Bali Tourist Hot Topics + News Roundup | August 21, 2026

✈️ New Transfer Bridge Opens at Ngurah Rai Airport, Making International-to-Domestic Connections Easier

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport has recently opened a brand-new International–Domestic Terminal Transfer Bridge, making transfers between the international and domestic terminals much more convenient.

The new transfer bridge is part of the airport’s upgrade plan, aiming to gradually develop Ngurah Rai into a major transit hub for Indonesia and Southeast Asia, with the goal of offering a passenger experience closer to that of major transit airports like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

For travelers, the biggest benefit of this change is:

If your itinerary requires a domestic flight transfer in Bali, moving between terminals will be much easier.

This is especially relevant for routes like ‘Taiwan → Bali → Labuan Bajo / Jakarta / Surabaya,’ so keep an eye on the new transfer route.

🇮🇱 Ubud Gym Refuses Entry to Three Israeli Nationals, Sparking Online Discussion

A video recently circulating on social media shows a gym owner in Ubud arguing with three individuals believed to be Israeli nationals, demanding they leave the premises.

In the video, the gym owner mentions the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which quickly sparked discussions on social platforms. However, the owner later emphasized that the incident was not solely about religion or ethnicity, but rather related to specific individuals and their stances.

Such incidents are worth noting for travelers, but it would be a mistake to interpret a single business dispute as ‘Bali banning Israeli tourists.’

At its core, this is a private business dispute, a very different matter from the general ability of foreign travelers to visit Bali normally.

🚨 66,363 People Still Sheltering After Flores Earthquake

The aftermath of the M7.7 Flores earthquake continues.

As of August 20, 66,363 people have been evacuated to shelters, with the death toll reaching 75. BNPB and rescue teams are still conducting disaster response and assisting affected residents.

This is the most critical information for travelers planning trips to Flores, Labuan Bajo, and Komodo National Park in the near future.

However, the travel situation in Bali and Flores must be considered separately.

If your itinerary only includes Bali mainland spots like Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua, there is currently no reason to cancel your entire trip due to the Flores earthquake.

If your itinerary includes Labuan Bajo, it’s recommended to reconfirm local accommodations, boat schedules, and attraction opening status before departure.

⚠️ Suspected Indecent Act in Front of a Canggu Residence, CCTV Footage Triggers Police Investigation

Recent CCTV footage from outside a residence in Badung, Canggu, allegedly shows two women and a foreign man engaging in indecent oral sex acts in front of the house.

The incident occurred along Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong. Residents reported it to the police after discovering the footage, which quickly spread on social media.

This incident has once again sparked discussions about ‘tourist behavior’ in the area.

For travelers visiting Bali, especially in mixed residential and commercial areas like Canggu and Seminyak, it’s important to be mindful of local community norms.

Bali is a vacation paradise, but not every place allows public spaces to be treated as private party venues.

🏝️ Labuan Bajo Tourism Gradually Recovers, Batu Cermin and Other Attractions Reopen

Tourism activities in Labuan Bajo are gradually recovering after the Flores earthquake.

According to the latest report from NusaBali, Batu Cermin (Mirror Stone Cave) reopened on August 16, while attractions like Pulau Kelor and Todo Traditional Village remain operational.

Most large hotels in West Manggarai are currently reported as safe, with only minor damage in some cases; local electricity and internet services have also returned to normal.

This means Labuan Bajo is not entirely ‘closed’.

However, since some areas are still in the post-disaster recovery phase, if you’re planning to visit soon, it’s still recommended to adopt a ‘confirm before you go’ approach rather than following your original itinerary directly.