Official Language
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: viceroybali.com, thebalisun.com
- Local Language
- Balinese
Overall7/10More English-friendly than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- People in Canggu speak Balinese and Indonesian. However, many people know how to speak basic English.
- If you plan to stay in Bali for an extended period—whether as a digital nomad, expat, or long-term traveler—knowing Indonesian can make daily tasks much easier. From negotiating prices at markets and dealing with administrative matters to making friends and understanding local customs, language skills are invaluable.
- Bahasa Indonesia is a relatively easy language to learn. It is written using our alphabet and pronunciation is purely phonetic. It has some of the simplest grammar of any language too.
- English is the 'third' language of Bali and is in wide use thanks to tourism and a large Australian ex-pat population.
Local Language
Balinese
Languages Spoken
- Local
- Balinese
- Primary
- Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
- Additional
- Most Balinese are bilingual – they can speak in Indonesian and Balinese, lots of them are also trilingual with English as their third language.
Official Language
Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
English In Different Contexts
- Daily Life
- In Bali, English is widely spoken in most tourist areas, including hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, and popular attractions. Many Balinese people, especially those working in the tourism industry, have a good command of English. This means that for most short-term visitors and tourists, it's entirely possible to get by with just English.
- Rural Areas
- While English is common in urban and tourist centers like Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud, and Canggu, the situation changes as you venture into more rural or traditional parts of Bali. In villages and less-visited regions, English proficiency tends to drop.
- Tourist And Hospitality Sectors
- Travellers can use English in hotels, cafés, and restaurants. Staff at spas, beach clubs, small shops, convenience stores, taxis, and tour companies are also comfortable speaking English.
English Proficiency In Canggu
- Status
- High in tourist and business areas
- Description
- Locals in Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Legian, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur, or Kuta use English when speaking to travellers. English proficiency in Bali is good, especially in the tourism and hospitality sector. Many people know how to speak basic English. So communication is not a problem if you know English.
Language Learning Recommendation
If you learn just a few words of either of these languages in Bali, you will find that you get a much better reception from local people, who will feel valued that you've tried to learn to communicate with them.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this language & english friendliness research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Canggu
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.