Tourists traveling to Bali’s Nusa Penida are being reminded that the entry fee to the island is non-negotiable.
The conversation is hitting headlines after two tourists were recorded kicking up a fuss, arguing with tourism officials, and refusing to pay the fee earlier this week.

The Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Ni Made Sulistiawati, has spoken to reporters about the incident.
The altercation took place at Banjar Nyuh Harbor, Nusa Penida, which is the main arrival and departure point for tourists visiting the island. Sulistiawati said, “I have confirmed with the officer that the Russian tourist reportedly did not want to pay the official fee to Nusa Penida.”
Sulistiawati explained that initially, the tourists tried to avoid paying the official visit fee to Nusa Penida.
The entry fee to Nusa Penida costs IDR 25,000 per person, and it is a legitimate government-backed policy. Sulistiawati revealed that the tourism officer at Banjar Nyuh Harbor gave the two women a clear explanation of the fee but that they were still reluctant to pay and started causing a fuss.
As the situation got a little more heated, a number of tourism drivers who were standing nearby tried to convince the tourists that are official fees to pay. Police and army officers in the harbor area were also called into the debate.
According to Sulistiawati, this is not the first time an incident like this has happened at Banjar Nyuh Harbor. However, she noted that usually, after receiving an explanation, tourists are willing to pay. While the policy has been in place since before the pandemic, many tourists are suspicious of being asked to pay a fee on arrival to the island.
To help give tourists peace of mind, every officer at the Nusa Penida tourism levy collection post is required to wear an official uniform complete with the name tag.
If requested, officers are also expected to explain in detail the legal basis for the levy, which is stipulated in Klungkung Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2018 concerning Amendments to Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning Recreation and Sports Places Retribution.
Sulistiawati confirmed, “Domestic and foreign tourists pay an entrance ticket of IDR 25,000 per adult or IDR 15,000 for children,” said Sulistiawati.
She confirmed that she has also briefed officers at the Banjar Nyuh Harbor tourism levy collection post and at other posts around the island to be understanding and calm with tourists and not to be “provoked or emotional” in response to tourist behaviour.

In March 2024, Sulistiawati, as the Head of Klungkung Regency Tourism Office, was also called to confirm that the entry fees to Nusa Penida are mandatory and non-negotiable to both domestic and international tourists.
She also suggested at the time that a new payment system would be introduced to streamline the arrival process for visitors but for now, things remain as they always have.

The Nusa Penida Entry Fee is different from the Bali Tourism Tax Levy. The Bali Tourism Tax Levy is another mandatory fee for all international tourists visiting Bali and is charged at IDR 150,000 per person per visit.
The fee can be paid via the LoveBali app or website, and tourists must keep their QR-code voucher closely as proof of payment should they be stopped by tourism officers.

The Nusa Penida Entry Fee is also a separate fee from the Nusa Penida Retribution Tax, which is applicable to tourists who dive, snorkel, or swim in the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area, which surrounds the three islands.
The Nusa Penida Retribution Tax is charged at IDR 100,000 for snorkeling and diving within the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area. However, for the most part, this fee is included as part of the package cost of diving and snorkeling tours in the area.
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Hayden
Monday 10th of February 2025
Bali is a rip off hahaha. Fees for the visa, then another fee for entry to the island, then more bullshit fees and taxes just to move around the island, road checkpoint fees, and now to enter Nusa Penida. Then have to deal daily with constant scammers as well as dodgy taxis and Grab taxis. Some places are filthy. I've witnessed locals countless times polluting the area. I've snorkeled in garbage and plastic. The smell and taste of gasoline in the water. Hows that supposed to be a relaxing vacation? Been there done that, never to return...As naturally beautiful as Bali and Nusa Penida is, there are many other beautiful places on Earth to visit instead.
John
Wednesday 5th of February 2025
This kind of "attention" to the foreign people is called all around the world "rasism", but only in Bali - "tourism".
Shorty
Thursday 6th of February 2025
@John,
non resident Balinese also have to pay the tax.
Sven
Tuesday 4th of February 2025
If you pay a visa for entry to the country, why do you need to pay another entry to the same country?
Exp
Thursday 6th of February 2025
@Sven, Because Bali is "special".
M
Wednesday 5th of February 2025
@Sven, why do you find it strange to pay a tourist visa for going to pay a tourist tax for paing a tourist tax? :D oh ya sometimes it happens that you got to pay even 5rb for passing a street... and we don't talk about the tukang parkir fee everytime you stop a minute for buying something...
NotRussian
Monday 3rd of February 2025
25,000 rupiah is less than $2. Russians in Bali are all cheap scumbags.
Wayne
Monday 3rd of February 2025
Tax , tax and more taxes but the island is dirty and roads are shocking....bali is becoming money hungry and tourist will stop going there ...