Bali is also known as the island of the gods, and Balinese people believe in bad and good karma. The majority of Balinese residents are Hindus. Therefore, the wisdom of the Balinese people customs and traditions tend to differ from those of other Indonesian islands. And like most locals, they act friendly and tolerant and are very proud of their culture and heritage. However, during their stay, foreigners should know Balinese etiquette, including do’s and don’ts, to be respectfully in sacred places.
Following these essential dos and don’ts for tourists visiting Bali will make you more likely to have a positive, respectful experience of Bali’s way of life. It’s all a matter of common sense, while others are general Bali travel tips to help you make the most of your trip. Ultimately, behave differently than you don’t want in your own country.
Pro tip: Tourists who respect the local culture by sticking to a few rules, do’s, and don’ts will soon win the love and respect of the Balinese people.
Here are The List of Do’s and Don’ts in Bali
Do Learn Some Indonesia Language Phrases
Locals will always appreciate your effort to converse in their language, although it is just a few words! Some phrases that will be useful are “Terima Kasih,” which means thank you, “Selamat Pagi,” which means good morning, and “Maaf,” which means sorry.
Do Avoid Bali Belly
This phrase is widely heard by ex-pats, known as ‘traveller’s diarrhoea,’ and is unclean food and water, especially undercooked meat and seafood sold in public places. You can wash your hands regularly with soap under running water or use hand sanitiser in Bali.
The last way to avoid traveller’s diarrhoea is always to have prescription medicine. It’s best to consult a doctor, especially those with a history of digestive problems. You can prepare drugs or supplements to prevent the virus from entering the body.
Tips: It’s better to buy hygienic food and use clean utensils to avoid things related to the belly.
Do Follow The Rules When Visiting Balinese Temple Area
Bali religion is dominated by Hindus, who pray at Balinese temples. It is good that you can visit the local wisdom of the Balinese and learn more about their culture. But, you should follow the rules, such as dressing modestly before entering the temple in Bali. Temple guests are expected to wear shirts that cover the shoulders and part of the upper arms. Many temples will have these at the entrance. The waist and legs are covered with temple cloths known as Selendang and sarong, known locally as Kain Kamben.
So feel free to watch over the locals during the ceremonies, but behave politely. Priests are easy to spot, given the accoutrements of the role. Do not sit higher than the locals. If they are sitting on the floor, you should follow suit. Nowadays, temples and ceremonies have become a thing if you are looking for visiting tourist attractions.
Do Dress Appropriately
Most people who work in resorts and hotels in Bali don’t bat their eyelids at the sight of skimpy-dressed tourists. But it’s different when you go exploring outside the resort, and it is considered impolite. Also, it’s sad to write this, but catcalling in Indonesia is still common practice.
Do Wear Helmet
If you choose to ride a motorbike, receive instruction on navigating Bali’s seemingly chaotic traffic flow. The villa staff will provide advice and direction if needed. Always wear a helmet, obey Indonesian traffic laws, and carry a valid international or national driving license.
Police can search both helmets and unlicensed riders/drivers. Better tips: Always rent a motor. When you have travel insurance, you stay protected. So when things don’t go as planned, you still have backups.
Do Make Sure To Look Both Sides
Motorcyclists drive everywhere when crossing roads in Bali, including pedestrian streets and opposite sides. If you are tourists in Bali and planning on taking public transportation, such as shuttles and ferries, you rarely leave on time. In Bali, things go on “island time.” Accept it, and don’t sweat the little things.
Bali offers travellers multiple modes of transportation with speed, comfort, and range compared to the price travellers are willing to pay. Options include bikes, scooters, cars, and public transportation.
Do Avoid Petting Stray Dogs
Dogs are cute. However, Rabies is a genuine problem in Indonesia, with many tourists interrupting their travels after being bitten by an animal, especially dogs.
Do Buy SIM Cards When You Arrive In Bali
Once you arrive in Bali, you must purchase an Indonesian SIM card. A local number is required for many services, such as ridesharing, meal delivery, and more. Local SIM cards and data plans are easy to obtain and affordable. SIM cards can be purchased at most hotels or local shops. You can add data directly to your SIM card if you need it at convenience stores like Indomaret, Circle K, Alfamart, etc.
Bali has two types of SIM cards: regular SIM and tourist SIM. You will want to buy a tourist SIM. The difference is that the tourist SIM card only lasts a few months.
Tips: An unlocked phone is required to use a tourist SIM card.
Do Bargain – But Not Hard Bargain
Bargaining is expected in the market, but be careful about how much pressure you put on the Balinese. Expect a little bargaining, but if you bargain hard for a small amount, it’s usually best to cut back. These small amounts likely mean more to them, so always try to balance that when looking for the best deals. During Bargaining, always be kind and respectful to local communities. Bargaining is part of Bali culture; we should consider it a fun experience, not a war.
Tips: Balinese workers do not receive a high salary, so extra tips are always welcome.
Do Have Travel Insurance While Visit Bali
COVID insurance is still needed to enter Bali and other Asian countries. The cheapest way to get mandatory medical insurance is to buy travel insurance. Although not mandatory for entry, it is always recommended to have travel insurance when travelling to Indonesia. So many things can go wrong, and keeping yourself covered is essential. Accidents happen in the most unexpected of places.
Do Get Your Travel Vaccines In Order
Even if you had all your routine immunizations as a child, you might need additional travel vaccines to travel to Bali. Like typhoid vaccine, Tdap booster vaccine, and hepatitis A vaccine. Also, Rabies shot for caution. There are so many stray dogs in Bali, so beware of dog bites.
Do Include North Bali in Your Itinerary.
Most fellow tourists are concentrated in the southern regions of Bali, Kuta, and Seminyak, while tourism to Ubud, Canggu, and Uluwatu is growing steadily. But North Bali is incredibly hidden gems and untouched. Once there, you’ll be treated to temples, secluded natural hot springs, picturesque lakeside temples, and vast valleys with rice terraces and rice paddies as far as the eye can see. And best of all, almost no one is out in these places.
Also Read: Local Markets In Bali: Sustainable, Handicraft Items and More
Don’ts During Holiday in Bali
Don’ts During Holiday in Bali
Don’t Drink Served In Cheap Bars.
This is one of the most common don’ts in Bali. Be careful with the full and bright drinks cocktails. They contain many artificial ingredients and can make you feel sick very quickly. Another important thing is to keep an eye on your drink! But if that happens, order another one. There are several stories of drugged tourists being kidnapped or injured in Bali.
In some areas of Bali, drunken “blues” (foreigners), tourist traps, bars, and club scenes offer nothing of Bali’s real and natural beauty.
Don’t Rely on Foreign Credit Cards
You should be okay paying directly at restaurants and hotels with a foreign credit card, but many Indonesian shops only accept Indonesian credit cards and cash. Nowadays, payment with QR (Qris) will ease your transaction, and you can easily scan the QR code logo from Bank Indonesia.
This is a recurring problem for foreigners. Indonesian websites are unlikely to accept foreign credit or debit cards, so it is advisable to pre-book whatever you need from a non-Indonesian website, bring some Rupiah everywhere or find the nearest money changers.
Don’t Drink Tap Water
Tap water in Bali is not drinkable and unfiltered. When people drink water from the tap, they can get a condition affectionately, like diarrhoea. The water is unsafe, and many tourists fall sick from consuming it. You can avoid them by drinking only bottled water, or if you want to go greener, you can invest in a travel water filter.
Info about Bali: As of 2019, the governor of Bali is phasing out the use of single-use plastics across the island, and many cafes, restaurants, and resorts have joined the plastic-free movement. You, too, can help reduce plastic waste on the island by refusing plastic straws, bringing shopping bags, and using reusable water bottles.
Don’t do Illegal Activities
Do not bring any illegal drugs, buy drugs or even sell drugs in Bali. Indonesia’s regulation of drug users is stringent and has harsh penalties aggressively towards an addict. Once drug users catch the penalty as strict as the death penalty or life imprisonment, there is little tolerance for drugs. Also, don’t fall for someone who is openly selling one.
Don’t Fall For Random Tattoo Artists
Tattoos are expensive, and there’s a price for the quality. Bali is cheaper than other foreign countries, but that doesn’t mean you will fall for a cheap one. Some tattoo artists use textile chemical dyes that are not suitable for use on the human body.
Don’t Take Pictures with Improper Clothes Around Sacred Places
When visiting temples and sacred sites, leave your skimpy beachwear or revealing outfits behind. Taking pictures with improper clothing not only disrespects the culture but can also offend others who are trying to worship or meditate.
Don’t Swim When It’s High Tide
Be careful when swimming on the beach. Tidal conditions from other islands in Indonesia can dirty the beach, especially in January and February in Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak. In Canggu, Echo Beach and other surfing hotspots bring you together with avid surfers worldwide. Always make sure of the strong waves.
Don’t Climb Sacred Trees
Some sacred objects like trees are considered holy by the locals and are often wrapped in colourful fabrics. Climbing these trees or tampering with the offerings is disrespectful and offensive to the Balinese.
Don’t Step over the Canang Sari in the streets.
Canang Sari, or ceremonial offerings, are usually scattered around the streets and doorsteps. Please avoid stepping on them. Bali people are very spiritual, and these offerings are part of their religious beliefs.
Don’t Use Your Left Hand When Handing Over
For Indonesians, the right hand is for everything, while the left is for hygiene in the area below. So, later, when you have to handle touching or receiving things like money. When giving money or handing over something, the left hand is considered unclean, and it’s best to use the right hand; otherwise, it is considered rude.
Don’t Forget Your Visa
Currently, Indonesia only allows visa-free entry to Southeast Asia countries, and other countries must buy one. Visa on arrival at the airport. Good things, There is also an option to extend the VOA from 1 month to 2 months. It’s effortless—no questions about getting a visa on arrival. Pay the fee.
After you receive your visa on arrival, you can contact your visa agency to extend it. It is recommended to start the procedure from the day you arrive in Bali, although it is necessary to start the procedure while the 30-day visa has at least ten days remaining.
VOA currently costs IDR 500,000 (approximately US$30). You can pay by card, using USD and Indonesian Rupiah.
A Guide to Cultural Respect and Responsible Tourism Do’s and Don’ts for an Enriching Experience
In conclusion, navigating the culturally rich landscape of Bali requires a mindful adherence to a set of do’s and don’ts for Tourists. By respecting the local customs, traditions, and natural environment, tourists can ensure a harmonious coexistence with the Balinese people and contribute positively to preserving the island’s unique charm. This essential list serves as a guide for visitors seeking a meaningful and respectful experience in Bali. By embracing these dos and don’ts, tourists can forge a deeper connection with the enchanting island and positively impact the local community and the environment. Ultimately, by practising cultural sensitivity and responsible tourism, visitors can enhance their time in Bali and contribute to preserving its cultural and natural treasures.
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