While there are plenty of other co-working options around the island, Canggu has definitely earned its reputation for being the digital nomad hub of Bali. There’s practically a co-working space on every street, and for every “official” co-working space, there’s plenty of make-shift co-working areas and cafes offering AC and fast wifi for those days when you just need a change of scenery.
Although there are already about a million blog posts about co-working in Canggu floating around on the Internet, after quite a bit of research, I wasn’t able to find even one that lists Every. Single. Option (as well as some decent cafe recommendations).
So, without further ado… here is a list of literally EVERY. SINGLE. CO-WORKING SPACE in and around Canggu.
*Denotes a cafe with an advertised adjoining co-working area.
Canggu
Dojo
Dojo is the OG co-working space in Canggu: In other words, it’s where everyone goes (which means it’s always crowded). I personally think Dojo is over-rated and over-priced. But if you’re really looking to network, or if SUPER consistent high-speed wifi is an absolute necessity for you, then this might be the perfect option. While they do have members-only events and workshops, they offer plenty of amazing workshops to the public (just email them in advance to sign-up), so don’t think you HAVE to purchase a membership to feel part of the digital nomad community in Canggu.
*Side note: just had it confirmed by a friend that you can’t bring outside food into Dojo (so no Go-Jeking your lunch… how annoying).
Connco
Connco is also super new to the co-working scene in Canggu. It just opened up a few months ago (circa May 2019), and while it was offering free co-working it was definitely one of my favorite options. But although the spaces are very open and well-lit, the wifi is reliable, and they have AC, it just lacks what most digital nomads flock to Bali for in the first place: community. I’m hoping they’ll start focusing more on this aspect, and then they’ll be a real contender for all the other amazing options in the area. But for now, this is really only the place for you if you became a digital nomad to work in a building that feels exactly like an office one very way possible.
*Zin
Zin @Work is a dedicated co-working space attached to the Zin hotel and located at the back of Zin cafe (just walk up the steps and across the ‘bridge’). Although there’s no AC, there’s several fans placed on the ceiling that keep the area pretty cool. The seating isn’t the most comfortable, but the wifi is good, and it’s a nice place to work from if you’re working with a partner/group or just need a change of scenery for a day or two. Definitely not a long-term option, but still one of the many options available to digital nomads in Canggu.
Co-Living: Outsite
Since there aren’t a lot of other “official” co-living options in Canggu (most digital nomads just rent out a large, gorgeous villa together – Bali’s own unique form of ‘co-living’), the Bali Outsite is pretty decent. It definitely focuses on community, and the location is beautiful, with a pool overlooking a large field of rice terraces. But the actual living accommodations kind of leave much to be desired in my opinion: the rooms are super dark and poorly lit (even if you open every window you can find) and the AC never seems to really get the room to the desired temperature. For me it really is just the super dark rooms that are a deal-breaker. I need a lot of light, especially natural light, to enjoy living in a place.
Bonus Cafe: Machinery
The selling point of this cafe: its guaranteed fast wifi. Plenty of cafes in Canggu offer good wifi, good food, and AC (think Eden Cafe and Cafe Organic), but Machinery takes it one step further, actively targeting digital nomads by advertising “Fast” wifi. So if you’re a digital nomad who needs excellent wifi speeds to conduct your business (and in case you’re wondering, yes there are some digital nomads – like myself – for whom Wifi isn’t all that important; I edit documents, so I actually don’t even need wifi for a majority of my work hours), this might be a good option for you on a day when you just feel like a change of scenery.
Pererenan
Co-Living: Camp 308
Camp 308 is the new kid on the scene – and it’s already making BIG waves! While Camp 308 is primarily a co-living option, it also has decent on-site co-working facilities: large, open co-working area with comfy seating options; skype rooms, meeting rooms; and, of course, fast wifi. I personally recomment taking full advantage of this brand-new coworking option by booking a room for your stay in Bali, but even if you choose not to stay (or can’t because it’s booked full – seriously, book this place in advance because it books up QUICKLY), it’s the perfect option for digital nomads staying in Pererenan for the peace and quiet and to get a more “local” experience in Bali.
*Boheme
Although this luxury hotel is advertising their cafe as a co-working option called “Nomad Space”, it’s really just a cafe with good wifi, AC, and pool access. You can spend the day working from here (and enjoying the pool with rice terrace views) if you just purchase something to eat. Good for a day when you just need a change of scenery – and you already know you’ll be taking a pool break during your work day.
Bonus Cafe: Cactus Cafe
This place has got everything a digital nomad could ask for in a cafe: comfy seats, good Wifi, delicious food, and – most important in Bali – AC (which is perfect if you’re expecting to work for a few hours at least). Although seating is limited, it’s location in Pererenan means that it’ll rarely be crowded – and definitely not with large groups of annoying 19-20 year olds who are drunk/hungover on vacation. Perfect for a day in which you just need a change of scenery.
Berawa
Tropical Nomad
Tropical nomad is in my top 3 favorite co-working spaces in Canggu area. Aptly named, this space has a VERY tropical vibe that makes this co-working space not only ideal to get work done, but also to just hang out, meet-up with friends, grab a coffee, and enjoy a beautiful day in Bali. It doesn’t cost anything to just come hang out here, but if you want to get connected to the wifi you’re going to need a membership. Although it’s a relatively new option (opened in November 2018), it has a strong community and has quickly become the second-most popular co-working space (after Dojo).
Outpost
While the lighting situation is typically better than what’s shown in the above picture, it’s still not one of my favorite co-working spaces – although that’s probably because I’m a girl, and Outpost tends to attract male digital nomads, and typically those who work doing drop-shipping or coding. It’s the least traditionally “creative” crowd of all the co-working options. That being said, I’ve gone to countless events and workshops they’ve held (and really enjoyed them!) and I do feel like they’re trying to attract a wider array of digital nomad types. They have an on-site pool and cafe, and they’re centrally located in Berawa.
Finn’s
Although the actual dedicated co-working space at Finn’s is pretty lackluster (it’s called a business center), Finn’s is actually one of the top options because of everything else that’s included with a membership: access to a pool, tennis court, gym (and classes), steam room, water park, soccer field, Finn’s beach club access, and 10% off food and on-site services (spa/salon and chiropractor). So if you’re the kind of person who likes to get everything they need in one go, a Finn’s membership could be exactly what you’re looking for. *Bonus: although the business center is pretty bare bones, there’s always plenty of empty space and it’s easy to get work done because it’s so quiet.
Kinship
Kinship studio is perfect for creative types. They have several empty studio spaces that can be rented out on a monthly basis for artists and small business owners (or anyone who wants an entire room to conduct their business in). The rest of the co-working space is a well-lit open-layout area that’s great for meeting other digital nomads; you can choose between a free desk or a dedicated desk.
Genesis
Genesis Creative is EXACTLY what the name implies. It is the co-working space Bali never knew it always needed. At Genesis creative you can rent out (on an hourly basis) any one of it’s fully equipped art, fashion, music, or photography studios. Not only can you rent out these studios to help your creative visions become a reality, you can also attend creative workshops and classes that they offer. And if you’re not a creative yourself, but just want to be surrounded by that energy, they also have an adjoining co-working space for conducting regular, day-to-day business.
*District
The SUPER budget co-working option in Canggu (tehcnically Berawa). The ground floor is a cafe, and the second floor is a dedicated co-working space for digital nomads. There’s no Skype rooms, and while the main area doesn’t have AC, there are a few “meeting” rooms that you can sit and work in if it gets too hot for you to concentrate. The big seller on this one is the view really, and the fact that it only costs $115 for co-working for the month. If price is your main factor, this will be perfect for you.
Co-Living: Matra
This is a great option for the budget digital nomad. The co-working space itself is pretty bare bones (and there’s no Skype rooms, in case that’s a deal breaker for you); plus, there’s no AC. But if you’re digital nomad-ing on a budget, you’ll definitely want to check this place out as a dedicated office space for you to hustle your way up to better options.
Bonus Cafe: Ritual Cafe
Ritual Cafe is my favorite cafe to work from in Berawa. Not only is the upstairs area just beautiful (instagram-worthy seating areas on the outside terrace area), but there’s an enclosed area with AC and comfortable seating. The food is delicious (and pretty cheap for Western food options in Bali) and the staff are super friendly. And the best part? The AC area on the second floor is mostly frequented by other digital nomads, so there’s rarely loud or long-lasting conversations that make it difficult to work!
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