Arriving Tourists Get 'To-Don't List' in Bali

The Jakarta Globe
June 9, 2023 | 8:22 pm
SHARE
FILE - Foreign tourists undergo immigration checks at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, March 23, 2020. (Antara photo/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo)
FILE - Foreign tourists undergo immigration checks at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, March 23, 2020. (Antara photo/Nyoman Hendra Wibowo)

Denpasar. The immigration office in Bali on Friday began to hand out a list of things tourists must avoid doing on the pre-dominantly Hindu island, following a series of incidents involving misbehaved tourists that caused public outrage and led to deportations.

Visitors arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport were given cards containing Do's and Don't's during their stay in Bali.

The card reads:
"We welcome all foreign tourists to Bali and remind you to 'DON'T':
- enter the main area of sacred places unless for praying by wearing Balinese traditional clothes and not having a period [for women],
- climb sacred trees,
- take pictures with improper clothes around sacred places,
- do littering,
- use non-recyclable plastics,
- misbehave in public areas,
- work or do business illegally,
- do illegal trading."

It adds that any offense will risk legal measures or deportation.

Advertisement

“Please report to the immigration office immediately if you witness disrespectful behaviors by foreign visitors,” Anggiat Napitupulu, the head of the Justice Ministry office in Bali, was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Anggiat said 48 immigration officials were involved to hand out the cards to incoming overseas tourists once they completed immigration checks.

The directives are based on a Bali governor circular issued recently as part of a crackdown on unruly tourists, who were often caught riding motorcycles without helmets and proper driver's licenses or posing naked in sacred areas.

A Russian tourist was recently deported after posing naked from the waist down on the summit of Bali's Mount Agung.

Last month, a woman with a German passport was sent to the psychiatric hospital after she was involved in several incidents including her stripping naked during a traditional Balinese dance show.

The Bali governor circular also introduces 12 Do's, published on the leading tourism website welcomebacktobali.com as follows:

- Respect the sanctity of temples, pratimas (sacred statues), and religious symbols,
- Wholeheartedly respect the customs, traditions, arts, culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people during ongoing ceremonial processions and rituals,
- Dress modestly, appropriately, and respectfully when visiting sacred areas, tourist attractions, public places, and engaging in activities in Bali,
- Behave politely in sacred areas, tourist areas, restaurants, shopping areas, roads, and other public places,
- Be accompanied by licensed tour guides (who understand the natural conditions, customs, traditions, and local wisdom of the Balinese people) when visiting tourist attractions,
- Exchange foreign currency at authorized money changers (both banks and non-banks) that are officially licensed and display the authorization number and QR code logo from Bank Indonesia,
- Make payments using the Indonesian Standard QR Code (QRIS),
- Conduct transactions using the Indonesian rupiah,
- 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,
- 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,
- Stay in accommodations that possess the required permits according to applicable regulations,
- Adhere to all specific provisions/rules that apply to each tourist attraction and tourist activity.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News May 20, 2025 | 8:19 pm

27 Foreign Nationals Face Deportation After Bekasi Immigration Raid

Indonesia detains 27 foreigners in Bekasi for visa misuse, overstaying, and fake sponsors. Deportation and legal action underway.
News May 9, 2025 | 4:47 pm

Bali Blackout: Time for The Tourist Haven to Embrace Renewable Power?

The sunny Bali boasts up to 26 gigawatts of solar power potential, according to IESR's estimates.
Lifestyle May 1, 2025 | 12:03 pm

Bali's Badung Responds to Criticism with Major Sidewalk and Drainage Overhaul

Badung in Bali kicks off major upgrades to sidewalks and drainage after years of criticism over poor walkability, flooding, and messy cables
Business Apr 30, 2025 | 10:40 am

Foreigners Running Unlicensed Villas Undercut Bali's Hospitality Sector: PHRI

Bali sees a rise in illegal rentals and foreign-run businesses, lowering hotel occupancy despite a 20% jump in tourist arrivals in 2024.
News Apr 15, 2025 | 12:06 pm

Russian Tourist Sneaks onto Freight Train in Sumatra for YouTube Content, Sparks Investigation

In December 2024, another viral video highlighted the presence of an alleged “Russian colony” in Pancasari Village near Lake Buyan in Bali.
News Apr 14, 2025 | 9:26 pm

US Citizen Deported After Vandalizing Bali Clinic

Bali deports a 27-year-old American tourist who vandalized a clinic in South Kuta. The incident prompted swift action from local authorities
Lifestyle Mar 24, 2025 | 2:17 pm

Bali's Foreign Tourists Must Pay $9 Levy, Say New Rules

Bali had collected nearly Rp 24.3 billion in foreign tourist levy so far this year as of Feb. 4, according to reports.
Lifestyle Mar 8, 2025 | 3:29 pm

Bali Tops DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards as Best Island

Bali wins Best Island in Asia-Pacific at DestinAsian Awards 2025, beating Maldives & Phuket. A top travel destination for 18 years.
News Feb 18, 2025 | 3:36 am

Three Pakistani Nationals Arrested for Using Fake French Passports to Enter Indonesia

The suspects, identified by their initials SZR, TS, and MZ, were arrested on February 12 after arriving on a flight from Bangkok.
Lifestyle Feb 13, 2025 | 10:03 am

Police Hunt Foreigners Involved in Security Guard Assault at Bali’s Finns Beach Club

A group of foreign tourists assaulted security guards at Finns Beach Club in Bali, leaving four injured.

The Latest


News 5 hours ago

Iranian Missile Strikes Show Israel's Aerial Defense Array Is Not Ironclad

Too many projectiles launched at once can overwhelm the system, which relies on technology and human decision-making to be effective.
Business 5 hours ago

Russia Ready to Boost Oil Supplies to Indonesia, Putin Tells Prabowo

Putin tells Prabowo that Russia is ready to ramp up oil and LNG supplies to Indonesia.
Business 6 hours ago

Indonesia’s Bumi Resources to Acquire Australian Gold and Copper Miner Wolfram Limited

The acquisition is Bumi's strategic move to expand into critical minerals amid growing global demand for green energy transition metals.
Business 6 hours ago

Morowali Industrial Park Pledges Reforms After Environmental Warning from Minister

Despite the setback, Dedy stressed that IMIP uses advanced technology to reduce emissions from its nickel smelters.
Business 7 hours ago

Russia's Economy Minister Says the Country Is on 'The Brink of Recession'

High defense spending has propelled growth and kept unemployment low in Russia despite fueling inflation.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED