Unsettled: Bali

The boundaries between work, life, and travel are becoming blurred, fundamentally changing how we live today. Unsettled brings together groups of travelers and professionals from around the world for uniquely co-created experiences. Each retreat is designed to break your routine and inspire a renewed sense of growth, meaning and adventure through transformational travel and peer-to-peer learning.

Whether you're working full time, or going through an intentional career transition, our retreats are designed to help you break out of your routine and explore a new destination with an incredible group of peers.

This experience includes comfortable and well-located accommodations (typically a 3-star hotel-villa in nature), a coworking space, dedicated staff to lead your experience, regular dinner parties and themed conversations, peer-to-peer workshops, curated events, local adventures, spontaneous activities and hopefully one of the best experiences of your life. 

You can learn more on Our Experience page.

Yes! In fact, most of the time while away is up to you. The Unsettled experience is your experience, don't forget! We create just enough structure so that you can plug into the different activities, workshops, and connect with people as you wish.

Nothing is required, and everything is voluntary; however, we do look for people who contribute, and highly recommend that you do. Typically, the more you put into your experience, the more you get out. Our role is to provide a platform so you are informed and can participate as you like.

Most days are unstructured work days, exploration days or adventure days (whatever your current activity!) You can work from our central coworking space, or a coffee shop. Or, you can go explore with other participants to places we recommend or discover your own new secret spots. We tend to have a fixed family-style group dinner once a week where everyone can check in and catch up with each other, as well as other dinners, events, activities and surprises throughout each week that everyone is welcome to join. You never know the kind of inspiration that can come through connecting with a community, so be sure to try and take advantage of it while you're able.

This is not an all-inclusive experience; we build a co-creative community, and include the essential ingredients and a strong community and adventure calendar, but we give you plenty of freedom to choose where, when, and how you eat and explore on your own. 

Most people on an Unsettled retreat are professionals with multidimensional personalities and vast interests. This isn’t a post-college party trip. Our average age of participants is in the mid 40’s, but we’ve hosted folks of all ages. Living Unsettled is truly ageless.

We’ve hosted rpeople from all backgrounds, artists and designers, first-time entrepreneurs and professionals who are transitioning into new careers. You’ll find people with all kinds of passion from food and wine, transcendental meditation to CrossFit, Bikram yoga to kiteboarding, and diving to flying. On any given day, however, most of us are content hanging out with each other, exploring new places, and trying new things.

As soon as you pay your deposit, your spot for the trip is secured. This deposit remains refundable for 10 days following your payment, unless you pay within 60 days (no transfers or refunds within 60 days), subject to a $200 administrative fee. Should you need to transfer your payment, you can do so up to 60 days before the start date of your trip, also incurring a $200 administrative fee, and must use your credit within 12 months (void afterward). Please note that neither refunds nor transfers are available if there are fewer than 60 days remaining before your trip's start date. Additionally, all participants are required to obtain travel insurance. This insurance must cover trip cancellation or interruption, including cancellations made by you, as well as provide for emergency evacuation and international health insurance coverage throughout the duration of your travel with Unsettled. Participants must also sign Unsettled's Liability Waiver upon arrival.

It's best to arrive on the start date of your retreat, or a day or two before. Our accommodations are not open early, but there are plenty of hotels that you can stay at before the retreat begins. 

Our retreats takes place in Ubud, located in what we consider the heart of the island. It’s a quieter side of the island than compared to the hustle and party-vibes of the south. You’re more likely to meet people in Ubud who are here to take a yoga teacher training than they’re here to party on a vacation. 

Our villa is in a mixed residential neighborhood, just outside of central Ubud, and a 15 minute walk to our coworking space. We also have fiber optic internet running right into our villa, so you can work from your room or head over to our coworking space that’s open 24/7.

We typically have 12 - 15 participants stay onsite with us. Rooms have porches and we have a pool and common space to get together. 

Outside of our villa, we choose one local adventure for the group to go out and explore per week. We take you to our favorite spots to chill and decompress as well as some of the best experiences behind the tourist facades in Bali.

Yes. Unsettled Bali includes breakfast 2 to 3 days per week to get the community together in the mornings. Unsettled also takes care of a welcome dinner, a farewell dinner, a few lunches, and a weekly dinner on site. In general, plan to take care of your lunches and dinners throughout the month. A typical lunch around Ubud can go for $3-$10 USD. Dinner can go from $5-$50, depending on if you are eating local or at a name-brand western hotel.

There will likely be plenty of group meals that you join on the trip as well. These are often organized by participants (you!) in small to large groups. Here's our guide to participating in large meals on a trip; every participant is expected to read this and pitch in as an equal member of the community.  

Yes! We have a series of local adventures planned for the month that will be included as part of the program. These adventures are aimed to connect you with local culture by exploring some of Bali’s hidden gems. However, Unsettled is all about co-creation, so we encourage you to create and plan for your own adventures as you are there and we will be there supporting you to make them happen!

All the rooms have a private bathroom, A/C and  a mini fridge. 

The type of rooms mainly depend on where they are located in the villa and the type of design they’ve got. 

Both the standard and the standard plus are mostly balinese-type of rooms, with local furniture and decor, while the suites and premiums are more modern. The  main difference between the standard and the standard plus is that the latter are located above the common area and have a jacuzzi. 

Regarding size, the smaller rooms are the standard and the larger ones are the suites, with these ones being located further away from the main entrance of the villa. 

All the rooms are located around a main lawn with a pool. 

The short answer: Visas (much like travel insurance and flight tickets) are highly dependent on your personal details, nationality, and length of stay. It is 100% your responsibility to understand and obtain the correct visa for your situation.

Most nationalities can get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) when they arrive at the airport in Bali. This is what the majority of people do - just walk off the plane, get in a long line, and get your visa in-person. 

The e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival)

For most nationalities, the smoothest way to enter Bali in 2025 is the e-VOA (Index B1).

• Apply Online: You can apply and pay for this via the official Indonesian Immigration website before you depart.

• Standard Duration: It grants you a 30-day stay.

• The "30-Day Rule": Your trip will be much simpler if your flights in and out of Bali span no more than 30 days. If you plan to stay longer, you must account for the extension process.

Staying Longer than 30 Days?

If you plan to stay beyond 30 days, you have two primary paths:

1. Extension (The Recommended Route): You can extend a VOA or e-VOA once for an additional 30 days (totaling 60 days).

   • Crucial Update for 2025: As of mid-2025, Indonesian immigration requires in-person biometric sessions (photo and fingerprints) at the local immigration office for extensions, even if you applied for your initial visa online.

   • The Process: You must initiate the extension online about 1–2 weeks before your first 30 days expire. We can recommend a local professional halfway through the retreat who can help facilitate this for an extra fee, but you will still need to visit the immigration office in person for your appointment.

2. Overstay Fee (The Expensive Route): If you choose not to extend and simply stay past your 30-day limit, you will be charged an overstay fee at the airport upon departure.

   • The Cost: The overstay fee is currently IDR 1,000,000 per day. For many, this makes the airport extension or the e-VOA extension a much more affordable and preferred option.

Important Reminders

• Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival.

• Documentation: Always keep a digital and printed copy of your e-VOA and your return flight ticket ready to show at passport control.

• Arrival Declaration: Don't forget that as of late 2025, you must also complete the "All Indonesia" electronic customs and health declaration within 3 days of your arrival.

Note: We have had people from dozens of nationalities join us, and requirements change frequently. Because we cannot know the specific rules for every passport type, please verify your eligibility on the official government portal before booking your travel.

A transfer from the airport to Ubud is included for arrival day or one day before. We can only shuttle you from the airport to Ubud, so if you arrive early and stay on some other part of the island, you are responsible for making your way to our villa on arrival day.If you want to return to the airport to take the shuttle, please note that in the arrival survey or discuss it with the Experience Leader.

If you arrive on arrival day, the driver will take you to our villa. 

If you arrive one day before arrival day, the driver can shuttle you from the airport to your own accommodations in Ubud (see below for hotel recommendations) and then you can make your own way to the villa for Unsettled check-in on arrival day.

There are tons of options all around Ubud for you to choose from!

Here are some options people have stayed in before:

· Ubud View Bungalows 

· Putri Ayu Cottage

· Argasoka Bungalow on Monkey Forest 

All of these should cost $45 USD or less/night.

We wish we knew! 

Generally speaking, the weather is typically warm and humid, with daytime highs in the mid-80s°F (around 29–30°C). Rain can arrive in short tropical bursts or longer, slower drizzles, often in the late afternoons or evenings.

Our team tends to embrace the rhythm of the season. A rainy day often becomes the perfect excuse to slow down, journal, have a long lunch with new friends, or dive deeper into a workshop, conversation, or get some work done at our villa, coworking space, or at a favorite nearby cafe. 

We design our schedule to work with the weather, not against it—balancing active outdoor experiences with plenty of cozy indoor time, so no matter what Bali brings, you’ll be prepared to enjoy the full experience. Bring a light rain jacket or umbrella, and come with a flexible, open mindset.

At Unsettled, we don’t curate every moment of your experience—because that’s not real life, and that’s not the point.

Our style is co-creative. We set the stage, but you bring the energy. This means you’re not just a participant; you help shape your journey. Some moments are deeply shared—group dinners, workshops, and spontaneous adventures. Others are wide open—time for you to explore, reflect, and make your own meaning. Both are essential to the Unsettled experience.

During your time in Bali, you’ll travel. You’ll choose. You’ll meet people, take detours, and encounter the unexpected. You’ll face challenges—from tropical weather and island infrastructure to cultural differences and personal growth moments. There may be power outages, slow traffic, or tough conversations. We don’t hide that—we prepare for it, together.

This is intentional living, not a vacation package. We create space, support you, and invite you to engage fully. In the unknown is where the magic often happens.

If you’re ready to embrace the beautiful messiness of real life, you’ll feel right at home.

Great you asked!  When you are getting closer to the experience, we will send you a Packing List with our suggestions. 

For now, know that Bali and Ubud is a hip, laid back beach-y scene. Pack for a comfortable beach holiday, with a couple of outfits for going out (though nothing too fancy), and good sneakers for walking/trekking. Expect warm and humid to hot weather year round, and a chance of showers. Other than that, bring whatever you need to be comfortable. Most things are available in Ubud and Bali including clothing, toiletries, cosmetics, food items and so on... but be sure to bring anything you can't do without just in case. This also goes for any medicines you might need.

Keep in mind what you will need to be productive and get work done. Be sure to grab a plug adaptor so any electronics can fit Euro-style Type C plugs (2 round prongs). 

The short answer: Healthcare in Ubud is highly accessible and designed to serve international visitors. However, navigating your health is both a very personal and legal responsibility. We encourage you to be proactive, stay prepared, and remember that getting "Bali Belly" is a common rite of passage on almost every trip. We do not get very involved in facilitating treatment, and we cannot give out medication or keep it on hand. 

The Reality of "Bali Belly"

Let’s be real: "Bali Belly" is common and happens on nearly every trip. Whether it’s from unfamiliar local spices, different water bacteria, or a lack of hand hygiene, most travelers will experience some level of stomach upset. Expect it and prepare for it.

The good news? It is rarely serious and usually clears up in 1–3 days. The goal is to be prepared for it. If you get it, be prepared to rest for a couple of days, inforrm your Unsettled Experience Leader and our entire community as so we can check in on you as a community. And see the list of items to get ahead of time and have in your room, prepared for it.

The Landscape of Care in Ubud

Ubud is home to several high-quality medical facilities. You do not need to leave town for high-quality care; the following clinics offer 24/7 services, English-speaking staff, and even "home-call" visits where a doctor comes directly to your villa:

*Always confirm this info has not changed before you depart.

Your Responsibility

While the infrastructure is excellent, the ultimate responsibility for your well-being rests with you.

• Research Early: Don't wait until you’re sick. Locate your preferred health care clinic when you arrive.

• Save Numbers: Save the WhatsApp numbers above in your phone immediately. In Bali, WhatsApp is the fastest way to book an appointment or request a doctor visit.

• Legal & Insurance: You are responsible for your medical treatment, care, choices, and costs. Ensure your travel insurance covers private international clinics, as many require upfront payment via credit card. Sometimes it's more affordable to pay out of pocket, but be ready for all options. Unsettled requires you have travel insurance on our trips.

Preparation Checklist

To manage your health effectively, we strongly encourage you to bring:

• Prescriptions: Bring all regular medications in original packaging. Bring twice the amount you think you’ll need to account for travel delays.

• The "Bali Belly" Kit: Carry activated charcoal (sold locally as Norit) to bind toxins and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) to stay hydrated.

• Probiotics: Never hurts to start taking a high-quality probiotic one week before your trip to strengthen your gut.

Pro Tip: While local pharmacies (Apoteks) are plentiful, brand names and dosages differ. Bringing your own "home kit" ensures you have exactly what your body is used to. First aid is plentiful on the island, too, and it's recommended that you pack a few essential items for any incidents you may have during your trip.