Bali Governor Issues Policy Updates Impacting International Tourists
Bali’s Governor, Wayan Koster, has signed off on policy changes and updates that will affect all international tourists from now on,El.kz reports citing thebalisun.com.
As Governor Koster starts his second term in office, he and his teams are eager to introduce legislation that will help improve the quality of the tourism sector across the island.
Governor Koster has officially issued policies outlined in a document titled “Circular Letter (SE) No. 07 of 2025 concerning New Regulations for Foreign Tourists During Their Stay in Bali”.
This circular letter is an update to the policies outlined in SE No. 4 of 2023, which were bought into effect during his first term in office.
Speaking to the media in Denpasar on Monday 24th March 2025, Governor Koster explained “Several aspects needed refinement due to the dynamics that have occurred over the past one and a half years.”
He continued “This [circular letter] is not just an appeal but will be enforced through integrated supervision involving the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and tourism institutions in Bali.”
He was clear that a new a special team will be formed to conduct enforcement operations for these new updates policies. Governor Koster reiterated that if foreign tourists are found violating the rules, they will face strict consequences.
Above all else, Governor Koster and his government want to ensure that tourists visiting Bali respect local culture and honor the customs of the land.
He explained that the policy updates are a call for foreigners to “Sincerely respect the customs, traditions, arts and culture as well as the local wisdom of the Balinese people in the on-going ceremonies and ritual processions.”
SE No. 07 of 2025 outlines several provisions that foreign tourists must adhere to during their stay in Bali, including:
- Respecting the sanctity of temples (Pura), religious symbols, and sacred objects.
- Honoring local customs, traditions, arts and culture.
- Wear modest and appropriate clothing when visiting sacred sites, tourist attractions, and public areas.
- Paying the foreign tourist levy electronically via the website lovebali.baliprov.go.id .
- Be accompanied by a licensed tour guide when visiting tourist attractions.
- Exchanging foreign currency only at authorized money changers with permission from Bank Indonesia.
- Using the Indonesian Standard QR Code and the Indonesian Rupiah for transactions.
- Complying with traffic regulations, including possessing a valid international or national driver’s license.
- Staying in licensed accommodation and using official transportation services.
- Entering sacred areas (Utamaning Mandala and Madyaning Mandala) except for prayer purposes while wearing traditional Balinese attire.
- Climbing sacred trees or behaving disrespectfully in sacred places.
- Littering or using single-use plastics.
- Using offensive language, behaving aggressively, or spreading hate speech on social media.
- Working or conducting business without official permits.
- Engaging in illegal activities, including the trade of flora, fauna, and cultural artifacts.
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