Bali’s tourist crackdown as island tightens its rules for international visitors

If you’re heading to Bali for a holiday soon, then you better familiarise yourself with their latest rules as they won’t tolerate misbehaving visitors.

Bali has doubled down on its zero-tolerance approach to unruly tourists, particularly those who break the law, after tightening its rules for international visitors last week.

On March 24, Bali governor Wayan Koster revealed he updated the dos and don’ts list that was released back in 2023 that outline obligations, prohibitions and penalties for forgivers.

“We issued a similar regulation before, but as things change, we need to adapt,” he said during a press conference at Jayasabha.

“This ensures that Bali’s tourism remains respectful, sustainable, and in harmony with our local values.”

The guidelines focus on ensuring respectful behaviour when visiting sacred sites and enforcing the payment of Bali’s tourist levy.

The 150,000 IDR ($15) tourist levy came into effect on February 14, 2024 with plans to use the money to help protect Bali’s culture, customs and environment.

In 2024 alone, more than 1.5 million Aussies visited Bali, making Australia the largest feeder market for direct foreign tourist arrivals to Bali, according to Statista.

In 2023, an Aussie woman was filmed arguing with a cop after she failed to wear a helmet. It’s one of the island’s rules.

“In the future, the collection of [tourist levy] fees in Bali will protect nature and keep it clean and sustainable,” Indonesian Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno told news.com.au last year.

“But it also plays a vital role in protecting and promoting Balinese culture, which includes customs, traditions, cultural arts, and local wisdom to maintain Bali’s spiritual aura.”

Mr Koster reaffirmed his commitment to high-quality, culture-based tourism, emphasising that all tourism industry players will be held to clear standards.

“I am implementing this circular as an immediate measure to regulate foreign tourists while they are in Bali,” he said.

According to national publication, The Bali Sun, he explained a special team has been created where foreign tourists who are “naughty will be immediately dealt with firmly”.

He added that the island’s civil service police unit will be monitoring tourist behaviour and ensuring compliance with the new regulations.

“Bali is a beautiful, sacred island, and we expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them,” Mr Koster said.

In the updated set of rules, tourists must use licensed guides and accommodation, follow traffic laws and when visiting temples and religious sites, must wear covered clothing and behave appropriately.

He said such sites also prohibit menstruating women from entering.

“Enter sacred temple areas (Utamaning Mandala & Madyaning Mandala) unless they are worshippers wearing traditional Balinese attire. Menstruating women are also prohibited from entering these areas,” it states under the don’ts list.

Second on the don’ts list is climb sacred trees or monuments, which includes taking inappropriate or nude photos at religious sites.

This comes after two women were deported for posing naked against the sacred 700-year-old Kayu Putih tree.

Third on the list is littering or polluting Bali’s environment such as throwing waste in lakes, rivers, or the ocean.

The island is already facing a massive waste problem with authorities implementing solutions in an effort to combat the escalating problem.

The Bali Provincial Government signed a $US225 million — $A340 million — partnership with a Chinese environmental company set to change the way waste is managed across the island.

Another rule on the don’t list is engaging in aggressive or disrespectful behaviour. This includes swearing, causing disturbances, or being rude to locals, officials, or fellow tourists. Sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media is also prohibited.

In at number six is working or running a business without proper permits.

“Tourists are not allowed to conduct business or work in Bali unless they hold official documentation from Indonesian authorities,” the rule reads.

And the final rule is participating in illegal activities including trading drugs, endangered animals, sacred artefacts, or any prohibited goods.

Mr Koster made it clear that these rules will be strictly enforced. Tourists who fail to pay the tourist levy will also be denied access to attractions, and those caught violating the regulations will face legal consequences in accordance with Indonesian law, according to a statement issued by Love Bali, an official site of the Bali Provincial Government.

To report violations, the public is encouraged to use the official WhatsApp hotline: [phone].

Bali’s Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) will actively monitor compliance, while the Bali Police will take legal action against serious offenders.

“All stakeholders must fully understand, implement, and communicate this circular to their teams and foreign visitors. Bali is a beautiful, sacred island, and we expect our guests to show the same respect that we extend to them,” Mr Koster added.

The aim of the rules is to safeguard the popular island’s “cultural integrity and sacred sites”.

Australian Consulate-General in Bali, Jo Stevens, also reminded Aussies to be respectful of the island.

“This is a very clear and useful guide for visitors to this beautiful island. I encourage all Australians to respect Bali’s unique culture and follow the ‘do’s and don’ts’, for a safe and enjoyable visit,” Ms Stevens said in a statement.

Ms Stevens alerted Aussie tourists to the Smarttraveller website to receive up-to-date government-issued travel advice for all of Indonesia, including Bali.