If you’re thinking about how to make friends while traveling alone in Bali, here’s some good news: I came here by myself, without knowing anyone, and after a few years, I can walk around Uluwatu and nearly always see someone I know. Making friends in Bali is much easier than in most places I’ve lived..
When I first visited Bali, I could only find friends through hostels, tours, dating apps, and Facebook groups. That worked, but it took effort. Things are different now. There are many communities you can join, and most of them post their meetup schedules online, so you can see exactly what’s on and just show up. It’s never been easier to land alone and not stay that way.
The most important thing to know is where people gather on the island. Since the island is spread out, the scenes tend to cluster by area and activity. I met my friends through things like run clubs, coworking spaces, social communities, hostels, charity work, and a few Facebook groups. I’ve lived in Canggu, Ubud, and now Uluwatu, so most of these connections come from showing up and participating. Let me explain how it all works.
The Fastest Way to Make Friends in Bali
Here’s the short version. Stay in a social hostel for your first few nights. Join a free running club in your first week. Sign up for a social community like Entourage or Nomeo. Do those three things, and you’ll have people to grab dinner with by day three. The rest of this guide explains each one and adds a few more ways that worked for me.
Join a Run Club (Even If You Don’t Run)
Here is my top tip, and it’s very important. Bali has free run clubs that are good for beginners. They usually start with a run and then everyone drinks coffee afterward. The coffee chat is where most friends are made. It doesn’t matter how fast you run. Some people walk parts of the run. The run is just a way to meet people at a cafe and make new friends.
These are the two I recommend to others.
Good Move Run Club (Uluwatu)
📷 Instagram: @goodmoverunclub
This is the Uluwatu running group, and it’s the one I usually join, especially if they partner with a charity. They run at 6:30 AM for about 5 km, and there’s no fixed pace or pressure to keep up. After the run, everyone hangs out together, which is a big part of the experience. Keep in mind, the times and locations might change, so it’s a good idea to check their latest post before heading out. Make sure to check their Instagram for their updated schedule and meetup point.
Rise & Run Bali (Canggu & Uluwatu)
📷 Instagram: @riserunbali
Rise & Run is a popular running group in Canggu. It is free to join and doesn’t require signing up. People of all skill levels come here, from beginners to those training for marathons, and everyone is welcome. They run most days through different parts of Canggu, Pererenan, and sometimes Uluwatu, usually covering 4 to 8 kilometers. A great way to meet others is the Monday evening run, which often ends with a group dinner.
| You might also like our Neighborhood guide: Canggu Ubud Nusa Lembongan Uluwatu Sidemen |
Try and Play Padel
Padel is becoming very popular in Bali right now. It’s a fun way to meet new people. Padel is played with doubles, so you are on a small court with three other players from the start. The game is designed to be social, meaning it’s easy for everyone to join. You don’t need to be a pro or have a partner to play.
Most clubs have booking apps that let you join open matches based on your skill level. This way, you can sign up by yourself and be paired with other players. When you arrive alone, you can play for about an hour and then leave the court feeling happy because you’ve met three new people you’ve been laughing and having fun with. Many clubs also host social events and friendly tournaments, like Americano, which focus more on meeting new friends than winning.
You’ll find courts all over Bali, with more opening all the time. Look for a club that runs beginner social games or mixers, since those are the most welcoming if you’re new to both the sport and the island.
Join a Coworking Space
If you work online, using a coworking space can really help. Being around the same people often turns casual greetings into real friendships. For example, I met some of my closest friends in Bali by sitting at the same long table every week.
Most spaces also host events such as community lunches, skill-share talks, sunset drinks, and Movie nights, which are a fun way to chat comfortably without feeling forced. In Bali, Canggu and Ubud are popular places with good coworking spaces. Many of these spaces offer day passes, so you can try them out before committing to a full month.
A few I’d point you to, split by area. The good part is that most of these host weekly community events that are free, even if you’re not a member, so you can show up, meet people, and see if the space is right for you.
Canggu
Uluwatu
Ubud
BGB TIP: Pick a space with a cafe or shared lunch table, not just quiet desks. The social ones are where you’ll actually meet people. Go to one event in your first week and you’ll start recognizing faces fast.
Sign Up for Bali Social Community
Some groups exist just to get travelers and nomads into the same room. They run weekly calendars of dinners, sunset drinks, padel, run clubs, and pop-ups, so you don’t have to plan anything yourself. When I was new and knew no one, these were gold. Here are the two I’d join first.
Entourage Bali
📷 Instagram: @entourage.bali • Join: entourage-bali.mn.co
Entourage is a community where you can stay active and meet new people. Every week, there are different events like run clubs, padel, family dinners, and sunset drinks. These activities happen in places like Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud, so you can join no matter where you stay. The idea is to make real connections with less awkward introductions. Right now, it’s still free to join.
Nomeo – Best Way to Meet People in Bali
📷 Instagram: @nomeoio • Meetups: nomeo.io/meetups
This is my favorite,Nomeo is a meetup app made for nomads who want to connect in person, not just scroll travel groups. You browse upcoming meetups, see who’s going, and tap to join. It isn’t Bali-only, but Bali is one of its busy spots, so there’s usually something on the calendar. I like it for filling a quiet weeknight when I don’t feel like eating alone. I’ve hosted several events here and met my long term friends in and out Bali through Nomeo.
Stay in a Social Hostel for Your First Few Nights
Even if you usually book a private villa, spend your first few nights in a social hostel. It’s the quickest way to go from zero friends to a whole group, because the hostel does the introducing for you. Shared dorms, group breakfasts, beach days, family dinners, bar crawls. You meet people without even trying.
Canggu has the most social surf-and-party hostels, and most of them run nightly events. Look for places that advertise pool parties, group surf lessons, and family dinners, because those are the social ones. For specific picks, see my guide to the best hostels in Ubud and in Uluwatu. The quieter, fancier hostels are nice, but they won’t drop you into a crowd the same way.
BGB TIP: Book just two or three nights at first. If you love it and you’ve found your people, extend. If not, you’ve lost nothing and you can move on with a new crew already in tow.
For booking, I use Hostelworld because it has the most Bali hostels, and the reviews tell you which ones are social. I also cross-check Booking.com for guesthouses that aren’t on Hostelworld.
✔ Find social hostels on Hostelworld ✔ Compare on Booking.com
Join a Charity or Volunteer Group
This one surprised me. Some of the warmest people I’ve met in Bali, I met while giving back. Volunteering puts you next to kind, like-minded people for a few hours, all working toward the same thing. The conversation just happens, and the friendships feel deeper than the ones you make at a bar. Here are two I’d point you to.
Happiness Foundation (Uluwatu)
📷 Instagram: @happiness___foundation
The Happiness Foundation is a small charity in Uluwatu that supports local families and children. You can get involved with their Community Kitchen, where volunteers prepare and distribute meals on the second and fourth Sundays each month. They also offer free English classes for children on the first and third Saturdays, along with a charity run club on Friday mornings. No experience is needed, and everyone is welcome. It’s a simple and positive way to meet people who share your interests and care about helping others.
Sungai Watch (Bali-wide)
📷 Instagram: @sungaiwatch
Sungai Watch is a nonprofit organization in Bali that works to remove plastic from the island’s rivers before it gets into the ocean. They hold weekly cleanups that anyone can join. During these events, volunteers spend a morning together doing an activity that helps the environment. Afterward, they often exchange contact information with new friends. The activities are active and outdoors, and many volunteers are travelers who want to make a positive difference beyond just having fun.
BGB TIP: Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Check their Instagram for the next cleanup time and meeting spot, since locations move around the island.
Join the Right Facebook Groups Before You Land
Facebook still quietly runs a lot of Bali’s social life. I’d join these before you arrive, then post a quick intro about when you’re coming and what you’re into. You’ll usually get replies and invites within hours. These groups are also where last-minute meetups and “anyone around tonight?” posts live.
Girls in Bali
👥 Group: Girls in Bali (Facebook)
This is my go-to for solo female travelers. It’s active, supportive, and full of women looking for roommates, travel buddies, and brunch dates. Post that you’re arriving alone and you’ll get a wave of replies. For women coming to Bali solo, it’s the single most useful group out there.
General Bali Community Groups
I’d also join these two broader groups for events, meetups, and general “who’s around” chatter:
BGB TIP: Don’t just stay quiet. A simple two-line introduction, like saying, “Hi, I’ll be alone in Canggu from the 14th. I like surfing and coffee. Who’s nearby?” can be more helpful than scrolling for over a week.
Pick the Right Area for Your Social Style
Where you stay shapes who you’ll meet, so choose on purpose:
- Canggu is known for being a popular social spot. It attracts nomads, surfers, and people looking for nightlife, run clubs, coworking spaces, and hostels. It’s a easy place to meet new people quickly.
- Uluwatu offers more surfing and wellness options, along with a close-knit community and a more mature atmosphere. Here, you’ll find the Good Move Run Club and the Happiness Foundation, making it an interesting place to visit.
- Ubud is a place known for yoga, wellness, and retreats. It has quieter nights and offers a space for meaningful conversations. Many solo travelers go there for personal growth and inner work.
- Sanur, Kuta, or Seminyak — This region appeals to a more mature and settled audience compared to the nomad hotspots. Sanur tends to be older and quieter, with many long-term expats and families calling it home. Seminyak is more upscale and sophisticated, renowned for its excellent restaurants and beach clubs. Kuta is the most lively and affordable, favored by budget travelers and backpackers, making it the busiest among the three. Choose this area if you prefer an established scene over Canggu’s youthful surf and nomad vibe.
If your main goal is meeting people quickly, start in Canggu, then move once you’ve found your feet.
FAQ: Making Friends Solo in Bali
Is Bali good for solo travelers?
Yes, Bali is one of the best places in the world to travel solo. The island has a huge floating community of nomads, surfers, and long-stay travelers who mostly arrived alone. Add in the run clubs, coworking spaces, social groups, and hostels built around meeting people, and you won’t stay solo for long unless you want to.
Where do solo travelers hang out in Bali?
Mostly Canggu and Uluwatu for the active, social, nomad crowd, and Ubud for the yoga and wellness set. In those areas, people gather at run clubs, coworking spaces, social hostels, and organized communities such as Entourage and Nomeo.
How do I meet people in Bali if I’m shy?
To make new connections easier, try joining activities like a run club, a coworking event, a charity cleanup, or a group surf lesson. These activities give everyone a natural reason to start talking. Remember, just showing up is already a big step. Once you’re there, the activity helps everything flow smoothly.
Is it safe to travel to Bali alone as a woman?
Yes, generally. The Girls in Bali Facebook group is a good support network for women traveling alone. When you are in a new place, it’s important to be careful. Watch your drinks and make sure to arrange trusted transportation at night.
Is it lonely traveling solo in Bali?
It’s normal to feel lonely during the first day or two in a new place. I felt the same when I arrived. A good way to start feeling better is to plan one social activity early on, like joining a run club, having dinner at a hostel, or going to a community meetup.
Once you meet a few people and recognize some faces, the loneliness usually goes away pretty quickly. Bali is full of people who feel the same way, so you won’t be alone for long unless you want to be.
What to do in Bali solo if you’re introverted?
Choose activities that are low-pressure and allow you to be around people without needing to perform. For example, working in a coworking space lets you sit near others and chat only when you want. You might also do a charity cleanup or join a quiet morning run club, which gives you a shared task to bond over and avoids awkward small talk. Alternatively, you can recharge alone with activities like surfing, taking a yoga class, or spending an afternoon at a cafe. When your energy returns, you can join in social activities again. In Bali, you have the flexibility to set your own pace.
Ready to make friends in Bali?
That’s really all you need to know about making friends as a solo traveler in Bali. I made my own friends by trying the methods listed above, so I know they work. During your first week, try doing three things: stay in a social hostel for a few nights, go to a free run club, and join groups like Entourage or Nomeo. You can also visit a coworking space or join a charity cleanup. These activities will help you go from arriving alone to making friends you enjoy in just a few days.
Start by choosing your area to stay in, then pick your first few nights of accommodation. From there, friendships often develop naturally.
