SIM cards, eSIM and internet in Bali: the 2026 connectivity guide

Connectivity in Bali is cheap and easy: no blocked messengers, solid 4G in every lived-in area, and eSIMs you can set up before boarding. The practical scheme.

Option 1: eSIM before you fly

Tourist eSIMs for Indonesia are sold online: pay, scan a QR, data works on landing. Pros: zero airport queues. Cons: usually data-only, no local number — and you'll want a number for Gojek/Grab and deliveries: why the apps matter.

Option 2: a local SIM

• Telkomsel — the best coverage island-wide, including the quiet east; slightly pricier
• XL Axiata and others — cheaper, excellent in popular areas
• A tourist package with tens of gigabytes runs roughly 100–200k rupiah a month
• SIMs are passport-registered by law — buy at official counters and stores, not "from a guy at the beach": unregistered cards die within weeks

The practical combo

• Flight and day one — eSIM with a small package
• First days — a local SIM for the number
• Home number in roaming for bank SMS only; roaming data off

Wi-Fi is the real question

For remote work, villa Wi-Fi matters more than any SIM: ask for a live speed test before booking — 30–50 Mbps fibre is the comfort bar, and the full housing checklist is in the nomad guide. Listings in the catalogue come with internet details on request, and the check-in checklist starts with a speed test. More answers — the FAQ.