Where to Work in Canggu, Bali (Cafes and Coworking Spaces)
First published June 6 2018, Updated December 20 2018
Canggu is the new hottest region in Bali for digital nomads and if you check out the cafe scene here, you'll understand why.
I started off with a small list of spaces to check out and to be honest, I wasn't expecting much. However, after visiting over 10 work friendly cafes in Canggu, I'm still having to add more to the list.
The truth is that almost any cafe or restaurant in Canggu with wifi available is a fair enough location to take out your computer - Even my local Warung (Indonesian restaurant) has wifi for guests!
Of course, you've got some pretty serious coworking spaces in Canggu as well and so in this article, I'll be sure to cover them also.
All in all, I checked out 14 coworking spaces and cafes for remote work and without further ado, let's jump straight into what I found!
Note: In order to take into account the prices of each, I bought the same item (an Iced Latte) at all 14 and have included the cost as the 'Iced Coffee Index'
Machinery
Location: Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong| Iced Coffee Index: 38k IDR ( $2.70 USD)
One thing that I had heard before coming to Bali was that while Wifi was ubiquitous in Canggu, many of the cafes were set outside and did not have air conditioning. So, for the first space I checked out, I gravitated towards Machinery, a indoor cafe with laptop workers always visible inside as I drove past.
It's a little small but with good availability of power points and fast internet.
Hours: 7:30am to 8pm everyday
Noise Level: Not the quietest, music playing.
Ergonomics: Not the best. Chairs are either couches against the wall or wooden chairs with a single cushion on them. Tables with gaps, not the best.
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Machinery Cafe | 14.1 Mbps | 28.2 Mbps | 40 ms | 12:46 pm |
Kembali Bembuk
Location: Jalan Bumbak Dauh| Iced Coffee Index: 34.5k IDR ($2.45 USD)
Kembali was a recommendation by our good friend Loukman Nacik, who - if you haven't already seen on my YouTube channel - is a man of style and taste.
Pictured above is the outdoor seating area with a little bit of a view of the inside cafe. Not shown in the picture however are the circular tables surrounded by gardens and an umbrella for shade. Beautiful but not the best for work (in my humble opinion).
I give this space my tick of approval for ambiance but as a work space, I'm just a little bit more particular when it comes to ergonomics.
Hours: 7am to 10pm everyday
Noise Level: There is music but it's not too obnoxious.
Ergonomics: Poor. Metal chairs, couches and benches.
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| KEMBALI | 19.3 Mbps | 3.57 Mbps | 3 ms | 12:48 pm |
District Canggu
Location: Jalan Pantai Berawa| Iced Coffee Index: 45k IDR ($3.2 USD) | Click here for coworking prices
District is an interesting space in the sense that it's both a cafe and a coworking space.
Pictured above is the downstairs area where there is a slight breeze from the rice paddies but of course, no air conditioning. The upstairs area looks very similar but is reserved for coworking members.
Upstairs, they advertise high-speed (45 mbps) fibreoptic broadband (with 30 mbps backup) at the 'competitive price' of 44k IDR per hour ($3.17 USD) all the way up to 1.65m IDR ($118.8 USD) for the month.
Hours: 8am to 10pm daily
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Metal chairs but at least they have seat backs!
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| DISTRICTCANGGU | 4.87 Mbps | 4.59 Mbps | 51 ms | 1pm |
Nude
Location: Jalan Pantai Berawa | Iced Coffee Index: 28.5k IDR ($2.03 USD)
Nude is another recommendation from our friend Loukman but by the looks of things, is quite popular with a few other nomads around Canggu.
Predominantly a lunch and breakfast spot, the air conditioned room appears to get crowded after lunch. With power points only against the walls, we lasted as long as the charge on our computers.
Hours: 7am to 10pm daily
Noise Level: Music is a little loud in the aircon room
Ergonomics: Not the worst but far from an office setup
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| @nudecanggu | 4.91 Mbps | 1.44 Mbps | 42 ms | 2pm |
Bahn Mi and Beans
Location: Jalan Raya Semat | Iced Coffee Index: 25k IDR ($1.78 USD)
With one of the fastest upload speeds that I tested in Canggu, Bahn Mi and Beans came out as a bit of dark horse.
There's not a lot of hype around Bahn Mi and Beans as it isn't the trendiest cafe in Canggu but perhaps it's a good thing, as after lunch I've found the place to be quite deserted and easy to stay focused.
Hours: 8am to 9pm daily
Noise Level: Some music but not annoying
Ergonomics: Good but only on the main table (to the left as you come in)
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Bahn Mi & Beans | 8.34 Mbps | 17.8 Mbps | 50 ms | 11:46am |
Matra Coliving Space
Location: Jalan Tegel Sari | Iced Coffee Index: 27k IDR ($1.92 USD) | Coworking without purchase (Higher Speed): 100k IDR per day ($7.11 USD)
Located a 5 minute walk from my villa is this coliving space called Matra and the funny thing is, you don't need to even be staying there to use the coworking space.
That's right! Matra charges for just for internet and not the use of the space. A purchase at the cafe is enough to use their free tier of internet.
Surely this deal can't last forever and I'm probably shooting myself in the foot by giving the secret away but hell! Even if they charged a fair monthly rate, I'd be down. I just don't know if it's worth the 100k IDR ($7.11 USD) per day for the slightly faster internet (see speed test result below).
Hours: 24/7
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Great
| Speed Test Results | |||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED | |
| PAID | Matra Coliving | 11.43 Mbps | 11.14 Mbps | 6 ms | 10:40 am |
| FREE | Matra Coliving | 1.98 Mbps | 1.93 Mbps | 14 ms | 10:40 am |
Crate
Location: Jalan Canggu Padang Linjong| Iced Coffee Index: 35k IDR ($2.47 USD)
I'll be honest. I took my speed test, recorded the iced coffee price and took my photos before I even made it to the front of the line. After which, I left straight away.
Apart from having the opportunity to get those Instagram bangers under the umbrellas where you can look out over the lawn, I can't see how Crate can be a productive space.
Now of course, I came at a busy time but even still, I'm not seeing seat backs or power points anywhere. Yeah, I think I'll pass.
Hours: 6am to 5pm daily
Noise Level: High when busy
Ergonomics: Bad. No seatbacks
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Crate Cafe | 6.67 Mbps | 0.64 Mbps | 44 ms | 1pm |
Cafe Vida
Location: Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong | Iced Coffee Index: 38.2K IDR ($2.69 USD)
I don't know if you've ever been to Ubud but I feel transported there whenever I visit Cafe Vida. The cafe has an earthy garden feel with traditional balinese architecture in the back.
I decided to check it out after one of our earlier roommates at the villa mentioned it but it's definitely not my vibe and if it was, I'd probably rather just go to Ubud lol!
Hours: 7am to 10:30pm daily
Noise Level: Music and loud when crowded
Ergonomics: Standard for a cafe
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Vida Garden Cafe | 2.00 Mbps | 9.25 Mbps | 40 ms | 1:15pm |
| Vida Cafe Bar | 9.77 Mbps | 10.40 Mbps | 38 ms | 1:35pm |
Sprout Cafe
Location: Jalan Raya Semat No.18| Iced Coffee Index: 37k IDR ($2.66 USD)
Across from Bahn Mi and Beans and tucked away behind a garden wall is Sprout which, if you manage to get a table against the wall, is quite a comfortable and quiet space to work.
Hours: 7am to 6pm daily
Noise Level: Not bad from memory
Ergonomics: Good if you can get a seat against the wall, otherwise no.
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Sprout Wifi | 8.25 Mbps | 1.71 Mbps | 57 ms | 2pm |
Dojo
Location: Jalan Batu Mejan No. 88 (Echo Beach)| Iced Coffee Index: 35k IDR ($2.52 USD) | Click here for coworking prices
No list of workspaces in Canggu would be complete without including Dojo. It's become an institution of the remote work scene in Canggu and it's almost safe to assume that any other nomad you meet in Canggu has heard about it or worked out of there at some point.
Dojo is the coworking space that introduced me to Canggu back in 2016 and is the space I choose to set up at during May and June this year while staying in Canggu.
It has an amazing community and great internet but it's not at all corporate - not that I'm complaining about that!
Hours: 24/7 for members
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Great in some rooms but Dojo is not a corporate vibe at all, so don't expect office chairs
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Dojo Hotspot | 45.67 Mbps | 37.77 Mbps | 40 ms | 2pm |
Cinta Cafe
Location: Jalan Pantai Berawa| Iced Coffee Index: 35k IDR ($2.52 USD) (Menu Price)
Located next to District and with a similar layout, I was expecting almost a carbon copy of District. However, at Cinta I found the internet to be a step up from District's free tier and with more space, it became my preferred location to District.
Cinta is the new favourite of my friend Loukman (who I've mentioned throughout this article) and is well-recommended, especially for breakfast.
Hours: 8am to 5pm
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Not bad for a cafe
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Cinta Cafe | 24 Mbps | 87.5 Mbps | 3ms | 12pm |
Tropical Nomad Canggu
Location: Right next to Pretty Poison on Canggu's famous shortcut| Cafe currently being built so no Iced-coffee index yet ;)
Tropical Nomad is the newest coworking spot in Canggu and I fell in love with it at first sight.
The location is just beautiful! and super convenient (on the famous Canggu shortcut). Very tropical, very Instagrammable, very Canggu ;)
In terms of functionality, I can only fault this place on ergonomics as the chairs might be super sexy but not so great for long periods on the computer.
Hours: Open 24hrs for members
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Not great. The space looks super sexy but the chairs aren't the most ergonomic.
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Tropical Nomad Member | 63.43 | 72.69 | 25 | 8:52am |
Outpost Canggu
Location: Jalan Raya Semat| Don't know if they do Iced Coffee but a hot one was 25k IDR ($1.72 USD)
If you're looking for the most productive workspace in Canggu, then look no further! Outpost's new Canggu location is your best spot to dig into some proper work.
I spent two weeks at Outpost Canggu, taking part in one of their programs called 'Life Design Lab' back in October and I'm in agreeance with multiple others that believe this space is the most productive in Canggu.
Hours: Open 24hrs for members
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Best in Canggu! Yay for office chairs!
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Outpost | 22.60 | 21.74 | 8 | 8:10pm - OCT 15 |
Third Space - CLOSED
Location: Jalan Bumbak Dauh No.90| Iced Coffee Index: 35k IDR ($2.53 USD) from the cafe downstairs | Check their Facebook page for prices
Third Space was a coworking space that I discovered while driving to Kembali Bumbek. Their slogan was 'Work away from Work' and they called themselves a boutique coworking space.
I felt it's appropriate that the space sat above a furniture and coffee shop in the Umalas area as the interior was really what set this space apart.
What I really liked about Third Space was the attention to detail which was most noticeable when you saw the power points embedded elegantly into each desk featuring international power and USB ports.
Hours: Mon - Fri: 7am to midnight, Weekends: 9am to 6pm Permanently closed :(
Noise Level: Low
Ergonomics: Trendy chairs with cushions. Still not office ergonomics but better than a cafe
| Speed Test Results | ||||
| SSID | DOWNLOAD | UPLOAD | PING | TIME RECORDED |
| Thirdspace Unifi | 21.46 Mbps | 15.55 Mbps | 63 ms | 12:37pm |
| Thirdspace Meeting Room | 41.47 Mbps | 8.46 Mbps | 4 ms | 12:41pm |
Special Mentions
Nalu Bowls: Want to do some work over lunch? Situated right next to Dojo, Nalu Bowls allows you to essentially 'borrow' Dojo's wifi for a few hours with a purchase of one of their smoothie bowls.
Finns Recreation Club Business Centre: Probably the closest to a corporate coworking space you'll find in Canggu and super pricey at 500k IDR per day ($36 USD)
Betelnut Café: Never been but recommended by Catie Leta
Milk & Madu: Awesome breakfast and great view. Didn't test the wifi but you could totally work out of there.
Milu by Nook: Again, I didn't work out of this one but it was beautiful and my first cafe experience in Canggu. A saw a couple of people there on their computers too
Metta Cafe & Cocomo: Recommendations from my friend, Riley Bennett. They made it on my shortlist to check out but I didn't get around to it in the end.
Summary
To be honest, I grew tired of checking out new spaces in Canggu as the list of cafes you can work from here is near infinite.
Especially now that I have my go-to space at Dojo, I'm not too tempted to experience coworking in cafes without air conditioning or high speed internet (ie. more than 10mbps up and down).
That being said, if you're considering Canggu and concerned about finding a place to get your work done, do not fear! You have a ton of options.
Been to Canggu before? What are your favourite spots to work or study? Let me know in the comments.
Until next time,
Chris