Bali Travel Hot Topics + News Roundup | October 9, 2026
⛽ Long Queues at Denpasar and South Kuta Gas Stations Due to Pertalite Supply Delays
From October 7 to 8, vehicles lined up at several gas stations in Denpasar and Badung Regency, with some queues spilling onto roads and disrupting traffic.
According to local police patrol reports, the queues may be linked to delayed fuel shipments arriving at the Sanggaran fuel storage terminal, with some stations temporarily running out of fuel.
Pertamina stated on October 8 that the delayed Pertalite supply had arrived on October 7, with the next replenishment expected on October 11. Authorities are adjusting distribution to restore normal supply.
For travelers renting scooters, self-driving, or hiring a car in Bali, it’s best not to wait until the tank is nearly empty to refuel, especially on trips to South Kuta, Uluwatu, or other distant areas. Fill up early and allow extra time for potential queues.
Current reports indicate supply delays and queues in some areas, but this does not mean the entire island is facing a fuel shortage. Before heading out, check with your accommodation or driver about the situation at nearby gas stations.
🚦 Denpasar’s Gajah Mada Historic District Considers Restricting Large Buses and Trucks
The Denpasar city government is studying ways to improve traffic issues on the Jalan Gajah Mada historic district, with one proposal being to restrict large buses and trucks from entering to reduce congestion and preserve the cultural landscape of the old town.
The Gajah Mada area is Denpasar’s traditional commercial district, featuring markets, shops, and historic streets, making it a great place to experience local Balinese life.
This proposal is still in the evaluation stage, with no official implementation date announced yet, and it does not mean large vehicles are already completely banned.
If you’re looking to plan a Bali city walk that’s different from a beach vacation, this area is worth considering. However, when traveling from the southern resort areas to downtown Denpasar, it’s still advisable to check real-time traffic conditions; if traffic restrictions are officially announced in the future, charter car passengers should also confirm whether pick-up and drop-off points will be affected.
🐒 About 35 Long-Tailed Macaques Spotted in Wanagiri, Local Schoolchildren Injured in Monkey Attack
Recent monkey activity in Wanagiri Village, Buleleng Regency, North Bali, has drawn local attention. Conservation officers discovered about 35 long-tailed macaques near SD Negeri 2 in Wanagiri; previously, an elementary school student was bitten by a monkey near the campus.
Local conservation authorities say human-monkey conflicts are not new, with related incidents occurring from 2023 to 2026. They are currently considering measures such as improving habitats and, when necessary, adjusting monkey populations to reduce risks from overlapping wildlife and residential spaces.
This news does not mean that all tourist spots in Wanagiri have monkey populations, nor is there evidence that local attractions are fully affected. However, travelers heading to Wanagiri’s mountainous, forest, and natural areas should still be mindful of wildlife safety.
- Do not actively feed the monkeys.
- Do not approach or tease the monkeys while holding food.
- Avoid chasing, touching, or trying to catch the monkeys.
- If a monkey approaches, keep your distance and don’t suddenly reach out to grab back your belongings.
Monkeys may look cute, but that doesn’t mean you should interact with them like pets. Especially when traveling with children, make sure kids don’t approach wild monkeys alone.
🚢 Benoa Port Gears Up for the 2026/2027 Cruise Season, Boosting Bali’s Maritime Tourism
Benoa Port in Denpasar, Bali, is streamlining passenger services in preparation for the 2026/2027 cruise season.
On October 8, the cruise ship Heritage Adventurer arrived at Benoa Port with about 90 passengers and 84 crew members, kicking off the new season of cruise tourism.
Port operators say they are enhancing dock arrangements, passenger services, and cross-agency coordination to improve the efficiency of cruise ship berthing and passenger boarding and disembarkation.
The eastern cruise terminal at Benoa Port has been extended to about 500 meters, capable of accommodating two large cruise ships simultaneously. In 2025, 65 international cruise ships docked at Benoa Port, bringing around 140,000 international visitors; in 2026, 76 ships are registered to call.
As the cruise season unfolds, it helps boost transportation, dining, and tourism services around the port. If you’re planning activities near Benoa Port or arranging pickups and drop-offs for cruise passengers, keep an eye on actual docking dates and transfer schedules.
However, an increase in cruise passengers doesn’t mean all attractions across the island will become equally crowded—the actual impact depends on docking times, tour group routes, and daily activity arrangements.
🛣️ Additional Land Acquisition Budget for North Bali Shortcut Road, Singaraja to Mengwitani Infrastructure Project Moves Forward
The Bali Provincial Government is allocating an additional budget of approximately IDR 11.6 billion for land acquisition on Section 9 to 10 of the Singaraja–Mengwitani Shortcut Road, located in Gitgit Village, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency.
The additional budget is primarily intended to secure extra land to improve the alignment and geometric design of certain road sections.
This project is part of broader efforts to enhance road access in North Bali. Singaraja is a key city in the region, while Mengwitani serves as an important transit point connecting the central highlands to the north.
For travelers, this is not a completed new road that will instantly shorten travel times—it is an ongoing construction and land acquisition process.
If your itinerary includes Wanagiri, Lake Bratan, or the North Bali coast, it’s best to rely on real-time navigation for current road conditions and estimated travel times, rather than expecting the entire route to be fully upgraded based on news of the Shortcut Road project.
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