Bali has been a popular destination for people from all over the world, thanks to its stunning beauty and welcoming culture. However, there have been some recent incidents where tourists have behaved badly, such as arguing with police while not wearing helmets, being naked in sacred places, and more.
To address this issue, Bali’s Governor has issued a Circular Letter Number 4 of 2023, listing 12 obligations for tourists to follow during their visit to Bali, as well as 8 prohibited behaviors. This announcement is part of the government’s efforts to implement a tourism governance policy and address the rise in bad behavior by foreign visitors on the island. Let’s check these do’s and don’ts before your next visit to Bali.
What You Must Do:
- Respecting holy and sacred temples, landscapes, and objects in Bali.
- Respecting the Balinese culture, customs, traditions, art, and local wisdom.
- Dressing up modestly and respectfully in all holy places, tourist attractions, and public spaces.
- Behave politely in sacred areas, tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping places, roads, and other public areas.
When visiting temples in Bali, it’s important to follow the dress code. This means wearing a sarong and a modest shirt, t-shirt, or traditional kabaya. It’s also important to dress modestly in public spaces like cafes, restaurants, shops, and on the streets. It’s okay to wear beachwear at the beach, in beach clubs or night clubs, and in private areas like resorts, hotels, and villas. However, it’s not appropriate to wear revealing clothing anywhere else in Bali. In the past, tourists have been allowed to wear beachwear in public spaces, but now authorities and communities are working to educate tourists about local cultural norms. If you’re found to be disrespecting cultural norms, you could even be fined.
- Accompanied by a licensed tour guide (with knowledge of the natural conditions, customs, traditions, and local wisdom of the Balinese community) when visiting tourist attractions.
- Conduct currency exchange at authorized money changers (both banks and non-bank institutions) marked with a permit number and QR code logo issued by Bank Indonesia.
- Make payments using the Indonesian Standard QR Code.
- Conduct transactions using the Indonesian currency, the rupiah.
- Drive in compliance with Indonesian laws and regulations.
You need a legit International or National Driving License, and you gotta obey traffic laws. You also expect you to dress appropriately and wear a helmet. Don’t ignore traffic signs, and make sure you don’t cram too many people into the vehicle. And of course, don’t even think about riding if you’ve been drinking or using drugs. Safety first, always!
- Utilize four-wheeled vehicles that are officially roadworthy or two-wheeled vehicles provided by authorized rental businesses or associations.
It used to be easy for tourists in Bali to rent a motorcycle to explore the island on their own. But now, the authorities are cracking down on traffic violations more strictly than ever before. There have been talks about banning tourists from driving altogether, but for now, it’s still possible to rent a vehicle if you meet all the criteria. If you want to rent a motorcycle, you’ll need to follow the rules. Here are the rules: drive safely and obey traffic laws, have a valid international or local license that allows you to ride a motorcycle, wear a helmet, protective clothing, and shoes, don’t carry more passengers than the vehicle’s capacity, don’t drink alcohol or use illegal drugs, and most importantly, only rent and drive vehicles that are registered to a legitimate business or transportation leasing association.
- Reside/stay at accommodation establishments that possess permits in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.
When it comes to staying in Bali, it’s important for tourists to only choose accommodation that has a valid business permit. This means that the hotel, guesthouse, villa, or B&B that you’re staying at should be a legally registered business and have their permits on display for everyone to see. By doing this, you’re supporting legal businesses in Bali and fulfilling your obligations as a responsible tourist.
- Comply with all applicable specific provisions/rules at each tourist attraction and during tourism activities.
What You Shouldn’t Do:
- Entering the main (utamaning) and central (madya) areas of sacred places or sanctified places such as temples (pura) and shrines, except for the purpose of worship while wearing traditional Balinese attire or performing religious rituals, provided that the individual is not menstruating.
- Climbing sacred trees.
- Behaving in a manner that desecrates sacred places, temples, sacred objects (pratima), and religious symbols, such as climbing holy structures and taking indecent/nude photos.
- Littering and polluting lakes, springs, rivers, the sea, and public places.
- Using disposable plastic items such as plastic bags, polystyrene (styrofoam), and plastic straws.
- Uttering offensive words, behaving rudely, causing disturbances, and acting aggressively towards state authorities, the government, local communities, and fellow tourists directly or indirectly through social media, including spreading hate speech and hoaxes.
- Engaging in work or business activities without possessing official documents issued by the relevant authorities.
- Involvement in illegal activities such as the trading of illegal goods (flora and fauna, cultural artifacts, sacred objects) including illegal drugs.