Bali is warm, easygoing and forgiving of visitors, but it is also a deeply religious island where daily life revolves around Hindu ritual. A little respect goes a long way, and most of the genuine mistakes travellers make, mostly around temples, offerings and sacred sites, are easy to avoid once you know them. This guide covers the do's and don'ts that matter most in Bali, from dress and etiquette to scooters, money, the law and the environment, so you travel kindly and stay out of trouble. For the culture behind these customs, read our guide to Bali Hinduism, and for the practical planning see our Bali travel guide.
Why does etiquette matter so much in Bali?
Bali is the only Hindu majority province in Indonesia, and religion is woven into everyday life through temples, shrines, ceremonies and the small daily offerings you will see everywhere. Balinese people are famously gracious and rarely confront visitors over small slips, which means the responsibility sits with you to be aware and respectful. Getting the basics right, covering up at temples, stepping around offerings, keeping your temper, is not about strict rules so much as showing that you value the culture hosting you. It also makes for warmer encounters, better photos and a smoother trip.
What should you do and avoid at temples and sacred sites?
Temples are the setting where etiquette matters most, and a few clear rules keep you respectful. Answer first: always wear a sarong and sash, cover your shoulders and knees, and never climb on shrines or stand above a priest.
- Do wear a sarong and sash at every temple. They are usually provided or rented at the entrance, and many hotels lend them too.
- Do cover your shoulders and knees, and keep quiet and calm during ceremonies.
- Do walk behind, not in front of, people who are praying, and sit lower than the priest and offerings.
- Don't enter a temple while menstruating, which local custom asks women to observe, or if you have an open wound, as blood is considered impure in temple spaces.
- Don't climb on temple structures, gates or shrines for a photo, a habit that has caused real offence at sites like the Lempuyang gates.
- Don't point your feet at shrines or people, use flash during prayers, or place yourself higher than a religious statue.
How should you treat the daily offerings and rituals?
The little woven trays of flowers, rice and incense you see on pavements, doorsteps and dashboards are called canang sari, placed as daily Hindu offerings. Treat them with care.
- Don't step on or over the canang sari on the ground. Walk around them, even when they are scattered across a busy footpath.
- Do use your right hand to give, receive, eat and gesture. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean.
- Don't touch anyone, adult or child, on the head, which is considered the most sacred part of the body.
- Do ask before photographing ceremonies, priests or people at prayer, and keep a respectful distance from processions on the road.
- Do pull over and wait if you meet a religious procession. Never cut through or overtake it.
What are the do's and don'ts for scooters and road safety?
Scooters are the most common way to get around Bali and also the most common cause of trouble for tourists, so ride only if you are genuinely confident. Answer first: wear a helmet, carry the right licence, and never ride without experience.
- Do wear a helmet and carry a valid international driving permit with a motorcycle category. Police checks are common and so are accidents.
- Don't ride a scooter with no experience. Bali's roads are chaotic, wet season surfaces are slick, and scooter injuries are the top medical issue for visitors.
- Don't hand your passport to a rental shop as a deposit. Offer a photocopy or a cash deposit instead, and photograph the bike for existing damage before you ride off.
- Do check that your travel insurance covers scooter riding, as many policies exclude it unless you hold the correct licence.
- Do drink bottled or filtered water and avoid ice from unknown sources to prevent Bali belly, the stomach upset that catches out many first timers.
What should you know about money, bargaining and tipping?
Bali runs largely on cash for small purchases, and a little etiquette around money keeps things friendly. Answer first: bargain politely at markets, tip modestly for good service, and always agree a price before you accept a ride or a service.
- Do bargain at traditional markets and with street vendors, but keep it good natured and smile. Fixed price shops, cafes and supermarkets are not for haggling.
- Don't bargain aggressively over tiny sums. A small amount to you can matter to a local trader, and grinding someone down leaves a sour taste.
- Do carry small notes for offerings-style tips, parking attendants, drivers and warungs, as change is not always available.
- Don't assume tipping is required. It is not obligatory, but rounding up or leaving small change for drivers, guides, spa staff and good restaurant service is appreciated. Some restaurants add a service charge, so check the bill first.
- Do use official money changers with clear signage and count your money carefully, as sleight of hand scams exist at cheap looking booths.
What are the everyday etiquette do's and don'ts?
Away from temples, a handful of everyday habits mark you as a considerate visitor.
- Do dress modestly away from the beach. Beachwear belongs on the sand, not in temples, shops, restaurants or villages.
- Do stay calm and smile in disagreements. Public anger makes everyone lose face and rarely helps.
- Do learn a few words of Indonesian such as terima kasih (thank you). A little effort is warmly received.
- Don't show public displays of affection beyond hand holding, which can feel out of place in more traditional areas.
- Don't beckon someone with a single finger or point with your index finger. Use your whole hand, palm down.
- Don't take sunset temple or cliff photos that require climbing barriers or ignoring signs. The view is not worth the offence or the risk.
How can you be respectful at the beach and in the ocean?
Bali's coast is a highlight, and a few do's and don'ts keep you safe and considerate. Answer first: respect the flags and currents, cover up away from the sand, and never leave litter or touch coral.
- Do swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches and respect any red flag, which means the water is dangerous. Rip currents are strong on the west and south coasts.
- Don't underestimate the surf at beaches like Echo Beach or Balangan if you are not a strong swimmer. Ask locals or lifeguards about conditions.
- Do cover up with a shirt or sarong when you leave the beach for a warung or shop nearby.
- Don't touch or stand on coral when snorkelling, feed fish, or take shells and sand as souvenirs.
- Do carry out your rubbish and consider joining or supporting the local beach clean ups that run in the wet season.
What are the most important don'ts around the law?
Indonesia has strict laws, and a few carry serious consequences that every visitor should know. Answer first: never touch drugs, respect visa rules, and take the annual day of silence seriously.
- Don't buy, carry or use any illegal drugs. Indonesia enforces some of the harshest drug laws in the world, with severe penalties, and being a tourist offers no protection.
- Don't overstay your visa. Track your permitted days and extend in good time, as overstays bring daily fines and airport delays.
- Do respect Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, usually in March. For 24 hours the whole island stops: no flights, no going outside, no lights at night. Everyone, including tourists in hotels, observes it.
- Don't fly a drone over temples, ceremonies or crowds without permission, and check the current rules, as restrictions apply near the airport and sacred sites.
- Do keep a digital and paper copy of your passport and visa, and know your embassy's contact details.
How should you behave around wildlife and nature?
Bali's monkeys, rice terraces and forests are part of its charm, and treating them well protects both you and the environment.
- Don't touch, tease or feed the monkeys at the Ubud Monkey Forest or Uluwatu. Hide sunglasses, phones, hats and loose bags, as monkeys snatch them and sometimes bite.
- Do stay on marked paths at rice terraces such as Tegallalang and pay the small contribution some farmers request, since you are walking through their livelihood.
- Don't pick flowers, carve names or leave waste at natural sites and waterfalls.
- Do choose ethical animal experiences and avoid attractions that let you hold or ride captive wildlife.
- Do reduce single use plastic where you can, as Bali is working hard to cut plastic waste on its beaches and in its rivers.
What should you wear in Bali?
Dress is relaxed on the beach and in tourist hubs like Seminyak and Canggu, but modesty matters at temples, in villages and at ceremonies. As a simple rule, keep a sarong and a light scarf in your day bag so you can cover shoulders and knees at short notice. Lightweight, breathable clothing suits the tropical heat, while a light rain layer helps in the wet season. For temple visits, closed shoulders and knees are essential for everyone, and the sarong and sash worn at the entrance complete the requirement. Away from the coast, choosing slightly more covered clothing shows respect and keeps you comfortable in more conservative areas.
Quick do's and don'ts checklist
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Wear a sarong and sash at temples | Enter temples in beachwear or while menstruating |
| Walk around the daily offerings | Step on or over the canang sari |
| Use your right hand to give and receive | Touch anyone on the head |
| Wear a helmet and carry the right licence | Ride a scooter with no experience |
| Bargain politely at markets | Haggle hard over tiny sums |
| Stay calm and smile in disputes | Lose your temper in public |
| Respect Nyepi and religious processions | Go near or touch illegal drugs |
If you would rather have the logistics, transfers and guiding handled for you so you can focus on the culture, you can compare a Bali tour package to see what a bundled trip covers.
What should you know about ceremonies, cremations and processions?
Ceremonies are constant in Bali, from small family blessings to large temple festivals and dramatic cremation ceremonies, and you may well come across one. Answer first: observe quietly from a respectful distance, dress modestly, and follow the lead of locals. If you are invited to watch or join a ceremony, it is an honour, so accept graciously, wear a sarong and sash, and keep your movements calm and low. Never walk in front of people who are praying, and always let a procession pass before you continue on the road. Cremations, or ngaben, are elaborate and public, and while photography is often tolerated, ask first and never treat the event as mere spectacle. Sit or stand lower than the priests and offerings, switch your phone to silent, and leave if you feel you are intruding. Showing this kind of quiet respect is deeply appreciated by Balinese families.
What are the most common mistakes tourists make in Bali?
Most problems in Bali come from a handful of avoidable slips rather than serious wrongdoing. Knowing them in advance saves embarrassment and keeps you safe.
- Renting a scooter without a licence or experience, then having an accident that insurance will not cover.
- Climbing on shrines, gates or barriers for photos, which causes real offence at sacred sites.
- Stepping on offerings while looking at a phone instead of the pavement.
- Wearing swimwear into shops, restaurants and temples away from the beach.
- Drinking tap water or unsafe ice and getting Bali belly early in the trip.
- Losing patience with slow traffic or service and raising their voice, which locals find very rude.
- Underestimating ocean currents at unpatrolled beaches.
Avoid these and you are already ahead of most visitors. For a wider safety view, see our honest guide on whether Bali is safe to travel.
How can you be a responsible, respectful tourist in Bali?
Bali welcomes millions of visitors a year, and travelling thoughtfully helps the island cope with that popularity. Answer first: spend with local businesses, tread lightly on the environment, and treat Balinese culture as living, not a backdrop.
- Do eat at family run warungs, hire local guides and drivers, and buy from local artisans so your money supports the community.
- Do reduce plastic by carrying a refillable water bottle and refusing single use bags and straws where you can.
- Don't treat temples and ceremonies as photo backdrops or props. They are places of worship first.
- Do venture beyond the busiest hubs to spread the benefits of tourism and ease pressure on hotspots.
- Do conserve water, which is under strain on the island, by keeping showers short and reusing towels.
What is the etiquette in a warung or when eating out?
Eating in Bali is relaxed, but a few small courtesies are welcome. Answer first: use your right hand, wait to be seated where table service applies, and be patient with the pace. At a simple warung you often order at the counter or point to what you want, while beach clubs and restaurants offer full table service. Use your right hand to eat and pass dishes, especially when eating with your hands. It is polite to try a little of what you are offered if you are a guest, and to finish what you take. Service can feel unhurried compared with home, so relax into island time rather than rushing staff. A small tip or rounding up is a kind gesture when a service charge has not already been added.
How should you greet people and behave socially?
Balinese people are friendly and forgiving, so warmth and a smile matter more than perfect manners. A gentle handshake or a slight nod is a normal greeting, and pressing your palms together with a light bow is always well received. Learn a few Indonesian words such as selamat pagi (good morning) and terima kasih (thank you), which locals appreciate greatly. Keep your voice soft, avoid confrontation, and use humour and patience when things go sideways. When entering a home or small shop, a friendly greeting sets the tone, and removing your shoes when others have done so is polite. Photographing children or people at work is fine only with a smile and their consent first.
Does etiquette differ between tourist areas and villages?
Yes, and reading the setting is the key skill. In busy hubs like Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta, dress is casual, nightlife is lively and standards feel relaxed, close to a beach resort anywhere. Step inland to Ubud, the rice villages, the east coast or the north, and life is quieter and more traditional, so more covered clothing, softer behaviour and extra care around temples and ceremonies are expected. A good habit is to dress and behave one notch more modestly than you think you need to whenever you leave the main tourist strips. The same applies to volume and affection: what passes at a beach club can feel jarring in a village lane. Matching your behaviour to where you are shows awareness and earns warmer welcomes.
What is the etiquette around alcohol and nightlife?
Alcohol is widely available in Bali's tourist areas and nightlife is a big draw, but a little restraint keeps you safe and respectful. Answer first: drink responsibly, avoid cheap unbranded spirits, and keep rowdiness to the party zones. Stick to sealed, branded drinks and reputable bars, as very cheap local spirits have in rare cases been linked to methanol poisoning. Keep loud, drunken behaviour to the nightlife districts rather than carrying it into villages, temples or family areas. Never drink and drive or ride a scooter, since checkpoints and accidents are common. Dress to leave the beach behind when you head out, and be mindful that public drunkenness is frowned upon outside the party hubs. Enjoy the scene, but treat the island beyond it with the same respect you would show anywhere sacred.
What is the etiquette for photography and social media?
Bali is one of the most photographed islands in the world, and a little thought keeps your photos respectful. Answer first: ask before you photograph people, never climb or block sacred sites for a shot, and check drone rules before you fly. Always ask permission before photographing individuals, priests, or families at prayer, and accept a no gracefully. Do not climb temple gates, shrines or barriers, or hold up queues at popular photo spots like the Lempuyang gates, where staged reflection shots have caused congestion and offence. Keep flash off during ceremonies. Drones are restricted near the airport, over temples, ceremonies and crowds, so research the current rules and get permission where needed. When you post, consider tagging and crediting local businesses and guides rather than presenting sacred places purely as a personal backdrop. Photographing children requires a parent's smile and consent just as it would at home. Treating your camera as a guest rather than an entitlement leads to better images and warmer encounters.
Frequently asked questions
What should you not do in Bali?
Do not step on the daily offerings on the ground, do not enter temples in beachwear or while menstruating, and do not ride a scooter without experience or a helmet. Avoid touching people on the head, never lose your temper in public, and never go near illegal drugs, which carry severe penalties in Indonesia.
Do I need to cover up at Bali temples?
Yes. You must wear a sarong and sash, usually provided or rented at the entrance, and cover your shoulders and knees. This applies to all visitors at every temple, regardless of the weather, and both men and women are expected to comply.
Is tipping expected in Bali?
Tipping is not obligatory, but it is appreciated and increasingly common for drivers, guides, spa staff and good restaurant service. Some restaurants add a service charge of around 5 to 10 percent, so check the bill before adding more, and carry small notes as change is not always available.
What are the daily offerings on the ground in Bali?
They are canang sari, small woven trays of flowers, rice and incense placed as Hindu offerings outside homes, shops and shrines each day. Walk around them and never step on or over them, as they are sacred and are refreshed daily by the family or business.
Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali?
It can be, but only with real riding experience, a helmet and the correct licence. Roads are busy and often slippery in the wet season, and scooter accidents are the most common cause of injury for visitors. If you are unsure, hire a driver or use a ride app instead.
What is Nyepi and do tourists have to observe it?
Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu day of silence, usually in March, when the whole island shuts down for 24 hours with no flights, no going outside and no lights at night. Yes, everyone including tourists observes it, staying inside their hotel grounds, so plan your dates and arrivals around it.
Can I take photos of ceremonies and temples?
Usually yes, respectfully, but always ask before photographing people at prayer, priests or private moments, keep your distance, and never use flash during a ceremony. Do not climb on shrines or barriers to get a shot.
What should women know before visiting temples in Bali?
As well as covering shoulders and knees with a sarong and sash, local custom asks women not to enter temples while menstruating. This is widely observed and often signposted, and respecting it is an important courtesy.
Is it rude to refuse food or an invitation in Bali?
Not if you decline warmly and with a smile. A polite "no thank you", or terima kasih with a gentle gesture, is understood. If you are a guest, trying a small amount of what you are offered is a kind gesture, but Balinese hosts are gracious and will not take a friendly refusal badly.
Do men also have to cover up at temples?
Yes. Both men and women must wear a sarong and sash and cover their shoulders and knees at temples. The rules apply equally regardless of gender, and sarongs are usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance.
More Bali travel guides
- Bali Travel Guide: Visas, Money, Getting Around and When to Go
- Bali Hinduism: A Traveller's Guide to Agama Hindu Dharma
- Is Bali Safe? An Honest Traveller Safety Guide
- How to Avoid Bali Belly: Food and Water Safety Tips
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