Bali is a province of Indonesia. The national safety framework in id/safety.md covers the full picture [1]. This page covers practical safety items specific to living in Bali.
Crime
Petty crime is the main concern in Bali. Violent crime against expats is rare but not zero.
- Motorbike theft: very common. Do not leave your motorbike unattended with the keys in the ignition even for a moment. Always lock the steering (handlebar lock) and use an additional disk lock or chain lock. Park in attended lots (parkir resmi; the attendant gives you a numbered ticket). Street parking without an attendant is risky.
- Phone / bag snatching: occurs frequently in Canggu, Seminyak, and Kuta. Thieves on motorbikes grab phones from pedestrians. Do not walk on the road edge holding your phone in the hand closest to traffic.
- Home break-ins: villas are targets if security is weak. Most expat villas have one or more of: high walls, security cameras, a security guard (shared or private), a dog. If your villa has none of these, add them or move. Do not leave valuables visible from outside.
- ATM skimming: higher risk than in Jakarta. Use ATMs inside bank branches or major shopping centres (Beachwalk, Plaza Bali, Lippo Mall). Avoid standalone ATMs in minimarket parking lots.
- Drugs: Indonesia has some of the strictest drug laws in the world. Bali's Kerobokan Prison holds many foreign nationals convicted of drug offences. Marijuana possession carries up to 15 years; harder drugs can bring life sentences or the death penalty (including for foreigners). There is no recreational drug exception. A number of expats have been arrested in coordinated Bali police raids.
Scams
- Villa rental scam: fake listings on Facebook and Airbnb (or "just outside Airbnb to save fees"). The "owner" collects a large deposit and vanishes. Only use reputable platforms or trusted agents. View the property in person before paying any deposit.
- Motorbike rental damage scam: landlord claims pre-existing damage as new damage. Photo-document the entire bike with a time-stamped photo app before riding away. Video walkaround.
- Visa agency scam: unofficial agents offering KITAS extensions at inflated prices or promising fast-track processing. Use only officially licensed visa agents (PJKP holders) or handle directly through imigrasi.
- Police bribery: checkpoints in busy tourist areas (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta). Police stop foreigners on motorbikes and check for SIM C (car licence). Many expats ride without a proper Indonesian motorcycle licence. The fine for a valid check is 250,000-1,000,000 IDR, payable at the police station, but officers may offer an on-the-spot "settlement". Having a valid SIM C avoids this entirely.
- Money exchange scam: street exchangers in Kuta and Seminyak offering rates that are 5-10% better than the bank rate. They shortchange you. Use authorised money changers (look for the PT licence displayed on the wall). BCA bank ATMs give the best rate for cash withdrawals.
- Jet-ski rental scam: at Tanjung Benoa and water sports centres. Pre-existing damage claimed on return. This is standard across Bali's water sports industry. Only use well-reviewed operators and photo-document before departure. Some Bali water-sports operators are moving to GPS-tracked damage waivers.
Traffic safety
- Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of death and serious injury for foreigners in Bali. The combination of: no helmet / improper helmet (non-SNI), riding after dark on unlit roads, riding under the influence of alcohol.
- Serious pitfalls along roads (missing drainage covers, open concrete culverts, uneven asphalt) cause accidents, particularly at night.
- Standard safety: SNI-certified helmet (look for the SNI sticker), shoes (not flip-flops), ride at a pace appropriate for the road. Avoid riding after sunset.
- Driving on the left.
- Traffic in Canggu has become severe. The main road through Canggu (Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong) is heavily congested from morning through evening. Allow extra travel time. Accident rate at the Canggu intersection is high. Proceed slowly.
- In Bali, you need a valid international driving permit (for car) or SIM C (for motorcycle). Many expats drive only with a home-country licence, which is not valid. Checkpoints target this. A valid SIM C is the best investment an expat who rides can make.
Natural hazards
- Volcanic activity: Mount Agung (eastern Bali) is an active stratovolcano. It last erupted in 2017-2019, causing airport closures and significant flight disruptions. Monitor PVMBG (Magma Indonesia) for alert status. An eruption could again close Ngurah Rai Airport for days to weeks. Signs mark evacuation routes from the danger zone (6 km radius around the crater, expanding to 9 km for specific dangers) in affected areas (Karangasem, Bangli).
- Earthquakes: Bali is seismically active. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2018 (Lombok) was felt strongly in Bali and caused some building damage. Prepare as recommended in the general Indonesia safety guidelines.
- Tsunami: South Bali beaches (Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Nusa Dua) are at risk of tsunami following a major earthquake. If you feel a strong earthquake near the coast, move to higher ground immediately. Do not wait for an official warning. Evacuation route signs are posted on main beach roads.
- Flooding: flash floods occur during the rainy season (November-March) in low-lying areas and near rivers. Kerobokan, parts of Denpasar, and Kediri (Tabanan) are known flood zones. Check the drainage around your villa before the rainy season starts.
- Rip currents: dangerous rip currents are common on Bali's beaches, particularly during the rainy season. Many beaches (Kuta, Legian) have warning flags: red means no swimming. Between November and March, drownings occur weekly.
- Animal hazards: stray dogs are common in Bali. Rabies is present. If an animal bites or scratches you, wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for 15 minutes and go to a hospital for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies immunoglobulin is available at Sanglah Hospital (Denpasar), BIMC Hospital (Kuta), and Kasih Ibu Hospital (Denpasar). Avoid touching stray dogs.
Emergency contacts
- Police: 112 (generic SOP)
- Bali Police HQ: +62 361 227 711
- Tourist police (Bali): +62 361 754 599 / WhatsApp: +62 817-345-0847
- Ambulance: 118 / 119
- Sanglah Hospital (public, major emergency): +62 361 227 911
- BIMC Hospital (private, Kuta): +62 361 761 263
- Search and rescue (SAR): 115
- Ngurah Rai Airport: +62 361 751 011
- PVMBG volcanic activity: magma.esdm.go.id
This page provides general safety information and does not cover all risks. Always verify specific concerns with local authorities.