01 The 2025 code replaced the old 2023 guidance
In March 2025 Bali Governor Wayan Koster issued Circular Letter No. 7 of 2025, the New Code of Conduct for Foreign Tourists. Bali’s Tourism Office said it updated the earlier 2023 circular to reflect new conditions. That matters because many web pages still repeat the older version as if nothing changed.
The code mixes cultural expectations with existing legal obligations. Some points are basic manners; others concern immigration, currency, driving, accommodation and environmental rules. The sensible way to read it is not as a list designed to trap tourists, but as a clear statement that Bali expects visitors to follow Indonesian law and treat sacred and public spaces with respect.
02 Sacred places, dress and ceremonies
Foreign visitors are required to respect Bali’s sacred character, customs, traditions, art, culture and local wisdom. At temples and other sacred places that means dressing modestly, behaving respectfully and following the directions of temple staff or local communities. A sarong and sash may be required even when your normal holiday clothes seem reasonably covered.
Ceremonies are not street theatre staged for tourists. Do not block processions, step over offerings for a photo or push into ritual space because a doorway looks open. If you are unsure whether photography or entry is appropriate, ask. A polite question is much better than discovering the boundary after you have crossed it.
03 Temple inner areas, sacred objects and inappropriate photos
The code specifically prohibits entering certain sacred inner areas without the right conditions, climbing sacred trees or structures, and behaving indecently at holy sites. It also addresses inappropriate or nude photography around religious places. Bali has had enough high-profile incidents that these points are no longer left to implied common sense.
Visitors should not try to turn a sacred gate, shrine, tree or statue into a stunt backdrop. If an area is roped, signed or being used for worship, keep out unless invited. Menstruation-related temple restrictions are part of local religious practice at many sites; follow the rules displayed by the temple rather than arguing about them at the gate.
04 The foreign-tourist levy is part of the code
The 2025 circular requires foreign tourists to pay Bali’s tourist levy. It is separate from your Indonesian visa. Use the official Love Bali channel or another method expressly provided by the authorities, retain proof of payment and be cautious of lookalike payment pages or unsolicited agents.
The circular says visitors who have not paid the levy can be denied access to tourist attractions. In practice, checking arrangements can evolve, so keep the receipt or QR confirmation accessible on your phone. If you qualify for an exemption, use the official process rather than assuming an exemption will be recognised automatically at every checkpoint.
05 Driving rules are not optional holiday etiquette
If you drive or ride, the code requires a valid driving licence recognised under Indonesian law, compliance with road rules, a helmet for motorcycle riders, proper clothing and a roadworthy registered vehicle. The circular also directs foreign tourists to use licensed transport providers.
The most common mistake is treating a scooter as a beach toy. Traffic is dense, road surfaces and local habits can be unfamiliar, and travel insurance may exclude claims if you are unlicensed or not wearing a helmet. If you do not have the right licence or real riding experience, use a driver, taxi or ride-hailing service instead.
06 Use Rupiah and legitimate payment channels
The official code says transactions should use Indonesian Rupiah and names QRIS, Indonesia’s standard QR payment system, as an accepted non-cash mechanism. It also instructs visitors to exchange money through authorised money changers. These rules line up with broader Indonesian currency and financial regulations.
For travellers, the practical lesson is simple: avoid suspicious street exchange booths advertising an implausibly good rate, count cash before leaving the counter and use reputable ATMs. If a merchant legitimately accepts card or QRIS, that is different from agreeing to settle an ordinary local transaction in a foreign currency.
07 Licensed accommodation and official tourism services
The 2025 circular tells visitors to stay in accommodation operating with the required licences. It also states that foreign tourists should use licensed tour guides when visiting tourist attractions. The exact way this is applied can vary by site and activity, but the direction is clear: Bali wants tourism spending and visitor activity channelled through legitimate operators.
For accommodation, book properties with a real address, transparent identity and a credible booking trail. For tours and guides, avoid anyone who cannot clearly explain what service they are providing. At sites where a guide is mandatory or included in the visitor system, follow the local process rather than trying to bypass it.
08 Tourist status does not authorise work or business
The code expressly prohibits working or running a business without the proper Indonesian documentation. That includes an important modern grey area: being on holiday with a laptop is not automatically the same thing as having immigration permission to work. Australia’s current Smartraveller advice also warns that tourist visas do not authorise work, research or volunteering and that paid commercial content creation can count as work.
If you plan to work remotely for an overseas employer, look at the E33G remote-worker category and current official immigration guidance. If you will be paid by an Indonesian entity, sell locally, employ people or run an Indonesian business, get proper immigration and professional advice before doing it.
09 Litter, plastics, aggression and social media
The prohibited list includes littering or polluting lakes, springs, rivers, seas and public spaces. It also bans specified single-use plastics, including plastic bags, Styrofoam, straws and plastic-packaged drinks. The same code prohibits aggressive, disrespectful or abusive behaviour toward local people, officials and other visitors.
It even addresses harmful behaviour online, including hate speech and misinformation. You do not need to fear posting an honest travel opinion. The point is that being behind a phone screen does not remove your obligation to follow local law or behave respectfully.
10 Enforcement, sanctions and the useful bottom line
The circular says violations can lead to sanctions or legal proceedings under Indonesian law. It also established an official Siaga reporting WhatsApp number: +62 812-8759-0999. Serious offences remain matters for police or other competent authorities; the tourist code does not replace ordinary law.
For almost every normal visitor, compliance is straightforward: pay the levy, dress properly at sacred sites, use legitimate transport and money services, do not work on the wrong visa, avoid litter and single-use plastic, and do not behave like an idiot for content. Bali remains welcoming; the code simply makes the expected boundaries much harder to pretend you did not know.
