Teaching English Online from Bali, Indonesia: A Complete Guide

Bali has long been a magnet for remote workers, digital creatives, and wellness seekers — and it’s no surprise why. The island blends lush tropical landscapes, a relaxed pace of life, and an international community that makes it incredibly welcoming. For online English teachers, though, Bali offers more than beach cafés and yoga studios. It’s a surprisingly functional base for remote work, with pockets of strong infrastructure, a favorable time zone for teaching across Asia and Europe, and a lifestyle that makes it easy to stay productive without burning out.

Whether you’re sipping coffee in a Canggu coworking space or teaching from a breezy villa in Ubud, it’s possible to find your rhythm here. Internet speeds have improved dramatically in recent years, especially in popular expat hubs, and the mix of affordability, flexibility, and scenery makes Bali stand out. If you’re looking to build a sustainable online teaching routine while still enjoying adventure and freedom, Bali checks a lot of boxes.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for anyone who sees Bali not just as a holiday destination, but as a potential home base. Maybe you're already living on the island on a tourist or social visa and want to generate income without commuting. Maybe you're a digital nomad who's TEFL-certified and ready to trade office life for rice fields and coworking hubs. Or maybe you're still abroad, but eyeing Bali as your next chapter — a place to teach, live simply, and explore a different pace of life.

Many online teachers use Bali as a stepping stone — a chance to gain experience, save money, and be part of a larger remote work community. Some come for the short term and stay far longer than planned. Whatever your background or timeline, if you're drawn to Southeast Asia and want to build a life that blends income with lifestyle, Bali is worth serious consideration.

Internet, Infrastructure, and Remote Work Setup

If you're planning to teach English online from Bali, your work setup can make or break the experience. While the island's laid-back charm might be what draws you in, not every location is ideal for remote work — especially if your income depends on crystal-clear video calls and uninterrupted internet. The key is to stay in areas that are already popular with digital nomads: think Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur, and parts of Ubud. These spots have grown into mini tech hubs, with fiber-optic internet becoming more common and coworking spaces that cater directly to online professionals.

Coworking culture is deeply rooted in Bali’s remote work scene. Spaces range from bamboo pavilions tucked into rice fields to air-conditioned lofts with ergonomic chairs and podcast booths. You’ll find plenty of communities forming around these spaces — and while they’re great for networking or breaking up your routine, many online teachers still prefer the peace of teaching from home. In that case, it’s essential to choose accommodation with reliable internet, strong mobile signal, a quiet location, and ideally a backup power system (since outages, though rare, do happen).

Mobile data in Bali is both fast and incredibly affordable. Local providers like Telkomsel and XL Axiata offer prepaid SIM cards and monthly data bundles that can act as a perfect safety net — or even as your main connection if you’re moving between villas or short-term rentals. Many teachers use these mobile setups as a live backup during classes, switching over instantly if fiber fails. Between Bali’s modern pockets and old-school charm, the right setup lets you build a reliable work-life rhythm without compromise.

Types of Online Teaching Jobs

Online English teachers in Bali typically fall into two categories: those working through global ESL platforms, and those who’ve carved out a freelance teaching business with private clients. Both are viable — and many teachers begin with one and move toward the other as their experience and reputation grow.

Global ESL platforms are often the first stop, especially for new teachers. These platforms match you with students from all over the world and offer ready-made scheduling, marketing, and payment systems. They vary widely: some are open to beginners and focus on free-flowing conversation, while others require TEFL certification and prior teaching experience. Thanks to Bali’s time zone, you’ll be perfectly positioned to teach students in East Asia — countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan — during their after-school or evening hours. Morning lessons in Bali line up well with these time slots, allowing you to work early and have your afternoons free. If your students are in Europe or Latin America, you’ll likely be teaching in the evenings — manageable, but less common among Bali-based teachers.

As your skills and confidence grow, you might find yourself drifting away from platforms and building a base of private students. This often leads to higher hourly pay and more control over your curriculum, branding, and schedule. Some teachers attract students through word of mouth, social media, or by converting loyal platform clients into direct bookings. Bali’s community makes this easier than you might expect — between coworking spaces, expat groups, and digital nomad circles, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to network and exchange referrals.

Most Bali-based teachers work with a mix of student profiles: children and teens in East Asia, adults in Europe prepping for business or IELTS exams, and learners in Latin America brushing up on English for job opportunities. If you specialize — whether in test prep, business English, or accent reduction — you’ll likely find even more stability and better rates over time.

👉 Check out our Teach English Online Guide to compare platforms and start applying.

Legal Residency and Visa Considerations

Bali may be one of the world’s friendliest destinations for remote workers, but legally speaking, the visa landscape is still a bit of a grey zone. Indonesia has floated the idea of a dedicated digital nomad visa for years, but so far, nothing official has materialized. In the meantime, most online English teachers in Bali make do with existing visas that weren’t technically designed for remote work — and while it’s not a perfect system, thousands of nomads and educators manage it without issue.

The most common choice is the Tourist Visa, available as a Visa on Arrival (VoA) or e-Visa (eVOA), which gives you 30 days initially and allows a one-time extension for a total of 60 days. It’s easy, fast, and low-risk — but officially, it doesn’t permit any kind of work. Still, many online teachers quietly operate from a home office or coworking space on this visa, especially if their income is sourced entirely from clients or companies based outside Indonesia.

A more flexible option is the Social-Cultural Visa (B211A). It allows for a longer stay — up to 180 days with extensions — and while it’s technically intended for cultural, educational, or humanitarian visits, it’s become a common path for digital nomads. As with the tourist visa, it doesn’t explicitly permit work, but remote teaching from a private residence rarely draws attention unless you’re advertising publicly or creating local business ties.

For those aiming to stay long-term, there’s the KITAS (Limited Stay Permit), which offers a more formal legal footing. But getting a KITAS usually requires either a local job offer, marriage to an Indonesian citizen, or setting up a business. The process involves more paperwork and often legal assistance — worth it for some, but overkill for most casual online teachers who just want to stay a few months at a time.

Enforcement of remote work restrictions is rare, and Bali’s local economy has long been supported by international freelancers spending money locally. Still, rules can change, and it’s always wise to stay updated on visa requirements, avoid publicly promoting your services within Indonesia, and be discreet about work-related activities while on a tourist or social visa.

Cost of Living vs Online Teaching Income

Bali’s cost of living is one of the reasons it remains such a magnet for online teachers. For less than the cost of rent alone in many Western cities, you can live in a private villa surrounded by rice fields, dine on fresh local food, and still have enough left over for yoga classes, weekend adventures, or savings. Of course, the lifestyle you choose — and the area you settle in — will shape your monthly budget.

A typical mid-range lifestyle includes a furnished one-bedroom villa or apartment, a scooter for getting around, decent internet, and a mix of local warung meals and Western treats. Rent in Ubud or inland towns tends to be lower than the surfy hubs of Canggu or Seminyak, which come with trendier amenities and higher prices. Adding in utilities, coworking space fees, SIM card data, and some splurges, most online teachers find they can live comfortably on $800 to $1,500 per month.

When it comes to income, online teaching offers plenty of flexibility. Beginners working on casual conversation platforms might earn around $10 to $15 per hour, while more experienced teachers charging independently can make $20 to $30 per hour, or even more for niche skills like IELTS prep or business English. Many Bali-based teachers aim for a part-time schedule — around 20 hours a week — which at a mid-range rate of $20/hour translates to $1,600/month. That’s more than enough for a laid-back but comfortable life on the island, with room to save or travel.

What makes Bali especially appealing is that you don’t need to work around the clock to sustain yourself. Even a few solid hours a day can cover your living costs, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy what the island has to offer. The work-life balance here isn’t just a dream — it’s often the norm.

Best Places in Bali for Online Teachers

While Bali is relatively small, the experience of living and working online here can vary dramatically depending on where you base yourself. For online English teachers, choosing the right location isn’t just about scenery — it’s about internet reliability, background noise, lifestyle, and access to coworking spaces or quiet home offices.

Canggu is the undisputed digital nomad capital of Bali. Packed with cafés, coworking spaces, and a steady stream of online entrepreneurs, it offers a lively social scene and some of the best infrastructure on the island for remote work. Fast fiber internet is common in most accommodations, and it’s easy to meet other teachers and remote workers. But with popularity comes chaos — the area is noisy, traffic is dense, and the once-quiet rice fields are now construction zones. If you're someone who needs silence while teaching, this might not be the best fit unless you find a quieter pocket.

If you’re drawn to something more tranquil, Ubud might be your zone. Surrounded by jungle, temples, and terraced rice paddies, Ubud has long attracted artists, healers, and meditators. But it's also well-equipped for online teachers, with coworking spots like Hubud and Outpost offering reliable setups and peaceful vibes. Rent tends to be more affordable, and while nightlife is minimal, the days are calm — ideal for focusing on students. Be sure to double-check internet and backup power before committing to a rental, as rural pockets vary.

For those wanting beach life without the bustle, Sanur offers a slower, more laid-back pace. It’s popular with families, long-term expats, and older remote workers. Internet is generally reliable, there’s less party noise, and the coastal boardwalk is perfect for post-lesson strolls. It lacks the buzz of Canggu or Ubud, but makes up for it with comfort and calm.

Seminyak, on the other hand, delivers a more upscale and polished experience. High-end villas, trendy restaurants, and Western-style gyms are all standard. It’s convenient and comfortable, but also pricier and more tourist-driven — which means noise, traffic, and the occasional blackout during peak tourist seasons. If budget isn’t a concern and you’re after comfort, Seminyak can work well, but be selective about your neighborhood and internet setup.

Regardless of where you choose, avoid going too far off-grid. Remote inland villages and scenic cliffside rentals might look dreamy on Instagram, but they often come with unstable internet, limited mobile signal, and power outages. Always test the setup or read reviews carefully before locking in long-term accommodation — especially if teaching is your primary income.

Pros and Cons of Teaching Online from Bali

Living and teaching online in Bali can feel like the dream — but it’s not without its trade-offs. For many, the lifestyle and financial upside easily outweigh the headaches, but it's important to know what you're signing up for.

On the plus side, Bali offers one of the best cost-to-lifestyle ratios in the world. With a modest teaching schedule, you can afford private accommodation, eat well, explore nature, and enjoy daily comforts that would be far more expensive elsewhere. The island's time zone (GMT+8) is nearly perfect for teaching students in Asia, and there’s a vibrant community of online teachers and remote workers who share tools, tips, and leads. Add a rich cultural environment, warm weather year-round, and a built-in rhythm that encourages work-life balance — and it’s easy to see the appeal.

But Bali isn't perfect. Power cuts and internet outages still happen, especially during rainy season or in less developed neighborhoods. You’ll need a backup SIM card, mobile data, and maybe a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to avoid getting caught mid-lesson. The visa situation, too, can be a headache — you’re technically not allowed to work while on most visas, even if your income is fully offshore. While enforcement is rare, there’s always a bit of legal uncertainty in the background.

Tourist-heavy areas can also be noisy, crowded, or distracting, especially in peak seasons. If you’re teaching young kids or need focused quiet time, the location you choose — and the soundproofing of your space — matters a lot. Finally, banking and long-term admin can be tricky for foreigners. Many teachers use international services like Wise, Revolut, or Payoneer to receive payments, since Indonesian bank accounts are harder to set up without a local sponsor.

That said, most online teachers who base themselves in Bali adapt quickly — and many end up staying far longer than planned. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can make Bali more than just a stopover. It can be a full-on home base for earning, living, and growing your teaching career.

Tips for Success

Teaching online from Bali can be incredibly rewarding — but it works best when you prepare with the right mindset and setup. Start by choosing your location based on infrastructure, not just Instagram appeal. That dreamy rice field villa or cliffside Airbnb might look perfect, but if the Wi-Fi’s unstable or power cuts are common, your lessons (and income) will suffer. Always test the internet, ask about backup power, and check online reviews before committing to a long-term place.

Having a mobile data backup is non-negotiable. A local SIM from Telkomsel or XL Axiata with a decent hotspot plan can save the day during outages — and they’re cheap enough to keep active just in case. Many teachers also invest in UPS units or portable routers for added reliability.

If you’re new to online teaching, it’s smart to start on a platform. Sites like Preply or Cambly can help you build experience, confidence, and a student base. Once you’re settled and know your schedule, you can begin transitioning to private students for better pay and flexibility.

Since Bali doesn’t have a true remote work visa yet, be ready to budget for visa runs, occasional extensions, or last-minute travel if rules change. Social visas (like B211A) give you longer stays, but always have a plan B if policies shift.

Lastly, don’t isolate yourself. Bali has a thriving expat and remote teaching community. Join Facebook groups, attend coworking meetups, and hop into Telegram chats — these spaces are goldmines for advice, student referrals, housing leads, and general support. The more connected you are, the smoother your life and work will be.

Is Bali Right for You?

If you're looking for a destination where your dollars stretch further, your teaching hours sync with your students, and your days are filled with sunshine, coconut trees, and cultural richness — Bali might be exactly what you need. It’s a top choice for teachers working with Asian learners, especially kids and professionals in China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

It also suits those who thrive in community-based environments, where work and life blend naturally, and where casual chats at cafés can lead to new friendships — or student referrals. But Bali does come with its share of trade-offs. Visa workarounds, inconsistent infrastructure in some spots, and the occasional language barrier or power outage are all part of the reality.

Still, for many online teachers, the lifestyle more than makes up for the logistics. If you’re adaptable, proactive, and excited by the idea of teaching from a tropical island while building a location-independent life, Bali is one of the best places in the world to do it.

Resources and Next Steps

• Teach English Online Guide — Compare platforms, find teaching tools, and learn how to get started online.
• Teach English in Indonesia
• Teach English in Bali