Beautiful villas, green rice terraces, towering waterfalls, white sand beaches, and epic sunsets. There is a reason why Bali is Indonesia’s most famous island. But are there any ugly elements of life in Bali? Before visiting anywhere, you should research the safety of your destination. There are ways to ensure your Bali vacation is as smooth as possible. In this safety guide, I explain all you need to know about staying safe when you visit the island of the gods.
Is Bali Safe to Visit?
Short answer – Yes. Bali is generally a safe place to visit. Actually, it’s one of the safest parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Bali, Indonesia, is an island attracting over six million Americans and tourists of all nationalities every year and they do sometimes experience petty crimes such as pickpocketing and scams. Rates have increased since the pandemic decimated the tourism industry, but more violent incidents are really rare.
Crime tends to occur more in tourist areas. But, the risk is low in comparison to other areas across South East Asia.
Crime in Bali
The most common crimes people encounter are:
- Pickpocketing
- Bag snatching
- Scams
- Break-ins
- Theft
- Sexual assault
- Drink spiking
What Should I Be Careful About When Visiting Bali?
You might be shocked to know that the highest risk to tourists in Bali is natural disasters! These threats include tsunamis, earthquakes, flash floods, volcanic eruptions, and rough seas. Bali’s Mount Agung volcano erupts regularly, forcing residents to evacuate.
Pack away your bag under the seat on your bike, don’t hold your phone ready to be grabbed, and avoid wandering the streets at night – easy to do, and keeps you safe.
Safe Places to Stay in Bali
Bali is a pretty safe island, there are few spots where you can rest easy that are well-known for offering that extra secure comfort.
Uluwatu – Uluwatu, located in the South of Bali is known to be the surfer capital and generally very laid-back. There are a lot of great hotels, restaurants and cafes. The beaches are white and the water is clear. The weather in Uluwatu is rather hot and does not attract as many tourists and digital nomads as other well known spots in Bali. Thus, there are fewer petty criminals and pickpockets. That being said, you should still keep an eye on your belongings.
Sanur – Sanur has the reputation to be the family area in Bali. The atmosphere there is very laid-back, the beach is white, the sea is calm so it doesn’t pose too many dangers and locals are amazingly king. Streets are safe and you can expect to enjoy riding a bicycle without worrying about crazy traffic. Sanur is definitely one of, if not THE, safest area in Bali.
Ubud – Ubud, located in Central Bali is known to be the yoga heart of the island. It’s not near the beach, but when you stay in Ubud you get amazing jungle vibes. Ubud is beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. It is the best spot for people who want to practice some yoga and explore their spirituality. Ubud also offers some of the best cafes in Bali and coffee enthusiasts will also find some tasty brews to drink. There are no nightclubs or parties in Ubud and the only thing you’ll have to worry about is the naughty monkeys that might steal your belongings.
Places To Be More Aware Of or Avoid in Bali
Batu Bolong – Batu Bolong is one of Canggu’s busiest areas which means petty crime occurs quite often. Don’t leave any valuables unattended if you visit this part of Bali. Make sure not to leave anything valuable in your bike, and consider taking your helmet into the bar/restaurant with you.
Oberoi Street – Oberoi Street in Seminyak is home to many nightclubs and a popular location for tourists who want a feel of Bali’s nightlife. This brings a higher risk of drunk drivers, or drunk tourists walking in the street. Be careful after dark, and especially during the weekend. If you can, get a GO-JEK or Grab home. If you are driving, make sure you are very alert and careful.
Sunset Road – Sunset Road, known locally as Jalan Sunset, is the main road in Bali that starts in Seminyak and leads all the way down to the airport. Bali has lax traffic laws, so this street can be very tricky and dangerous for inexperienced drivers. Remain alert and prepared for anything if you’re taking a trip along Sunset Road.
Bumbak and Umalas – Umalas is famous for its eateries, bars, and cafes. However, since the 2020 pandemic, the area became the hotspots for pickpocketing and thieves. Make sure your belongings are out of sight, and perhaps avoid these places altogether after sunset. Simple precautions will keep you safe.
How Safe Is Transportation in Bali?
Exploring Bali can be a little overwhelming when you first arrive. It is a relatively small island, but the erratic transport system often makes getting around harder than it should be.
Here are a few great ways to get around:
Buses
Bali has two main types of buses: public buses and tourist minibusses. Public buses are few in Bali and only operate on a few island routes in the city center, while tourist minibusses connect the most popular routes. You can book tourist minibus rides through your hotel.
Taxis
Taxis are a cheap and efficient way to move around and see Bali, but they can be tricky. Drivers like to scam unsuspecting tourists by switching off their meters and taking unnecessarily long detours.
You can ensure you don’t fall victim to dishonest drivers by booking a known taxi company through the Grab or Gojeck apps. It also helps to have small changes when you take a taxi, as drivers can easily claim to have no change, meaning you will lose some money.
Car/Motorcycle
Scooters are the most popular mode of transport in Bali. They offer a convenient way to get around the narrow roads and navigate hectic traffic. Grab and Gojek offer motorbikes as a vehicle option.
Is Bali Safe for Female Solo Travelers?
Many backpackers head to Bali on their first big adventure and the simple reason is that so many others are doing the same!
With friendly locals, great hostels, and like-minded travelers, Bali is a safe place for female solo travelers. There’s no reason not to explore at night or go off the beaten track, just don’t throw all caution to the wind.
Use your common sense and trust your instincts when visiting a location. If something feels off, find an excuse to leave the scene immediately. Women are easier targets for bag snatchers, so keep your bag close when walking or use one with a cross strap.
Also, avoid walking alone at night, especially on quiet streets and dark alleyways. Go with a friend or your group if you must venture out at night.
Bali is one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations, and with some caution and commonsense, solo female travelers will have no problems enjoying their trip.
Is Bali Safe for Kids?
Yes! Bali is very safe for families! Local people absolutely LOVE children and family travel is easy in Bali. You’ll be able to participate in some amazing, wholesome family activities, and create amazing memories.
However there are some things you need to pay attention to when traveling with children:
- If you go to the beach, make sure to keep a watch on them at all times, the sea can be dangerous.
- Be aware of sun safety. Your kids will surely be affected by the heat. Make sure to keep them covered with suncream, wearing a sun hat, in the shade intermittently and drinking water to stay hydrated.
- Protect them against mosquitoes with repellent especially in the evening.
- Be careful of wild animals! The monkeys and stray dogs might seem friendly but both can be aggressive and potentially very dangerous.
5 Safety Tips for Your Trip to Bali
- Pay attention to the news: Bali is prone to unpredictable natural disasters, so keep up with media reports before and during your stay. Know disaster drills, like what to do in an earthquake or volcanic eruption.
- Keep an eye on your belongings: Especially in tourist areas. This is where most pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs. Ensure your items are beyond their reach.
- Stay away from drugs: It’s advisable to have absolutely nothing to do with drugs in Bali. The police conduct raids and stings on bars and clubs frequented by tourists. Getting caught with these can be SERIOUS. Trafficking carries with it the death penalty.
- Only swim in safe areas: Don’t swim in rough seas or where there are red flags. The tides and currents in Bali can be really strong.
- Be careful around cliffs: people fall over these when visiting places like Nusa Penida and Uluwatu, and more often than you’d think. Be extra cautious when driving or posing for pictures around Bali’s cliffs.
So Is Bali Safe to Visit?
Yes, Bali is pretty safe to visit for all kind of travelers. People are welcoming, friendly and helpful. Of course, there’s always going to be something to watch out for, and that goes for certain areas of Bali more than others. But in the end, Bali remains one of Southeast Asia’s most friendly and most visited tourist destinations.
FAQ
Most Balinese speak at some English. English is the common “third” language (after Indonesian and Balinese) and the most popular foreign language by far. A lot of Balinese speak a level of English that allows them to communicate with tourists on a basic level.
Uluwatu, Sanur, and Ubud are the safest places to stay in Bali. The more touristy Bali towns like Kuta, Seminyak & Canggu are less safe mainly because of petty crimes and theft.
Yes, it is safe to walk around most places in Bali at night. You’ll be alright if you can avoid drunken tourists and stay away from notorious neighborhoods after dark.
