2026-05-15 Bali News

📄 Topics of Concern for Travelers: Health Alerts and Safety Guidelines

• May ‘Tropical Disease’ Alert: Due to lingering stagnant water after the rainy season, health authorities warn that May is a peak period for Dengue Fever. Travelers are advised to use mosquito repellent during dawn and dusk activities. Additionally, sporadic cases of Measles have been reported recently, and long-term visitors are recommended to confirm their vaccination status.
• Outdoor Activity Safety: Beware of Wild Monkeys: Recent incidents of monkeys snatching tourists’ belongings have occurred in Uluwatu and the Monkey Forest. Officials remind visitors to secure items like glasses, hats, and small electronics before entering these areas and to avoid eye contact or feeding the monkeys to prevent scratches or bites.
• Weekend Reminder: Beware of ‘Alcohol Scams’: The risk of counterfeit alcohol targeting foreign tourists persists. Police advise travelers to avoid purchasing unusually cheap Arak (local liquor) mixed drinks and recommend consuming only at reputable restaurants and bars, ensuring drinks are prepared within sight.
• 🏗️ Airport Update: Ngurah Rai Airport Arrival Area to be Redesigned: To accommodate increasing tourist traffic and reduce congestion, Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) plans to redesign the arrival area. The project will expand the space for automated gates (Autogates) and optimize flow configurations to enhance post-landing customs efficiency and comfort.
• 🚨 Entry Reminder: Jakarta Airport Enhances Health Monitoring: In response to Hantavirus risks, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta has strengthened health screenings for incoming travelers. As Jakarta is a major transit point to Bali, travelers are advised to cooperate with temperature checks and report symptoms like fever, headache, or breathing difficulties to health authorities.

🗞️ Today’s Highlights: Construction Funding and Cultural Preservation

• Details of IDR 1.27 Trillion Infrastructure Funding Announced: The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) announced the allocation of IDR 1.27 trillion for 206 infrastructure projects in Bali in 2026. Beyond road improvements, the focus will be on flood prevention facilities and coastline protection to address rising sea levels due to climate change, directly impacting coastal tourist areas like Kuta and Seminyak.
• Ancient Traditional Art Preservation Program Launched: To counter the impact of overtourism on culture, Bali’s Cultural Agency and local communities have initiated the ‘Traditional Heritage Revival Program’. This includes digital documentation and local training for Gamelan music and specific ceremonial dances, ensuring tourism revenue contributes to cultural preservation.
• Medical Tourism Facilities Scaling Up: The construction of an international hospital in the Sanur Special Economic Zone (KEK Sanur) is ahead of schedule. Authorities expect to introduce more international specialists in the latter half of 2026, aiming to attract ‘medical tourists’ seeking high-quality dental and cosmetic services, marking further diversification of Bali’s industrial structure.