Essentials
- City
- Amed, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia
- Population
- Approximately 5,000 across the seven fishing villages
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-50 Mbps; Starlink is now widely used by top cafes and guesthouses
- Currency & Banking
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR. ATMs available at BNI and Mandiri near the Eka Jaya jetty
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use 'Galon' (19L) dispensed water, usually 20,000 IDR per refill
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F Europlugs. Frequent short outages during storm season
- SIM Card
- Telkomsel has the best coverage in East Bali. 25GB data plan ≈ 150,000 IDR
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Mandiri or BNI for locals; Nomads use Wise or Revolut at Visa-enabled ATMs
- Accommodation
- Boutique villas, dive resorts, and local homestays (Pondok)
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger dive shops and restaurants take cards (3% fee); local warungs are cash only or QRIS
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Amed Community'
- Budget Accommodation
- Ocean Prana Hostel (Dorm beds from 150,000 IDR/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Jemeluk Bay for snorkeling and sunset views
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Lean or Lipah for quieter surroundings and better villa infrastructure
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Amed Laborotary (Co-working space with dedicated desks and high-speed internet)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Rimba Cafe (Excellent AC, healthy food, and reliable Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Expat Coffee' meetups often organized via the Amed WhatsApp community groups
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night live music at See You Again Bar or trivia nights at Blue Earth Village
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gojek and Grab (Note: Pickups can be restricted by local taxi cooperatives; drop-offs are fine)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals (Nmax/Vario) for 70,000 - 150,000 IDR per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Lipah Beach (Sandy bottom, excellent coral right off the shore)
- Top Regional Airline
- Garuda Indonesia or Citilink (Flying into I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, DPS)
- Top International Airline
- Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways
- Highway Access
- Jalan Raya Karangasem-Culik is the main artery connecting Amed to the rest of Bali
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None (Bali has no trains). Perama Tour Bus is the primary tourist shuttle hub
- Public Transport Passes
- Standardized public transport does not exist in Amed; private transit only
- Regional Travel
- Fast boat to Gili Islands/Lombok via Eka Jaya or FreeBird (approx. 450,000 IDR)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- RSUD Karangasem in Amlapura (30 mins drive). For emergencies, Air Evac to BIMC Nusa Dua
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Blue Earth Village (Stunning views) and Apneista (Freediving and Yoga)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Amed Gym (Basic local weights gym located in Purwakerti)
- Laundry Services
- Multiple local shops (e.g., Putu Laundry) charging 15,000 - 25,000 IDR per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Gojek (GoFood) - limited selection compared to Ubud/Canggu
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pepes Ikan (Spiced fish steamed in banana leaves)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Cup (Great vegan bowls and espresso)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Kopi Kotak for local treats and cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Culik Morning Market (5 AM - 9 AM) for fresh produce at local prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Tokopedia and Shopee (Deliveries take 3-5 days from Jakarta/Java)
- Grocery Delivery
- Amed Delivery (WhatsApp-based local service for groceries)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sunset Point and various beach bars along Jemeluk Bay
- Local Brewery
- Kura Kura Beer (Bali craft beer) served at Blue Earth Village
- Wine Bars
- Galanga (Excellent food with a curated wine selection for the area)
- Street Food Stalls
- Warung Terang Bulan (Indonesian sweet pancakes) in Culik
- Popular International Cuisine
- Trattoria Amed (Authentic Italian pizza and pasta)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- USS Liberty Shipwreck (Tulamben, 20 mins away)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Lempuyang Temple (The 'Gates of Heaven') - 30 min drive
- Historical Sites
- Tirta Gangga Water Palace (Ancient royal bathing pools)
- Religious Sites
- Pura Besakih (The Mother Temple) - 1.5 hours away
- Annual Events
- Nyepi (Day of Silence) - Date varies in March; the whole island shuts down
- Cultural Districts
- Tanganan Pegringsingan (Traditional Aga village nearby)
- Theater Venues
- None; traditional Gamelan and dance usually performed at local ceremonies
- Local Markets
- Amed Salt Farm (Traditional sea salt harvesting)
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic reggae and rock at Pacha Reggae Bar
- Street Art
- Hand-painted signs and traditional Balinese temple carvings
- Cooking Classes
- Amed Bali Cooking Class (Run by local families)
- Art Galleries
- Small craft shops in Jemeluk selling local woodcarvings
- Local Heritage
- Jukung fishing boats (Double outrigger canoes) lining the beaches
- Historic Buildings
- Ujung Water Palace (Taman Ujung)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Mount Agung (Highest volcano in Bali, trekking available)
- National Parks Nearby
- West Bali National Park (4+ hours away); Amed is a Marine Protected Area
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal road between Amed and Seraya for scenic hills
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Lahangan Sweet (Epic views of Mt. Agung and the coast)
- Birdwatching Locations
- The lush valleys behind Lean Village
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Allowed on many rocky beaches away from resorts; check with local Banjar
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- J&T Express and JNE in Culik
- Tech Repair Services
- Small phone shops in Culik; major repairs require a trip to Denpasar
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at Ocean Prana
- Language Classes
- Indonesian lessons available at various homestays through private tutors
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Blue Earth Village community library
- Community Centers
- The local Banjar halls (Village community meeting points)
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes in Amlapura geared toward mobile gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Indonesia
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. IDR 1,500,000,000 ($95k) for Leasehold (25-30 years) near Jemeluk
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. IDR 900,000,000 ($57k) for Leasehold in hill areas
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. IDR 2,200,000,000 ($140k) for 80 m² leasehold villa
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. IDR 1,600,000,000 ($100k) for 80 m² leasehold villa
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. IDR 3,500,000,000 ($220k) for 150 m² oceanfront leasehold
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. IDR 2,500,000,000 ($160k) for 150 m² hillside leasehold
- Corporate Tax
- 22% standard rate in Indonesia
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 20% for non-residents (may vary by treaty)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for tax residents (183+ days in country)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% for income over IDR 5 Billion
- VAT
- 11% (Standard Indonesia VAT)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to 50%+ Indonesian owned foreign entities
- Property Tax
- PBB (Land and Building Tax), approx. 0.1% to 0.2% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% BPHTB (Buyer's Tax) and 2.5% PPh (Seller's Tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The B211A/E-Visa and the new 'Remote Worker' (E33G) visa targets 0% tax on foreign-sourced income