Nomad Watch

Essentials

City
Sanur, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Population
Approximately 45,000
Internet Speed
Average 40-75 Mbps (Fiber optic is common in villas; Biznet is the leading provider)
Currency & Banking
1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR, 1 EUR ≈ 17,000 IDR. ATMs are plentiful along Jalan Danau Tamblingan
Tap Water
Not drinkable; use bottled or filtered (Gallon) water from brands like Aqua or Balian
Power
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F (European standard) sockets
SIM Card
Telkomsel (Best coverage), XL Axiata; 25GB data for approx. 150,000 IDR ($10 USD)
Banking for Expats
BCA and BNI are most reliable; Wise and Revolut cards widely accepted at mid-range businesses
Accommodation
Villas via Facebook Groups (Sanur Community), Airbnb, or localized guesthouses (Losmen)
Cashless Friendly
Mostly; QRIS phone payments and cards accepted at cafes, but cash is needed for local Warungs
Short Term Rentals
Semana Sanur (Modern apartments), Tandjung Sari (Luxury), or local homestays ($30-$150/night)
Budget Accommodation
Big Fish Village (approx $15-20/night), Little Tree House ($25/night)
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Beachfront/Jalan Danau Tamblingan (Main strip with boutiques and dining)
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Jalan bypass side for quieter villas or the area near Sindhu Beach for proximity to coworking

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Livit Hub Sanur (Professional community, roof terrace, approx $16/day or $180/month)
Best Cafe for Work
Canvas Cafe (Fast Wi-Fi, AC, abundant outlets), Genius Cafe (Beachfront, sustainable focus)
Networking Events
Livit Hub Weekly Community Lunches; monthly 'Sanur Digital Nomad Meetup' found on Meetup.com
Social Events for Expats
Sanur Community Facebook Group events; live music nights at Casablanca Sanur

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Gojek or Grab (Super apps for bikes and cars; very cheap and efficient)
Bike/Scooter Rental
Sanur Bike Rental or local vendors on Jalan Danau Tamblingan ($50-$80/month for a Honda Vario)
Best Beach Nearby
Sindhu Beach (Calm water, sunrise views) and Mertasari Beach (Kitesurfing hub)
Top Regional Airline
Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, AirAsia (Flying from DPS Denpasar Airport)
Top International Airline
Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways
Highway Access
Mandara Toll Road (Connecting to Kuta/Nusa Dua), Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai
Main Train/Transit Hub
None (Railways do not exist in Bali); Sanur Port is the main hub for fast boats to islands
Public Transport Passes
Teman Bus (Trans Metro Dewata) - Route 2 serves Sanur; pay via e-money card (approx $0.30/trip)
Regional Travel
Fast Boats from Sanur Port to Nusa Penida and Gili Islands (approx $20-$35 round trip)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Bali Mandara General Hospital (Public-Private) or BIMC Siloam Sanur (High-end expat standard)
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Power of Now Oasis (Eco-friendly bamboo studio on the beach), Shankari's Yoga
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Sanur Gym (Local feel, approx $30/month) or Wanda’s Gym ($50/month with better equipment)
Laundry Services
Local 'Laundry Kiloan' shops everywhere; approx 10,000 IDR ($0.65) per kg for wash/dry/fold

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
GoFood (via Gojek app) or GrabFood
Best Local Dish to Try
Nasi Campur at Warung Men Weti (Iconic local breakfast spot near Sindhu beach)
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Soul in a Bowl (Healthy bowls, vegan burgers), Somaya Sanur (Plant-based focused)
Best Dessert Spots
Massimo Gelato (Famous queues, huge variety, approx $1.50 per scoop)
Affordable Shopping Spots
Sindhu Night Market (Pasar Malam) for affordable local snacks and fruit
E-commerce/Online Store
Tokopedia and Shopee (Widespread and fast shipping)
Grocery Delivery
HappyFresh or GrabMart (Delivery from Grand Lucky or Artasedana supermarkets)
Bar/Nightlife Area
Casablanca Sanur (Rock music, lively crowds), Byrd House (Sophisticated beach club vibes)
Local Brewery
Island Brewing and Kura Kura Beer (Found in most bars like The Fire Station)
Wine Bars
The Glass House (Excellent wine list and cocktail selection)
Street Food Stalls
Sindhu Beach morning market and night market for Sate Ayam and Martabak
Popular International Cuisine
Shotgun BBQ (Texas style), Village Pasta (Authentic Italian)

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Le Mayeur Museum (Former home of a Belgian painter), Sanur Beach Boardwalk (5km long)
Museums & Art Venues
Griyah Santrian Gallery (Contemporary Balinese art exhibitions)
Historical Sites
Blanjong Inscription (Bali's oldest historical artifact dating to 913 AD)
Religious Sites
Pura Segara Temple (Coral-walled beach temple)
Annual Events
Bali Kite Festival (July-August at Padanggalak Beach, north of Sanur)
Cultural Districts
Intaran Village (Traditional heart of Sanur for ceremonies)
Theater Venues
Bali Beach Hotel Theater (Occasional traditional dance performances)
Local Markets
Pasar Sindhu (Morning for fresh produce, Night for food stalls)
Music Scene
The Fire Station (Live blues/rock), Tapa Bistro
Street Art
Localized murals near the bypass and beach alleys
Cooking Classes
Bamboo Shoots Cooking School (Farmer's market tour included, approx $35)
Art Galleries
Sudakara Art Space at Sudamala Resort
Historic Buildings
The Grand Bali Beach (Bali's first high-rise/luxury hotel, built in 1963)
Local Heritage
Jukung (Traditional colorful outrigger fishing boats lining the shore)

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Bali Orchid Garden (North Sanur), Mangrove Information Center (Suwung)
National Parks Nearby
West Bali National Park (4-5 hours drive away)
Cycling/Walking Paths
Sanur Beach Path (Paved, 5km flat path along the ocean)
Scenic Viewpoints
Sanur Beach at Sunrise (Mount Agung visible on clear days)
Birdwatching Locations
Mangrove Forest Suwung (South Sanur boundary)
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Mertasari Beach (Occasional community fires allowed in designated sandy areas)

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
J&T Express, JNE (Very reliable for local and international shipping)
Tech Repair Services
iBox for Apple products (Galleria Mall nearby), various independent shops on Jalan Bypass
Table Tennis Spots
Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites (Games room availability)
Language Classes
Cinta Bahasa Indonesian Language School (Sanur branch)
Libraries & Study Spots
Rumah Sanur (Creative hub with seating and library shelves)
Community Centers
Rumah Sanur (Common room for events, workspace, and coffee)
Gaming Lounges
Various internet cafes (Warnet) on Jalan Danau Poso
Casino & Gaming Halls
None (Gambling is strictly illegal in Indonesia)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Leasehold (25-30 years): Approx. $80,000 - $120,000 for modern studios
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Leasehold: Approx. $60,000 - $90,000
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Leasehold: Approx. $150,000 - $220,000 ($2,500/m²)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Leasehold: Approx. $110,000 - $160,000
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Leasehold: Approx. $250,000 - $400,000
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Leasehold: Approx. $180,000 - $280,000
Corporate Tax
22% standard rate
Dividend Withholding Tax
10% for residents, 20% for non-residents
Tax System
Worldwide income basis for tax residents (over 183 days)
Highest Income Tax Bracket
35% (for income over 5 billion IDR)
VAT
11%
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes, applicable to Indonesian residents owning foreign entities
Property Tax
PBB (Land and Building Tax) approx 0.1% to 0.2% annually
Property Transaction Tax
Buyer pays BPHTB (approx 5%), Seller pays Income Tax (2.5%)
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
New 'Remote Worker' (E33G) visa or 'KITAS' options allow for specific tax treatments; check latest 2024 regulations

Continue exploring Sanur