We Visited Bali During Nyepi: Here's What You Should Know

Forget the bustling markets, the lively beaches, and the vibrant nightlife. During Nyepi, or Bali's Day of Silence, the island undergoes a radical transformation, grinding to a halt and falling into complete silence for 24 hours. No travel, no lights, no noise... nothing.

Preceded by a series of ceremonies and celebrations, Nyepi is a fascinating and unique cultural experience that offers a glimpse into the deep spirituality of the "Island of the Gods."

But what exactly does this mean for tourists visiting Bali during Nyepi? What are the rules and restrictions? And is it even worth visiting during this period? We've been in Bali during Nyepi for the past three years and have used our experience to put together this guide for anyone considering visiting in March 2026.

What is Nyepi?

Nyepi, also known as the Balinese Day of Silence, is a unique and important Hindu religious holiday celebrated each year in Bali. It marks the beginning of the new year in the Balinese Saka calendar, which usually falls in March.

Nyepi is a 24-hour period of silence, fasting, and meditation for Balinese Hindus. During this time, the entire island observes strict restrictions, including no noise, light, work, or travel.

There are also several big ceremonies and celebrations in the days leading up to Nyepi, including the famous Ogoh Ogoh parades, where giant demon effigies are paraded through the streets.

When is Nyepi?

Upcoming dates for Nyepi:

• Monday 8th March 2027

Upcoming dates for Ogoh-Ogoh Parade:

• Sunday 7th March 2027

Our experience visiting Bali during Nyepi

We spent Nyepi in Bali in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and have loved it every single time!

From watching the beautiful Melasti ceremonies on the beach to marching down the road with the huge Ogoh Ogoh statues, the days leading up to Nyepi were a fantastic time to experience Bali's magical culture and deep-rooted spirituality.

All three years, we spent the Nyepi period in a rented villa with friends. We went to our local Ogoh Ogoh celebration each time. Last year, Kieren even got to help carry a statue with the locals, which was a fun experience!

On Nyepi day itself, we hung out by the pool, chatted (quietly), and played games together. We stocked up on food and drinks beforehand and took turns cooking for each other throughout the day.

After dark, we all lay out by the pool watching the night sky in silence. With no light pollution on the entire island, we've experienced some of the most amazing night skies we’ve ever seen during Nyepi. Being in Bali for Nyepi is worth it for the stars alone!

We also have friends who decided to spend Nyepi alone and try to experience it the way locals do. We didn't feel like doing this ourselves, mostly because we're both very easily bored. But for many people, it's the perfect opportunitiy to disconnect and enjoy a day of quiet reflection.

What happens during Nyepi?

Nyepi is more than just a one-day event. It's an entire series of ceremonies and celebrations all across Bali, spanning several days.

Here's a rundown of the main events and ceremonies during Nypei:

• The Melasti Ceremony - three days before Nypei

• Tawur Agung Kesanga & Mecaru Ceremonies - the day before Nypei

• Ogoh Ogoh Parades - the night before Nypei

• Mesabatan Api Fire War - the night before Nypei

• Nypei - Balinese New Year and Day of Silence

• Ngembak Geni - the day after Nypei

Below, we've gone into each in a little more detail, including our own experience of a few of them.

Three days before Nyepi - The Melasti Ceremony

Three days before Nyepi, Balinese Hindus take part in the Melasti ceremony, the biggest purification ceremony on the island. Melasti's purpose is to cleanse the universe and the body from all impurities, sins, and bad karma prior to Nyepi.

Melasti ceremonies always take place near bodies of water, such as the sea, lakes, waterfalls, or holy springs. In Hindu belief, these sources of water are considered the source of life (Tirta Amrita).

The ceremony starts as a large procession from the temple towards the water, led by a priest. All worshipers wear white and many carry holy objects. Once at the water, the objects are placed on a table and purified. The priest then guides a prayer and flicks holy water onto everyone in attendance.

Sometimes the spirits of the Gods even enter the worshipers and possess them, with the priests using special "kris" daggers and holy water to draw them out.

The ceremonies can last for hours at a time, with hundreds of people from local communities sitting together in prayer and celebration. Ceremonies often begin early in the morning and continue late into the evening.

Head to any beach in Bali on this day, and you'll likely see a Melasti ceremony taking place. We watched a large ceremony on Batu Bolong Beach in Canggu last year, and it was truly one of the most mesmerisingly beautiful things we've ever seen.

In busier tourist destinations, locals are very used to people watching their ceremonies. Just be respectful, and try to watch from a distance. Just because it's taking place on the beach doesn't mean you can wander right into the middle of the ceremony in a bikini (we've seen it happen...!).

The day before Nypei - Tawur Agung Kesanga & Mecaru Ceremonies

The day before Nypei is a time for cleansing the island of negative forces, making way for the new year.

On this day, a large ceremony known as "Tawur Agung Kesanga" takes place in Bali's capital city of Denpasar. It's attended by thousands of Hindus. The ceremony is an attempt to harmonize the relationships between humans, Gods, and nature.

Similar smaller-scale ceremonies, known as "Mecaru," also take place in local homes and villages. These involve small sacrifices (often chickens) and special rituals carried out at intersections or crossroads, which are considered sacred places where the spirits congregate.

We've never witnessed this ceremony for ourselves, as it's mostly kept within the local communities. Maybe next time we'll check out the main ceremony in Denpasar City.

The night before Nyepi - Ogoh Ogoh Parades

While Nyepi is Bali's day of silence, the evening before Nyepi is quite the opposite. Known as Pengerupukan, people are encouraged to make as much noise as possible, with ceremonies, festivities, and the famous "Ogoh Ogoh" parades. This is always our favourite event during Nyepi!

Ogoh Ogoh's are giant homemade effigies designed to represent grotesque demons, mythological creatures, and even satirical figures.

Each village and community builds its own statue using bamboo and papier-mache, with many starting construction 3+ months before Nyepi. Every household donates money towards the construction of their local Ogoh Ogoh.

On the evening before Nyepi, the Ogoh Ogohs are paraded through villages in huge, noisy processions known as the Ngrupuk Parade. The processions are accompanied by loud drumming and torches, as people follow the statues through the streets, attempting to scare away the Bhuta Kala (evil spirits).

At each intersection, the Ogoh Ogoh's stop and are turned three times. This is accompanied by traditional dancing that tells the stories of the spirits and demons. If two or more statues meet at a junction, they may even "fight." At the end, the Ogoh Ogoh's are burned to symbolically banish the evil spirits from the island.

Ogoh Ogoh parades take place all across the island. However, some are much bigger and more impressive than others.

The capital city of Denpasar holds the largest and most lively Ogoh Ogoh parade, with many towering animatronic statues (they look seriously impressive!) and huge performances attracting massive crowds.

We've always watched the Ogoh Ogoh's around Canggu. Batu Bolong had a small, local parade which was easy to follow, while Munggu/Seseh (north of Canggu) had a livelier celebration with many more statues. Big tourist-friendly parades also take place in central Ubud, Sanur, and Legian.

The night before Nyepi - Mesabatan Api Fire War

A slightly more unusual pre-Nyepi ritual is the "Mesabatan Api" Fire War in the small village of Nagi, just north of Ubud.

Taking place the night before Nyepi, the unique ritual sees young men throw fire at each other in the form of burnt coconut husks. The fire is supposed to burn negative energy and destroy Bhuta Kala (evil spirits) in humans.

It is possible to watch the fire war if you're staying close to the village. Just make sure to dress respectfully (cover your shoulders and knees) and be extremely careful of the fire and sparks - the "war" can get pretty crazy.

The day of Nyepi - Balinese Silent Day

Nyepi itself begins at sunrise (6am) on Balinese New Year Day and lasts for 24 hours.

Known as the "day of silence", Balinese Hindus obey a set of principles known as “Catur Bratat Penyepian.”

The four fundamental principles of Nyepi are:

• Amati Karya - no work or physical activities

• Amati Geni - no fire, light, and electricity

• Amati Lelungan - no travelling

• Amati Lelanguan - no entertainment or pleasure activities

During Nyepi, people remain at home in complete silence and focus on self-reflection, meditation, and prayer.

The goal of Nyepi is to hide from any evil spirits that are drawn to the island by the loud celebrations and Ogoh Ogoh parades the night before. Balinese people believe that remaining silent will trick evil spirits into thinking that Bali is uninhabited and leave the island alone for another year.

The day after Nyepi - Ngembak Geni

The day after Nyepi is called Ngembak Geni, which roughly translates to "free to light a fire." In other words, people may go back to their everyday activities once again.

However, many Balinese people take this day off and use it to visit family and friends. They engage in social activities and take part in even more rituals and ceremonies.

In our experience, some shops and restaurants reopen the day after Nyepi, but not all of them. Transport and tourist services are still usually slightly limited. If you plan on doing anything this day, it's best to have it properly planned and booked well in advance.

Do tourists need to obey the rules of Nyepi?

While Nyepi is a Balinese Hindu celebration, everyone in Bali during this time must respect its rules and rituals. As a tourist, you are expected to obey the basic restrictions.

When visiting Bali during Nyepi, you won't be able to leave your accommodation for the day. All shops, restaurants, tourist attractions, and beaches are closed. Even the airport is closed for 24 hours, and air traffic is banned over the island.

To ensure everyone obeys the rules, special local policemen, known as Pecalang, patrol the streets, making sure no one goes outside. Every year, we hear stories of tourists who tried to leave their hotel anyway and have ended up with a big fine or even being deported.

But don't worry, that doesn't mean you have to sit in silence doing nothing all day (unless you really want the full Nyepi experience!). The rules are a little more flexible for visitors.

Most hotels and resorts keep their electricity on and still allow guests to use on-site facilities. Some hotels even put on special activities and events for guests during the day.

However, even within your accommodation, you will still be expected to keep noise to a minimum and keep lights low at night. It's important to show respect for the locals who are taking part in Nyepi.

Is visiting Bali during Nyepi worth it?

If you want to experience Balinese culture at its best, and you don't mind spending a day or two relaxing by the pool, Nyepi is a fantastic time to visit Bali. We love being here over this period!

The day of Nyepi is also the perfect opportunity to experience your own moment of silence and self-reflection. You can use this day to meditate, journal, read, or simply relax. When else will you ever experience this type of peace...?

However, if you have limited time and want to explore as much of the island as possible, visiting during Nyepi may limit the amount you can do during your vacation. Nyepi can easily disrupt 2-3 days of your trip.

Where to stay in Bali during Nyepi

It doesn't really matter which area of Bali you stay in during Nyepi. Ceremonies and Ogoh Ogoh parades take place all over the island, while on the day of Nyepi itself, you'll be restricted to your accommodation anyway.

But choosing the right type of accommodation is essential when visiting Bali during Nyepi. It can make a big difference to how you spend the day.

Staying in a resort during Nyepi

Staying in a hotel or resort is the best option for most tourists during Nyepi. The majority of hotels leave their electricity on, so you can guarantee you'll have lights, air conditioning, and wifi all day.

Most hotels allow guests to use on-site facilities, like pools, spa facilities, and restaurants. Although this varies by hotel, so it's best to check when you book. Some resorts even offer Nyepi packages, which usually include two nights of accommodation, meals, spa treatments, and special activities.

If your hotel is in a built-up area, you may still be expected to keep noise and lights to a minimum. The more remote the resort is, the more freedom you have.

Staying in a villa during Nyepi

A private villa is another great option for staying in Bali over Nyepi. This is what we have done for the last three years.

With a villa, you have the freedom to move around your own space, including the living area, kitchen, pool, and garden. However, you should still be respectful and avoid any loud music, bright lights, or parties.

We usually try to pick a villa that's a little further away from built-up areas and local homes. One year, we stayed in a villa in central Canggu, and the owner placed large boards over every window so we could have lights on inside without them shining onto the street.

If you do stay in a villa over Nyepi, it's important to stock up on food, water and drinks the day before so you have enough to keep you going for 24 hours. It's a good idea to have some movies and games ready to keep you entertained too.

Staying in a homestay during Nyepi

While local homestays are one of the most affordable accommodation options in Bali and a great choice for the rest of the year, they're not the best place to stay over Nyepi.

As homestays are usually located within a Balinese family home complex, you'll be expected to follow the rules of Nyepi more strictly than in a hotel or resort. Depending on the layout of the homestay, you'll likely be restricted to your room for the entire day.

Some homestays leave electricity on for guests, but not all of them. If your homestay decides to turn off the electricity, you'll be stuck without lights, air conditioning, and electricity for 24 hours, which isn't ideal for most.

Essential tips for visiting Bali during Nyepi

DO book your accommodation in advance

The hotels and resorts in Bali with the best Nyepi packages often get booked up far in advance, so don't leave it too last minute to book. Remember that you'll need to book at least a two-night stay - the night before and the night of Nyepi. You can't swap hotels on the day of Nyepi itself.

DON'T rely on taxis too much

On the days before and after Nyepi, it's best not to be too reliant on Grab or Gojek (online taxis). Many locals don't work these days. If you're coming from the airport or moving hotels on one of these days, you should definitely pre-book a transfer in advance.

DO stock up on anything you need

All shops, cafes, restaurants, and pharmacies in Bali are shut for the full 24 hours of Nyepi. Many shut the afternoon/evening before too. And no, you can't order delivery either. Make sure you stock up on anything you might need in advance - food, water, drinks, medicine, sanitary products, etc.

DON'T leave food shopping until the last minute

If you are staying in private accommodation and need to stock up on food, don't leave this until the last minute. Supermarkets are usually RAMMED the day before Nypei (it's like food shopping on Christmas Eve in the UK) and often run out of popular items. We usually pre-order the essentials and pick them up in advance.

DO get out cash a couple of days in advance

All of the ATMs in Bali are turned off and emptied the morning before Nyepi (around 10am) and don't turn back on until the day after Nypei. While it's highly unlikely you'll need cash on the silent day itself, you might still need it the afternoon before, so make sure to get some out a couple of days in advance.

DON'T attempt to travel during the Ogoh Ogoh parades

Whether it's by taxi or your own bike, try to limit any travel during the Ogoh Ogoh parades the evening before Nyepi. Many roads are shut to traffic due to the processions, so getting around busier areas can be challenging. If you want to watch the parades, try to find one that's walkable from your hotel.

DO book in-house hotel services in advance

If you are staying in a hotel with facilities that are open during Nyepi, you may want to book any services in advance. You probably won't be the only person wanting a massage or spa treatment on this day.

DON'T put too much pressure on your hotel staff

Bear in mind that most hotels and resorts in Bali will be running at high guest capacity but with limited staff. Most people working this day will be those from Java and the surrounding islands that don't celebrate Nyepi. Try not to be overly demanding and understand that things may function a little slower than usual.

DO look up at the stars!

With all of the lights on the entire island switched off, the night sky during Nyepi is one of the most spectacular things you'll ever witness! Go outside and look up at the thousands of stars lighting up the sky. You might even spot a few shooting stars. This was one of the absolute highlights of Nyepi for us.

Visiting Bali during Nyepi: FAQs

Is the internet available on Nyepi?

This depends on where you are on the island and your provider. Some providers turn their internet off, while others don't. We spent the last Nyepi in Canggu, and our 4G and wifi stayed on all day.

Can I work on the day of Nyepi?

While Balinese Hindus don't work on Nyepi, many expats and digital nomads who work online in Bali still choose to. As long as you don't leave your accommodation, you're free to do whatever you want inside.

However, being able to work from your laptop does rely on the electricity and wifi being on, which isn't 100% guaranteed during Nyepi. You may want to consider this when deciding whether to take the day off or not.

Are hospitals open during Nyepi?

While some hospitals do remain open during Nyepi, you shouldn't attempt to take yourself there as this is against the rules. If you do have a medical emergency, ask your hotel to call you an ambulance or call 112 yourself.