Located at the western end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Bali province of Indonesia lies west of the island of Lombok. This is the only province Indonesia has a Hindu majority. Dubbed the world’s top destination by TripAdvisor in 2017, it goes without saying that Bali attracts a lot of revenue, making up 80 percent of the Indonesian economy. Rich in culture and art, people are attracted to Balinese music, dance, leather and sculptures. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, keep this list in mind What not to do in Bali? convenient.
9 things not to do in Bali
It should be no big surprise why people from all over the world come to Bali for vacation. To make sure you don’t get into trouble while visiting this place, we have made a list of 9 things not to do in Bali that you should keep in mind:
1. Do not enter the temple wearing shoes
2. Avoid drinking tap water
3. Do not go to the temple wearing provocative clothes
4. Avoid using your left hand to give or accept things
5. Drug possession and use can land you in jail
6. Maintain decorum during Nyepi
7. Honking without reason is prohibited
8. Do not point your toes towards a statue or symbol of Buddha
9. Do not ridicule religious processions
1. Do not enter the temple wearing shoes
Being a Hindu majority province in Indonesia, you will get to see a lot of temples. It is customary not to wear shoes inside, so remember to leave your shoes outside, otherwise you risk offending the locals who will ask you to leave or come back after taking off your shoes. Also, avoid entering temples if you have any open wounds. It is considered taboo and may be frowned upon by some conservative locals.
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2. Avoid drinking tap water
If you feel thirsty it is best to buy packaged mineral water. Restaurants often serve tap water for drinking and purchasing a packaged bottle would be a better option. Still a developing country, Indonesia does not have the best filtration systems, so the water flowing from the tap may not be a recycled property and may still contain some germs or bacteria that can cause stomach upset. Even if there is no bacteria, minerals will definitely be absent and hence, choosing packaged drinking water with trusted brands or labels is a better option.
3. Do not go to the temple wearing provocative clothes
This applies to both men and women. You should be aware that when you are entering a holy place of worship such as a temple or mosque, it is best to wear appropriate clothing. It would be best to wear a sarong which is a type of long cloth that covers your entire body including your legs. It’s also best to leave your shorts at home when you’re entering a temple. If visiting a mosque, it would be advisable for women to cover their heads.
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4. Avoid using your left hand to give or accept things
In Bali, the left hand is considered an impure part of the body. Hence it is the right hand which the local people use most of the time to do some important things, like giving something or a gift to someone, gesturing, eating, etc. When in Bali, it is best to use your right hand to perform the above mentioned activities.
5. Drug possession and use can land you in jail
Not only in Bali but throughout Indonesia there are very strict laws regarding drugs. They will not take such crimes lightly. So avoid buying or selling drugs, it would be better if you stay away from those activities because if you are caught then you will definitely be fined heavily and may even be jailed. Bali is a beautiful place as it is with its gorgeous natural beauty and exquisite marine life and corals that are a feast for your sensory world, even if you are not intoxicated, so it is best to stay away from drugs.
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6. Maintain decorum during Nyepi
In 2021, Nyepi is scheduled to occur over a 24-hour period, from 6 am on March 25 to 6 am on March 26. It is a Hindu festival celebrated on Isakavarsa in the Balinese calendar. It is a ‘Day of Silence’ which is also a public holiday. Baliyan Hindus observe fast and perform other religious rituals throughout the day and remain within the premises of their homes throughout the day. So it goes without saying that while in Bali it is best to respect their traditions and customs and not make a fuss.
7. Honking without reason is prohibited
If you rent a car, bike or scooter in Bali, it’s best not to honk your horn and create a disturbance. You will find that vehicles often honk just once or twice and that is enough to send a signal to the vehicle in front. Being aggressive by honking your horn will attract very unpleasant glances from the locals, who will frown at the noise the horn produces. A few presses will be enough to make your vehicle’s presence known.
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8. Do not point your toes towards a statue or symbol of Buddha
Never point your feet towards anyone or touch anyone with your feet. If you do this by mistake, don’t forget to apologize as such behavior is considered extremely rude. Also never sit in a temple with your feet facing the God as this may offend the local people who may consider it a sign of ridicule or disrespect.
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9. Do not ridicule religious processions
When religious processions are organized on the streets, it is advisable to maintain decency, especially if it is a funeral procession. The Hindu funeral procession in Bali is called ngaben, also known as pelebon or pitra yadanya. If you come across a Ngaben you better not make any noise and maintain silence until he passes, otherwise you will definitely be punished for your behavior.
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Bali is a very beautiful place to visit. It would be a pity if you could not enjoy your trip to Indonesia because you were unaware of the things not to do in Bali. Keep these tips in mind for a pleasant journey.
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FAQs About Things Not to Do in Bali
Is Bali ruined?
Bali is an Indonesian island, not a country as a whole. Bali is the only Indonesian island that is almost entirely Hindu, making it different from the rest of the country, which is mostly Muslim with a few Buddhists and Christians here and there.
What can’t you eat in Bali?
Try and avoid raw or uncooked meat. Avoid unpasteurized dairy products, shaved ice or mobile soft-serve vendors. Eat at popular restaurants with high turnover.
Is Bali very touristy?
Bali is an island full of beautiful nature, the Indian Ocean allows you to surf or lie on the beach, but there is not a large number of bars here. Of course, central Bali is very touristy, as it is very popular with people as an exotic place. And the tickets are not that expensive.
Is Bali crowded?
Unfortunately, this is also when the island becomes most crowded – you won’t be alone in your search for surf, sand and sun! Bali is one of more than 8,800 named islands in Indonesia, with many more unnamed islands in the archipelago.