Lifestyle

Yes, with nuance. Canggu's main strip (Batu Bolong road) is genuinely overcrowded and the character has changed significantly since 2019. But Bali is large - areas like Berawa, Pererenan, Cemagi, and Amed retain a far more relaxed feel. Ubud remains magical. The core proposition - warm weather, cheap villas, abundant coworking, extraordinary food, world-class wellness, and a huge international community - remains intact. The key is knowing which areas to choose and which to avoid.

Bali has two seasons: dry (May–October) and wet (November–April). The dry season, particularly July–September, offers the clearest skies, best surf conditions on the west coast, and the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities. April–June and September–October are the sweet spots - good weather with fewer tourists than July–August peak. The wet season brings daily downpours but shorter durations - mornings are often beautiful and the island turns gloriously lush and green. Prices and villa availability are also much better during wet season.

Ubud's central location makes it the best base for exploring Bali's interior. Top day trips: Sekumpul Waterfall (north Bali, 1.5 hrs - most spectacular waterfall in Bali); Tirta Gangga (east Bali, 1.5 hrs - royal water garden and rice terrace walks); Mount Batur sunrise trek (1 hr drive; 4 hr hike; extraordinary caldera views); Jatiluwih UNESCO rice terraces (1.5 hrs west); Besakih Mother Temple (1.5 hrs; Bali's holiest site on Agung's slopes). All are manageable as scooter day trips from Ubud.

For the right person, absolutely - and it is seriously underrated. The extraordinary affordability ($400–$700/month comfortably), cultural depth (Borobudur, Prambanan, batik, gamelan, wayang), warm local community, and proximity to Mount Merapi and the south Java coast make Jogja a wonderful long-term base. The tradeoffs are real: very small expat community, limited English outside universities and tourism, fewer international amenities, and a smaller coworking scene. If you want genuine Indonesian immersion, cultural richness, and a truly affordable life - Yogyakarta rewards those who choose it.

A curated first-year list: Nyepi (Bali's Day of Silence - typically March/April); Borobudur at sunrise before the crowds; Komodo Island and Komodo dragons (fly Bali-Labuan Bajo); Nusa Penida's Kelingking Beach cliff view; snorkelling with manta rays at Manta Point; Mount Batur sunrise trek; Ubud's Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu; a traditional batik workshop in Yogyakarta; a Vipassana retreat at Dhamma Java; and your first bowl of proper babi guling (Balinese suckling pig) at Ibu Oka in Ubud.