Uluwatu

Uluwatu covers the limestone cliffs and surf breaks of the Bukit Peninsula at Bali's southern tip, and it has grown from a surfer outpost into a second nomad base after Canggu. It is more spread out and a little more upmarket, with villas perched above famous reef breaks and beach clubs built into the cliffs. It suits surfers, people who like space and sea views, and anyone who wants Bali without Canggu's crowds.

Bingin and Padang Padang are the most popular areas for remote workers, with Pecatu and Ungasan offering newer villas and better-value rents further inland. Jimbaran, on the northern edge of the peninsula, is a cheaper fallback with easier access to the airport. Coworking has caught up fast. The Space Bali in Bingin is the best known, Uluwatu Hub in Pecatu is a straightforward and reliable option, BWork has opened an Uluwatu branch, and Monday Coworking and Coffee serves those based in Ungasan.

You need a scooter here; distances are longer than they look, the roads are steep, and there is little walkable town centre. Fibre has reached most villa areas, but outages after storms are common enough that a data backup is sensible. The dry season from May to September brings the best surf on the west-facing breaks and clear skies, while the rains from November to March are milder here than inland. Budget roughly US$1,900 a month for a comfortable life, with a good one-bed villa around US$800.

The main drawbacks are isolation and sprawl. Without a bike you are stuck, and with one you are riding dark, unlit roads at night. Some reefs are for experienced surfers only, and beach access often means long flights of stairs. Development is changing the clifftops quickly, water supply can be unreliable in dry months, and prices at the beach clubs and smarter cafés are not far off European levels.