Author: Matt and Danielle
19 October 2023
Bali is the place of dreams and it's likely all over your Instagram feed. People enjoying the beaches, swimming in waterfalls and living a life that seems too good to be true. That dreaminess aside, is Bali safe for tourists? What about for a solo female traveler? Is Bali a safe destination for all to come and enjoy? Let's get into exactly how safe Bali is to visit, and some safety tips to help you avoid any dangers that are there.
In short, Bali is a safe place to visit for tourists. It's safe for solo female travellers, couples, friends and anyone planning their dream trip to Bali. Indonesia itself ranks among the lowest in the world for homicide, and Bali ranks very low for sexual assault. There are still dangers though. Robbery, pickpocketing, scams and general injuries are things you need to watch out for.
Like a lot of places around the world, there are places that are not as safe as others. There are also things you can do that will prevent you from finding yourself in an awful situation. Being alone at night is not the Bali experience you have been dreaming of!
Always remember to buy travel insurance for any trip you take. This is the #1 top tip we can give to anyone looking to travel long-term, go on holiday or take a short break away. Always get travel insurance.
When you travel around Bali there are things you can do to avoid finding yourself in bad situations. Here are a few tips to help you avoid some of the dangers in Bali that you will want to stay clear of:
Don't walk home alone late at night - This can help you avoid most of the dangerous situations you could find yourself in. Whether you've had too many drinks or not, just get a taxi home.
Don't drink and drive - Just because the rules may be a little more relaxed in Bali than back home, doesn't mean you should take advantage of that. Scooter accidents are one of the ways most tourists hurt themselves in Bali. Alcohol will not help you avoid it.
Don't drink and swim - Same as with a scooter, alcohol will not help this situation. We're not saying you can't enjoy a beer in the pool, don't have a bucket of beers and head out into the ocean at night.
Stay away from drugs - Drugs are illegal in Bali, so stay away from them! Indonesia has some of the strictest anti-drug policies in the world. At the least you'll end up in prison, the worst is the death penalty.
Watch your drinks - Drink spiking actually isn't that common in Bali, but it can happen. Most people have often spent all day in the sun, drank no water and the alcohol affects them more. Still, it doesn't hurt to keep your drink on you at all times.
Be wary of street dogs - It can be so hard because they're very cute and friendly, but approach any dog with caution. There is a rabies outbreak in Bali right now, so be careful when near any street dog.
Wear your helmet on a scooter - You will see many others, locals and tourists, not wearing a helmet in Bali. Don't follow suit because one small crash or pothole can end everything.
Pickpocketing and robbery are among the most common crimes you will come across in Bali. Even so, there are still ways you can minimise finding yourself in a situation where you could be a target.
Don't walk home alone late at night - We've said it once, and we will say it again. It is completely safe to walk around in the daytime but avoid walking alone at night to be safe.
Watch your phone in busy areas - Some areas in Bali are worse for this than others. Canggu is a popular destination for tourists, and because of that, it has a high pickpocket and robbery rate. Don't leave your phone on the table in bars and restaurants and be careful if you're holding your phone while sitting on the back of a scooter. Drive-by grab-ins are quite common.
Don't tap your pockets to check your wallet - This seems a little surprising, but actually, you can alert pickpockets to where your valuable items are. If you want to check then go to the bathroom, or sit down at a table. Try and do it as discreetly as possible.
Leave the valuables at home - We know you're in Bali and you want to look like a baller with your expensive watch and jewellery. If you're content putting them at risk, then fine. If you don't want to have to replace them, then leave them at home.
Always trust your gut - We have always believed that you must trust your instincts, and that counts for any country we have visited. If you get a bad feeling then trust it and leave.
Scams are one of the other more common crimes you can come across in Bali. These are ways people try to get your money, and they are also avoidable. Here are a few ways you can safeguard yourself against getting scammed in Bali.
Avoid unofficial money exchanges - If I'm being honest, we don't use money exchanges at all. We use ATMs and it works best for us. For this, you should have a card that lets you avoid international charges (we use Starling). If you like to use exchanges then find official ones, change your money before you arrive or do it at the airport.
Only use credible ATMs - If it looks shady, find another ATM somewhere else. Mandiri, Link, BCA and Cimb Niaga are credible and good for tourists.
Only get in licences taxis - Use Grab, Gojek or Indrive to book your taxi and get in the car with the same licence plate that the app tells you. If you do have to get a taxi outside of an app then always negotiate the fare beforehand. If you're somewhere remote and need a taxi then your accommodation should know someone who can help.
Negotiate rates beforehand when booking direct - Not just with taxis, but with anything. If you're booking a room directly with the owner, renting a scooter or surfboard or booking a tour. Always lock in an exact price before anything. It's impossible to negotiate afterwards.
You Can Ignore beggars - Never feel you need to give someone money to avoid physical harm. People may be very persistent in asking for money, but they will never get aggressive with you. They are playing a numbers game by asking as many people as possible for money and will move on to the next one if you say no.
Scooter Rental Scams - Check reviews for credible scooter rental companies. Arrange a price beforehand and take a video of the bike when they drop it off. Show any scratches, scrapes and wear and tear the bike has. That way they can't charge you for anything that was already there when they collect it.
Food is one of the main ways you can get sick in Bali, the other would likely be from drinking tap water. You want to spend your time exploring Bali, not sitting on the toilet. Here are a few tips for staying healthy on your trip.
Don't always eat where the locals eat - This is usually a great way to find amazing local food, but in Bali, you do it at your own risk. The local people have grown up with that food, and it can cause you to have an upset stomach. You don't have to stick to Western food when you visit though, make sure to visit places with lots of great reviews.
Drink bottled water - Tap water in Bali is not safe to drink. If you have a reusable water bottle then a lot of places will have a refill point, but don't drink water from the taps.
Eat vegetarian - We have found the times that we felt a little uneasy were actually on days after eating meat. In some of the street food stalls, you can find that the meat and fish have been sitting there for a while attracting flies. The veggies stay better for longer in the heat too.
Only trust ice with a hole in the middle - This is a handy trick that will help you tell if the ice has come from a machine, or tap. If it has a hole in the middle then your drink won't make you ill.
Like all places around the world, there are safer places and less safe places. The likes of Canggu and Kuta are very popular with tourists. They can also be places where tourists are targeted for pickpocketing. Ubud is in the heart of Bali and is known for being authentic and one of the more religious areas. Because of this, it is a very safe place even though it's very busy.
Our personal favourite places are Sidemen and Uluwatu. Sidemen is a beautiful, quiet and rural part of Bali which is full of natural beauty. Being rural actually makes it very safe as the people here typically live simple lives. They are so happy to see tourists enjoying their home. Uluwatu is our ideal place to live in Bali. It's not as rural as Sidemen, and it's where all the best beaches are. It's still a popular place for tourists, but most (including the locals) are surfers and give off that relaxed surfer vibe.
This section is very much personal preference, and the best way for you to find your favourite part of Bali is to explore as much as possible. The beach clubs, bars and restaurants are great, but make sure to get around the island as much as can because it's an amazing place.
Is Bali safe to travel for solo female travellers? In short, the answer is still yes! Danielle and I are not single female travellers, but we know plenty all living their best Bali life. We know people who have visited Bali on vacation and others who live there full-time. If you are looking to travel to Bali as a solo female then you do not need to worry. The main thing we would advise is to be extra mindful of walking around late at night by yourself. Everything else is the same as above.
This can all make it seem like your visit to Bali will be full of scams and robberies, but it's not the case. With a few tips and some common sense, you can avoid all these situations. You'll soon find yourself focusing more on the amazing time you're having rather than the threat of danger. Bali is one of the safest places you can visit in Asia, without a doubt. These tips will help you make sure that when you visit Bali you get to see its wonderful side as you explore the island.
Looking for more information on different places in Bali? Check out our other blogs and guides here.
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