As a tourist in any foreign country, there is always some form of risk. In some countries, this risk is much greater than in others, depending on their laws and acceptance of foreigners. Luckily, Bali is relatively accepting of foreign visitors, which means that – as long as you are sensible and don’t break any laws – there isn’t a whole lot of risk associated with visiting Bali. Even if you are staying in your own private Bali villas, it is important to be aware of the following risks:
- Drugs
Although it may be tempting to some people to take recreational or party drugs during their time in Bali, it simply isn’t worth the risk. Indonesia has extremely strict anti-drug policies, which mean that you will face severe penalties for possession, even if you only have a tiny amount of the drug. Don’t risk ruining your holiday.
- Thieves
Unfortunately, Bali is home to a lot of opportunistic criminals. As a relatively poor country, there are a lot of people who would happily steal from rich tourists to survive. You should always be careful walking around at night, especially if you are alone. Don’t leave valuables in plain sight, or thieves will take it as an invitation. Most importantly, always lock your room when you aren’t in it – an unlocked door is like an invitation to a thief!
- Monkeys
Yes, you read that right, monkeys. Although you will probably be fascinated with the sheer numbers of the primates when you visit Bali for the first time, it is important to realise that they also pose a safety concern. Monkeys in many of Bali’s popular tourist destinations – such as in the Ubud forest – are known to be aggressive in their search for food and interesting new items. They often snatch things from tourists – such as plastic bags, handbags, or backpacks – to see if they have any food in them. If you try and fight back, the monkeys can become aggressive and bite or scratch – something no one wants!
- Tattoos
Bali is an extremely popular location for tourists to get their next tattoo done. However, it can also be a very bad idea if you aren’t careful. Many cheaper Bali tattoo parlours aren’t clean, and using them puts you at risk of a variety of diseases. If you do want to get a tattoo done in Bali, make sure that you go for a reputable establishment. It is usually worth spending a bit more to make sure that it is done right.
- Maps/Directions
Although you may have successfully used Google Maps – or some other navigation app – in other parts of the world, you need to be careful in Bali. Apps like these usually show the quickest way between two places, rather than the safest. In a country where road safety is okay at best, you should pick and choose your routes carefully. Alternatively, catch public transport and taxis to avoid driving.
As with any tourist destination, there are plenty of things which can go wrong in Bali. However, it is pretty safe as far as Asia goes, so there isn’t really too much to worry about. Keep your wits about you and don’t do stupid things and everything should be fine!
