Is Bali Safe to Visit? Our Experience

Is Bali safe? This is one of the most common questions people ask before visiting the popular Indonesian island.

Known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and welcoming locals, Bali is generally a very safe destination to visit. However, like any popular tourist spot, there are a few things to be mindful of.

In this article, we’ll break down the most common risks to tourists in Bali, while giving some simple safety tips for making the most of your time on this beautiful island.

Is Bali Safe? Quick Summary

Yes, Bali is a very safe destination to visit and live in. We've been travelling around Bali for over 2 years and have never had any kind of issue here.

The majority of Balinese locals are extremely kind and welcoming towards tourists, and the violent crime rate on the island is extremely low.

However, like any destination seeing a huge increase in tourism, petty theft and scams are on the rise. Pickpocketing and 'snatch and grab' incidents are becoming more prevalent in busier tourist areas, while scams related to currency exchange or villa rentals are also something to be aware of.

For the most part, the biggest risk to tourists in Bali is themselves, with bike accidents being a common cause of injury, especially for those without experience riding scooters or who are unfamiliar with local traffic rules.

Petty Crime in Bali

While Bali has always had a low crime rate compared to many other destinations, petty crimes such as theft are becoming increasingly common on the island due to the explosion of tourism in recent years.

Phone/Bag Snatching on Bikes

One of the most common types of petty theft in Bali at the moment is bike snatch and grabs. This is when someone grabs your phone or bag while you're driving a scooter/bike. While this hasn't happened to us, it has happened to a couple of people we know.

Pickpockets

It's not only on your bike that you should take care of your valuables. Petty theft can also happen in big tourist areas or at busy restaurants or bars. Once again, this hasn't happened to us, but a couple of friends of ours have had phones mysteriously go missing on nights out.

Tourist Scams in Bali

In general, the Balinese are some of the friendliest and kindest people we’ve met in our travels. However, as with any popular travel destination, a few individuals like to take advantage of naïve tourists. These scams can happen anywhere in the world and it's best to be aware of them before you travel.

Currency Exchange Scam

One of the most common tourist scams in Bali is the money changer scam. This is where currency exchanges will count your money in front of you several times, but on the final count, they’ll use sleight of hand to retain a note or two.

Card Skimming

Card skimming is something that can happen if you use an ATM that's been tampered with. The altered ATM can retain the magnetic stripe data and PIN from your debit or credit card then used to make fraudulent transactions.

It's difficult to know if a machine has been tampered with, so you'll usually only realise by seeing unusual transactions on your bank account. This has happened to me once and fortunately only a small amount was taken before I blocked the card. My bank also refunded me the money straight away.

Property Rental Scams

Fake property rentals is another up-and-coming tourist scam in a lot of Asia. This is where fraudulent real estate agents list non-existent properties online and take your money. When you arrive, the property doesn't exist or was never available to rent. In Bali, this is more likely to happen with private villas rather than hotels or rooms.

Overpriced Taxis

There are very few countries in the world where taxi drivers won’t try their luck with tourists, and Bali is no exception. Local taxi drivers you find on the side of the street will often try to charge you well above the going rate. There are very few metered taxis in Bali, so you need to negotiate a fair price before getting in.

Accidents in Bali

One of the biggest safety concerns in Bali for tourists is unexpected accidents, including scooter crashes or those related to outdoor activities. While many accidents only result in minor injuries, some can be more severe.

Road Accidents

Bali's roads are notoriously chaotic, especially around the big tourist areas. And while locals tend to be good drivers, accidents are regularly caused by tourists who rent scooters/bikes without proper experience or who drive while intoxicated.

Cliff Falls

Bali is famous for its stunning coastal scenery in regions like Uluwatu and Nusa Penida. However, over the last few years there have been several instances of tourists falling from the cliffs after standing too near to the edge for photos.

Strong Water Currents

Another serious safety issue in Bali is the island's dangerous waters. Currents around the coast can be extremely strong, especially on the Bukit Peninsula and the islands. It's not unheard of that people have been swept out or drowned.

Health Risks in Bali

Bali Belly

Bali belly is the colloquial name given to travellers’ diarrhoea in Bali. It comes from consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites that our stomachs don’t like or aren’t used to. It's common to get Bali belly on your first trip to Bali, but it's usually only mild and lasts a day or two.

Dengue Fever

The risk of dengue fever is currently on the rise in Bali. Dengue is a tropical illness transmitted by mosquitos. It can cause symptoms such as a high fever, headache, body aches, and nausea.

While it may sound threatening, most people who catch dengue for the first time either won't get symptoms or will only get mild ones. Only in a very small percentage of cases will it be more severe.

I caught dengue in Bali back in early 2024 and it knocked me out with a fever and bad headache for around 3 days. Plenty of liquid and lots of rest was enough to get over it pretty quickly.

Sunburn/Sunstroke

Bali is known for its hot and humid tropical weather, with year-round temperatures of 30°c (86°f), although it often feels even hotter. Many tourists who come to the island seeking sunshine often end up overdoing it and suffering from sunburn or even sunstroke.

Natural Disasters in Bali

Bali is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic belt chacterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Fortunately, it's been a long time since any serious natural disasters have struck Bali and you shouldn't let the extremely low risk deter you from visiting.

Earthquakes

Minor earthquakes are fairly common in Bali. We've experienced several ourselves. But these are usually small and don't cause any serious damage. Small quakes are also unlikely to cause a tsunami. Alerts and evacuation protocols are in place across the island incase of a more serious earthquake.

Volcanos

There are two active volcanos on Bali, Mount Agung and Mount Batur. Minor eruptions are common, with Mount Agung experiencing a series of small, non-deadly eruptions between 2017-2019.

When these smaller eruptions do occur, the volcano is closed to hikers and local villages may be evacuated. The airport and most major tourist destinations in the south are located far enough from the volcanos that disruptions are rare.

As with any volcanic destination, there is always a possibility of a larger eruption. However, seismic activity is closely monitored on the island, and authorities are able to issue timely warnings and evacuate areas as needed.

Which Part of Bali is Least Safe?

Although we wouldn't exactly call any area of Bali "unsafe," petty crime is most common in the tourist resort town of Kuta. Being home to some of the cheapest and rowdiest bars and clubs in Bali, it's unsurprisingly that drunk tourists are the easiest targets for theft.

Petty theft and scams are also slightly more common in popular and busier tourist areas like Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud, and around major attractions.

But the crime risk definitely isn't big enough to put you off visiting or staying in any of these areas. We stay in Canggu and Ubud all the time and have never had anything happen to us.

Is Bali Safe at Night?

Yes, Bali is generally a very safe destination at night. Big tourist resort areas stay busy until the early hours, with lots of late night restaurants, bars, and clubs around.

If you are out enjoying Bali's famous nightlife, it's best to take a few basic precautions:

• Be careful of any valuables you have on you

• Don't leave your drink unattended

• Be careful drinking locally made "arak" - it's lethally strong

• Don't drink and drive - order a Grab or Gojeck to get home instead

• Be aware of other drunk tourists driving dangerously on the roads

• Avoid driving on isolated roads at night by yourself

Is Bali Safe for Solo Female Travellers?

Bali is a very safe destination for solo female travellers. The island has a low crime rate, the locals are lovely, and it's super easy to meet other solo travellers at hostels or meet-ups.

I (Emily) spent a period in Bali by myself before meeting Kieren and never felt unsafe. I quickly connected with a amazing group of friends through nomad meetup group Nomeo and always had people to hang out with. I was regularly doing things solo and taking bike taxis at night, and I never once had an issue.

As with anywhere you travel to as a solo female, stay aware of your surroundings, trust your gut, and keep your friends and family back home aware of your location and plans.