Essentials
- City
- Lovina, Buleleng Regency, Bali, Indonesia
- Population
- Approx. 15,000 across the coastal villages of Kalibukbuk and Anturan
- Internet Speed
- 25-50 Mbps; Fiber optic via IndiHome is common in villas, Biznet available in select spots
- Currency & Banking
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR); 1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR, 1 EUR ≈ 16,900 IDR
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use 19L 'Gallon' water dispensers (approx. 20,000 IDR per refill)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C & F (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Telkomsel (best coverage) or XL Axiata; 25GB data approx. 100,000 IDR at local kiosks
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Central Asia (BCA) and BNI have reliable ATMs; Wise and Revolut widely used for transfers
- Accommodation
- Villas via Airbnb or local Facebook groups like 'Lovina Community'; Monthly villa rentals $500 - $1,200 USD
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; major restaurants accept cards/QRIS, but local warungs and markets are cash-only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and numerous boutique guesthouses along Lovina Beach
- Budget Accommodation
- Puri Bayu or Funky Place Lovina; dorms/basic rooms from 150,000 IDR ($10) per night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kalibukbuk; the central hub with the highest concentration of dolphin tour operators and restaurants
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Anturan or Temukus; quieter residential areas with private villas and better value for long-term stays
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Golden Garden (in nearby Singaraja, 15m away) or private setups at villas; Lovina lacks a dedicated 'branded' coworking space
- Best Cafe for Work
- Global Village Kafe (Jalan Labuan Padi); reliable Wi-Fi, social mission, and plenty of power outlets
- Networking Events
- Weekly expat meetups at Kantin 21 or Spice Beach Club
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Lovina Community' Facebook group; volunteer events at the North Bali Reef Conservation
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab and Gojek are available but limited; local 'Transport' drivers are preferred (Lovina to Ubud approx. 600,000 IDR)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops on Jalan Raya Lovina; 75,000 - 100,000 IDR per day, or 1,200,000 IDR per month
- Best Beach Nearby
- Lovina Beach (Black Sand); Pemuteran Beach (1 hour west) for better snorkeling and white sand
- Top Regional Airline
- Citilink or Wings Air for domestic hops from Bali (DPS)
- Top International Airline
- Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates flying into Denpasar (DPS)
- Highway Access
- No highways; accessed via the winding mountain roads from Bedugul (approx. 3 hours from South Bali)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains in Bali; the main hub is the Singaraja Bus Terminal (Banyuasri) for regional buses
- Public Transport Passes
- None; Perama Tour shuttle buses are the primary tourist transport link between Lovina and South Bali
- Regional Travel
- Private driver (Standard day rate 600k-800k IDR) or the Perama bus to Ubud/Kuta
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- RSUD Kabupaten Buleleng in Singaraja (15 mins) or Parama Sidhi Hospital for private care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Santhika Bed & Breakfast/Yoga Retreat; daily drop-in classes around 100,000 IDR
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Lovina Fitness (Jalan Seririt-Singaraja); simple local gym with essential weights, approx. 30,000 IDR per session
- Laundry Services
- Numerous 'Laundry Kiloan' shops; 10,000 - 15,000 IDR per kg for wash, dry, and iron
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- GrabFood and GoFood (Limited selection compared to South Bali, but covers major spots in Kalibukbuk)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Siobak Singaraja (Pork in savory brown sauce); found at Siobak Khe Lok in nearby Singaraja
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Akelolong; offers high-quality plant-based Indonesian and Mediterranean fusion
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bakery at Sea Breeze Lovina; excellent cakes and pastries with an ocean view
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pasar Seririt for local produce; Seririt Hardys for department store needs
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shopee and Tokopedia; deliveries take 3-5 days from Java/South Bali
- Grocery Delivery
- GrabMart (Limited); most expats visit Pepito Market in Lovina for imported goods
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Binaria Square / Kalibukbuk beach front; Kantin 21 for live music
- Local Brewery
- Stark Craft Beer (Brewery located near Lovina in Temukus); the only craft brewery on the island
- Wine Bars
- Spice Beach Club; offers a curated wine list and sunset cocktails
- Street Food Stalls
- Pasar Senggol (Night Market) in Singaraja for satay, martabak, and nasi campur
- Popular International Cuisine
- Le Petit Restaurant (French/International) or Jasmine Kitchen (Thai)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lovina Dolphin Statue at Binaria Square; early morning dolphin watching tours (100k-150k IDR)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Gedong Kirtya Lontar Library in Singaraja; the only library in the world housing ancient palm-leaf manuscripts
- Historical Sites
- Pura Beji (Sangsit); an 15th-century 'subak' temple known for intricate carvings
- Religious Sites
- Brahmavihara-Arama; Bali's largest Buddhist monastery, 20 minutes from Lovina
- Annual Events
- Lovina Festival (usually held in September) featuring traditional dance and food
- Cultural Districts
- The old colonial port area of Singaraja (Buleleng Harbour)
- Theater Venues
- Occasional traditional Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) shows at local temples during Odalan festivals
- Local Markets
- Anyar Market in Singaraja for authentic daily Balinese life/produce
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic bands at various beach bars like Funky Place and Spice every weekend
- Street Art
- Occasional murals in Singaraja town center near the waterfront
- Cooking Classes
- Lovina Cooking Class (Bambu Bali); approx. 450,000 IDR including market tour
- Art Galleries
- Art Zoo (in Pemuteran, nearby) by Symon; eclectic and colorful pop art gallery
- Historic Buildings
- The old Dutch Colonial administrative buildings in Singaraja
- Local Heritage
- North Balinese Gamelan music, which is faster and more aggressive than South Balinese style
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Banjar Hot Springs (Air Panas Banjar); sacred hot springs set in lush jungle (20k IDR entrance)
- National Parks Nearby
- West Bali National Park; 1.5 hours west, home to the rare Bali Starling
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal path between Kalibukbuk and Anturan; rice field walks in the hills of Kayu Putih
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Puncak Wanagiri; overlooking Twin Lakes (Tamblingan and Buyan)
- Birdwatching Locations
- West Bali National Park or the forested hills behind Lovina
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Tukad Mungga Beach; often used by locals for evening gatherings and small fires
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- JNE or J&T Express; central branch located on Jalan Raya Lovina
- Tech Repair Services
- Cellular shops on Jalan Ahmad Yani in Singaraja for phone/laptop repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local community halls (Banjar); requires local inquiry as there are no commercial clubs
- Language Classes
- I Am Bali Language School (Singaraja); courses in Bahasa Indonesia
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Gedong Kirtya Library (cultural study) or quiet resort lobbies like The Lovina Bali
- Community Centers
- North Bali Reef Conservation center in Tianyar (volunteering hub)
- Gaming Lounges
- Small 'Warnet' (Internet Cafes) in Singaraja town used mainly by local students
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Indonesia; no casinos permitted
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 15,000,000 IDR per m² for Leasehold (e.g., 40 m² = 600,000,000 IDR / $38,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 10,000,000 IDR per m² for Leasehold (e.g., 40 m² = 400,000,000 IDR / $25,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 14,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 840,000,000 IDR / $53,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 9,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 540,000,000 IDR / $34,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 13,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,040,000,000 IDR / $66,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,500,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 680,000,000 IDR / $43,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% standard rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for tax residents (over 183 days in Indonesia)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income over 5 billion IDR)
- VAT
- 11% (standard Value Added Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Indonesian residents with 50%+ ownership in foreign entities
- Property Tax
- Land and Building Tax (PBB) approx. 0.1% to 0.2% of assessed value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% for buyer (BPHTB); 2.5% for seller (PPh)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- New 'Remote Worker' E33G Visa allows 1-year tax-free residency for income earned outside Indonesia