Neither the US State Department nor the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to Bali. The UK FCDO does warn of bag-snatching, sexual assault, drink spiking, and moped and motorbike accidents on the island. At Safe to Go, we track these advisories daily to show which warnings name Bali and which cover all of Indonesia.
The US State Department says to exercise increased caution in Indonesia because of natural disasters, unrest, and terrorism, and Canada says to exercise a high degree of caution. The live panel above shows each government’s current level.
What Official Advisories Say About Bali Specifically
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) publishes explicit warnings for Bali, highlighting frequent street crimes such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing in busy tourist areas. The UK FCDO also states that reported cases of rape and sexual assault are high in Bali and Lombok, advising visitors to remain alert at night and avoid poorly lit areas.
Drink spiking linked to sexual assault is another danger explicitly cited by the UK FCDO for Bali, Lombok, and the Gili Islands. Travelers are warned against accepting drinks from strangers or leaving glasses unattended in clubs and bars. Furthermore, the UK advisory warns of an increase in scams targeting tourists at tattoo parlours, nail salons, and spas in Bali, urging clients to agree on all fees before receiving services.
The US Department of State advises exercising increased caution, while Canada advises exercising a high degree of caution. The US advisory cites risks from natural disasters, unrest, and terrorism.
How Bali Compares with Higher-Risk Regions in Indonesia
Some areas in Indonesia have increased risk. For example, the US Department of State tells travelers not to travel to the provinces of Central Papua, or Papua Tengah, and Highland Papua, or Papua Pegunungan, due to civil unrest.
Demonstrations occur frequently in Indonesia, and the US State Department says some can turn violent. The UK FCDO advises avoiding all protests, demonstrations, and student and political rallies, because they can become violent without warning.
Terrorism warnings apply across Indonesia, with foreign governments noting that extremists target police posts, places of worship, and commercial venues. The UK FCDO notes that potential targets include beach resorts, hotels, bars, restaurants, markets, and tourist attractions. Specific past attacks occurred outside Bali, such as a 2022 suicide bombing at a police post in Bandung, West Java, and a 2021 attack at a Catholic cathedral in Makassar. Our broader analysis on is Indonesia safe provides context on these nationwide patterns.
Primary Risks Visitors Face in Bali and Required Precautions
There are often reports of bag-snatching in Bali. The UK FCDO advises visitors to conceal bags as much as possible, carry only essential items, and protect passports and bank cards.
The UK FCDO says credit card fraud is common in Indonesia, so do not lose sight of your card during a transaction. Criminals also attach fake help-desk phone numbers to automated teller machines to trick users into revealing account details. When exchanging money, avoid unlicensed money changers who short-change tourists. Only use licensed currency exchanges, which display an official logo and a QR code you can open to check the business name and its operating licence.
Police often raid venues popular with foreigners, especially in Bali, and the UK FCDO says some venues offer drugs as free samples. If police suspect drug use, you may be required to take a urine or blood test, and a positive result will lead to arrest.
Getting Around Safely via Taxis, Roads, and Motorbikes
The UK FCDO says traffic discipline is very poor and there has been a large increase in moped and motorbike accidents in Bali, some of them fatal. Travelers operating mopeds or motorbikes must wear a helmet in good condition at all times.
The UK FCDO recommends calling only registered taxi companies, which it names in its Indonesia travel advice, and checking the driver’s identity. If booking transport through smartphone ride-hailing applications, verify that the driver is the same as the person on the app, and share your journey with a friend using the app. Beware of street drivers falsely claiming to represent app companies.
If you are travelling by car, keep doors locked while driving. The UK FCDO also warns of thieves on public transport and at transport hubs.
Natural Hazards and Island-Wide Cultural Closures
The UK FCDO says Bali can suffer severe localised flooding that causes major traffic congestion and power outages. Across Indonesia, volcanic eruptions occur regularly. The UK FCDO no longer advises against all travel to volcanoes in Indonesia, but local authorities enforce exclusion zones on a number of volcanically active sites, and the UK FCDO says to follow their advice during an eruption.
Balinese New Year, known as Nyepi, fell on 19 March in 2026. Local custom requires everyone on the island to observe a strict day of silence by staying indoors, extinguishing lights, and making no noise. Ngurah Rai International Airport closes completely for the entire day of Nyepi, though emergency services and hospitals continue operating.
The UK FCDO says the risk of terrorism is higher on and around Nyepi, Chinese New Year, Ramadan and other Islamic holidays, Christmas, New Year, Easter, and national and local elections.
How to Verify Bali Safety Updates Before Departure
You can review the US Department of State Indonesia Advisory or read the UK FCDO Indonesia Travel Advice for current situational notices.
Reviewing advisory revisions on our latest advisory changes page allows you to track sudden adjustments across international destinations. You can also benchmark Indonesian risks against other destinations using our guide to compare destinations side by side or explore our directory of city safety guides. Our verdict on Bali would change if the US State Department or the UK FCDO named Bali as an area to avoid. If you planned to explore Bali by moped, the UK FCDO warning about a large increase in moped and motorbike accidents, some fatal, is a reason to use registered taxis instead. Download our free travel safety checklist before you pack.