We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Bali is one of the most culturally generous places on earth.
This tiny island tucked away in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago has, over the course of just 100 years, become one of the world’s biggest and most famous tourist destinations.
Set to welcome more than 7.5 million international arrivals this year, Bali’s generosity is large, but not without limit, and there are some things that all visitors must be aware of before flying into the island.
Bali is beloved for so many reasons, but its warm welcome to visitors is something that almost all holidaymakers will cite as a reason for their wish to return.
Given that Indonesia is a pretty conservative country, and Bali is a deeply spiritual island, foreigners who come to the island seeking a place to let loose on vacation are given an awful lot of grace.
This grace to be free is not without limit, and as more and more tourists visit the island, leaders and communities are always keen to emphasize that cultural respect is what tourists are asked to offer in return for the famous warm welcome.
In 2023, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster, in the midst of a crackdown on unruly and culturally disrespectful tourists, published a list of the Do’s and Don’ts of Bali tourism.
This list was a collection of twelve obligations, or ‘do’ behaviors by tourists, and eight prohibitions, ‘don’ts.’ Though this list has been in existence for more than three years, the guidelines are no longer promoted to newly arriving tourists as frequently.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Bali Tourism are as valid now as ever, but for those soon to be arriving in Bali, there are three key areas of focus where extra attention must be paid to the rules. The first can be observed as ‘Temple Etiquette & Cultural Respect’.
All tourists traveling to Bali, irrespective of their faith, must respect Balinese Hindu culture. In Bali, the philosophies of Balinese Hindus preside over all aspects of daily life. For many tourists visiting Bali, one of the best ways to connect to the island’s cultural heritage in a meaningful way is to visit a local temple. The most popular temples for tourists in Bali to visit are Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot Temple, and Tirta Empul Temple.
All tourists and visitors to the Bali temple must observe temple etiquette. This includes wearing a sarong, sash, and a modest top.
Tourists will also be advised by temple staff as to when a photograph is and is not appropriate, as well as what areas are open for visitors as opposed to areas restricted for worshippers only.
The second is what The Bali Sun refers to as the ‘Importance of Immigration,’ and this is a big one. Cultural respect is important, but immigration law is serious business. It is essential that tourists in Bali obey the rules of their visa and stay permit.
Earlier this year, Bali Immigration established the Bali Dharma Dewata Task Force, which caught out more than 60 foreigners breaking the conditions of their visas in just 21 days. Violations include overstays, working or conducting business on social and tourist visas, and breaking Indonesian law. Every foreigner in Indonesia has a personal responsibility to understand the law of the land and respect it.
The final set of guidelines to be aware of are the ‘Rules Of The Road’. With so many tourists in Bali opting to hire a moped to drive themselves around the island, it is super important to be up to speed about the highway code.
It is a legal requirement for both driver and passenger on a motorcycle to wear a helmet. Drivers must also have an international driving licence that covers the engine size of the motorcycle, e.g., the CC.
It is also essential to have full comprehensive insurance and to check that the policy covers what is and is not covered in the event of an incident on the roads.
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