Regional and local newswires including The New Daily and Travel Weekly are reporting that in a circular reportedly issued across Bali’s government departments, Governor I Wayan Koster has signed off on a list of “Dos’ and ‘Don’ts” for international tourists visiting Bali.
This list will be distributed to foreign visitors arriving in Bali from June onwards in the form of a pocket-sized sheet or card.
“The card contains what is allowed and what is not allowed to be done in Bali,” say Travel Weekly. The New Daily breaks these down as follows:
When in Bali, Do:
- Respect the sanctity of temples, pratima (Balinese religious symbols) and sacred religious symbols
- Respect the customs, traditions, arts and culture, as well as the local wisdom of the Balinese people in the procession of ceremonies and ceremonies that are being carried out
- Wear polite, reasonable and appropriate clothing when visiting holy places, tourist attractions, public places and during activities in Bali
- Behave politely in sacred areas, tourist areas, restaurants, shopping areas, highways and other public places
- When visiting tourist attractions with a tour guide, choose one who has a permit/licence (and understands natural conditions, customs, traditions and local wisdom of the Balinese people)
- Perform foreign currency exchange at authorised money changer (KUPVA) organisations, both banks and non-banks marked with a licence number and a QR code logo from Bank Indonesia
- Pay using the Indonesian Standard QR Code
- Conduct transactions using the Indonesian rupiah
- Comply with Indonesia’s laws and regulations when driving, including: Having a valid international or national driving licence; be orderly on the road; dress modestly; wear a helmet; follow traffic signs; don’t load passengers beyond capacity; and don’t drive under the influence of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs
- Use official four-wheeled usable transportation equipment or two-wheeled transportation equipment under the auspices of a business entity or two-wheeled transportation rental association
- Live/stay in accommodation that has a permit in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations
- Comply with all special provisions/rules that apply in each tourist attraction and tourist activity.
When in Bali, Don’t:
- Enter holy spaces in temples known as Utamaning Mandala and Madyaning Mandala or sacred places such Pelinggih (a principal shrine of a Balinese temple), except for the purpose of praying; wear Balinese traditional clothes for praying, and do not be menstruating
- Climb sacred trees
- Behave in a way that desecrates holy places and sacred places, temples, pratima and religious symbols, such as climbing sacred buildings and taking pictures with immodest clothes/without clothes
- Litter and/or pollute lakes, springs, rivers, seas and public places
- Use single-use plastics such as plastic bags, polystyrene (styrofoam) and plastic straws
- Utter harsh words, behave impolitely, make noise, and act aggressively towards state officials, government, local communities and fellow tourists directly or indirectly through social media, such as spreading hate speech and false information (hoaxes)
- Work and/or carry out business activities without having official documents issued by the relevant authority
- Engage in illegal activities in relation to flora and fauna, cultural artefacts, sacred objects, and don’t trade in illegal goods, including illegal drugs.
Source: Travel Weekly, The New Daily
