How to plan a 4-week workation trip to Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the most sought-after destinations for digital nomads or remote workers like myself in Southeast Asia. Going on a workation trip allows me to explore the place at a leisurely pace and immerse myself in the culture. I can take my time and enjoy everything to the fullest without feeling rushed.

How did I do it?

As a full-time software engineer, I am lucky and grateful to have a remote job that allows me to travel the world while I am working. It’s amazing how much more productive I am when I’m on the move, and I get to experience so many new things without having to sacrifice work. For my first backpacking trip abroad, I decided to make Bali my home base and explore other places from there. This is how I planned my 4-week workation trip.

Where to stay?

If you’re planning a long trip, whether it’s a vacation or a staycation, hostels are an excellent option. They’re affordable, provide stable wifi, and give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people. Bali’s hostels are especially workation-friendly, and many offer additional amenities such as scooter rentals and tour packages that include pickup and drop-off services.

I stayed in hostels in 3 different areas of Bali, 1 in Nusa Penida and 1 in East Java. You can book through Hostelworld which seems very convenient to me.

Bali

In Bali, the most convenient areas for digital nomads are:

Ubud: If you love a quiet and peaceful environment surrounded by nature, then this place is perfect for you. It is an ideal location to explore central Bali, with its magnificent waterfalls, pristine temples, and active volcanoes.

Tags: tropical peaceful decent-internet no-nightlife

Canggu: If you’re a fan of beach parties and soaking up the sun, this spot is a great way to wrap up your trip. On my last week here, I took it easy, tried out some cute cafes, and did a little shopping. Plus, Canggu is famous for its incredible surfing beaches, so you can catch some waves while you’re here.

Tags: party-area nightlife good-internet

Seminyak: I spent just two days here, this area is quieter than Canggu but has some very good restaurants. As it’s near to the airport, people generally start their trip from here. Surfing options are also available here.

Tags: moderate-party-area less-nightlife good-internet

Nusa Penida

If you plan on working from this location, it’s best to opt for hostels due to their reliable power backup system. The mobile network here can be unstable, but you can also consider working from cafes, which usually have dependable wifi. While I personally spent four days working and exploring this area, it has been reported by others that power cuts are more common in hotels.

East Java

I spent 4days in Java and would not recommend working from there as the internet is not stable to work from there. Fortunately, I decided to take off and clubbed them with the weekend to explore Mt. Bromo and Mt. Kawah Ijen.

How to plan your day trips?

To make the most of your time in Indonesia while juggling your work schedule, it’s important to plan based on the time difference between Indonesia and India. As Indonesia is 2.5 hours ahead of India, and assuming your work schedule begins at 9 AM, you’ll have until 11:30 AM(Indonesian time) to explore the area. Starting early means fewer crowds and having the place to yourself, not to mention great photo opportunities!

Tip: Rent a scooty instead of a car to avoid being stuck in traffic.

Ubud: When you’re in Ubud, it’s a good idea to start exploring the nearby waterfalls, rice fields, and temples around 6:30-7 in the morning. During my stay, I spent a lot of time checking out the beautiful waterfalls, including Taman Sari, Tibumana, Gembeleng, and my personal favourite, Nung Nung. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit some other waterfalls like Tukad Cepung, Aan Secret, and Kanto Lampo due to rainy weather and roadblocks. One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Sidemen, a small hill town with breathtaking scenery. Even though it was raining, I enjoyed one of the best scooter rides I’ve ever had in Indonesia.

Canggu: Since I spent my last week chilling here, I spent most of my time chilling at beaches and cafes and went to explore Uluwatu and Nusa Dua during weekends. But if you’re into surfing then the mornings are sorted. Spend the evenings shopping in Love Anchor and other shops or go clubbing with your friends.

Nusa Penida: If you are working from here then ensure to spend at least 3-4 days here to explore both east and west Penida completely. The roads are quite narrow and curvy so it will get busy if you start late. If you’re planning to go to Kelingking or Diamond Beach, please ensure to start early otherwise you will not be able to hike down to the beach due to the crowd.

East Java: My itinerary for East Java included Mt. Ijen, Mt. Bromo, and Tumpak Sewu waterfall. Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit the last one as it was closed due to flooding a few days prior. The journey from Bali to East Java can be tiring and take up an entire day. To make the most of my trip, I took a Friday off and travelled to East Java. I booked trekking tours to Mt. Ijen and Mt. Bromo from the hostel where I was staying. Finally, I returned to Bali on Monday.

Keep in mind that this trip involves long journeys and back-to-back treks, which can be very tiring. I suggest taking some time off and planning accordingly.

Workation essentials

Universal adapter: It is a must-have item. If you forget to bring one, you can buy it from nearby markets or ask the hostel staff to provide you with one.

Power bank: Since you will be travelling most of the time, it is essential to carry a power bank during your day trips to ensure connectivity.

Offline Maps: I learnt the importance of this the hard way. You can get stuck anytime, anywhere as it’s a tropical place where sudden rains are common. My phone stopped charging as the water got inside, and I had no offline maps to rely on.

Rain Cover/Dry Bag and Rain Jackets: As mentioned earlier, it can rain anytime, and you will need to protect all your electronics.

International Driving License: If you are planning to rent a scooter/car, you will need an international driving license.

Locks: Some of the hostels do not provide locks for your locker, so you can either buy one there or bring one with you.

These were some tips and suggestions from my first international workation trip. While it can be tiring at times, it was definitely worth it. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like me to add.

Must Read: Indonesia Travel Guide