Bali to hand out a 'dos and don'ts' list to tourists

2023-06-02

Read the ‘dos and don’ts’ guide Bali officials will be handing to tourists on arrival – as the holiday island clamps down on unruly visitors

Bali to issue dos and don’ts cards at immigration
Created to try and crack down on unruly tourists

Australian tourists are among the travellers warned not to touch sacred trees or trespass sacred territories in a new ‘dos and don’ts’ list to be handed out in Bali.

Numerous tourists, including several Australian, have broken local laws on the Indonesian island in recent months, forcing the government to take a stand.

In a circular distributed to government departments across the island, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster signed off on the dos and donts list.

The Indonesian Government are attempting to crack down on unruly tourists by handing out cards with ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ rules to anyone passing through Bali’s airport (pictured)

A total of 12 dos and eight don’ts will be handed on cards to tourists upon arrival on the island which cover tradition, religion and local law.

Among the ‘don’ts list’, tourists will be told not to defile sacred places or pollute the island such as throwing rubbish into its waterways.

Under the ‘dos list’, tourists are told to respect the customs, dress modestly and behave politely at sacred sites.

More than 130 tourists have been deported from the island since the start of the year.

Anggiat Napitupulu, who is the head of the Regional Office of the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights, said the cards will be slipped into passports when travellers hand them over to immigration.

‘The card contains what is allowed and what is not allowed to be done in Bali,’ he said.

In the letter, Governor Koster said the rules were to restore ‘quality and dignity’ to Bali’s tourist industry.

The decision came just a week after a German tourist was filmed disrupting a traditional Balinese dance performance while naked.

The 28-year-old, Darja Tuschinski, removed her clothing in a bizarre protest because she had reportedly been denied a ticket to the Hindu dance performance.

She now faces up to two years and eight months in prison if she is found to have broken the country’s public indecency laws.

Nudity has become an issue on the island, after two Russian tourists were pictured nacred at sacred religious sight on the island.

One man was pictured with his pants dropped in front of a volcano that is considered hallowed for Hindu Balinese, while another was pictured posing nude in front of a sacred tree.

The decision came just a week after a German tourist was filmed disrupting a traditional Balinese dance performance while naked

Dressing appropriately, specifically at sacred areas, tourist attractions and public places features as one of the don’ts issued by Governor Koster.

Among the long list of deportations is Australian Marita Daniell, who after living on the island for 23 years was sent back to Australia for arguing a fine.

She had been stopped by local police for riding her scooter without wearing a helmet before launching into a tirade.

The fine for riding a scooter without a helmet is about AU$25, however was booted from Bali for yelling at the police officers.

Governor Koster’s rules also directly reference how tourists are to treat police and local authorities, particularly behaving disrespectfully.

In the letter, the Governor urged all government officials to enforce the new rules and keep an eye on tourists.

‘Everyone should take this circular seriously, implement it, and disseminate it to all their staff and foreign tourists visiting Bali,’ Governor Koster wrote.

Bali will begin handing out the cards as soon as possible with a date yet to be confirmed.

BALI’S DOS AND DON’TS LIST

DOS:

Respect the sanctity of temples, pratimas (sacred statues), and religious symbols;

Wholeheartedly respect the customs, traditions, arts, culture, and local wisdom of the Balinese people during ongoing ceremonial processions and rituals;

Dress modestly, appropriately, and respectfully when visiting sacred areas, tourist attractions, public places, and engaging in activities in Bali;

Behave politely in sacred areas, tourist areas, restaurants, shopping areas, roads, and other public places;

Be accompanied by licensed tour guides (who understand the natural conditions, customs, traditions, and local wisdom of the Balinese people) when visiting tourist attractions;

Exchange foreign currency at authorised money changers (both banks and non-banks) that are officially licensed and display the authorisation number and QR code logo from Bank Indonesia;

Make payments using the Indonesian Standard QR code (QRIS);

Conduct transactions using the Indonesian rupiah;

Comply with the applicable traffic laws in Indonesia, including possessing a valid international or national driving license, obey traffic rules, dress modestly, wear a helmet, follow traffic signs, not exceed passenger capacity, and no driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs;

Use four-wheeled transportation that is roadworthy and officially registered or two-wheeled transportation that is operated by a legal business entity or association for two-wheeler rentals;

Stay in accommodations that possess the required permits according to applicable regulations;

Adhere to all specific provisions/rules that apply to each tourist attraction and tourist activity.

DON’TS:

Trespass sacred territories: Steer clear of utamaning mandala and madyaning mandala, holy and sanctified spots like puras and pelinggihs — unless you’re there for a Balinese traditional ceremony, during which you must wear the appropriate attire, and you’re not menstruating;

Touch sacred trees

Engage in behaviour that defiles sacred places, temples, idols, and religious symbols, such as climbing sacred structures and taking indecent or nude photos;

Litter and pollute lakes, springs, rivers, seas, and public areas;

Use single-use plastics like plastic bags, polystyrene (styrofoam), and plastic straws;

Utter offensive words, behave disrespectfully, cause disturbances, and act aggressively towards government authorities, local communities, and fellow tourists, both directly and indirectly through social media, including spreading hate speech and hoaxes;

Engage in work or business activities without proper documentation issued by the relevant authorities;

Get involved in illegal activities, such as trading illegal goods, including endangered flora and fauna, cultural artefacts, and sacred objects, as well as illegal drugs.

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