Indonesia — Southeast Asia
Is it safe to travel to Bali?
Yes — Bali has hosted millions of visitors for decades and violent crime against them is rare. The real risk list is scooters, surf, sun and the volcano on the horizon — all manageable with a short list of habits.
Reviewed 16 September 2026 · iLuxuryTravels Editorial
Bali's visitor economy is among the most experienced in Asia, and the island is genuinely welcoming — serious crime against tourists is uncommon, and the main visitor areas from Uluwatu to Ubud feel easy at any hour. What the statistics actually show is that the danger in Bali is self-inflicted: scooter accidents are the leading cause of serious visitor injury by an enormous margin.
So the first rule of Bali is the scooter. Do not rent one without a licence, an international driving permit, a helmet and travel insurance that actually covers motorbikes — most policies do not unless you are licensed, and the hospital bills are yours. If in any doubt, hire a driver; a car and driver for the day costs about what a taxi across London does.
Beyond that: respect the surf (the Bukit breaks are powerful and the currents honest), drink bottled or refill-station water, use repellent against dengue-carrying mosquitoes, and keep an eye on Mount Agung — eruptions are rare and well-monitored, with clear exclusion zones when active. The monkeys at Uluwatu and the forest temples are professionals; hold your sunglasses.
Bali safety: the questions people actually ask
- Is it safe to travel to Bali right now?
- Yes. Bali's tourism operates normally and violent crime against visitors is rare. Check your government's current Indonesia advisory before booking — volcanic activity occasionally updates the guidance — but the visitor experience is well established.
- Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?
- Yes — Bali is one of Asia's most popular solo female destinations, with a large community of women travelling and living alone. Harassment is uncommon. Standard awareness applies at night in the party areas, as anywhere.
- Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali?
- It is the island's biggest real risk. Only ride if you are licensed, hold an international driving permit, wear a helmet and have insurance that covers motorbikes — otherwise you are uninsured by definition. A private driver is cheap and removes the risk entirely.
- Is the water safe to drink in Bali?
- No — drink bottled water or use the refill stations now common in cafes and villas. Avoid ice in very local warungs; in restaurants and villas the ice is factory-made and fine.
- Should I worry about the volcano?
- Agung is closely monitored and eruptions come with warning and exclusion zones; the tourist areas sit outside the typical danger radius. The main effect of activity is airport closure from ash — another argument for travel insurance with natural-disaster cover.
- Are the monkeys dangerous?
- The temple monkeys are habitual thieves rather than fighters: they take glasses, phones and hats, and they bite if cornered or teased. Keep loose items zipped away, do not feed them, and surrender anything grabbed — the handlers can usually trade it back for fruit.