These are 54 Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting Bali. Bali is known as the Land of Gods, and the Balinese believe that Heaven is Bali and that Bali is Heaven, and indeed, in the lush tropical vegetation, they have a distinct point. 90% of Balinese are Hindu and around five per cent Muslim, which is quite different to the rest of Indonesia. The Balinese people are some of the nicest, most pleasant and tolerant people in the world. Get to know the real Balinese, and your trip to this intriguing island will be an enriching one. These are your Etiquette Tips for Travelers in Bali, Indonesia
This is not intended to be negative, nor indeed turn you off the beautiful island of Bali, it is just a reminder that when you visit another country, there are certain things you need to be aware of when you are a responsible tourist.Editor Note: updated February, 2018
To check all of the amazing things to do in Bali, click here.
A Little Respect
Contents
- Do NOT take drugs into Bali. This is no laughing matter, as they do execute people as happened to two Australians who were executed in Bali in 2015. This is all of Indonesia and Bali, where the death penalty exists, and there is little tolerance for drugs, and rightly so.
- The Balinese will ask you about world politics and what you think about executions, and terrorism because they seem genuinely interested in world events. However, this is the time to be very politic and avoid discussing such sensitive issue. While the Balinese are different in some respects from Indonesia, they are still Indonesian and bound by Indonesian laws and restrictions. Just be careful.
- Do NOT buy drugs in Bali, and have no doubt – you will be offered them often. The answer is “No, Thank You”.
- You will be offered everything including Viagara when you are having your breakfast in the morning. If you want to run the risk of what could be in that capsule, then that is up to you; but I would be highly suspicious of this.
- Do expect that it will take a long time to get through customs and immigration at the airport. For some reason, it takes forever. However, if they are being meticulous, then that is a good thing and means you will be safer on the island.
Read: Getting through Customs – a harsh look at realities.
- Do not touch the head of a Balinese person, not even a child. The head is considered a sacred part of the body.
- When entering any Hindu temple in Bali, and many are open-air temples, and you will need to wear a sarong ( a travel packing essential) and a sash. Many temples will have these at the entrance. Don’t expose too much of your upper body out of respect. Don’t point your feet to the altar in the temple either.
- Do take your shoes off when entering a temple or a person’s house. You will know because there will be shoes everywhere outside.
- Do leave a donation at the temple…because it is the right thing to do, and good karma.
- If you are menstruating, do not enter a temple.
- Do not use your left hand when giving money or a business card, if you can help it. Many Balinese, however, have been exposed to a lot of Western cultures and do understand south paws.
- It is hot in Bali, but please keep your t-shirt on when walking the streets, for the sake of the modest Balinese and for my sake, because many of you just look dreadful.
- Do realise that Bali is close to Australia, and while the majority of Australian visitors are really good, there are a lot who give us a bad name.
- Don’t point with your index finger. Again the Balinese are becoming more used to these Western gestures but theoretically you shouldn’t.
- Do try and avoid walking on the ceremonial offerings in the street. Dogs walk over them, but if you can, and they are everywhere, try not to as a mark of respect to these deeply spiritual people
- Do enjoy the many ceremonies that take place in this spiritual country. This is part of the beauty of real Bali.
- Do be careful if you pick up a lady late at night, because the lady may well be a lady-boy.
- Do learn some Balinese phrases, like Selamat pagi, good morning, and Terima kasih – thank you.
Food and Drink
- Don’t eat Western Food. You are in Bali, and the food is fresh and very good. Enjoy the tropical fruits, and more.
- Don’t drink the water, and be a little careful about which bottled water you do buy. Many people have bottle capping machines. It pays to take a water filtering bottle with you. You can always boil the jug to remove issues from the water.
- Enjoy the local Bintang beer. It is refreshing, and Bali is humid.
22.. Do be careful when ordering any drink other than a Bintang, as it may be watered down or even something different, and this will make you ill.
- Do go to a cooking school in Bali. You will love it
Read: Cooking Balinese food
- Do make a relationship with one of the beach beer sellers, and try and return to the one place. Once you are ripped off once, they won’t rip you off again. Ditto the hair braiders, the nail painters and a lot of other hawkers. Once you have paid for a service once, they do not tend to hassle you again. You will also get to know local people and learn more about them and their culture.
- Be aware that there is a strong move by the Muslim Indonesian government to ban the sale of beer to small retailers, and this may mean the beach bars will be affected.
- Do eat at the warungs, the local Balinese cafes. The food is cheap, and the food is good.
- You don’t have to tip as service charges are already included. But, as previously stated, if you can afford to go to Bali, you can afford to be a little generous.
Read: A Guide to Tipping Around the World
- Avoid Bali Belly and it is a real thing by being careful with what you eat. if you can’t wash it, peel it or cook it, don’t eat it. Be careful what you wash it in.
- Don’t avoid Kuta, it is changing, and changing for the better.
Read: In Defense of Kuta
Read: Kuta’s Only Market Brunch, Bali
Shopping in Bali
- Do haggle with the market owners, it is expected. Don’t be horrible though and rip someone off. If you can afford to go to Bali, then you are a lot better off than many of the local Balinese people.
- Bali has the most unusual lot of t-shirts, some purely disgusting but others relatively funny. If you have to buy one, then don’t wear it, but if you do, expect to be recognised as a tourist and probably an Australian bogan one at that.
Read: An Australia subculture – Bogans.
- Do be careful with the hawkers/salesman who are often Anglo-Saxons, who want to show you a hotel and give you a free night , or a week of free nights. and that you have won something and then take you for a long ride to try and sell you something or other. They will approach you the minute you walk out of your hotel. Politely and persistently say, “No, Thank You”.
- Don’t get annoyed when you are hassled at the volcano, or when you go to see the Kecak dancers, or any other tourist place by the hawkers. They need to make a living.
Safety in Bali
- Wear your helmet when you hire a scooter, which you inevitably will. You will more than likely get booked by the police of you do if you don’t.
- Do be careful when you offer the police money to pay off your fine for not wearing your helmet. This is common practice to try and buy your way out of trouble. Sometimes it works, and other times it doesn’t.
- You are going to need an international drivers license or if you don’t have one of these, you will need to get a Balinese driving license, which you can get in Denpasar. Many people don’t bother, and thendeal with the fine that they weill inevitably get. Check your insurance policy, to see what they do cover.
- Use your horn to honk a lot. There is no road rage in Bali; it is a means of indicating that you are overtaking or trying to get some type of attention. Don’t get cranky if people are honking at you.
- Do make sure you have travel insurance. There are many accidents in the surf, on scooters and from dog bites.
- Be careful when getting a tattoo. Some tattoo artists use textile chemical dyes which are not suitable for use on the human body.
- Be careful when you swim at the beach. The beaches can be filthy from tidal conditions coming from other islands in Indonesia. January and February at Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak are to be avoided.
- If you are surfing in Canggu, Echo Beach and other surfing hot spots, you will be with fellow avid surfers from all around the world, and that is good. Beware of the strong waves, unpredictable currents and exposed rocks however. Talk to other surfers before entering the water. Surfers are very helpful people.
Read: The UN of Surfers: Canggu and Echo Beach, Bali
Internet in Bali
- The internet reception in Bali, in the main, is not too bad. Most cafes will have free wi-fi. Expect in some of the inner areas of the island like Ubud, that it can drop out now and again, but it is better than many other countries we have been to.
Balinese Animals
- There are dogs everywhere, and some of them don’t look too healthy.
- Be respectful of the turtles on the beach, they are endangered, and you will see Balinese trying to help them
- The monkeys on the island, particularly in highly touristy spots like Ubud and Uluwatu Temple, are cunning thieves and will steal the sunglasses from your head, and anything else they can get their hands on.
Read: Ubud, Bali. If you don’t like art, good food, monkeys – then this is not for you
Read: Exploring Uluwatu Temple Bali
Read: Kecak Fire Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Bali
Transport
- Do use motorbikes, scooters, taxi’s and tour guides and also hire a driver, but make sure that your rate is set in concrete before you go.
- Local buses are also OK.
Some Suggestions on other things to do in Bali
- Do go to Ubud, it is a special place, and definitely not ruined by tourists IMHO.
Read: Has Ubud Bali changed since That Book and That Movie?
- To escape the midday sun in Kuta go to the movies, and sit back in arm chairs, while waiters serve you in your seat.
- Do get a beachside position, maybe at Jimbaran Bay or Seminyak and enjoy the music, the Bintang and some of the most epic sunsets you will ever see.
- Re. Mt. Agung. It’s the highest volcano in Bali at 3,200 meters above sea level. Do watch the warnings for the volcano erupting – it seems to be having a few issues lately.
- Do realise that they are not joking when everyone says, they are called Ketut. All Balinese males share the same four names – Wayan (the eldest), Made (2nd eldest), Nyoman (3rd eldest) and Ketut (4th child syndrome). If there is a 5th boy, they start again at Wayan.
- Do understand that in Bali, OHS (occupational health and safety) is merely a suggestion. It is incredible to watch.
- Do realise that you photos will not turn out great because of the humidity that gets in to your camera
As Bali is a tropical island it rains. Here are some ideas of what to do when it rains in Bali. Wondering what to pack for a vacation in Bali, click the link.
Bali is a lovely island in Indonesia, and these 54 Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting Bali are a guide to enjoying a very rich cultural island.
Have you any other suggestions?
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Thank you so much for writing this article. My fiance and I are going to Bali for the first time for our honeymoon this summer for almost a month. We are so excited. No place is perfect, but like the Balinese believe, it does sound like Heaven on Earth to us too. This very detailed article gives us a lot to think about and be prepared for. I am glad we have some tips on how to respect the Balinese and their culture more while we are there too. Can’t wait to go!
Congratulations, and you will love Bali. You may also like to read what to do in Bali when it rains … because it will, and that is also fun. https://contentedtraveller.com/10-things-bali-rains/ Have a lot of fun…and a Bintang too.
#18 are not Balinese phrases; They are Indonesian languages. You will say this words to all Indonesian whichever island you’ll visit.
True
Sorry but no, hawkers don’t have to make a living hassling tourists. They just scare tourist away by annoying them. And no I am not better off than locals. Many of us have to save up for 5 or more years to travel once. The guy who rips of tourists at Bedugul boat rentals has more money than most of us.
Other than these comments, I did enjoy this post and I appreciate your work.
Personally I enjoy it, but yes I do understand your viewpoint.
Amen to that. It’s no annoying when people assume I’m rich just because I go somewhere far once in a few years. I can go there cause I’ve saved up from hard work. It’s so arrogant to assume shit about peoples economical status.
agreed
Thanks for the post. I really enjoyed it and it seems very straightforward and practical.Your info is helpful. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve traveled to Bali solo, and I’m a female. Everything you say is well worth a spoon of sugar. Bali is Heaven on earth. Be kind, be thoughtful and be considerate, and you will have a wonderful journey.
the article was meant to be informative and humorous, and I 100% agree with you. Be kind, considerate and talk to the lovely local people. They are seriously humble, and some of the most pleasant people we have met.
Great post Paula, and I do hope your tips are well heeded. I would add do try to minimise your use of plastic; ask your hotel to please allow you to refill your water bottle.
Totally agree, Bali has some very real issues with garbage.
It’s an amazing blog excellent way of writing. I have got to know so many things from your blog thanks for sharing this blog with us with stunning pictures.
Thanks so much
Please tell us how can we avoid dogs and dog bites. Is it possible to get bitten by dogs when walking on the street? Are there lots of dogs in Kuta beach area? When is the best time to go to Kuta, Bali cause you said January and February are to be avoided.
It is generally too humid for the dogs to bite. Walk on by and don’t make eye contact. Ironically, we will be in Bali in January, and then back again in February. The water at the beach can be unclean from the tidal wash from other islands. So swim in the pools. Bali is good anytime really, it is just the beach water. However other areas of the island are not as affected, so even if you are staying in Kuta, you can get to other areas easily.
I have been to Bali many times with my children, we love animals and have never been afraid to touch dogs in Bali. Obviously we don’t touch the strays that have sores or look unwell, but we have never had issues with being friendly to Bali dogs, and we’ve touched, even cuddled, many. We wash our hands afterward and use hand sanitizer. There are many dogs on the beaches but don’t, as with any animal, show fear if you do not like dogs. We do, so we have no problem with them approaching us. I would say 1 in 5 dogs are the stray unkept kind. I have been to Bali in both January and February, but I am a beach visitor not beach swimmer. If beach swimming is what you are after, head to Nusa Dua or Padang Padang beaches.
all good points
bali. every inches is heaven. beautiful
I went to Bali last September and loved it. It’s a country that you want to return for sure. I would add to your list though. I’m not sure if you mentioned it.. Massages! They are sooo cheap and amazing. In my opinion the best is Karsa Spa. Other than that I found your list true but I wouldn’t fear going just because of all the warnings. I felt very safe there and would go back in a heartbeat.
I think Bali is safe but unfortunately like the rest of the world, at times there are issues. We like going to Bali, and will return again.
Amazing list and it’s definitely good to know how to be respectful. Thanks
Thanks Mike, and respect and travel are the keys.
Bali is great! Ive been there this summer and really enjoyed it!
The ricefields, the food, the beaches…it has everything.
Thanks for sharing.
x
We like Bali a lot.
Thanks for making this list. My wife and I are going to Bali in 3 weeks for 3 weeks and I am a little nervous about the biting dogs now :-O
Also we are going to Australia after Bali and I am on prescription medication in the UK that I need to take with me on holiday (nothing is on the banned list) but I just wondered if you have any info regarding taking these into the country with me 🙂
Just ignore the dogs. You will love Bali and Australia. I wrote an article on taking medications into other countries, so hope this helps https://contentedtraveller.com/taking-prescription-medications-countries/
declare or meds and you carry them in your carry on bag
agreed, and have a doctors letter with you.
As I am visiting Bali for the first time in January, this is great informative reading!
Thanks Janet. You will enjoy it very much.
I respect covering up and adjusting my dress but I don’t feel right denying myself access to temples if I’m menstruating. I didn’t ask for my period, and it’s irregular. I’m supposed to deny myself that one chance to see a Balinese temple over something I can’t help?
It applies in all Hindu countries – not only Bali.
I’m a local from Kuta, i must say that your list is pretty much accurate. For any of you who want to visit Bali, please do! We have many newly opened tourist attractions here (perhaps you can check some of them on instagram).
we love Bali and are coming over again soon.
Good day
Next year in June will be our fist visit to Bali. A few things that I need to know.
1. How save is Bali
2. Best place to do day
trip bookings.
3. What us the best
Currency to take with
4. How does tipping work
5. What is the do’s and
dont’s in Bali
Regards
Mietha
1. Bali is safe, but take precautions as you would travelling anywhere
2. so many places; i personally like Viator and eOAsia
3. Just use the ATM’s to get the local currency
4. No tipping required, but because we can, we do
5. Read my post on do’s and don’ts in Bali
Yes Kadek, I’ve been coming to Bali for the past 20 years and am so happy to see all the improvements. They are trying and I’m sure this trend will continue as it benefits the local people as much.
As an Indonesian, I find your do’s and don’ts in Bali very engaging and amusing – at times even hilarious to the point of tearing myself up from laughter. I particularly enjoyed your references to Australian bogan tourists who, indeed, seem to be every where on the island; the not-so-healthy looking dogs (a subtle way of saying beware of rabies); the look-out-for-eruption-warning-sign for mountain climbers; and the fact that one out of four Balinese is named Ketut. Bali is not only amazing, it is magical. Your take on the island, and its teeming life, perpetuates that magic.
Thank you. We love Bali.
I always like the humor that imbues your suggestions. It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve visited Bali, and I wonder if it’s that much more touristy than decades ago. A lot of your advice reminds me of Malaysia — especially the language (same words, same meaning in Malay) and the thieving monkeys.
There are a lot of similarities with Malaysia, yet a lot of differences. Thanks for enjoying my humour.
Wow. This post is really eye opening. We are hoping to visit Bali sometime in the next couple years and will keep these points in mind!
#wkendtravelinspiration
You will really enjoy Bali. It is a diverse and culturally rich place, and these do’s and don’ts of Bali are just some general guidelines.
I’ll go wherever I want when menstrating. Women shouldnt be discriminated against for natural biology in the name of ‘culture’.
Then Bali is obviously not a place that you should visit, if you cannot respect their religious beliefs.
Agreed Paula. I am often reminded of ‘western arrogance’ – leave it at home & learn from the beautiful Balinese. They are truly special.
so totally agree. Nicest people ever.
For this thing u’d better follow the rule or u would have something bad, kind of bad mystical experience to you.
It’s one of the things that makes the Balinese so special. One NEVER finds this arrogant, western, form of ‘self-entitlement’.
I spent a month in Bali last year and absolutely loved it. Like all other places, there are do’s and don’ts, but it shouldn’t prevent people from visiting. Bali is amazing.
I also love Bali, and agree that all places have their do’s and don’ts. Bali is amazing.
I hate to say it but you’ve rather put me off going to Bali. But some very useful tips nevertheless. If I don’t drink or eat anything and don’t go near the surf, any scooters, drug dealers or dogs and never talk politics, hopefully I’ll be OK! Seriously though it does still sound very beauitful. So sad about the polution though. We are killing this planet.
Maybe it did come across a little negative, but if you read some of the other suggested readings of posts when we have visited Bali, you will see that it is actually a very beautiful island, and the people are incredible.
What a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts – if I’m ever lucky enough to visit I’ll certainly know how to behave, what to eat and what to avoid. Thank you
It was a long list, but it is an island worth visiting. It is beautiful and the people are amazing.
Wow, that is a lot of do’s and don’ts, so well thought out. I find Bali is still unique when you get away from all the busy areas and these rules apply even more away from the tourist zones.
We do like Bali. I don’t think you need to avoid the busy areas, just understand their makeup.