Bali, also known as the island of Gods, has introduced a set of new regulations for foreign visitors in 2025, building upon the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ first issued 2023, aimed at curbing disrespectful and illegal conduct by tourists, following a series of incidents. Governor Wayan Koster, recently re-elected, warned that ‘naughty’ offenders will be ‘dealt with firmly’.
The updated rules reaffirm the key ‘Dos & Don’ts’, basically the ABC of responsible tourism.
Key Dos
- Show respect for local customs: this includes dressing modestly and behaving appropriately at temples, ceremonies, and sacred sites.
- Use authorised services: such as licensed guides, registered accommodation, official currency exchange outlets, and payments via the Indonesian QR code system.
- Follow local laws: including traffic regulations and site-specific rules at attractions.
Key Don’ts:
- Avoid disrespectful or illegal behaviour: such as trespassing in sacred areas, littering, using single-use plastics, or acting aggressively on – or offline.
- Do not work or trade without a permit – especially relevant to digital nomads and long-stay visitors.
What’s new in 2025?
Under Circular Letter SE No. 07/2025, the biggest change is enforcement. The rules, once largely educational, are now legally binding. Upon arrival, tourists will be required to watch a mandatory cultural orientation video and pay a foreign tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (around €9).
To ensure compliance, a special enforcement team, SatPol PP, will ‘oversee’ tourist behaviour with penalties ranging from denied access to attractions, to legal consequences, such as fines, jail time, or even deportation. Moreover, locals are now encouraged to report any violation directly via WhatsApp. These are meant to underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring that tourism benefits the local community and environment.
Cultural respect as foundation
The first set of rules was introduced in 2023 not long after Bali reopened its borders and eased requirements for digital nomads, which led to a spike in long-term visitors and social media influencers, itself raising concern about the rising number of incidents of lack of respect. The 2025 revisions have been framed as essential to protect Balinese culture, with Governor Koster urging tourists to ‘sincerely respect’ local traditions and ceremonies.
The announcement came days ahead of Nyepi, Bali’s national sacred Day of Silence observed on 29 March 2025. Dedicated to self-reflection, fasting, and meditation, Nyepi brings the island to a total standstill for 24 hours – airports close, streets empty, and even lighting is restricted.
While most visitors comply with the customs, violations still occur. In 2023, two Polish nationals were deported after a video went viral showing them eating on a beach and arguing with a Balinese guard during Nyepi. That same year, a Russian tourist was expelled for posting nude photos of herself taken at a temple.
Following these incidents Koster issued the set of regulations in 2023 explaining that ‘Bali does not refuse tourists as long as these tourists respect the customs and norms that exist in Bali’. But the previous rules, he acknowledged, were not enough – prompting the creation of a special enforcement unit.
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Between enforcement and economy
The crackdown presents a dilemma as Bali is highly dependent on tourism, which accounted for 60–70% of its GDP in 2019. In 2024, the island exceeded pre-pandemic records, welcoming 6.33 million visitors. Officials are now attempting to strike a balance between safeguarding cultural heritage and maintaining the island’s appeal to international travellers.
