Is Bali Safe? An Honest Guide for Travellers

The short answer: yes, Bali is safe. The slightly longer answer: there are things you should know. We lived on the island for four years, have sent hundreds of travellers there, and have seen what actually goes wrong – and what never does. Here’s the honest rundown, without the brochure language.

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General safety

Bali is one of the safest destinations in Asia. Violent crime against tourists is very rare. Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur and Nusa Dua are all safe, well-visited areas where you can walk around freely – in the evening too. The Balinese are genuinely friendly, proud of their culture and warm towards visitors. Most people travel to Bali and experience no safety problems at all.

What actually goes wrong for travellers. Based on four years and hundreds of guests, the picture is clear: scooter accidents, stomach trouble from contaminated water or food, and falling for tourist scams. Not violence. Not serious theft. The precautions you need are simple and sensible.

Traffic and scooters – the biggest risk

Traffic is by far the biggest safety risk in Bali. Not crime, not natural hazards – traffic. Every year a significant number of tourists are injured on scooters. The cause is almost always the same: lack of experience, no helmet, the wrong side of the road, or alcohol.

Scooters – what you need to know. To ride a scooter in Bali you need an international driving permit that includes motorcycles. Without it, your travel insurance won’t cover you in an accident. Always wear a helmet (it’s also the law). Never ride in the dark without experience – the roads are poorly lit and full of potholes. And never after drinking.

Our recommendation: a private driver or Grab/Gojek. A private driver for a full day costs $99 per car with us and is far safer and more comfortable than a scooter for most travellers. Grab and Gojek (like Uber, but local) are safe, cheap and easy to use across Bali.

Tip: Heading on the Mt. Batur sunrise trek or a Nusa Penida day trip? We always include safe transport with experienced local drivers – no need to think about scooters.

Theft and pickpockets

Petty theft happens, but it’s easy to avoid. The most common type is snatch theft – someone rides past on a scooter and grabs the bag or phone in your hand. It happens almost exclusively along busy roads. The solution is simple: keep your phone close to your body and away from the roadside.

Other simple precautions. Keep your passport in the hotel safe – never in your beach bag. Use a zipped shoulder bag in busy markets. Withdraw what you need from the ATM and don’t carry more cash than necessary. Don’t leave valuables on your towel while you go swimming.

Health in Bali

Vaccinations. Health authorities generally recommend being up to date on hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus – check with your doctor or travel clinic. A rabies vaccine is recommended for longer stays or a lot of animal contact – dogs and monkeys in Bali can carry rabies. Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever occur, especially in the rainy season – use insect repellent, particularly around sunset.

Bali belly – the most common health risk. Stomach trouble is the most common complaint among travellers. Always drink bottled water – never tap water. Be careful with ice cubes at local places. Do eat at local warungs – the food is fresh and good – but be careful with raw meat and seafood that has been sitting out. Wash your hands often.

Hospitals and doctors. BIMC Hospital (Kuta and Nusa Dua) and Siloam Hospitals (Denpasar and Legian) are the most used and recommended by foreign travellers. Treatment is available – but not free.

Travel insurance is not optional. A helicopter transfer or evacuation to Singapore can cost $20,000–40,000. No one should travel to Bali without comprehensive travel insurance with medical cover.

Tourist scams – what to watch out for

Taxi meter scams. Bluebird is the only reliable taxi operator that always uses the meter. Better still, use Grab or Gojek – the price is shown in the app before you book.

Money changers. Especially in Kuta, there are money changers that lure you in with good rates but miscount or hide fees. Always use ATMs from BCA or Mandiri. Read more in our guide to currency and prices in Bali.

The “temple closed” scam. Outside popular temples, locals may claim the temple is closed today – but they can take you somewhere special instead. The temple is almost never closed. Check opening hours in advance and walk straight past.

Monkeys in the Monkey Forest. Don’t feed the monkeys or let them climb on you while your phone is out – you risk them taking it.

Nature and weather

Ocean currents. This is the most serious natural hazard in Bali. Beaches at Kuta, Legian and Seminyak can have strong currents. Always follow the lifeguards’ flag system: a red flag means no swimming. Never swim alone on unfamiliar beaches.

Volcanoes. Mt. Agung and Mt. Batur are monitored continuously by the authorities. Eruptions are announced well in advance. The Mt. Batur sunrise trek is safe, and we always follow the authorities’ recommendations.

The rainy season. In the rainy season (November–April) there are slippery roads, heavy downpours and stronger ocean currents. Read our guide to the best time to travel to Bali to understand what to expect each month.

Emergency numbers in Bali

Service	Number
Police	110
Ambulance	118 / 119
Fire	113
BIMC Hospital (Kuta)	+62 361 761263
Your embassy (Jakarta)	Look up your country’s embassy before you travel
Your travel insurer	The 24/7 emergency number on your policy

Save these numbers on your phone from day one – and take a photo of your passport and keep it in a cloud folder.

Our verdict

Bali is safe – and we send guests there every single year. The vast majority travel there and back without a single problem. The precautions you need are the same you’d take in any other country: use common sense, have travel insurance, choose safe transport, and respect the local culture.

Want a retreat without thinking about the practicalities? Or a safe family holiday with everything arranged? We take care of transport, safe activities and reliable local partners – so all you have to do is enjoy Bali.

→ The best time to travel to Bali, month by month
→ Prices, currency and tipping in Bali – the complete guide
→ See all Bali package trips

Bali is safe – we know, because we lived there for four years. Let us plan a trip where everything is in place from day one.
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