If you have a plan of traveling to Bali and want to make trips around the island, it will be much better you completely know about general tips in advance regarding “what you should do…!” and “what you shouldn’t do ….!”, especially conducting with its culture and customs, etiquette & behavior of Bali People. Please note that what is considered appropriate conduct or conversational material in your country may be considered rude, insulting or even bad luck in Bali.
What you should do :
- Make copies of valuable documents before making trips around Bali , such as Passport ,insurance policy, travelers cheques, visas and credit card numbers and keep them in hotel safety deposit box
- Always change money at an Authorized Money Changer and use your own calculator before changing!
- If you must change your money in a small money changer, you should always check the rate of exchange and commission (if any) the money changer is taking. The most important is you must double recheck or recount your money by your own calculator at front desk of the money changer staff carefully before leaving the premises as the staff can make used rigged calculator or do any tricks to manipulate you.
- Be careful with your belongings at all times. Crimes can be anywhere and even can spoil your holiday. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe and wear your bag across your shoulders!
- Respect the slow pace of processions when stuck behind one, i.e. don't honk!
- Always wear a sarong and sash when entering temples in Bali
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Be careful if unknown person try to offer his/her assistance, then attract you to focus in one topic of discussion and issue (perhaps this one of badness trick or hypnotism to influence your mind in order you are strongly under controlled the person, then he/she ruin you)
- Be careful when unknown local girl of boy behave very friendly and warm welcome, then suddenly inviting and offering you having meal or drink on complimentary basis. It can be serious risk for you, moreover till make your drunk. Prevent it by refusing the offering with reasonable reasons and diplomatically.
- Be careful when you invite local girl or boy(not so close friend) entering your room and then staying with you for the night. Perhaps your action is very risk as he/she can steal your money or other valuable items when you are deeply sleeping.
- When entering Police Office or other government offices in Bali you must wear polite dresses. Otherwise you will be not honored, even refuse to enter the office.
- Although Bali is well-known with its security, however , it is much better and wisely to consider that crime or badness incident can be anytime occurred without expecting.
- Within 24 hours, when any crime or badness incident happening with you, you must immediately report to the police office on that time.
- You should strongly protect yourself with adequate travel insurance. Ask your travel agency for detailed information.
WhatyYou should not do the followings:
- Never touch people with your shoes or feet, and apologize immediately if it happens accidentally.
- Avoid standing with your hands on your hips as it is seen as a sign of aggression.
- Avoid discussing religious beliefs.
- It is considered rude to look directly at someone for more than a few seconds.
- Don’t touch people's heads - it is very impolite for Bali Hindus.
- Women are strictly not allowed to enter temples or holy places during menstruation. For this, you must respect and honor Bali Hindus.
- Don't enter a temple unless you're completely covered knees to shoulders; you can buy a traditional sarong or sash around the temple or get one free to use, provided at some temples in Bali.
- People with open wounds shouldn't enter temples.
- Don’t step on offerings in the street (walk around them).
- Don’t forget to look and listen while you cross the road. Cars may stop, motorbikes may not!
- Don’t use your left hand to give and or receive something from Bali people as the attitude is impolite for Bali people.
- Don’t use you’re your left hand’s fingers to show someone or anything toward Bali people
- Don’t use your foot to show something to Bali people as it is very impolite
- Do not walk in front of Bali people praying.
- Do not use flash camera or push your camera into the priest's face!
- Don’t take pictures when Bali Hindus are praying
- Don't take a picture of anyone or something without first obtaining permission.
- Never sit higher than the priest or the offerings.
- Don't drink the tap water in Bali
- Don’t forget to take off your shoes when entering a Balinese house
- Don't swim outside sign of yellow & red flags. Don't swim too far out!
- Don’t bring your US$ Bank Notes with series of CA,CB,CF,DB,DH and AB or below year 2000. Those are not valid in Indonesia and or might get difficulties in exchange them and get less value.
- Don’t ...make any scratch, notes, stapler or others on your foreign currency bank note, because neither shops nor money changers accept them
- Don’t drugs as it can cause the death penalty, and there are enough foreigners residing in Bali courtesy of the Government. Prison service!
- Don’t show off your much money or other valuable items in public areas, like gold, for instance as it means you have stimulated a criminal person to ruin yourself. Now all of them are depend on you !! The wise choice is yours !!
