I Tested NordVPN in Indonesia: Bali, Jakarta, Lombok Results

Indonesia is one of those places that keeps pulling me back. I first visited in 2021 when the world was still reeling from COVID. Bali was practically empty. Airports were half-closed, restaurants felt haunted, and WiFi was a lifeline for anyone still working remotely.

I came back again in 2024, this time for a longer work trip. Then earlier this year, I returned in spring with my wife and two kids. Each visit had a completely different rhythm – but one thing never changed. The internet in Indonesia can go from decent to disastrous in seconds.

That’s why I now use NordVPN everywhere I go here. And if you’re planning to live, work, or even stream Netflix from a beach in Bali, I honestly think you should too.

The Reality of Internet in Indonesia

Let’s clear something up. Indonesia is amazing – but the WiFi? Not so much.

One day you’re uploading client files on 4G from a hammock in Ubud. The next you’re watching your Zoom call die at 3 frames per second in a fancy Jakarta hotel. It’s unpredictable, and I’ve experienced it firsthand in Canggu cafés, airport lounges, coworking hubs, family villas, and even on a ferry to Lombok.

You’ll find:

• Tons of public WiFi with no password
• Shared hotel networks with 50+ devices logged in
• Random outages, slowdowns, and packet drops
• Some services and websites just… blocked
• ISP-level filtering or DNS weirdness, especially on mobile

That’s not ideal when you’re working remotely. Or trying to stream a game. Or checking your bank app while the kids are napping. NordVPN became my fix.

I’ve Got Friends in Tech Here Too – And They All Use VPNs

Over the years, I’ve made a lot of friends in Indonesia – mostly through work. Several are developers, cybersecurity consultants, or digital agency owners. Some live full-time in Bali. Others bounce between Jakarta, Singapore, and Australia.

Every single one of them uses a VPN daily. Not just for privacy, but because:

• Some dev tools don’t work without a US or EU IP
• Certain clients require encrypted connections for remote logins
• Streaming geo-locked content keeps everyone sane during rainy season
• DNS hijacking happens more often than you’d think
• Public WiFi is basically unfiltered chaos

One friend in Canggu told me he’s seen rogue networks pop up in cafés – same network name, slightly stronger signal. Guess which one the tourists connect to? Yikes.

Where I Stayed (And How NordVPN Helped Me Survive)

Here are three places I actually stayed on my most recent trip:

1. The Chillhouse, Canggu (Bali)

Cool spot. Good coffee, yoga, coworking spaces, decent WiFi. But with 30+ people online during peak hours, speeds drop fast.

With NordVPN active, I stayed connected securely, kept IP leaks in check, and streamed a few Netflix US episodes before bed with zero issues.

2. Artotel Thamrin, Jakarta

Modern, business-friendly hotel with fast WiFi — but no encryption and tons of guests. Perfect breeding ground for man-in-the-middle attacks. I used NordVPN here especially during Zoom calls, cloud syncs, and online banking.

3. Jeeva Klui Resort, Lombok

This place is paradise. But the WiFi? Brutal. I was trying to send final deliverables to a client in Germany when the connection kept dropping.

With NordVPN routed through Singapore, I was able to stabilize the upload and finish my work — all while my kids played on the beach.

Real Speed Tests (VPN vs. No VPN)

I don’t write about stuff I haven’t tested. So here are my real results using Speedtest.net across different setups:

Speed drop? Yes, a little. But nothing that hurt real-world use. In fact, the stability NordVPN added often made things feel faster.

And in places with DNS issues or hijacking, the VPN connection was way more reliable than local routing.

Can You Stream with NordVPN in Indonesia?

Absolutely. I streamed:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• Disney Plus
• ESPN Plus
• HBO Max
• BBC iPlayer
• YouTube in 4K
• Spotify without region limitations

Best servers for me? Singapore, Los Angeles, Miami, and sometimes Tokyo. You can rotate based on what you’re trying to watch.

One night in Seminyak, I streamed an NBA game on ESPN+ using the NordVPN Miami server, all while on mobile hotspot tethering with my iPhone. Zero buffering.

NordVPN Local Servers? Yes, They Work Too

NordVPN has Jakarta servers, and they’re fast – especially if you’re using local services like Gojek, banking apps, or just need to browse without international routing.

But for anything involving international content or cloud apps, I still prefer Singapore.

The latency is lower, the speeds are great, and the stability is top-notch.

Public WiFi in Indonesia Can Be a Trap

Let me say this again. Open WiFi in Indonesia is common and risky. I’ve seen the same network name pop up in three different hotels. Sometimes you get random redirects to fake login pages.

Twice I got security alerts from NordVPN’s Threat Protection about malicious scripts trying to run on hotel logins.

One time in Ubud, I got disconnected mid-upload and suddenly got routed through a fake “FreeBaliWiFi” network. Luckily, NordVPN cut it immediately and flagged the DNS spoof.

You don’t want to mess around here. Especially if you’re traveling with your family or working with client data.

Is NordVPN Expensive? Not Compared to What It Saves You

Here’s the current deal:

👉 Try NordVPN – 77 percent off plus 3 free months

That’s less than $3.20 per month – cheaper than two coconuts in Bali or one meal in a Jakarta food court.

For that price, you get:

• Full encryption
• Multiple device protection
• Global streaming access
• Real security when it matters
• Peace of mind you can’t put a price on

I installed it on my iPhone, MacBook, Android tablet, and even a mini travel router. One account. One setup. Done.

When I Use NordVPN in Indonesia

I leave it on most of the time, but especially when I:

• log into online banking or crypto platforms
• work from hotel or café networks
• use cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox
• stream Netflix US or ESPN+
• use public charging stations (seriously, be careful)
• let my kids watch YouTube on hotel WiFi

Even when I’m not actively using it, I appreciate the background protection. And the Threat Protection Pro feature? It’s blocked a few nasty surprises I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.

Final Thoughts: NordVPN in Indonesia Is a Must

This isn’t a maybe. If you’re living in Indonesia, traveling for work or fun, or even just visiting for a few weeks get NordVPN.

I’ve used it through rainstorms in Bali, during chaotic hotel check-ins in Jakarta, and while juggling a beach ball with my kids in Lombok. It’s not just about privacy. It’s about making your trip smoother, safer, and less stressful.

Because when the WiFi breaks, the sites are blocked, or your email won’t load – you’ll be glad you planned ahead.

FAQ: NordVPN in Indonesia

Petr

I'm Petr, and the online world has been my playground for more than 25 years. I've been working in IT since 2005, moving through development, project management, and eventually building my own services and online businesses. I create websites, launch projects, test new tools, figure out what actually works and what doesn’t, and share practical tips that save people time, money, and stress. I’ve also been actively investing since 2016. I enjoy digging into the markets, trying different platforms, and looking for long term opportunities that make real sense. For me, investing naturally fits into everything I already do online: analyzing, testing, learning, and optimizing. On this site, you’ll find straightforward articles, honest insights, and a bit of humor or irony here and there. When I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually out on a bike trail or checking out a new golf course. And when I’m not doing that, I’m somewhere on the road with my wife and our two sons.

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