Bali Insights
Guides, news and stories to help you live, work and invest confidently in Indonesia
What Should You Do If an Earthquake Strikes in Bali?
Located within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” Bali is part of one of the world’s most seismically active regions. With earthquakes and volcanoes being natural parts of this area, it’s important for residents and visitors to understand safety measures and be prepared to respond calmly and effectively if an earthquake occurs.
Indonesia’s Employment Laws for Expats and Employers in 2025: KITAS and BPJS Explained
If you’re an employer or an expat in Indonesia, making sure that you’re aware of employment laws and frameworks is important. There are two areas that you should be aware of: the work permit system and the mandatory BPJS national insurance scheme.
What Not To Do in Bali: Avoid These Common Mistakes on Your Holiday
If you’re planning a trip to Bali, then we don’t doubt that you’re getting excited about the things you’ll do during your trip. But if you’ve ever wondered what you shouldn’t do whilst you’re here - allow us to fill you in. Keeping these rules in mind will help you avoid making common mistakes that can make your trip stressful, or worse, end rather ungracefully.
Nyepi in Bali: Etiquette for Bali’s Day of Silence
Nyepi, Bali’s unique Day of Silence, takes place on March 29, 2025, marking the Balinese New Year. During this 24-hour period, the island observes complete stillness, so visitors should prepare in advance to fully embrace the peace and reflection this special day offers.
Moving to Bali 2025: Is It Still Worth It?
The rise of remote working has created new expectations of what workplaces should look like, with instagram posts of a Bali beach or infinity pool captioned ‘my office today’ inspiring a dream in many. Still, the island has been getting some bad press on social media in the last year, with visitors blaming traffic, over tourism and rapid development as some of the main culprits for their disappointment. So - is moving to Bali still worth it in 2025?
What Is a PT PMA and Why You Need One for Business in Indonesia
As Indonesia continues to grow economically, more and more foreign investors are curious about how to get involved in the business landscape here. If you’re one of them, then opening a PT PMA (Penanaman Modal Asing) or effectively, a foreign owned company, is the way to do it. Whether you're planning to open a restaurant, run a digital agency, invest in property or something else, let’s explore what a PT PMA is and why you need one.
Can You Own Land in Indonesia As a Foreigner? Exploring Your Options for Land Ownership
If you're looking to make Indonesia or Bali your home, then understanding how property ownership works here is a necessary step in your journey. Although Indonesian law restricts foreign ownership of freehold land, there are other options available. Let's explore the ways you can legally own land in Indonesia, so that you can make an informed decision about building your dream home or creating the right property for your business or investment needs.
Island Hopping in Indonesia: Top Destinations Beyond Bali
Indonesia is home to 17,000 islands - and Bali is certainly one of the most famous and most loved around the world. But with that many islands to choose from, why visit just one? Indonesia spans three time zones, and offers some of the most diverse landscapes and unique cultures any travel destination could hope to. If you're wondering about what to explore beyond Bali, let us take you on a quick tour around some places we think should be added to your itinerary.
Just Opened a PT PMA in Indonesia? Here's Your Compliance Blueprint
If you’ve recently set up your PT PMA in Indonesia congratulations on this milestone in your journey! Whilst this is an exciting time, you may also be feeling a little stressed from having new corporate responsibilities to deal with. If you’re wondering what these responsibilities are, allow us to walk you through the areas you need to focus on to maintain compliance.
Living and Working in Bali in 2025: Your Top 10 Questions Answered
For the past few years, our team at Bali Solve has helped countless people from around the world make this beautiful island their home. As one of Bali’s premier consulting agencies, we've noticed the same questions coming up again and again. So, here are the top 10 things people ask us about living and working in Bali - with fresh answers for 2025.
Where Should You Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2024 in Bali?
The year is coming to an end, and New Year’s Eve is just around the corner! If you’re in Bali and wondering where to celebrate, we’ve curated a list of the best spots to ring in the new year and make your celebration truly unforgettable.
A Decade of Growth - International Arrivals in Bali Between 2015-2024
Bali’s tourism industry continues to thrive, with international visitor numbers often surpassing the island’s own population of nearly five million. As tourism makes up about 80% of Bali’s economy, the decade-long data on arrivals reveals a powerful story of the island’s resilience and success.
Do You Really Need Health Insurance When Living in Bali? Here’s Why and Where to Buy It.
Living abroad is fun and exciting, but if you end up having a serious illness or having to pay hefty hospital bills that you can’t afford, you may wonder why you left your country in the first place. In this post, we’ll explore the health insurance options available for expats living in Bali, so that you can cover yourself from any unexpected issues.
Which Visa Do You Need To Work Remotely in Bali?
Working remotely and living in Bali is a dream that many have, and one which has become much more attainable in recent years. If you’d like to work remotely and live in Bali, then chances are you need to find the right visa to do so. In this guide, we’ll weigh up the options available when it comes to living and working online legally in Bali.
A Quick Guide to Bali's 2024 Governor Election
At the end of this month, on November 27, 2024, a new governor of Bali will be elected. Here's a quick roundup of the candidates and what to expect from whoever wins this first-past-the-post election. The winning candidate will serve a term of five years and will play a fundamental role in both the development and preservation of Bali.
Indonesia’s New President, Prabowo, Pledges to Build North Bali Airport
Indonesia’s new President, Prabowo Subianto, stated his commitment to developing North Bali Airport during his first official visit to Bali last week. The project would mean a second international airport in the province, a plan which was previously shelved by Jokowi Widodo.
Bali Considers Tourism Development Pause Amid Environmental Concerns
A Moratorium letter from the Indonesian Government has been released with a proposal to limit tourism-related development in Bali, though it's important to note that as of now (late October 2024), the letter is still under discussion and has not been put into force by the Bali Provincial Government. It was signed on October 15, 2024, by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, and proposes several key measures
Do You Really Need Business Consulting for Your Bali-based Company?
Opening a business in Bali sounds like a dream, until you realize there’s a huge number of regulations, tax obligations and business limitations that you need to be aware of. Nobody pictures themselves filling in a mountain of paperwork instead of relaxing on the beach, but the truth is, setting your business up in the right way from the start is necessary if you want to avoid extra costs later.
Bali in the Balance: Indonesian Government to Halt Land Conversion of Bali’s Green Zones
Bali is famous worldwide as a lush paradise replete with rice fields and palm trees - but will it always be? In recent years, Bali and its residents have been grappling with an ever-growing challenge - how to balance both rapid development and booming tourist sector with the preservation of its nature. Its popularity as a tourist hotspot is hardly slowing down, and as such, the Indonesian government and key stakeholders are taking decisive actions to address the issue.
Indonesia’s New President: What Political Changes Can We Expect from Prabowo?
The 20th of October marks an important political transition for Indonesia, as a day that will welcome a new president in office. In the run up to the changeover, attention is turning to President-elect Prabowo Subianto as he prepares for his five year term. The current President, Jokowi Widodo, will end his term after 10 years in his role leading Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Let’s work together