Living in Bali with 600 USD a Month — Myth or Magic?
For several years now, I’ve been living in Bali. I’ve stayed almost exclusively in Ubud, with occasional trips to the southern areas — Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, or Sanur.
I’m qualified to give a grounded opinion on this subject, and I can tell you right away: prices here vary a lot. The question “Is 600 USD/month enough to live in Bali?” is bold, a bit unrealistic, and definitely influenced by the hippie culture. Well, yes — some people do live here on much less than that. But how?
There are explanations… some you might love, others may not sit so well with you. For example, I know a guy I really admire for his lifestyle. His name is Kuba. He’s currently in Koh Phangan, Thailand, but he spent almost two years here in Ubud. I used to see him in the evenings around Sayuri’s Café, and although I was curious, I didn’t know much about him…
But if you come to Bali — especially to Ubud — you’ll feel there’s a strong energetic field that accelerates synchronicities and karmic meetings. If it’s meant to happen, it will. Not before. Not after. Exactly in divine timing.
Kuba told me one day, crystal clear: “I sold my apartment in Warsaw. I have enough money to live for the rest of my life.” Amused and curious, I asked him — “Don’t you spend money on rent, food, or anything else?” His answer will probably shock you: “I haven’t rented a single room in almost two years!”
That’s right. He slept near the Secret Waterfall, in the jungle. During rainy season, he’d move into a cave. Sometimes I’d receive pictures from him in the middle of the night — pythons, wild reptiles, and other predators wandering around.
He spent around 100,000 IDR per day (about 6 USD), mostly on food. He was a fruitarian. On average, he ate 3 bananas, 4–5 dragon fruits, and 3–4 papayas per day. He used to be a fitness instructor, but had fully embraced a radically minimalist and off-grid lifestyle.
Was it an easy life? Not really. He gave some drumming lessons now and then, didn’t have very stable relationships, and hygiene wasn’t always what we’d call “proper.” But I’ll save that story for another time. The point is — yes, such characters exist in Asia. And yes, they can live with a minimum that many of us would find unthinkable.
Of course, if you’re staying long-term in Bali, you need to consider visa renewals every 30 or 60 days, depending on your visa type. Rent prices depend entirely on your lifestyle — from 350 USD/month to thousands of euros. Some people live incredibly simple here. I’m not one of them — I prefer something modest, but decent.
I currently pay about 100 USD/month for a good scooter, almost new. My accommodation is around 550 USD/month: a separate-entry room at the bottom of a villa, with private kitchen, private bathroom, two swimming pools, and two cleaning visits per week.
If you spend between 500–800 USD/month, you can find very nice housing — clean, with a kitchen, pool access, and regular cleaning services included. Not bad at all, right?
As for food — I usually eat out. Not because I don’t enjoy cooking, but because eating out is cheap and diverse. You’ll find everything here: local warungs, fruit bowls, Indonesian, Russian, Turkish, Greek, Italian restaurants, and more. It’s not quite European-level quality, I guarantee that, but the options are good.
Bali Activities on a $600 Budget (Monthly Guide)
| Activity | Description | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Community Meditation | Daily sessions in Ubud or Canggu, often donation-based. | $10–30 |
| Outdoor Yoga | Yoga classes in nature with locals or expats. | $20–50 |
| Balinese Ceremonies | Participation in moon or temple ceremonies (e.g., Purnama, Nyepi). | Free–$10 |
| Spiritual Volunteering | Community projects: eco-gardens, holistic education, etc. | Free |
| Ecstatic Dance & Cacao | Weekly conscious dance and cacao ceremonies. | $15–30 |
| Art & Journaling Workshops | Intuitive painting, mandalas, conscious writing sessions. | $10–25 |
| Sacred Nature Exploration | Waterfalls, temples, caves (e.g., Goa Gajah, Tirta Empul). | $15–30 |
| Reflection & Sharing Circles | Weekly spiritual or emotional healing groups. | $5–10 (donation) |
| Qi Gong & Wuji Gong Practice | Energy movement classes in gardens or beach. | $20–40 |
| Local Detox & Fruit Diet | Coconut water, tropical fruits, smoothies from local markets. | $60–100 |
If you’re just visiting Bali, honestly, 600 USD won’t be enough! You’ll want to join some yoga or dance classes at Yoga Barn, Alchemy, or Pyramids of Qi. An ecstatic dance session is around 150,000 IDR (~10 USD), a yoga class ranges between 6–12 USD. A good coffee? Just like in Bucharest — 3 to 5 USD.
Oh, and by the way, rent here usually includes internet and electricity! Nice perk, right? And fuel? Now that’s very cheap. Indonesia buys it from Russia. Getting around Ubud costs almost nothing — just 2 USD max with Grab. Unless you’re scared to ride a scooter… on the backseat, beautiful soul.