What are you not allowed to bring into Bali?

There are many things that are prohibited to bring into Indonesia and Bali including narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors, drugs, firearms, air guns, sharp objects, ammunition, explosives, p*rnography objects, animals, plants and any products made from these things.

What are some rules in Bali?

Accommodation Choices Entry to sacred sites is only permitted for prayer purposes and must be done wearing traditional Balinese attire. Climbing sacred trees or desecrating sacred places is strictly forbidden. Littering is prohibited, so is using disposable plastics. You are expected to help keep the environment clean.

Is it OK to wear red in Bali?

Yes, it's OK to wear red in Bali ! Yes, red is traditionally the colour in which Balinese people express anger and you shouldn't leave a note for someone written in red pen, for example, but for clothing, it's just fine. In fact, you will see many Balinese wearing red on special occasions and festivals.

Is it OK to wear shorts in Bali?

Yes, you can wear shorts in Bali ! The beaches, hiking trails, shops, boat trips and casual restaurants are all fine places to wear shorts. However, you should not wear shorts or any clothes that expose your legs when you enter a temple or other religious site.

Can I take ibuprofen to Bali?

Codeine is a controlled substance in Bali. Paracetamol/Ibuprofen/vitamins/immodium etc all ok . Prescription medication should be listed on the letter from your GP/Dr.

Should I bring jeans to Bali?

Should I bring jeans to Bali? Yes! But we recommend you opt for lightweight fabrics, loose wide leg styles or denim shorts. How do tourists dress in Bali?

Does Bali have strict rules?

There are very few laws in Bali that are just for tourists . However, that doesn't mean there are no laws that you should be aware of when visiting Bali. Illegal activities can get you into serious trouble with relevant authorities particularly if you disrespect the cultural heritage of the nation.

What does a black bag mean in Bali?

WHAT DOES YOUR BALI BAG SAY ABOUT YOU? Red: Weak haggler/easy target. Black: Strong haggler . Black and white stripe: Enjoys haggling.

Are there strict rules in Bali?

Foreign tourists in Bali must have the necessary identity documents and valid stay permits . Whether traveling for vacation or work, having the correct permits is essential to avoid legal issues. If you overstay or work without a permit, you can be fined up to Rp.

Is Bali strict on dress code?

The standard of dress during the day in Bali is generally casual and informal , reflecting the relaxed tropical atmosphere of the island. In some situations however, like visiting temples or sacred sites, a higher standard of dress is sometimes required, such as a sarong to cover bare shoulders.

Dos and Don'ts in Bali, Indonesia (2024)

Tourists in Bali often call the island “paradise,” but let’s face it: the Garden of Eden never had dangerous undercurrents, combative macaques, and wayward scooters. If you’re not careful, you might leave your Bali vacation with injuries or disease, instead of good memories.

That’s what these tips are designed to prevent: follow the dos and don’ts outlined in the article to make sure you get the most out of your trip to Paradise.

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Etiquette Tips

Bali’s culture is one of the island’s main attractions—but tourists can unwittingly offend local Balinese by violating tenets of this culture without ever intending to.

If you’re planning to mingle with the locals—and if you’re planning to visit one of Bali’s temples, this is going to happen—follow the dos and don’ts in this article to make sure you promote smooth interpersonal relationships wherever you go in Bali.

Best Bali Etiquette Tip: Dress modestly before entering a temple in Bali. Temple guests are expected to wear shirts that cover shoulders and part of the upper arms. The waist and legs should be covered by a temple scarf (known as a selendang) and a sarong (known locally as kain kamben) respectively.

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General Safety Tips

Despite (or perhaps because) of the mass of tourists visiting Bali at all times of the year, staying safe in Bali is less easy than it should be. Balinese roads are chaotic, snatch-theft and hotel breaking-and-entering are known to occur. Also, the beaches’ undercurrent can sweep you away in an instant.

We’re going to tell you what your travel agent won’t tell you: the types of risks you’re likely to face in Bali, and several dos and don’t’s to follow so you can avoid becoming a Bali tourist statistic.

Best Bali Safety Tip: Don’t smoke in public areas. A “smoke-free” bylaw went into effect across Bali in2011; smoking is now forbidden in most public areas, including restaurants, hotels, temples, and tourist attractions.

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Money and Currency Changing Tips

Travelers trying to get their money changed in Bali run the risk of being fleeced by dishonest money changers. Fortunately, there are several establishments where you can change your cash without worry.

Try changing your currency at one of Bali’s more reputable banks, or even better, try using their ATMs to withdraw cash directly from your credit card or bank account.

Hotel front desks often permit currency exchange, but with lower exchange rates compared to banks and money changers.

Best Bali Money Tip: Trust only money changers that have been recognized by Bank Indonesia; these establishments advertise their status as Pedagang Valuta Asing Berizin or PVA Berizin (Indonesian for "Authorized Money Changer") with a green PVA Berizin shield where customers can see it.

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Transportation Tips

Bali provides several transportation options for travelers, with speed, comfort, and range relative to the price you’re willing to pay for it. The possibilities include bicycles, scooters, automobiles, vans (self-drive or with driver), and public transportation.

Not all of the transport providers are honest, though—the dos and don’ts in our transport articles ought to give you a good idea of how to get the most out of your transportation without feeling cheated by the experience.

Best Bali Transportation Tip: The most honest taxis in Bali are the blue taxis marked "Bali Taxi" (known as Blue Bird Taxis); everybody else is hit or miss.

They’re so honest, other taxi operators hate their guts and collude with some hotels to exclude Bluebird taxis from their area. Catch a Bluebird taxi in Bali if you can.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

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Beach Safety Tips

Surfing in Bali is one of the island’s most popular pastimes, helped along by especially gorgeous beaches in the south and north. Despite the tourist traffic on these beaches, Bali is not yet entirely safe for beachgoers. Sunburn, treacherous undercurrents, and a teeny-tiny risk of tsunami cast a shadow on the Bali beach experience.

Best Bali Beach Safety Tip: Look for the red flags. A section of Bali’s beach stretching from Kuta to Canggu is known to have rip tides and undertows. When the local authorities raise these red flags on a beach, do not attempt to swim there, unless you want to end your Bali vacation by being swept out to sea.

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Health Tips

Tourists in Bali run a number of health risks. Travelers might catch “Bali Belly,” or traveler’s diarrhea, from dodgy meals. Or they might look at a macaque the wrong way and suffer a monkey attack. Or they might forget the sunscreen and suffer sunburn.

The right precautions can help you avoid these problems entirely. Follow the dos and don’ts in this article to stay healthy during your Bali vacation. Or take a look at this map of Bali Hospitals and Clinics in case you need to make an unscheduled visit.

Best Bali Health Tip:Drink a lot of water to avoid getting heatstroke. Just don’t get your water from the tap. Bali tap water is often blamed for many a bad case of “Bali belly,” so avoid it entirely. Stick to canned drinks or bottled water.

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Drug Laws in Bali and the Rest of Indonesia

Bali’s drug laws are very strict and should not be trifled with. Indonesian Law No. 35/2009 lays down harsh penalties for drug users caught with Group 1 drugs like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. You can get life imprisonment for possession or the death penalty if you’ve been convicted of trafficking in drugs. (Schapelle Corby, pictured here, was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison—she served nine.)

Best Bali Drugs Tip: Parts of Kuta are still rife with drug dealers, or narcotics officers pretending to be dealers. Tourists walking through often get whispered solicitations for drugs. If you get one of these whispered sales pitches, walk away. You might end up a hapless victim of a drug sting!