Where to meet people
| Where | Who you meet | Our tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking classes | Travellers of all ages, groups of 6 to 12 | Ideal for day one: you cook and eat together |
| Food tour or night market | Solo travellers and couples | Several tastings: people talk around the table |
| Yoga and retreats | Travellers seeking calm, often solo | Morning classes in Ubud bring the same faces together each day |
| Group surf lessons (Canggu) | Beginners, young travellers | Groups meet again on the beach afterwards |
| Coworking and laptop cafes | Digital nomads and expats | See coworking and nomads in Bali |
| Hostels with events | Backpackers on a budget | Pick one that advertises parties, shared meals or outings: see hostels in Bali |
| Online groups | Residents and passing travellers | The city's Facebook and Meetup groups give outing ideas; we did not verify a specific group |
Choose by profile
- Solo traveller passing through: a cooking class, then a group tour the same week.
- Newcomer for several weeks: coworking, a gym or a yoga studio with a membership: regulars soon recognise each other.
- Couple or small group: favour shared tables and hostel evenings open to everyone.
- Evenings out: see nightlife in Bali. Never leave your drink unattended and avoid homemade local spirits: see scams and safety in Bali.
Stay careful
Tell someone where you are going, do not share your accommodation address at the first meeting and prefer public places. Make sure you are covered in case of an accident: travel insurance for Bali.
FAQ
Is it easy to make friends in Bali when travelling solo? Yes in Ubud and Canggu, where solo travellers are numerous, especially in group activities.
Which activity first? A cooking class: several hours, a shared meal, a small group.
Do friend-finding apps work? They exist, but we did not verify their activity in Bali: concrete activities work better.
