Bali vs Thailand for Remote Workers: Cost, Internet, Visas Compared

If you are a remote worker planning a move to Southeast Asia, two destinations dominate every shortlist: Bali and Thailand. Both promise cheap living, warm weather, incredible food, and thriving nomad communities. Both have been on the digital nomad radar for over a decade. And both keep growing — Canggu’s coworking scene has exploded, Bangkok’s tech ecosystem keeps maturing, and Chiang Mai remains the original nomad base camp.

But Bali and Thailand are not interchangeable. They differ meaningfully on internet reliability, visa logistics, healthcare access, cost structure, and the kind of daily life you can expect. Picking the wrong one does not ruin your life, but picking the right one saves you months of frustration and thousands of dollars.

This guide compares Indonesia (Bali) and Thailand across every dimension that matters for remote workers. Data-driven, no sponsored content, no “it depends” cop-outs. Just the numbers and the honest tradeoffs.

The Big Picture: Bali vs Thailand at a Glance

Before diving into each category, here is how Bali and Thailand’s two main nomad hubs — Bangkok and Chiang Mai — compare across the metrics remote workers care about most. Note that we are comparing Bali (one island within Indonesia) against Thailand as a whole, because that is how most nomads frame the decision.

Thailand wins on the practical fundamentals — internet, healthcare, visas, and cost (especially Chiang Mai). Bali wins on scenery, surf culture, and a certain creative energy that is hard to replicate. Let’s break each dimension down.

Visa Comparison: Indonesia’s B211A vs Thailand’s LTR and DTV

Visa logistics are where Thailand pulls ahead decisively. For remote workers, the question is simple: how easily can I stay long-term and work legally?

Indonesia (Bali) offers the B211A visa, which functions as a de facto digital nomad visa. It grants a 60-day stay, extendable up to 180 days (6 months). The application requires a sponsor (usually arranged through an agent for $200-400), proof of funds, and health insurance. After 180 days you must leave and re-apply — the dreaded “visa run.” Indonesia also introduced a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa (B211A subclass) in 2024, but processing is still inconsistent and the 6-month cap remains. There is no straightforward path from the B211A to permanent residency.

Thailand offers two strong options. The Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa grants up to 10 years of residency for remote workers earning $80,000+ annually, with a 17% flat income tax rate and work permit included. The newer Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), launched in 2024, targets digital nomads and freelancers with a 5-year validity, 180-day stays per entry, and a roughly $300 application fee. The income threshold is lower than the LTR, making it accessible to a wider range of remote workers.

The bottom line: Thailand gives you longer stays, clearer legal frameworks, and a realistic path to long-term residency. Bali’s visa situation works — thousands of nomads do it — but it involves more admin, more uncertainty, and regular visa runs. If you want to settle somewhere for 1-3+ years without bureaucratic headaches, Thailand wins this category clearly.

Cost of Living: Chiang Mai Is Unbeatable, Bali Is Pricier Than You Think

Cost is where Thailand — specifically Chiang Mai — creates the widest gap. Bali’s reputation as a budget destination is increasingly outdated. Canggu, the primary nomad hub, has seen prices rise 30-40% since 2020 as demand from remote workers has outpaced local infrastructure. You can still live cheaply in Ubud or less touristy areas, but the Canggu/Seminyak corridor now costs more than many Thai cities.

Chiang Mai is the clear budget winner — you can live comfortably on $1,000 per month, which is nearly impossible in Canggu today. Bangkok is slightly cheaper than Bali while offering a massively better infrastructure. Even Bali’s “cheap” options (Ubud, Amed) require $1,200+ for a comfortable remote work setup with reliable internet.

One important nuance: Bali’s costs are inflated by the “foreigner price” phenomenon. Rent, activities, and many services have a dual pricing structure that can add 20-50% compared to what locals pay. Thailand has tourist markups too, but they are less systematic and less extreme.

Internet: Thailand Wins Decisively

For remote workers, internet reliability is not a nice-to-have — it is the entire foundation of your income. And this is where Thailand has a commanding advantage.

Thailand’s internet infrastructure is among the best in Southeast Asia. Bangkok averages 60-100 Mbps on fiber connections, with many condos offering dedicated fiber lines. Chiang Mai averages 50-80 Mbps. Both cities have redundant connections, meaning outages are rare and brief. Mobile data (5G in Bangkok, strong 4G everywhere) provides a reliable backup. You can confidently run video calls, screen shares, and upload large files without anxiety.

Bali’s internet is the island’s Achilles heel for remote workers. Average speeds run 30-50 Mbps in Canggu, but the real problem is reliability. Power outages, undersea cable issues, and local infrastructure limitations mean your connection drops at unpredictable times. Many coworking spaces invest in backup generators and redundant connections specifically because they cannot rely on the base infrastructure. If you have a critical client call at 2 PM, you need a backup plan in Bali. In Bangkok, you just open your laptop.

Practical tip: If you choose Bali, budget for a coworking membership ($100-200/month) as your primary workspace. Working from cafes or your villa is viable for light tasks, but unreliable for video-heavy workflows. In Thailand, most apartments come with internet that is fast enough to work from home full-time.

Coworking Scene: Both Excellent, Different Vibes

Both destinations have world-class coworking ecosystems, but the culture differs significantly.

Bali (Canggu) is arguably the global capital of “lifestyle coworking.” Spaces like Dojo, Outpost, and B-Work combine fast internet with rice paddy views, yoga sessions, surf breaks, and community events. The vibe is creative, social, and wellness-oriented. If you are a freelance designer, content creator, or entrepreneur who wants your workspace to feel like an extension of your lifestyle, Bali’s coworking culture is unmatched.

Thailand offers more variety. Bangkok’s coworking scene includes everything from corporate-style spaces (WeWork, JustCo) to indie creative hubs. Chiang Mai’s scene is more nomad-focused, with institutions like Punspace and CAMP that have served the remote work community for years. The spaces tend to be more functional and less Instagram-worthy than Bali’s, but they are reliable, affordable, and genuinely optimized for getting work done.

Verdict: Bali for the experience, Thailand for the practicality. Both will meet your needs — the difference is whether you want your coworking space to have a pool and a smoothie bar or just fast internet and quiet zones.

Healthcare: Thailand Is in a Different League

This is the single biggest gap between the two destinations, and it should weigh heavily in your decision if you have any ongoing health needs or simply value peace of mind.

Thailand is a global leader in medical tourism for a reason. Bangkok’s private hospitals — Bumrungrad, Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej — are internationally accredited, staffed by English-speaking doctors, and offer care that rivals (and in some specialties exceeds) what you would get in the US. A GP visit costs $20-40. Dental cleaning is $30-50. An MRI is $200-400. Even Chiang Mai has multiple modern hospitals (Ram Hospital, Maharaj Nakorn) that handle everything from routine checkups to major surgery.

Bali’s healthcare is adequate for basic needs — clinics in Canggu and Seminyak handle minor illnesses, cuts, and travel ailments. But for anything serious — surgery, complex diagnostics, dental work, specialist care — you will likely be medevaced to Singapore or Jakarta. BIMC Hospital in Kuta is the best facility on the island, but it does not approach the level of Bangkok’s top hospitals. Pharmacies in Bali are also less regulated, and medication availability can be inconsistent.

The bottom line: If healthcare access matters to you — and as a long-term remote worker abroad, it should — Thailand is the clear choice. This is not a close call.

Safety: Both Relatively Safe, Different Risk Profiles

Neither Bali nor Thailand is dangerous by global standards, but the risks you face are different in each location.

Bali is generally safe for expats and remote workers. Violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main risks are motorbike accidents (the leading cause of serious injury among expats — Bali’s roads are chaotic and helmets are often poor quality), petty theft, and scams targeting tourists. Natural disaster risk is real: Bali sits in an active seismic zone, and Mount Agung last erupted in 2017-2019. Dengue fever is common during rainy season.

Thailand scores slightly higher on safety overall. Bangkok and Chiang Mai have well-established tourist infrastructure and responsive emergency services. The main risks are motorbike accidents (a shared Southeast Asian issue), occasional protests in Bangkok (rarely affecting expat areas), and petty scams in tourist zones. Thailand’s healthcare infrastructure also means that when something does go wrong, you have better emergency response available.

Key difference: Both require motorbike savvy, but Thailand’s road infrastructure is significantly better. Bangkok’s BTS and MRT mean you can avoid two-wheeled transport entirely — an option that does not exist in Bali, where a scooter is essentially mandatory.

Culture and Community: Two Flavors of Nomad Life

Both destinations have massive, established digital nomad communities, but the cultures attract different types of people.

Bali’s community skews younger, more creative, and more wellness-oriented. The typical Canggu nomad is a freelancer, content creator, or early-stage entrepreneur in their late 20s to mid-30s. The culture revolves around surfing, yoga, plant-based cafes, breathwork retreats, and sunset sessions. It is social, sometimes overwhelmingly so. Balinese Hindu culture adds a unique spiritual dimension — temple ceremonies, offerings, and a philosophical approach to life that many remote workers find genuinely transformative.

Thailand’s community is more diverse. Bangkok attracts a mix of corporate remote workers, startup founders, and experienced nomads who want urban infrastructure. Chiang Mai’s community is the most “OG nomad” crowd in Asia — longer-term residents, serious freelancers, and people who prioritize cost efficiency and quiet productivity over social media aesthetics. Thai Buddhist culture emphasizes mindfulness and respect in a way that permeates daily life without the overt commercialization you sometimes see in Bali’s wellness scene.

Honest assessment: Bali is better for building a social life quickly. Thailand is better for building a sustainable long-term life. Both have communities large enough that you will find your people regardless — but the default social energy is different.

Climate: Tropical Both, but Different Monsoon Patterns

Both destinations are tropical, but their seasons run differently, which matters for planning your stay.

Bali has two seasons: dry (April-October) and wet (November-March). The dry season is near-perfect — warm days, low humidity, stunning sunsets. The wet season brings daily afternoon downpours, higher humidity, and occasional flooding in low-lying areas like parts of Canggu. Temperature stays consistent year-round at 75-90°F (24-32°C). The transition months (April and October) are arguably the best time to be in Bali.

Thailand has three seasons: hot (March-May), wet (June-October), and cool (November-February). Bangkok’s hot season is genuinely brutal — 95-100°F (35-38°C) with high humidity. Chiang Mai gets even hotter but with lower humidity. The cool season, especially in Chiang Mai, is among the most pleasant weather in Southeast Asia: 65-85°F (18-30°C) with clear skies. One downside: Chiang Mai has a burning season (February-April) when agricultural fires push air quality to hazardous levels.

For remote workers: Bali’s dry season and Thailand’s cool season are the peak months. Many nomads split time between the two, spending November-February in Chiang Mai and April-October in Bali. If you can only pick one, Thailand’s cool season edges ahead — but factor in the burning season if Chiang Mai is your base.

Food and Lifestyle

Both destinations offer exceptional food at prices that would make any American weep with joy. This category is genuinely close to a tie.

Bali’s food scene has two layers. Local Balinese/Indonesian food is incredible and dirt cheap — a nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie ayam (chicken noodles) at a warung costs $1-2. The international food scene in Canggu has exploded, with world-class cafes, smoothie bowls, vegan restaurants, and fusion cuisine. The downside: international food in Bali is expensive by Southeast Asian standards ($8-15 for a brunch plate at a trendy cafe).

Thailand’s food needs no introduction. Thai street food is arguably the best in the world — pad thai, som tam, khao soi (Chiang Mai’s signature dish), grilled everything on sticks, and a staggering variety of curries. A filling street meal runs $1.50-3. Bangkok also has one of Asia’s best high-end dining scenes, and Chiang Mai’s night markets are legendary. The international food options in Bangkok rival any major global city.

Lifestyle edge: Bali wins on the wellness lifestyle — surfing, yoga, breathwork, healthy eating are all deeply embedded in the daily routine. Thailand wins on urban lifestyle — nightlife, shopping, cultural activities, and the sheer variety of experiences available in Bangkok. Chiang Mai splits the difference with a relaxed pace, abundant nature, and a growing wellness scene of its own.

Tax Implications for Remote Workers

Tax is a critical and often overlooked dimension for remote workers choosing between these destinations.

Indonesia taxes residents on worldwide income, with rates from 5% to 35%. However, most digital nomads in Bali on B211A visas are technically not tax residents (they do not stay 183 days in a calendar year, or they structure stays across visa runs). Indonesia has been signaling increased enforcement on foreign workers, so the gray area that nomads have relied on may not last. The digital nomad visa does not automatically create tax residency, but the rules remain ambiguous.

Thailand recently changed its tax rules. As of 2024, Thailand taxes income remitted to Thailand in the same year it is earned — a significant change from the prior rule that exempted income earned in prior years. Remote workers on LTR visas get a favorable 17% flat rate. DTV holders face more ambiguity, though Thailand has not yet shown aggressive enforcement against remote workers earning from foreign clients. Thailand has tax treaties with over 60 countries, which provides some protection against double taxation.

For Americans: You are taxed on worldwide income regardless. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (up to ~$126,500 in 2025) applies in both countries. See our expat tax guide for details. The practical difference: Thailand’s LTR visa offers a clearer, more structured tax framework. Bali’s tax situation relies more on a “don’t ask, don’t tell” arrangement that carries some risk.

Infrastructure and Transportation

This is an area where Thailand’s advantage is stark, especially if you are coming from a country with functional public transit.

Bangkok has a modern BTS Skytrain, MRT subway, airport rail link, extensive bus network, and ubiquitous Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber). You can live car-free and scooter-free comfortably. The city has reliable power, clean tap water in modern condos (though most people drink filtered or bottled), and infrastructure that generally works. Chiang Mai lacks rail transit but has excellent road infrastructure, Grab coverage, and the Songthaew (shared taxi) system.

Bali has essentially no public transportation. Your options are: rent a scooter (what 90% of nomads do), hire a private driver, or use Grab (limited availability outside tourist areas). Traffic in Canggu and Seminyak is increasingly brutal — a 5-kilometer trip can take 30-45 minutes during peak hours. Power outages are common enough that many villas and coworking spaces have generators. Tap water is not potable anywhere on the island.

Practical impact: If you value the ability to move around easily without driving, Bangkok is one of the best cities in Southeast Asia. If you are comfortable on a scooter and do not mind traffic, Bali is manageable — but it adds a daily friction that Thailand simply does not have.

Where Each Destination Shines

Best For: Matching Your Profile to the Right Destination

Rather than declaring one winner, here is our recommendation based on the profile that fits you best.

Budget-Focused Remote Workers

Choose Thailand (Chiang Mai). At $800-1,300 per month for a comfortable lifestyle, Chiang Mai is 40-50% cheaper than Canggu. You get reliable internet, good healthcare, and a strong nomad community. If your monthly revenue is under $3,000, Chiang Mai is the smarter financial choice by a wide margin. See the full Thailand country profile for city-by-city cost data.

Health-Conscious or Older Remote Workers

Choose Thailand (Bangkok). Access to world-class hospitals, reliable emergency services, and a well-regulated pharmacy system makes Bangkok the clear winner for anyone who wants healthcare peace of mind. If you take regular medication, have a chronic condition, or simply do not want to worry about medical access, Bangkok is the answer.

Social Butterflies and Creative Professionals

Choose Bali (Canggu). If your top priority is community, social energy, and a lifestyle that integrates work with surfing, yoga, and sunset dinners, Bali is purpose-built for you. The coworking culture facilitates organic connections in a way that no other destination matches. Budget accordingly — you will spend more, but the social ROI is real. Explore the Indonesia country profile for more details.

Families with Children

Choose Thailand (Bangkok or Chiang Mai). Better healthcare, more international schools, reliable infrastructure, and the ability to live car-free in Bangkok make Thailand the pragmatic choice for families. Bali has a growing family nomad community and some excellent international schools (Green School being the most famous), but the healthcare limitations and scooter-dependent transportation create challenges with children.

Short-Term Stays (1-3 Months)

Choose Bali. For shorter stays, Bali’s visa process is simpler (60-day visa on arrival, extendable to 90), the lifestyle is immediately immersive, and you can experience the best of what the island offers without hitting the infrastructure pain points that compound over longer stays. Come during dry season (April-October) for the best experience.

Long-Term Stays (6+ Months)

Choose Thailand. The DTV or LTR visa provides legal stability. The infrastructure supports a sustainable routine. The healthcare gives you a safety net. And the lower cost means your savings last longer. The novelty of Bali can fade after 3-4 months when the traffic, power outages, and visa runs start to wear on you. Thailand’s practical advantages compound over time.

The Verdict: Thailand for the Foundation, Bali for the Experience

If we had to make one recommendation, it would be this: Thailand is the better base for most remote workers. It wins on the dimensions that matter most for sustained productivity — internet reliability, healthcare, visa stability, cost, and infrastructure. These are not exciting factors, but they are the ones that determine whether your remote work life actually works month after month.

Bali is the better experience. The scenery, the surf, the spiritual culture, the social energy — these are genuinely special and hard to replicate anywhere else. But “experience” and “base” are different things. Many of the happiest nomads we talk to use Thailand as their home base and Bali as their 2-3 month annual adventure.

Neither choice is wrong. Both destinations offer a quality of life that far exceeds what the same budget buys in the US, Europe, or Australia. The question is not “which is better?” but “which is better for you, right now?”

Our 2-minute quiz weighs your actual priorities — budget, healthcare needs, visa flexibility, lifestyle preferences — and generates a personalized ranking that includes both Indonesia and Thailand alongside every other country we track. Or use the comparison tool to put them head-to-head on the specific dimensions you care about most.

Whichever you choose, you are picking warm weather, incredible food, a supportive community, and a cost of living that lets you actually enjoy your life while you work. That is a win by any metric.