Is Bali safe to visit?

Bali and Indonesia travel advisory level in 2026

The US State Department lists Indonesia at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued July 2026), citing terrorism and natural disasters. It says do not travel to Central Papua and Highland Papua because of civil unrest. Bali is not singled out.

The UK Foreign Office, updated September 2026, has no areas of Indonesia where it advises against travel, but says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks and lists beach resorts, bars, hotels and tourist sites as possible targets, with higher risk around Christmas, New Year, Nyepi and other holidays. Bali's last major attacks were the 2002 and 2005 bombings; the more recent incidents the FCDO lists were in Java and Sulawesi. Stay alert in crowds and check the live advisories before you go.

Scooters and roads: the biggest real risk

Scooter crashes are the most common serious injury for visitors to Bali, and the UK government notes a large rise in moped accidents, some fatal. Traffic around Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta is chaotic, roads in the hills around Munduk and Sidemen are steep and narrow, and afternoon rain makes them slippery in the wet season.

Legally you need an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle category plus your home licence, and police run checkpoints that target tourists. Insurers commonly refuse claims from unlicensed riders, and the FCDO warns that foreigners in even minor accidents can be vulnerable to extortion. Our Bali scooter rental guide covers licences, checkpoints and fines. If you're not an experienced rider, use Grab or Gojek bike and car rides in the south and Ubud, or hire a car with driver for day trips; the FCDO itself suggests a private driver.

Scams and petty crime in Bali

• Bag and phone snatching from passing scooters happens regularly in the south. Carry bags on the side away from the road and don't walk with your phone held out.

• Money changers: unlicensed changers short-change visitors with sleight of hand. The UK government says to use only licensed exchanges showing a Bank Indonesia logo and QR code, which you can scan to check the business licence. Count your cash before you leave the counter.

• Card fraud and ATM tricks: keep your card in sight, use ATMs attached to banks, and ignore any phone number stuck on an ATM telling you to call about problems.

• Spa, nail and tattoo scams: the FCDO reports a rise in disputes at tattoo parlours, nail salons and spas. Agree the full price before you start.

• Unofficial taxis: use Bluebird or a ride-hailing app, check the driver and plate match, and be wary of drivers who claim to be from an app but pick up on the street. Our Bali airport arrival guide explains the official taxi counter at Denpasar.

Remember the Bali tourist levy and e-VOA and the All Indonesia arrival card, and only use the official government sites for both.

Drinks, drugs and laws

Methanol and spiking: there have been deaths from methanol in drinks in Indonesia, including from licensed bars, often from counterfeit copies of well-known spirits. The UK also reports drink spiking linked to sexual assault in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Stick to beer or sealed drinks you watch being opened, avoid very cheap cocktails and arak of unknown origin, and get to a hospital quickly if someone's vision blurs after drinking.

Drugs: Indonesia has zero tolerance, and sentences include long prison terms and the death penalty. Cannabis in every form, including CBD oils, vapes and edibles, is illegal. Police raid venues popular with foreigners in Bali and can require urine or blood tests.

Respect rules: Indonesia's newer criminal code includes offences for sex outside marriage and cohabitation, but only if a close family member files a complaint. Carry your passport or a copy at all times. On Nyepi, Bali's Day of Silence, everyone must stay indoors and the airport closes for 24 hours; see our Nyepi 2027 guide. Temple rules are in Bali temple etiquette.

Volcanoes, earthquakes and the sea

Bali sits on an active volcanic arc. Mount Agung erupted in 2017 and 2018 and closed the airport for several days, and Mount Batur above Kintamani, where we spent two nights, is the popular sunrise hike. Exclusion zones change at short notice, so check the MAGMA Indonesia alert level and local news before a volcano trek, and buy insurance that covers flight disruption from ash.

Earthquakes happen regularly. If a strong one strikes while you are on the coast, move to high ground straight away, as a tsunami can arrive within minutes. On the sea, south-coast surf beaches have strong rip currents; swim between the flags where there are lifeguards. Fast boats to Nusa Penida, Lombok and the Gilis have a mixed safety record, so look for life jackets and avoid crossings after dark or in rough seas. The wet season runs roughly October to March and brings local flooding in the south; see best time to visit Bali.

Health: Bali belly, rabies, dengue and monkeys

Tap water is not safe to drink in Bali. Stomach upsets are the most common complaint; our Bali belly guide covers what to eat and drink and when to see a doctor.

Rabies is present in Bali in dogs and monkeys. Don't feed or touch street dogs, keep food and sunglasses out of reach at the Ubud Monkey Forest, and seek medical help immediately after any bite or scratch, even a small one. Dengue is present year-round and peaks in the rainy season, so use repellent. Local medical care outside the main private hospitals in the south can be limited, and serious cases are often evacuated, so travel insurance with medical evacuation is worth having.

Is Bali safe for solo and female travelers?

Bali is one of the easiest places in Asia to travel alone, with a large community of solo travelers and remote workers in Ubud and Canggu. The UK government does say reported rapes and sexual assaults are high in Bali and Lombok. Be careful in poorly lit areas at night, use registered taxis or app rides and share your journey with a friend, and never leave a drink unattended. LGBT+ travelers should be discreet in public: Bali is relaxed in practice, but police have arrested people at LGBT+ events elsewhere in Indonesia.

Emergency numbers are 110 for police, 118 for an ambulance and 112, which the UK lists for fire. For planning, see how much a trip to Bali costs, Bali vs Thailand, our 18-day Bali route and the Ubud guide.

Frequently asked questions