Bali Etiquette: What to Know Before You Arrive

The offering on the ground is not litter

My first morning in Bali I watched someone kick a small banana leaf square with flowers and rice out of their way on the pavement. The Balinese woman next to me visibly winced. Canang sari — the small daily offerings placed at doorways, on motorbikes, at temple gates, and on the ground — are genuinely sacred, placed by Balinese Hindu women every morning as an act of devotion. Step around them. Always.

That single piece of knowledge shifts your relationship with Bali more than almost anything else. The island has a living spiritual culture that exists independently of tourism, and it rewards respect enormously.

At temples: the actual rules

A sarong and sash are required to enter any temple — available to rent or borrow at the entrance for free or a small donation. Women on their period are asked not to enter (it’s posted at some temples). Don’t climb on temple structures for photos. Don’t point your feet toward shrines or statues. Walk clockwise around sacred structures when in doubt. These aren’t performative rules — people are genuinely worshipping here.

The dress code beyond temples

Bali is not a swimwear-everywhere destination outside the beach resort areas. Canggu and Seminyak have relaxed about this; Ubud and traditional villages less so. Walking through Ubud’s market in a bikini top gets you stares that politely communicate you’ve misread the room. A light linen shirt or sarong tied around your waist is the easy solution.

Locals vs tourists: the ceremony calendar

Balinese ceremonies happen constantly — funerals, temple anniversaries, tooth-filing ceremonies, harvest rituals. If you encounter a procession, step aside and watch respectfully rather than photographing aggressively from inches away. You’ll sometimes be invited to watch from closer up — accept with a nod and stay out of the way of the participants.

What changed recently

Since 2024, Bali implemented a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 (~$10) per foreign visitor, collected on arrival or online. It’s not a visa charge — it’s a cultural preservation fund. Pay it without complaint; it funds the maintenance of the sacred sites and ceremonies that make Bali worth visiting.