful cooking class to learn Indonesian cuisine.
6️⃣ Daily Expenses (mainly for dining): ¥4176
Bali generally doesn’t support Alipay or WeChat Pay, and many ATMs don’t accept UnionPay cards.

We relied mainly on cash and credit cards (some stores charge a 3% fee for card payments).

💰 Total Expenses: ¥12850
Overall Experience
The locals were incredibly friendly, and the service level was high (they do charge a service fee, after all). There weren’t many Chinese tourists; the majority were Australians and Europeans. The natural beauty and rich cultural and religious heritage were truly captivating. However, both my mom and I found the Indonesian and “Western” food options less appealing, making our culinary adventures a bit challenging.

If you have any questions about traveling to Bali, feel free to leave a message!