Tourists Must Account For Bali’s Internet To Be Limited During Nyepi Festival

Share The Article

Monday, the 11th of March, marks Nyepi Day in Bali.

The holy day of silence officially begins at 6 a.m. and ends at 6 a.m. on March 12th.

Nyepi Day is one of the most spiritually significant days of the year, and many tourists enjoy the serenity of the occasion. 

Although Nyepi Day lasts 24 hours and starts at 6 a.m., restrictions, closures, and festival-related rules will come into effect around midday on March 10th.

Officials in Bali are calling on people of all faiths and all nationalities to respect and observe the rules and restrictions of the day, as the structure of the festival has been written into Balinese provincial law.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bali 🇮🇩🏝 | Travel | Hotels | Food | Tips (@bali.indonesia.explore)

No one in Bali is allowed to travel or leave their homes or accommodation on Nyepi Day. The use of light and sound must be kept to an absolute minimum; for those observing the holy day, the use of lights, electricity, and communication is prohibited for 24 hours.

With this in mind, Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport will be closed, roads will be closed, and in some parts of the province, the electricity and internet connection will be completely turned off. 

Tourists must prepared for no power and no internet during the Nyepi Day. While some locations keep the power on and in some locations internet may still be available its also considered respectful to limit or avoid use of electricity and the internet as much as possible during the holy day. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (@tmiiofficial)

A joint appeal has been published by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Bali Province and acknowledged by the Bali Regional Police Chief, the Acting Governor of Bali, and the Commander of Korem 163/WSA.

This 10-point public appeal outlines key restrictions and rules that must be observed. The translation is as follows: 

“Transportation service providers (land, sea, and air) are not permitted to operate during the Holy Day of Nyepi, from Monday, March 11th, 2024, at 06.00 WITA to Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, at 06.00 WITA.”

It has already been confirmed that the Mandara Toll Road will be closed from 11 p.m. on March 10th until 7 a.m. on March 12th. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ⎈Kevin | Bali 📸 🇲🇨 (@wanderskyy)

The memo continues, “Radio Broadcasting Institutions and Television Broadcasting Institutions are not permitted to broadcast during the Holy Day of Nyepi, from Monday the 11th of March 2024 at 06.00 WITA until Tuesday the 12th of March 2024 at 06.00.”

Perhaps the most significant point for tourists is internet access during Nyepi Day.

The public appeal states, “Cellular service providers must turn off cellular data and all television service providers not to distribute broadcasts, from Monday the 11th of March 2024 at 06.00 WITA until Tuesday the 12th of March 2024 at 06.00 WITA”.

However, some broadband providers may still be up and running, but this is, of course, dependent on electricity, which may be turned off in some areas like Nusa Penida. 

Tourists, digital nomads, expats, or anyone requiring internet access during the period between 6 am on the 11th of March and 6 am on the 12th of March should make contingency plans for if internet access is completely cut in your area, especially since cellar data cannot be used as a backup hotspot.

It is advisable to completely clear the schedule as much as possible and enjoy the opportunity to experience real silence and stillness.

For those who need to be online, it is advisable to take a little trip to the Gili Islands or Lombok traveling over this weekend.

Since Nyepi Day this year coincides with beginning of Ramadan 1445, the public appeal also stipulates “Muslims perform tarawih prayers at the nearest house of worship on foot or in their own homes and do not use loudspeakers and use limited lighting.”

The appeal concludes, “Other people carry out worship at their respective homes. The Traditional Village Prajuru assigned Pecalang to secure the series of Nyepi Holy Days in their respective areas firmly and humanely, coordinating with the relevant security forces.”

The closing statement reads, “The entire community is obliged to obey this collective call.”