TTA alum Taylor teaches English online from wherever she might be. For the past few years she has spent a few months every year in Bali.
Living in Bali, Indonesia, certainly sounds like a dream, but can we really believe everything we see on Instagram?
If you’ve ever scrolled Instagram and seen someone teaching English from a tropical villa, iced coffee in hand, you might have wondered — is that really what it’s like?
As someone who’s lived and worked in Bali on and off for the past six years, I can tell you, yes, sometimes, but not always.
What it’s really like to teach English online in Bali?
The reality of teaching English online here is a mix of early alarms, lesson planning, tropical heat, crazy scooter rides and the kind of freedom most people dream of.
Read more: Teach English in Indonesia
It’s not all poolside glamour (trust me, your laptop and pool splashes are not friends), but it’s a lifestyle that blends work, travel and a lot of sunshine in a way few other places can match.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through what a typical day can look like, drawing from my own routine and from other TEFL teachers I know on the island. You’ll get the real picture, with tips, honest insights and personal stories, so you can decide if this life could be your kind of normal.
Read more: How Teaching English Online Can Help You Become A Digital Nomad
Mornings in paradise: How online teachers start the day
If you’re anything like me, mornings are sacred — they set the tone for the day. On this island, they feel extra special. The light is soft, the air is warm, and there’s a sense of calm before the island really wakes up.
Of course, mornings are also prime time for online TEFL teachers to get organised. This might mean prepping lesson materials, checking your emails or planning out your teaching schedule.
But the beauty of Bali is that you can blend productivity with a little bit of island magic.
For me, that usually looks like stepping out into my lush garden (which feels more like a mini jungle), hopping on my scooter and heading to my favourite café. I’ll order a fresh smoothie and a matcha latte, then join a group workout at my local gym. By the time I’m back, I’m energised, clear-headed and ready to teach.
Your ideal morning might be a barefoot walk on the beach, catching a sunrise surf, enjoying a quiet coffee with a book, doing yoga in an open-air shala or even a slow start by the pool.
Bali gives you the space to design mornings that work for both your lifestyle and your teaching commitments.
Read more: Is Bali A Good Choice For Digital Nomads? Here’s What You Should Know
Setting up for a productive teaching day
Once the morning’s done its job of waking you up and filling your cup (literally and figuratively), it’s time to get set for teaching.
One of the best things about being an online teacher in Bali is that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to where you work.
Some days I teach from my villa, other days I’m in a quiet café. Sometimes I’ll head to a co-working space for a more structured environment.
Changing up your workspace now and then keeps things fresh. And in Bali, it’s ridiculously easy to do.
Here are a few of my top tips to make sure you’re fully prepped before hitting that “join meeting” button:
- Check the wifi speed before class. Bali generally delivers on internet quality, but connections can vary. Do a quick speed test in advance so there are no mid-lesson surprises.
- Invest in a quality headset or mic. Noise-cancelling features are your best friend if you’re working from a café or anywhere with background chatter.
- Always have a backup plan. Load a decent data package onto your phone so you can hotspot if the wifi goes down (rare, but it happens).
- Stay charged. Keep your devices fully powered and your chargers in your bag. Bonus points for a portable power bank.
- Think about comfort. Bali can get hot and humid, so if you’re sensitive to the heat, opt for air-conditioned indoor seating over a breezy patio.
If you’re someone who prefers peace and quiet, you might find teaching from home the better option, especially for lessons that need total concentration, like exam prep or one-on-one tutoring. Just make sure your workspace is well-lit and free from distractions.
Read more: Tips For Setting Up An Online Classroom
Connecting with students around the world
Once you’re set up, it’s time to dive into the reason you’re here: teaching English!
Some teachers split their day into shorter teaching blocks, while others power through a longer morning or afternoon session so they can free up bigger chunks of time.
One big advantage of teaching English online from Bali is the time zone. Bali is GMT+8, which works perfectly if your students are in countries like Japan, China, or South Korea, as you can teach during the day and still have your evenings free.
If your students are in Europe, your teaching day will likely start in the afternoon or evening, which leaves your mornings wide open for exploring the island, running errands or squeezing in a workout.
That said, it’s worth double-checking where the bulk of your students are based before committing to a schedule.
For instance, if most of your students are in the US, you might find yourself teaching late at night, which can be tricky if you want to catch Bali’s famously beautiful sunsets.
💡 Tip: Set clear teaching blocks.
It’s easy to let lessons spill into every gap in your day, but boundaries protect your energy.
Decide on a structure and stick to it where possible — maybe 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM or 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This helps prevent burnout and gives you predictable time off to enjoy Bali life.
Read more: 5 Potential Problems In The Online Classroom And Their Solutions
Midday breaks: making the most of Bali life
Once your morning teaching block is wrapped up, it’s time to step away from the screen and make the most of where you are.
One of the best things about living in Bali is how easy it is to break up your workday with something that actually feels like living.
For lunch, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Head to a local warung for a plate of fragrant nasi campur (rice with a mix of sides) for the equivalent of a few dollars, or treat yourself to a smoothie bowl, fresh salad or gourmet burger at one of the island’s countless cafés.
And if you’re craving something familiar, you can find almost every cuisine here, from Italian wood-fired pizza to Japanese sushi, Middle Eastern wraps to plant-based and gluten-free everything.
Midday is the perfect time for a change of scenery.
I love taking a quick ride to the beach, going for a dip, and lying in the sun for a while before heading back to work.
On other days, I might join a yoga class, lift weights at the gym or meet a friend for a long lunch in the shade of a tropical garden café.
The key is to actually take the break. Shut the laptop, put your phone down and get outside so you can return to your desk refreshed and ready for round two.
Read more: Self-Care And The TEFL Teacher: How To Avoid Teacher Burnout
Afternoons for teaching, side hustles or self-care
If you’re teaching full-time, the afternoon is often your second block of classes.
I like to change up my environment for this. Some days I’ll work from a new café to keep things interesting, other days I’ll head home to teach in a quieter space where I can really focus.
Many online TEFL teachers in Bali use the afternoons for side hustles or passion projects.
That could be creating content for social media, tutoring private students, writing, or freelancing in another industry.
The cost of living here means you might not need to teach a packed schedule to live comfortably, so you can build a mix of income streams and still have breathing space in your day.
For some, afternoons are for pure downtime. A massage, a slow beach walk, or an unhurried coffee in the shade can do wonders for your energy levels.
💡Top tip: Plan your week so you have at least one or two full days off, rather than scattering free time throughout the week. You’ll find it easier to relax and enjoy Bali, instead of always thinking about your next class.
Sunset rituals: winding down the Bali way
There’s something about a Bali sunset that stops you in your tracks every single time, even after months of living here. The sky melts into shades of gold, pink, and deep purple, and for a moment, the whole island seems to slow down.
For me, sunset is the signal that the workday is done.
I’ll often hop on my scooter and head to the beach, meeting friends for a cold coconut or just sitting barefoot in the sand, watching surfers catch the last waves of the day.
Sometimes it’s a solo walk along the shore, headphones in, letting the colours and sounds of the ocean reset my mind.
Teaching online and being in front of a screen for long stretches of time can be mentally draining, and taking that time to step away from the blue light makes all the difference.
Read more: 7 Steps To Creating A Work-Life Balance For Teachers
It’s also a perfect opportunity to connect with other teachers and nomads, as sunset gatherings are a bit of a Bali tradition.
Evenings in Bali: From social scenes to quiet nights in
Evenings in Bali can be as lively or as low-key as you want them to be.
Some nights I’m out at a bustling night market, sampling satay and ice cream flavours under strings of fairy lights. Other nights, it’s a cosy dinner with friends at a family-run warung down the road, or watching a movie under the stars.
If I’m in the mood to stay in, I’ll order takeout, catch up on messages or plan lessons for the week ahead.
Having that flexibility is one of the biggest perks of this lifestyle — you’re never tied to a rigid schedule once classes are done.
The social side of Bali often doubles as networking.
Many of my closest friends here started as “Bali acquaintances” — fellow TEFL teachers, freelancers and digital nomads I met over dinner or at a local event. The expat and teacher community is big and friendly, so making connections happens naturally.
Read more: How To Find Your Community As A TEFL Teacher
Online teaching in Bali: the not-so-Instagrammable side
Living and teaching online from Bali really feels like a dream, but as in any place, there are always downsides. It’s better to know about them before you arrive.
There are days when the wifi drops out mid-lesson because of heavy rain. Sometimes students cancel last minute, throwing off your schedule (and income).
And yes, Bali belly is a real thing — one you really don’t want to experience on a teaching day.
The weather can also be unpredictable. The rainy season might mean days of grey skies and high humidity, making it hard to focus. Roads flood, scooters break down, and geckos somehow always find their way inside.
The key is flexibility and a sense of humour.
- Always have a backup internet option — a local SIM with plenty of data is a lifesaver.
- Keep your lesson plans adaptable.
- Build a flexible schedule that allows space for the unexpected.
Of course, these moments aren’t ideal, but they’re part of the experience. Once you’re prepared for them, they won’t derail your day. In fact, they often make for the best “remember when…” stories later!
Read more: 5 Challenges Of Teaching English Online While Travelling
Could Bali be your TEFL dream?
Teaching English online from Bali is a bit like the island itself — beautiful, vibrant and full of surprises.
Some days are smooth sailing, with productive lessons, perfect weather and sunsets that look unreal. Other days, it’s nonstop rain, juggling wifi issues and eating crackers for lunch because your stomach’s not on board.
If you value freedom, connection and the chance to build your work around your life (not the other way around), it’s hard to beat. Bali offers the space to create a rhythm that’s yours and a life that blends work and play.
If that sounds like your kind of normal, this island might just be the perfect backdrop for your TEFL journey.
Suddenly craving a coconut? Yearning for yoga? Besotted with Bali? The first step to becoming an online English teacher is getting your TEFL qualification. Sign up today and soon you could be enjoying a Bali sunset with Taylor.
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