Is Bali safe?
Bali is generally a safe destination, but the busiest tourist areas, Kuta and Seminyak above all, attract opportunists. These are the classic traps:
- Street money changers: the rate looks great, then comes a rigged calculator or a note quietly removed at the last second. Change money at a bank or withdraw from ATMs, and always recount before you walk away.
- Fake official websites: for the visa, the arrival card or the levy, use only the three official sites listed in the entry requirements.
- Taxis: made-up prices are common. Use Grab or Gojek instead: they show the fare before the ride.
- Scooter rentals: some owners charge for damage that was already there. Photograph the bike from every angle before you ride off.
- Bag snatching: don't leave belongings unattended, and keep your passport in the hotel safe with just a photocopy on you.
The law is not something to joke about:
- Drugs: zero tolerance, even for small amounts and even for cannabis, with long prison sentences and, for trafficking, the death penalty. That includes CBD and cannabis oil, even with a prescription. People will offer you drugs in tourist areas: say no, because it can also end in blackmail.
- Medication: some anxiety and ADHD medicines are treated as controlled drugs. Check yours with the Indonesian embassy before you travel.
- Local spirits: arak (rice or palm spirit) can be contaminated with methanol, which can cause blindness or death. Drink in reputable bars and hotels.
Tip: buy travel insurance before you leave, and read the small print: many insurers refuse scooter-accident claims if you don't hold a valid motorcycle licence. Avoid driving at night, and look up your government's travel advice (links in the entry requirements).
Rules, fees and prices checked in October 2026. Confirm before you travel.