Must-read before going to Bali—2026's latest tourist ban, people have actually been deported for this

Update: July 27, 2026

Have you ever thought that riding a rented scooter in Bali or wearing skimpy clothes to a temple—seemingly ordinary tourist behaviors—could now land you on a wanted list?

To be honest, I only recently realized that Bali is no longer the ‘relaxed’ travel destination it used to be. Since the government released its first wave of tourist regulations in 2023, and updated them in 2025, local authorities have become very specific about what’s expected of visitors—they’ve even set up a complaint hotline on WhatsApp (+62 812-8759-0999). If a local reports you, the police can freeze your passport within 24 hours.

Why has Bali suddenly gotten stricter? The numbers speak for themselves

Last year, Bali welcomed 6.3 million international tourists, accounting for more than half of Indonesia’s total foreign visitors. With that volume came trouble—illegal work, visa overstays, desecration of sacred sites, littering, and even tourists getting involved in transnational crime.

Indonesia’s Immigration Director General, Silmy Karim, put it bluntly: ‘Some foreigners are even involved in cross-border crime; some resist arrest, and others show no respect for Balinese traditions.’ The data behind his words is even more striking—from January to September 2024 alone, 378 foreigners were deported; by 2025, that number had surged to around 1,430.

What you need to know: Must-dos for visiting Bali

• Pay the tourist tax: 150,000 IDR (about USD$5), to be paid before departure or upon arrival. Without it, you won’t be able to enter attractions like Uluwatu Temple or the rice terraces.
• Dress appropriately: Always wear a sarong when visiting temples, covering your shoulders and knees. Especially near the main shrine area, it’s completely off-limits—only local worshippers can enter.
• Ride legally: Have an international or Indonesian driver’s license, and wear a helmet. No valid license? Police are cracking down hard on this now.
• Respect local culture: Behave respectfully around temples, monuments, and sacred sites. Don’t climb on sacred structures for photos—this has already led to several tourists being deported on the spot.
• Go green: Avoid plastic bags, plastic straws, and Styrofoam containers. These are now explicitly banned in Bali.
• Use authorized currency exchange: Only exchange money at bank-authorized outlets. Street-side black market exchangers might offer better rates, but if you’re caught, you could face fines or even jail time.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes Tourists Make?

Honestly, the most frequent violations boil down to these:

1. Riding a scooter without a license — still the top excuse
2. Inappropriate attire at temples — Uluwatu Temple and Tanah Lot Temple turn away improperly dressed visitors daily
3. Climbing sacred sites for Instagram shots — there have already been several cases of immediate deportation, no joke
4. Overstaying a visa — the biggest contributor to annual deportations
5. Using black market currency exchange — getting caught means not just a fine, but a record on file

Why Are Scooter Riders Under Police Scrutiny?

In just two weeks from February to March 2023, over 170 foreign tourists were pulled over for traffic violations—drunk driving, speeding, fake license plates, you name it. The Governor of Bali made a blunt statement: ‘Tourists should just be tourists, not ride scooters everywhere without shirts, helmets, licenses, and while breaking traffic rules.’

Although there’s no full ban on scooter rentals yet, the policy direction is clear—if you ride, you need a valid license, full gear, and must follow the rules. The cost of violations is now far higher than before.

What Happens If You Get Caught? Can You Really Be Deported?

Haven’t paid the tourist tax? You won’t get into popular attractions. Disrespect sacred sites, cause repeated trouble, or work illegally? Expect fines, prosecution, and deportation in one go.

And now there’s even a reporting system—if locals report you via WhatsApp, the police will launch an investigation. In serious cases, it takes just 24 to 48 hours from the report to having your passport frozen.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster put it bluntly: ‘Bali is a beautiful and sacred place. We show respect to tourists, and we hope tourists will return that same respect.‘

Honestly, understanding these rules benefits everyone

Actually, you don’t need to think of these rules as ‘Bali making things difficult for tourists.’ Locals are also troubled by tourism pollution and environmental damage—motorbike rental shops popping up everywhere, trash piling up, sacred sites being trampled like tourist attractions. To some extent, these rules are about protecting the island itself and preserving the dignity of local culture.

Most well-behaved tourists won’t be affected at all. Taking ten minutes to learn these rules beforehand, along with a respectful attitude toward local culture, is usually more than enough.

Seriously, spending a bit of time reading this list before you leave will save you a ton of trouble on your trip.

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