10 Dos and Don'ts whenvisiting BaliWhen should you - and when should you not - enter a

temple? What is the correct way of giving and receiving

something? As most Balinese probably are too polite to tell

you when you break their customs, take a look at the below

Dos and Don'ts to make sure you do as the Balinese would

do when visiting Bali.

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Do's and Don'ts

Entering a temple

DO wear a Sarong or long clothes when entering a

temple – The Balinese are very serious about their

spirituality, so please be respectful.

DON'T enter a temple menstruating – also if you

have an open wound you shouldn’t enter.

Shopping

DO haggle in markets and street shops - Humor and

a smile can get you a long way, that goes for bargaining too.

DON'T haggle too hard or for the fun of it - Be

polite. 5000 rupiah probably won’t make much of a

difference to you, but it might do to the seller.

Mind the head

DO wear a helmet when driving a scooter – Both for

protection and to avoid getting stopped by the police.

Insider tip: Wearing an “udeng” (The traditional Balinese

headwear) exempt you from wearing a helmet

DON'T touch people’s heads – That goes for kids too,

even if they are really cute. The head is considered the most

sacred part of the human body.

Drinking water

DO drink bottled water - Bali is hot all year around and

you don’t want to dehydrate.

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DON'T drink tap water - It does not taste good and will

almost certainly give you stomach problems.

When giving and receiving

DO use both hands when giving or receiving - It is

a compliment to use both hands when you give or receive

things like money or a business card.

DON'T hand over something with your left hand –

It is considered impolite. Using both hands is still ok.

When driving

DO honk the horn shortly when overtaking - It is a

common way to let other people know you are passing.

DON'T hold the horn down – Being aggressive in the

traffic is frowned upon everywhere, even more so in Bali.

Getting attention

DO wave with your palm facing down - When asking

someone to come by, stretch your hand out, palm down and

move your fingers toward yourself.

DON'T point with your index finger - That is

considered offensive. Use the entire hand if you want to

point out something.

When invited to dinner

DO make room for a second serving – you will most

likely be asked for one and it will be impolite to reject.

DON'T empty your plate – Leave a little food as an

offering to the gods and to let the host know you had

enough to eat.

Partying

DO enjoy an ice cold Bintang - Balis’ no. 1 beer and it

comes in large bottles!

DON'T do drugs! - Indonesian drug laws are extremely

strict.

Watch your feet

DO take of your shoes when entering - When

entering a home or temple take of you shoes. Helpful tip:

Whenever you see a row of flip flops outside a building, you

should take of yours too before entering.

DON'T touch or point at someone with your feet –

It is considered very offensive.

Comments

January 26, 2013 05:06 Daleen say s :

Hi Stefan, I'm a foreigner living in Jakarta and we often go

to Bali and surrounds for short breaks or longer holidays.

The list you wrote is great!! I stumbled upon your article

after reading another do's and don't list, which got me so

angry! The other writer wrote the most crap I've ever

read on travel blogs about Bali...like no public display of

affection, cover arms and legs at all times etc... This is

how writers tarnish the reputation of a country. Because

the Indonesian people - particularly the Balinese - are

the Indonesian people - particularly the Balinese - are

some of the most tolerant people I have ever met. Thanks

for your fair comments.

January 26, 2013 07 :50 Stefan say s :

Hi Daleen

I couldn't agree with you more - The Balinese are some of

the kindest people you're ever going to meet.

I am glad you liked the list.

Stefan

April 24, 2013 12:58 lizzy say s :

Hej Stefan!

Will you be in Bali in June/July :)

Kind regards,

Lizzy

April 25, 2013 05:41 Stefan Russel say s :

Hi Lizzy

I don't know my plans for June and July yet, but let me

know if there is anything we can do for you.

Stefan

October 5, 2013 11:38 jacob say s :

thank you!

December 24, 2013 06:30 Kennedy JP say s :

Thanks for the note!

I already booked the ticket and hotel in Bali, I want to go

there for 10 days but i just read some writings on the

internet; and met someone in Sydney. They said: must be

carefully in caution in Bali because the laws are very

strick and strange there??? that make me feel

unconfrtable and want to cancel my trip there insteads I

will go Philipine ..sound is better country laws and more

on western style.???

KP:

PS: people can put drug in my drinks and I may have

been set up for the jail...? is it that corruption country?

December 28, 2013 09:58 Stefan Russel say s :

Hi Kenny

I am not sure what you have read about Bali, but I

wouldn't worry if I were you. Bali is as safe as any country

in South-East Asia and the Balinese are some of the

kindest people you are ever going meet.

You mention strict laws. When it comes to drugs, Bali has

some very strict laws, so I will definitely recommend

against getting involved with drug in any way, but apart

from that laws aren't much different from anywhere else.

I am certain you will enjoy Bali and my advice would be to

stick to you original plan and I am sure you won't regret

it.

Stefan

January 10, 2014 01:21 Jay remy say s :

Hi Stefan, thanks for your great write up. This would be

my 2nd trip to Bali since 2008...Definitely so many

changes there and I'm so looking forward to be there.

Hopefully this trip will be smooth and enjoyable for me

and my friends.

Jay

January 10, 2014 12:38 Stefan Russel say s :

Hi Jay

Bali is definitely changing in many ways, but it is still a

very special place if you ask me. I am sure you'll have an

excellent trip.

Enjoy! :)

Stefan

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