What are the main do's and don'ts in Bali?
Checked October 2026 · 3 sources
Bali's official tourist guidelines, set out in Governor Circular No. 7 of 2025, ask visitors to respect temples and customs, dress modestly, pay the IDR 150,000 tourist levy, use licensed services and follow traffic laws. Prohibited acts include entering sacred areas without reason, littering, disrespectful behaviour, drugs and working without a permit.
In detail
Do: respect sacred sites and ceremonies, dress modestly at temples and in public, pay the foreign tourist levy via the Love Bali website or at the airport, use licensed guides, money changers and accommodation, pay in rupiah, and carry a valid licence or International Driving Permit when riding.
Don't: enter inner temple areas unless praying in Balinese dress, climb sacred trees or structures, take disrespectful photos at holy places, step on offerings, litter or use single-use plastics, act aggressively or post hate speech, haggle rudely, or work without the right visa.
Drug penalties in Indonesia are severe, including possible death sentences, and cannabis and CBD products are illegal even with a prescription. Breaking the rules can lead to fines or deportation.
Everyday courtesy matters too: use your right hand to give or receive, avoid touching people's heads, and stay calm and polite when things go wrong.
Good to know
- Pay the IDR 150,000 levy online before you fly.
- Always wear a helmet on a scooter.
- Drink only sealed, branded alcohol at licensed venues.
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Sources
Rules and prices in Indonesia change often. Always check official sources before you travel.