Bali Awareness Guide (Laws & Ethics)

Bali in Indonesia is a very friendly and welcoming holiday destination. Tourists from all over the globe love to visit this majestic province for its natural beauty, history and culture. However, learning about, respecting and abiding by the local laws and ethics in Bali is a crucial step that some tourists tend to forget, causing run-ins with the law. If you want to stay clear of any trouble and keep your holidays in Bali full of fun, go through the contents of this page.

Entry Requirements in Bali

In order to enter Bali for tourism purposes, here are some documents and criteria that you have to provide or meet;

1. Visa:

In order to visit Bali for tourism, you will require a Bali Visitor Visa. You can choose between an e-Visa or a VOA depending on your travel requirement.

2. Customs declaration form:

Travellers coming to Bali will need to fill and submit an Electronic Customs Declaration form for Indonesia/Bali prior to their visit or at the airport after landing.

3. Tourist tax:

As of 14th February 2024, individuals visiting Bali for tourism purposes will need to pay a tourist tax of IDR 150,000.

4. Other documents:

Besides, individuals will need a passport (valid at least 6 months from the arrival date and with at least one empty page) and a confirmed return air ticket.

General Conduct & behaviour in Bali

If you are visiting Bali for the first time, it is best to have a proper idea of the aspects of local culture, dress code and normal behaviour to follow in public. Here’s what you need to know;

1. Local culture in Bali

The majority of residents of the island are followers of Balinese Hinduism. Other religions followed in Bali are Island, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. Traditional Balinese life centres heavily around religion, ancestral traditions and beliefs. Other highlights of Balinese culture are the local conventional dance forms, theatre, music, art, literature, and food. If you want to witness and be a part of Bali’s culture, consider visiting during a local festival or celebration, such as the Bali Arts Festival, Bali Kite Festival, Saraswati Day, Nyepi Eve, Nusa Dua Fiesta, etc.

2. Dress code in Bali

The dress code mainly applies in temples or other places of worship and cultural importance in Bali. It is best to wear modest clothes when visiting such places, ones that go below the knee and cover the shoulders. If your clothes don’t meet these criteria, you can rent a sarong and a shawl, available at the entrance of almost all temples in Bali, and wear them. In public, modest, casual wear is fine. You can wear bikinis and shorts only at the beaches.

3. Public behaviour to follow in Bali

When in public, be mindful of;

• Religious ceremonies and traditions frequently take place all around the island, so be sure to be aware of your surroundings and avoid interrupting any such sessions.
• When entering a temple or someone’s home in Bali, remove your shoes outside and then enter.
• In public, holding hands is fine, however, making out or intimate gestures is frowned upon.
• Balinese people are gentle and kind-hearted, hence having a simple smile when communicating with the locals is always appreciated.
• Don’t cross your legs when sitting as your resting foot may point at someone, which is considered disrespectful.
• A simple handshake or a traditional Sembah is used to greet someone in Bali. However, when a man is introduced to a woman, the former has to wait for the latter to offer their hand for a handshake.
• Never use your index finger to point at someone in Bali.
• One should never touch someone’s head in Bali.
• It is best not to argue with or swear at someone in Bali as the locals dislike it, so try to control your emotions even when you are angry.
• Don’t defile any religious site or take nude/indecent photographs at such a place.

Cool fact:

The languages that are spoken all across the island are Bahasa Bali and Bahasa Indonesian. However, as you are a tourist, it is no surprise that you are not familiar with these languages. You can use English to communicate with the locals in Bali as most of them understand and can speak it fluently.

Legal Drinking Age & Alcohol Regulations in Bali

The drinking laws in Bali are quite simple and you can buy and drink alcoholic drinks from a variety of establishments across the island, including pubs, bars, hotels, restaurants, etc. The legal drinking age in Bali, as well as the rest of Indonesia, is 21 years old. This rule applies to both locals and foreign tourists visiting the island. Here are some additional things you should know about alcohol purchase and consumption in Bali;

• When purchasing alcohol, establishments may legally ask for some identification proof for age verification prior to the service.
• It is important to drink responsibly, meaning you should know your limits, stay properly hydrated and respect local customs and culture.

Drug Laws in Bali

The laws regarding drug possession and use in Bali, Indonesia, are very strict. Even a small amount of it can lead to serious punishment, including imprisonment or worse. Here’s what you need to know;

1. Possession of drugs is a punishable offence by 4-12 years of imprisonment.
2. It can lead to hefty fines, ranging between IDR 800 million to 8 billion.
3. Maximum punishment of life imprisonment may be levied if found in possession of drugs exceeding 1 kilogram (for marijuana and other raw drugs) or 5 grams (for cocaine, heroin and other processed drugs).
4. Drug trafficking is punishable by 5-15 years of prison time and hefty fines ranging between IDR 1 billion to 10 billion. The death penalty may be levied if the volume of drugs exceeds 1 kg for raw drugs or 5 grams for processed drugs.

Traffic & Road Rules in Bali

Irrespective of your plans for driving in Bali, it is vital to know about the necessary traffic rules and regulations for your safety. Here’s what you need to know;

1. Driving licence

• Foreigners will need an international driving permit in order to be able to legally drive in Bali.

2. Traffic laws

• Similar to India, driving is done on the left side of the road in Bali and steering is on the right side.
• The speed regulations in Bali can vary depending on the location. Speed is measured in the units of km/h (or kmph) and the average speed limits generally hover around 40kmph to 50kmph in urban areas.
• It is mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a two-wheeler and a seatbelt when driving a car in Bali.

3. Road safety

• If you are driving a car, stay close to the centre line at junctions during stop lights, leaving the left side open for the bikers.
• When driving/riding, and your horns at blind corners to let any oncoming vehicle know that you are approaching.
• When overtaking a vehicle, use your turn indicators to let other vehicles know.
• An additional note, if you are planning on driving/riding in Bali, is that the locals often disregard the traffic rules and regulations. So, be careful when driving and follow the rules yourself.

Did you know:

When renting a car or motorcycle in Bali, make sure it comes with insurance. Big rental companies often include insurance within the rental rates, however, many small, locally-run operators may not offer insurance, which is not at all advised, considering the traffic conditions in Bali. So, it is better to stick to larger, more reputed brands, even if it costs a bit more money.

Beach & Water Safety Rules in Bali

The majestic Indonesian holiday destination is known for its stunning beaches. If you are planning on getting the Bali beach experience, make sure to follow the beach and water safety rules that are in place. Here are a few general pointers;

1. If you find a beach where red flags are erected, avoid swimming there. It marks the dangerous rip tides and undertows that prevail there, which can sweep you deep into the sea before you can ask for help.
2. In case of a tsunami, certain low-lying areas across Bali can be easily swamped. This includes major tourist areas like Kuta, Jimbaran Bay, Nusa Dua, etc. Hence, it is best to take proper measures for this and stay updated at all times.
3. Despite having many beaches and beachgoers, lifeguards are quite rare in Bali. While some beaches have lifeguards, most don’t. So, it is advised to stick to beaches that are known to have lifeguards on standby.
4. When at the beach, make sure to wear sunscreen to avoid the harmful UV ray exposure.
5. In order to avoid Recreational Water Illness (RWI) in Bali, make sure not to go swimming after heavy rain.

Accommodation & Property Laws in Bali

In Bali, foreign nationals are allowed to own property. However, owning property under Hak Milik, the highest form of property ownership, is excluded for foreign nationals but buying property via a leasehold agreement, PT PMA, Hak Guna Bangunan or Hak Pakai title or with their passport (if meets the requirements) is allowed.

1. Hotel registration

Bali allows foreigners to operate short-term rentals under a hotel licence if they invest in a company that can hold such a licence. However foreign ownership of a hotel and its operation is only allowed if the area of the land exceeds 4,000 square metres. A Pondol Wisata can only be legally owned by an Indonesian citizen, a non-starred hotel can be owned by a foreign investment (PMA) company or a PT Local, while a 3-5 star hotel and villa can be owned 100% by PMA or PT Local.

2. Rental properties

A foreign national can rent a house in Bali, Indonesia, however, there are certain legal aspects and considerations one has to understand and follow. This includes:

• The visa type and permit status have an influence on whether a foreigner can enter a rental agreement or not. For instance, one may not be able to enter into a long-term lease with a tourist visa.
• The signing of a proper lease agreement is required.
• In most cases, the minimum duration for a rental agreement is a year, however, considering Bali is a tourist area, the agreements may have flexible terms.
• Renting properties in Bali as a foreigner requires a lot of paperwork, including a passport, visa, permit details, copy of employment contract (if applicable), etc.
• A security deposit has become a common requirement that tenants have to pay the landlords.

Did you know?

As of 2011, smoking in public places on the island is strictly prohibited. Hence, be sure to avoid smoking in public places like restaurants, hotels, religious sites, public transport, etc. If you want to smoke, you can find designated smoking areas at many public establishments.

Business & Employment Laws in Bali

Here’s what you need to know about business and employment laws in Bali as a foreigner;

1. Foreigners can start and own a business in Bali but there are certain restrictions on the type of businesses they can conduct.
2. The most common way to own a business in Bali is by establishing a PT PMA, which allows 100% foreign ownership, and employment of foreigners and lets you provide business visa sponsorship.
3. Other things you will need to run a business in Bali include registering your business, obtaining a business licence, getting NPWP, opening a business bank account and having a business visa.
4. Businesses that want to hire foreign employees must adhere to the guidelines imposed by the Ministry of Manpower.
5. The two types of employment contracts in Bali, Indonesia, are fixed-term and indefinite-ter, employment contracts.
6. To legally work in Bali as a foreigner, it is crucial to obtain a KITAS, which allows you to enter the nation and stay there. Note that it doesn’t allow you to work in Bali. For that, you will need to get an IMTA, which can be obtained after the release of KITAS.
7. As a foreign worker in Bali, Indonesia, you are liable to pay a monthly work permit tax of USD100, which some employers cover.

Photography Rules & Regulations in Bali

There are certain do’s and don'ts surrounding photography that tourists are expected to follow in Bali. For example;

1. Avoid taking photographs at or of places where it is strictly prohibited. This may include places like government buildings, private ceremonies, sacred places, etc.
2. In the case of drone photography, note that you should avoid flying it in restricted areas, refrain from flying super heavy drones and avoid going over the maximum altitude restrictions. Flying drones at nighttime is generally prohibited.
3. Be mindful of people’s privacy and ask for permission before taking a photograph of someone.
4. Taking indecent pictures in Bali, especially in sacred places, is strictly forbidden.
5. Tourists are not allowed to do commercial photography in Bali without a proper permit from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism.

Penalties & Legal Procedures Bali

If foreigners are found breaking the local law, then strict penalties and legal procedures can be levied. Here are some examples for your reference;

1. Driving without a proper driving licence in Bali can lead to up to 4 months in prison and a fine of up to IDR 1 million.
2. Riding a motorcycle in Bali without a helmet can lead to imprisonment of up to 1 month and a fine of IDR 250,000.
3. If one is found in the offence of drug possession and trafficking, they can be jailed for up to 15 years, fined up to IDR 10 billion and may be sentenced to life imprisonment or given the death penalty.
4. If a tourist is found disrespecting locals or the culture and customs of the island, they can be deported.
5. If foreigners are found to overstay their visa or be working in Bali without a proper permit, they can be fined up to IDR 1 million and blacklisted from entering in the future.

Cool fact:

On the day of Nyepi, i.e., the Day of Silence, the island enters a period of complete silence. Similar to the locals, tourists who have come to Bali during Nyepi are also not allowed to leave their rooms or accommodation.

Seeking Tourist Assistance in Bali

If tourists face any kind of trouble in Bali, they should contact the local authorities for assistance. Here are some details that you should save right now;

• Contacts for tourist help centres & Embassy

1. For general emergencies: Contact no. 112
2. Police: Contact no. 110
3. Fire department: Contact no. 113
4. Ambulance: Contact no. 118 or 119
5. Natural disaster assist: Contact no. 129

Make sure to use the country code before dialling the numbers, i.e., +62. So for general emergencies, dial +62 112.

You can also seek help from;

1. The front desk of your hotel for information or help.
2. Consulate General of India, Bali, Indonesia: Contact no. +62 361 259502
3. Embassy of India, Jakarta, Indonesia: Contact no. +62 21 2522299