RULES & TOURIST LEVY 2026

Since 2024 Bali has added a tourist levy and, in March 2025, a new code of conduct for foreign visitors. Between announcements, rumours and the rules actually in force, it's easy to get lost. Here is what concretely applies to your road trip, based on the official texts.

The tourist levy: IDR 150,000

• Amount: IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per entry to Bali, whatever the length of stay.
• Who pays: foreign tourists. Indonesians and holders of an Indonesian residence permit (KITAS/KITAP) are among those exempt.
• How to pay: online on the official Love Bali website (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) before you leave, by Visa or Mastercard; you receive a QR code by email. There are also counters in the airport arrivals hall.
• What it funds: according to the province, protecting Balinese culture and the environment and improving service quality.

It stems from Regional Regulation No. 6 of 2023 and has been collected since 14 February 2024. The amount hasn't changed since. Beware of unofficial websites charging service fees: only the Love Bali site is official.

The March 2025 code of conduct

On 21 March 2025, Bali's governor issued Circular No. 07/2025 on the conduct of foreign tourists. It has applied since publication. The points that directly affect a road trip:

What you must do

• Drive with a valid licence (national or international), a helmet, following traffic rules, with no alcohol.
• Rent four-wheel vehicles from registered rental businesses.
• Dress modestly and respectfully, especially in temples.
• Pay in rupiah and change money only at licensed money changers.
• Stay in licensed accommodation.
• Pay the tourist levy.

What is forbidden

• Entering the most sacred parts of temples, except to pray in traditional dress.
• Climbing sacred trees or sacred buildings, taking inappropriate photos.
• Using single-use plastic (bags, straws, cups, styrofoam).
• Littering, working without a permit, behaving aggressively.

The circular provides for penalties up to legal proceedings. It also mentions being accompanied by a licensed guide when visiting tourist sites; check locally, as enforcement varies from place to place.

Scooters: banned for tourists or not?

No, not at this time. In March 2023 the governor announced plans to ban scooter rental for tourists, but no regulation ever put that ban in place. What is enforced is the requirement to hold a valid licence: in practice, police checks ask for an international permit with category A for a two-wheeler. In late 2025, stricter rental conditions (licence checks, equipment supplied by the rental company) were reported in the press; we have found no official text making them mandatory so far.

Full details in our international permit guide and our scooter rental guide.

Pre-departure checklist

• Tourist levy paid on the official Love Bali site, QR code saved on your phone.
• International permit with the right category (A for scooter, B for car).
• Sarong and clothes covering shoulders and knees for temples.
• Reusable water bottle and cloth bag.
• Accommodation booked with registered establishments.