Tourists entering Bali to be given ‘dos and don’ts’ card in bid to stop bad behaviour

Fed-up Balinese authorities have issued an official “dos and don‘ts” card to tourists travelling to the island after a string of bad behaviour. See the rules.

Fed-up Indonesian authorities have issued an official “dos and don‘ts” card to tourists travelling to the island in a bid to combat a recent string of bad behaviour.

More than 130 tourists have been deported from the holiday island already this year for alleged lewd behaviour and disrespecting local customs and authorities.

The rules will be printed out and given to all arrivals at the airport from June. Picture: Getty Images

In response to the inappropriate behaviour, Balinese officials have drawn up a list of 12 “dos” and eight ”don‘ts” for international tourists to ensure travellers adhere to local rules.

The rules will be printed out and given to all foreign tourists arriving on the island from this month.

The crackdown will include tourists banned from climbing “holy trees” or posing naked at cultural or religious sites, as well as “not uttering offensive words”.

The “do’s” include foreigners having to dress modestly, follow road rules and urges travellers not to use cryptocurrencies for transactions while in Indonesia.

Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster made it clear that any tourist who breaks the rules will face the full force of the law, including penalties and legal proceedings as prescribed by Indonesian law.

He also urged tourism service providers and the Balinese community not to encourage misbehaviour among foreign visitors.

In response to the inappropriate behaviour, Balinese officials have distributed a list of 12 “dos” and eight ”don‘ts”. Picture: Getty Images

“Everyone should take this circular seriously, implement it, and disseminate it to all their staff and foreign tourists visiting Bali,” Governor Koster said.

Just last week, a German tourist sparked outrage by stripping off and crashing a sacred performance at a temple in Bali, while two Russian bloggers were deported after one posed nude on a sacred tree and the other dropped his pants at a volcano regarded as holy by Hindu Balinese.

Australians have long been among Bali‘s largest visitor numbers, with more than 90,000 Aussies recorded in March. Picture: Supplied

And in March, video of an Australian tourist yelling at a local police officer who spoke to her for riding a scooter without a helmet went viral.

Australians have long been among Bali‘s largest visitor numbers, with more than 90,000 Aussies recorded in March.

Dos

1. Respect the sanctity of temples, pratimas (sacred statues), and religious symbols;
2. Wholeheartedly respect the customs, traditions, arts, culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people during ongoing ceremonial processions and rituals;
3. Dress modestly, appropriately, and respectfully when visiting sacred areas, tourist attractions, public places, and engaging in activities in Bali;
4. Behave politely in sacred areas, tourist areas, restaurants, shopping areas, roads, and other public places;
5. Be accompanied by licensed tour guides (who understand the natural conditions, customs, traditions, and local wisdom of the Balinese people) when visiting tourist attractions;
6. Exchange foreign currency at authorised money changers (both banks and non-banks) that are officially licensed and display the authorisation number and QR code logo from Bank Indonesia;
7. Make payments using the Indonesian Standard QR code (QRIS);
8. Conduct transactions using the Indonesian rupiah;
9. Comply with the applicable traffic laws in Indonesia, including possessing a valid international or national driving license, obey traffic rules, dress modestly, wear a helmet, follow traffic signs, not exceed passenger capacity, and no driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;
10. Use four-wheeled transportation that is roadworthy and officially registered or two-wheeled transportation that is operated by a legal business entity or association for two-wheeler rentals;
11. Stay in accommodations that possess the required permits according to applicable regulations;
12. Adhere to all specific provisions/rules that apply to each tourist attraction and tourist activity.

DON’TS

1. Trespass sacred territories: Steer clear of utamaning mandala and madyaning mandala, holy and sanctified spots like puras and pelinggihs — unless you’re there for a Balinese traditional ceremony, during which you must wear the appropriate attire, and you’re not menstruating;
2. Touch sacred trees
3. Engage in behaviour that defiles sacred places, temples, idols, and religious symbols, such as climbing sacred structures and taking indecent or nude photos;
4. Litter and pollute lakes, springs, rivers, seas, and public areas;
5. Use single-use plastics like plastic bags, polystyrene (styrofoam), and plastic straws;
6. Utter offensive words, behave disrespectfully, cause disturbances, and act aggressively towards government authorities, local communities, and fellow tourists, both directly and indirectly through social media, including spreading hate speech and hoaxes;
7. Engage in work or business activities without proper documentation issued by the relevant authorities;
8. Get involved in illegal activities, such as trading illegal goods, including endangered flora and fauna, cultural artefacts, and sacred objects, as well as illegal drugs.