PPP-MANAGEMENT
Living in Bali as an Expat: Essential Guide
Bali, known as the “Island of the Gods,” is more than just a travel destination.
It’s a way of life—offering a blend of tropical beauty, culture, spirituality, and warm hospitality. Many come for a short stay and end up calling it home.
Why Move to Bali?
Bali attracts people with its rich culture, stunning nature, affordable island lifestyle, and vibrant international community. Whether you're a digital nomad, retiree, or simply looking for change, Bali offers a unique experience.
Cost of Living
Living in Bali can be very affordable depending on your lifestyle:
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Housing: From $200–$300/month (guesthouses) to $1500+ for villas with pools.
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Food: Local meals from $1–$3; international restaurants $10–$20.
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Education: Excellent international schools, but often expensive.
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Shopping: Local fashion is cheap; imported goods (tech, brands) are pricey.
A balanced lifestyle typically costs around $800–$1200/month.
Culture & Hospitality
Balinese people are famously welcoming. Respecting their traditions—joining ceremonies, dressing modestly, eating in local warungs—will deeply enrich your experience.
Island Lifestyle
Bali offers beaches, surf, jungles, rice fields, and epic sunsets. You’ll quickly adapt to the laid-back island rhythm. It’s also a great hub for exploring nearby islands like Nusa Penida, Lombok, and the Gilis.
Food Scene
From Balinese dishes to global cuisine, Bali offers amazing food options. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets are well catered to. Note: alcohol, especially imports, is heavily taxed.
A Thriving Expat Community
In places like nusa dua,seminyak,Canggu and Ubud, you’ll meet people from all over the world—entrepreneurs, creatives, retirees. Bali is full of stories, energy, and inspiration. Everyone is welcome here.
Surfing in Bali: A True Paradise
Bali is a world-class surf destination, attracting both beginners and seasoned pros. Spots like Uluwatu and Seminyak offer everything from powerful reef breaks to mellow beach waves—ideal whether you’re chasing barrels or just learning to paddle out.
Surfing is deeply woven into expat life here. Many digital nomads balance their work schedule around the tides. And if Bali’s main breaks feel too crowded, nearby islands offer quieter alternatives.
Just remember: respect ocean conditions, check tides, and always be reef-aware for a safe session.
Western Comforts in Paradise
Though far from home, Bali is well equipped with Western-style amenities:
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Fitness: From gyms and yoga to CrossFit and recovery spas with saunas and ice baths.
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Groceries: Stores like Pepito, Bintang, and Carrefour stock Western and local goods.
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Shopping: Apps like Tokopedia and Shopee make online shopping fast and easy.
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Coworking: Dozens of spaces offer high-speed Wi-Fi, community events, and even pools—perfect for mixing work with island vibes.
Here, comfort meets exotic charm.
Healthcare in Bali
Healthcare options range from affordable local clinics to international-standard hospitals like BIMC and SOS Clinic, with English-speaking staff. While private care can be more expensive, it’s often worth it for peace of mind. Research is key to finding the right fit for your needs and budget.
Transport & Traffic: What to Expect
Traffic in Bali can be chaotic, especially in tourist hotspots. Roads are narrow, and infrastructure is minimal, turning short drives into long waits.
Scooters (via Gojek or rentals) are the fastest way around—but require caution, skill, and an international license. Taxis are available but costly in tourist zones. For groups, minibus rentals are an affordable way to explore the island.
Why Bali is a Dream Destination for Travel and Investment
Bali, often called "the Island of the Gods," is much more than just a tropical paradise. With its pristine beaches, terraced rice fields, rich spiritual culture, and unique lifestyle, Bali attracts millions of travelers from around the world every year. It’s the perfect destination to recharge, explore authentic traditions, practice yoga or surfing, or simply enjoy an exceptional natural setting.
But Bali’s appeal goes far beyond tourism. It has also become one of the most attractive markets for foreign investors. The real estate sector is booming, driven by a constant demand for quality accommodations — villas, resorts, apartments — in popular areas like Canggu, Uluwatu, jimbaram or nusa dua. With high rental yields, favorable tax conditions, and a relatively low cost of living, Bali offers some of the most competitive investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.
Investing in Bali also means embracing an inspiring lifestyle, where tradition meets modernity, and where profitability can go hand in hand with personal growth and quality of life. Whether for a short-term project or a long-term move, Bali is now a strategic destination — both for travelers seeking a change of scenery and for visionary investors.
CULTURE
Nyepi: The Day of Silence
Ancient Balinese Beliefs – The Soul of Nyepi
At the heart of Bali, Nyepi draws its essence from ancient Balinese beliefs. More than just a day of silence, it is a sacred moment of connection with the universe, the ancestors, and the unseen energies that shape life.
A Timeless Cosmic Dance
According to Balinese Hindu teachings, Nyepi marks the New Year of the "Caka" calendar, a symbol of cosmic renewal. This sacred day represents a mystical dance between the forces of good and evil, with rituals designed to purify the island and restore energetic balance.
Balinese people take part in deeply spiritual ceremonies, blending spectacular processions with delicately prepared offerings. These age-old traditions strengthen the bond between the visible and the invisible, in an atmosphere steeped in mysticism. As Nyepi dawns, the entire island enters a timeless spiritual state.
Sacred Silence
At sunrise, a rare stillness blankets Bali. Once-busy streets fall silent. This marks the beginning of Catur Brata Penyepian, the four principles of Nyepi: no travel, no work, no fire or electricity, and strict silence.
People remain at home, refraining from entertainment or distractions, to focus on meditation, self-reflection, and fasting. It is a time to return inward, a day of inner cleansing and deep contemplation.
The morning is often filled with family rituals—shared prayers and carefully arranged offerings—in a spirit of gratitude and connection to the ancestors.
Total Darkness
At nightfall, Bali is enveloped in total darkness. No lights, no outdoor activity—even airports shut down. This darkness symbolizes universal rest: of nature, of the mind, and of society. It invites a collective pause, a spiritual reset for the year ahead.
The Pecalang – Guardians of Silence
Ensuring these sacred traditions are upheld, the Pecalang—traditional guardians dressed in black-and-white checkered sarongs—patrol the streets. Their mission is to ensure peace and full observance of the silence. Their discreet and respectful presence maintains the sanctity of Nyepi, allowing everyone to fully immerse themselves in stillness.
A Collective Spiritual Cleansing
Nyepi is far more than a day of quiet—it is a ritual of collective spiritual purification. Each silent moment becomes an offering for renewal. The spirit is cleansed, tension melts away, and the entire island prepares to welcome a new year filled with peace, balance, and harmony.
To experience Nyepi is to embrace a unique journey, where outer silence becomes a doorway to inner exploration. A millennia-old tradition that continues to nourish the spiritual soul of Bali, year after year.
The Galungan & Kuningan in Bali
What Is Galungan?
Galungan is one of the most important celebrations in Balinese Hinduism. It honors the triumph of Dharma (good) over Adharma (evil). During this sacred period, the spirits of ancestors and gods are believed to descend to Earth to visit their families and celebrate the creation of the universe and the victory of good over evil.
The celebrations last for ten days and culminate with the festival of Kuningan.
The Importance of Galungan for the Balinese
Galungan is above all a time for family and spiritual unity. All over the island, homes and temples are decorated with penjors—tall, curved bamboo poles adorned with offerings. These symbolize gratitude to the gods and the prosperity granted over the year.
It’s a sacred moment when Balinese people renew their commitment to their faith, cleanse themselves of negative thoughts, and strengthen their connection to the divine.
The Origins of Galungan: A Mythical Battle
The festival of Galungan is rooted in an ancient Balinese legend involving Indra, the god of thunder and rain, and King Mayadenawa, a tyrant who banned Hindu practices and destroyed temples across Bali. So powerful was he that no one could challenge him.
In despair, the high priest Mpu Kulputih prayed to the gods at the sacred temple of Besakih. Hearing his call, Indra and his celestial army descended to Earth to defeat the king and restore balance.
Sensing danger, Mayadenawa poisoned a water source to weaken Indra’s army. But Indra struck the ground with his staff, causing a sacred spring to emerge—now known as Tirta Empul, a revered holy site.
The king, desperate, transformed into various animals to escape, but Indra finally struck him with a magical arrow, turning him to stone. The place where his blood spilled remained cursed for over a thousand years.
To honor this divine victory, the Balinese established Galungan, which is celebrated every 210 days according to the Pawukon calendar.
Spiritual Meaning Behind the Legend
Galungan is a powerful reminder to always follow the path of Dharma, despite life’s challenges and temptations. It invites reflection on moral choices and spiritual alignment. The ceremonies serve to purify body, mind, and soul, guiding each person toward becoming a better version of themselves in the new year.
Straying from the path—like Mayadenawa—could invite chaos back to Bali. Thus, the values upheld during Galungan are essential to the island’s spiritual harmony.
When and How Is Galungan Celebrated?
Galungan is based on the Pawukon calendar, which runs on 30-week cycles of seven days. The festival always falls on a Wednesday.
The Rituals and Celebrations of Galungan
Three Days Before
Preparations begin early. Women make elaborate offerings, while men cook traditional dishes like lawar (a spiced meat and coconut dish). Despite task divisions, the festival is highly family-centered and filled with moments of sharing.
Penampahan Galungan – The Day Before Galungan
This is when penjors are raised in front of every home. These decorated bamboo poles symbolize devotion and gratitude to the gods. Each part of the penjor carries sacred meaning (see below).
The Day of Galungan
On Galungan Day, Balinese families dress in traditional attire and visit local temples as well as major temples across the island. They offer prayers and present offerings to gods and ancestors. Special dishes like babi guling (roast suckling pig) are prepared and shared among relatives.
After Galungan
In the following days, families visit relatives to share meals and retell stories and myths that nourish Balinese cultural identity.
Galungan Rituals Explained
The Penjors
Penjors are 5–10 meter tall bamboo poles decorated with rice, maize, fruits, palm leaves, and symbolic items. Each element is an offering, representing gratitude for divine blessings throughout the year. The entire structure symbolizes Mount Agung, the mythical dwelling of the Balinese gods.
Some symbolic components:
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Sampan Penjor – the “dragon’s tail,” representing the power of Parama Shiva
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Tabou – made from sugarcane, symbolizing the vibrations of God Sambu
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Tambiang – a shield made of palm leaves, representing protection from evil forces
Prayers and Offerings
Offerings include flowers, fruits, incense, and home-cooked food, carefully arranged on family and temple altars. The rituals are led by a priest, or Pemangku, and follow a precise order: from inviting ancestral spirits to blessing family members.
Honoring the Ancestors
During Galungan, ancestral spirits descend to visit their families. Balinese households prepare offerings and prayers to honor them and express gratitude. One of the most iconic offerings is the gebogan—a tall, ornate tower of fruits and flowers.
