Bali Blog

The Balinese Governor put out a list of Do’s and don’ts in 2023 for all visitors to Bali, these are for foreign and local tourists. 

 Each dot point is a simple and gentle reminder to tourists to follow the laws here.

This list can easily be used to explain how and why we categorise the different types of tourists that visit Bali.

Now, if you are easily offended you may want to stop reading now…

The majority of intelligent and respectful tourists to Bali never do anything wrong. We categorise these tourists as Guests because they treat their hosts respectfully and use common sense.  They follow our company motto: “We believe sustainable tourism is when the tourist adapts to the place they are visiting and does not expect the place to adapt to them”

Unlike our extensive Do’s and Don’ts list we put out nearly 15 years ago, the Government list is not that long, so it should be easy for all tourists to follow.

Well, they are not that different from other countries, Bali has the normal traffic laws, criminal laws, tax laws, licensing laws, company laws, and banking laws.  Indonesia has every law here that you will find in a Western country, many laws here date back to the Dutch Occupation.…

But Bali does have other local laws based on traditions, religious beliefs and local cultures, which we have explained in previous blogs.

To refer back to the Balinese government list of DO’s and DON’T’s under, remind you to DON’T:

1. Enter the main area of scared places unless for praying by wearing Balinese traditional clothes and not having a period 
2. Climb sacred trees
3. Take pictures with unpolite clothes around sacred places 

Now, this is when a tourist can find themselves in trouble, simply by not following another rule from the Bali Government list, Remind you to DO:

   E. Travel with a licensed tour guide if needed 

It's not just Influenzas that break the local laws, sometimes it’s a tourist that has a driver from another Island, the driver tells the tourists they can enter, climb, take pictures etc.   The Tourist has no idea that they are being given incorrect information.  That is why it is so important to only go with Balinese to sacred places or a Guide that has studied the Balinese beliefs to become a Guide, and that takes years of study, don’t we know it.

Sometimes even Domestic Indonesian tourists break the rules by not understanding Bali’s unique culture and beliefs.

But what about the most common law broken in Bali?  

There has been a lot of talk about the Ogoh-Ogoh Parades being cancelled for 2024.  That is because many of them are...due to the request from the Provisional Government to not hold a Competition for Ogoh-Ogohs. So, most areas have cancelled the competition for 10 March (night before Nyepi).

In Denpasar District, there was instead a competition, held on 17-18 February and only the 12 best Ogoh-Ogoh were nominated from the some 360 Ogoh-Ogohs to then be taken to the Kesanga Festival events on March 1-3 and paraded in the Catur Muka area of ​​Denpasar.

There are some parts of Bali that will still be holding Ogoh-Ogoh Parades, such as Tabanan area, they will not have a competition, but they will do a parade.  It is up to each Individual Traditional Administrative Adat to make the decisions to parade or not to parade.

There are some areas that have said they are still discussing mini parades, for the younger children to parade their mini Ogoh-Ogoh’ in the morning of 10^th March…so cute.

But why no competition, is it not an age-old tradition? 

Well, some young people call clothes from the 1980’s vintage, so it probably does seem old to them.  However, Ogoh-Ogohs were designed in the early 1980’s for city youth to became part of the Banjar Adat (the traditional Administration of a Village), instead of riding around the streets being naughty. 

The competitions with other villages developed over time, and are so much fun for the youth of Bali. Tourists started to watch and just like anything in Bali, if the tourists like it, then make it bigger and better next year. However, the idea of the Ogoh-Ogoh was not put on a parade for tourists, it was to scare away the spirits, as part of the Adult tradition of Bhuta Kala. Yes, way before vintage clothes era…part of a cleansing of the Island before the Day of Silence.

Many people are saying that the "No" Ogoh-Ogoh competition is a political decision, due to the elections this year. However, partly true, this year the date also coincides with other important events in the Balinese calendar, and many villages have other obligations to perform those religious events, instead of policing the streets so teenagers can parade the Ogoh-Ogoh.

So, will you see an Ogoh-Ogoh Parade on 10^th March?

Well, as the Ogoh-Ogoh competitions were all done at District Level, many districts having around 30 Adat Villages (Traditional Village), or more in their Districts, it was a collaborations at District Level to organize the road closures to get the Ogoh-Ogohs to the final chosen place for the competition. With no competition, no need for it to be organized at a District Level this year.  

An Ogoh-Ogoh is supposed to be brought out of the Bali Banjar the day before Nyepi, where the youth have been making them for the past few months, and taken to each cross road or T-section of the village. So, then you will see the one in the village you are in….if you are in a large village, you may see more than one.  And if you stand on the border of two villages you will may see them from both villages…try standing on a major intersection bordering 4 villages and you may see even more…just don’t stand in the middle of the intersection. 

So, this year you won’t see Ogoh-Ogoh’s being taken to the final location of the competition though, so other Villages will not cross borders. They will take them to all the cross roads in their own villages and spin them 3 times to bewilder the spirits.

Some locations where you will see Ogoh-Ogohs being taken out

Denpasar City -  Patung Catur Muka
They will be taken down the following roads leading to the Catur Muka Statue - Jalan Hasanuddin - Jalan M.H. Thamrin - Jalan Gajah Mada - Patung Catur Muka.

Denpasar Jalan Cok Agung Tresna
Another group of Banjars with their Ogoh-Pgohs will be taken down Jalan Letda Kajeng - Jalan Cok Agung Tresna.

Renon 
They wil be taken down to the bypass Ngurah Rai from Plaza Renon to Jalan Hang Tuah (near Prama Hotel)

Sanur
Banjar Taman will take their Ogoh's from McDonalds up to the KFC, for tourists to see.

Kuta
You can watch them going from alan Bakung Sari up to Pantai Kuta to the beach 

Legian
And a another going  from Ground Zero down Jalan Legian down to Bemo Corner Pantai Kuta, then turning away from the beach and going up Jalan Raya Kuta.

Nusa Dua
At the intersection where Tanjung Benoa meets Nusa Dua you wil be able to see Ogoh-Ogohs

Ubud
You can see them at the interection at the Ubud Palace and down to the big statue at the intersection of Ubud and Andong at the big statue (Patung Dewa Indra)

Klungkung

They will take the to the Patung Kanda Pat (large statue) in the centre roundabout in Kangin, Klungkung

So, this year, rather than sitting down in one spot, go for a walk, and go to them, instead of them coming to you.

Oh, we don’t have Ogoh-Ogohs in our village as we are too traditional, and don’t have naughty youth, they are all working in the farms, they don’t have time to be making an Ogoh-Ogoh.

So, the Levy Payment came into effect on 14 February, 2024 .and there have been a lot of questions, so we have tried to cover as many as possible....and there may be more added if we come across new questions...

How Do I Pay the Levy?

You can pay online at the LoveBali Website https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/
 or on the LoveBali Apps
Android  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=baliprov.diskominfos.lovebali&pli=1
iPhone https://apps.apple.com/lv/app/love-bali/id1549605804

Can I Pay for my whole family at once online or on the App?

You currently need to process each payment individually, however, you can use the same email address for each payment (family member)

Can I Pay at The Airport When I Arrive?

There is a helpdesk at the arrivals Hall (where the drivers wait), however, payment needs to be made by card. UPDATE: There have many many claims since early May 2024 from tourists, who have said they paid cash at the airport (Bali Tourism Board have not yet updated us on that)

Can I pay in Cash at the Airport?

Lovebali is a cashless program, however, there have been some reports of tourists paying cash IDR. (We cannot confirm that as it is against the Provincial Government regulations to pay cash for the levy)

So, if I can pay cash, why can't I pay in another currency like the VOA at the airport?

Because, unlike immigration which is before you enter Indonesia, the Tourist Levy Desk is outside (at arrivals, where the drivers collect guests), it means you are already in Indonesia and it is illegal to pay in cash in any other currency in Indonesia. 

I have read many Tourists have not paid, and were never asked for it, so why should I pay?

Well, apart from being in breach of the laws for not paying. Random checks are being done at Tourist Locations around the Island.  And not just in the main tourist areas. As of 1 May, 2025 checks have already been done at Goa Gaja in Gianyar, Penglipuran Village in Bangli, Tirta Empal in Tampaksiring, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple in Tabanan (Bedugal), Tanah Lot and Uluwatu Temples etc.

When I Arrive at The Airport, Where Do I Scan, That I Have Paid?

Bali Tourism Board staff members are randomly checking by using their smart phones to check your QR code.  You actually do not need to scan it upon arrival unless asked.  But there are random checks at Tourism Destinations.

When Can I pay It?

You can pay it up to 90 days before your arrival date.  It wont allow you to pay any further in advance (the dates will not be available)

Why Isn’t There A Scanner at The VOA Desk?

The VOA desk is located in the Immigration Area, the Tourist Levy is not an immigration matter, it is the Bali Provincial Government that requires the Levy to be paid

Why Isn’t There A Scanner at Customs?

The Tourist Levy is not a Customs matter, it is the Bali Provincial Government that requires the Levy to be paid.

Where in Bali Will I Be Checked?

Checkpoint Scanners are being set up at major tourist attractions in Bali, so far 500 hotels and Tourist Attractions have been given the scanners and can accept payment if you did not pay before arrival. Currently Bali Tourism Board Staff and Tourist Police are checking tourists

What Happens If You Do Not Pay?

As per the regulations, foreign tourists who do not pay will first be given a warning in the system (Love Bali) or written warning delivered to the person concerned. This warning, if ignored will result in restrictions from entering Bali in the future.

Will I Be Fined or Deported If I Do Not Pay?

No, if found that you have not paid, you will be asked to pay immediately. If you do not pay after receiving a warning, your passport number may be reported to immigration.  

If in Bali and asked to pay, such as entering a tourist attraction or staying in a hotel, and you refuse to pay, you will be reported to immigration.

Is It A Tax?

No, it is a Levy for the International Tourists for the Protection of Culture and the natural environment of Bali, as a form of support, towards the efforts to preserve the nature and culture of Bali.

Does it come under an Actual Law?

Yes, Law Number 15 of 2023 concerning the Province of Bali dated 4 May, 2023 a legislation signed by the President of Indonesia.

So, How do they know if I didn’t pay it?

Well, for now it’s an honor system.  As it’s a new system, and the tourist has 60 days to use the levy once they have entered Bali, it may take a while for your passport to show up in the system as unpaid. However, starting May 2024 Civil Service Police Officers have the authority to check a tourist at any time, and there will be random checks done at more and more tourist destinations.  It’s a little bit like saying you don’t need an IDP to ride a motorbike here, you do of course, and unless you are caught, then no-one will know you don’t have one…but getting caught means you have broken the law.  Sanctions are quite clear in the law, for non-payment of the tourist levy, after a warning, you will be banned from entering Bali.

But how can they give me a warning?

Were you impressed with those Smart Gates when you arrived?   Did you have a visa?  Your passport shows you entered Bali… Although, it is not clear yet how they will connect the passport data.  One way would be to simply use the current Lovebali app and when you put in your passport number, it will come up then.  If you choose to not put in your passport number and just try and enter again…well, you are breaking the law…we don’t suggest doing that…as deportation is not a nice way to finish your holiday.

Does It Replace the VOA (Visa)?

No, visas are an immigration matter. Immigration matters in Indonesia are governed under various laws, regulations and circular letters issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights or the DGI, or both.

If I Travel to Lombok And Back to Bali, Do I Need to Pay Again?

The Levy is valid for 60 days, so, unless you stay in Lombok for a longer stay, you will not have to pay again.

If I Entered Before 14 February 2024, Do I Need to Pay.

No.

Do Children Have to Pay?

Yes, currently all foreigner tourists that enter Bali must pay the levy.

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