Amed Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
Ujung Water Palace (Taman Ujung) |
| 🎟️ 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 |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 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) |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 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
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 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 |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING AMED