Do We Feel Safe Travelling In Bali?

Is It Safe To Travel In Bali?

I’ll admit it — I was one of those people who had safety concerns about travelling to Bali.

Between the government’s bleak travel advisory warnings and the political tension between Indonesia and Australia, it’s understandable for travellers to feel concerned about going to Bali, especially if they’re a parent of dependent children.

The last time I ventured to Bali, I was a confident and adventurous 19 year old, eager to see the world. It was my very first overseas trip, and it was without any family members — which felt incredibly liberating. But since then, times have long changed. Terrorism was rarely a concern.

More recently, there have been issues very close to home. Throughout February and March of 2015, the Bali 9 drug smugglers have been all over the news. Not only that, but due to intensifying political tensions, there have been scenes of anti-Australian demonstrations in Indonesia along with calls of boycotts.

From the outside looking in, it seems to be a very heated, raw situation. It can be very confronting to see a country’s people, brimming with hatred or anger for your own beloved home country. But then I remembered, the news is always full about what’s wrong in the world, because that’s what sells.

It’s important to take note of government travel advisory warnings, but also to realise that even Australia is subjected to travel warnings, some of which seem totally crazy as an Aussie. This news story spoke of how overseas advisories, including in the UK, are warning travellers to Australia that:

“There are still isolated incidents of homophobic crimes. take care when visiting small rural communities”

and

“Australia is prone to natural disasters such as cyclones, flash flooding, dust storms and bushfires.”

and

“There have been some ­serious sexual assaults against British nationals in Australia.”

Aside from some of those things sounding ridiculous, does that represent every person or community in Australia?

No, of course not.

You can see how travel advice can get out of hand, or only be representative of a very small percent of the population.

At the end of the day, no matter where you are the world, bad things can happen. Even in our own backyard, we can get caught off guard — the Lindt cafe siege was proof of that.

Don’t Stop Living!

Don’t stop living your life the way you dream of. Nothing good can come out of living out your days in your own safe little bubble, hoping you wont catch a deadly disease or end up in a terrorist’s path. The chances are very slim.

This was why we didn’t cancel our plans to visit Bali. Yes, I was a little anxious when I arrived at Denpasar airport, but it didn’t take long to refresh my memory about how gentle the Balinese people are — in fact now, I wish we could stay longer!

There are no angry or aggressive faces that you might see on television. There is no hate or judgement in their eyes. You can try to look for it, but you won’t find it.

The Balinese people are such gentle, calm, generous people who love to serve and help you. We’ve experienced nothing but a genuine desire for wanting to make our stay the best possible.

How on earth could you feel unsafe when all you see is peace in their eyes?

What Resorts Are Doing About Safety

Resorts in Bali have taken security very seriously for many years. There are security inspection points before you can enter most hotels, where security guards check underneath cars with mirrors. Security guards walk the grounds too.

We’ve felt completely safe in Bali — not once have we felt the slightest bit unsafe. Because we enjoy space and quieter areas, we’ve tried to stay away from busy tourist areas, mostly remaining inside the grounds of our accommodation. We’ve used resort/accommodation based transfers when we need to get about, else trusted drivers based on good recommendations. But even when we’re out, we don’t feel any anxiety, worry or fear. Only great joy to be here.

If you’re thinking about going to Bali but are worried about safety – you needn’t be. The Balinese people rely on tourism to support themselves and feed their families and they have peaceful religious beliefs. Why would they not want you to come to their beautiful country?

Until you see images on television of Balinese people burning the Australian flag and parading the streets with anti-Australian behaviour, then maybe, you should think twice about going. But, that won’t happen, because that’s not who Balinese people are.

Come visit Bali! You’ll be so glad you did.


In 2015 Kelly Winder travelled the world for 12 months with her three children and partner Doug, she hopes her stories inspire more families to do the same.

9 comments

  1. I’d think that security is an issue no matter where you go. But, no use sacraficing your dreams to travel because of it.

    I’d love to hear how you go with the kids (especially your youngest) and any bouts of Bali belly. I can’t wait to take my kids to developing countries. But would hate to spend half the trip in hospital with tummy bugs!

  2. Hi Kelly,

    I’m dying to go to Bali and was planning to go this summer! I’m glad I read your post because I too was having major concerns about safety but I also don’t want to live in fear. After the recent terrorist attacks there (one just a few days ago) would you still recommend going?! My husband and I are traveling alone and would appreciate advice from someone who has been! Although I would love to explore around Bali I would have no problem staying at a resort.

    1. Hi Kelly,

      Did you end up going to Bali? I am looking at going at easter with my mum but I am worried about the security concerns.

      Jess

    2. Hi Kelly,

      I’m dying to go to Bali and was planning to go this summer! I’m glad I read your post because I too was having major concerns about safety but I also don’t want to live in fear. After the recent terrorist attacks there (one just a few days ago) would you still recommend going?! My husband and I are traveling alone and would appreciate advice from someone who has been! Although I would love to explore around Bali I would have no problem staying at a resort.

      I would like to know the answer to this as well. My daughter who is 29 and I are debating a trip to Bali for about 4-5 days in May 2016, but after reading the internet, not so sure any more….

  3. Thanks for the info, very helpful! I’m a web development digital nomad looking to head to Bali in the next month, and it sounds like a nice place to visit.

  4. THANK YOU !!! For the info but I still have a MAJOR concerns about safety in Bali ! for My daughter and her friends, They’re planning to go in Aug 2016. would you still recommend going?! I would appreciate any advice or suggestion from someone who has been!!

  5. I am looking to travel to Bali in October this year, have been told about all the concerns and now very worried!!
    Is it safe for a 21 year old Female going with a travelling group?
    Thanks

  6. I went to Bali alone and stayed in a small village outside of Ubud in 2011. I worked from home. It was my first trip outside of the United States. My parents were horrified, I was excited yet feared the unknown. I found a house on Craigslist with internet (Even the laundromats have internet there). My transport to the house was arranged by the owner of the house and he spoke perfect english and drove a nice minivan, the house was managed by a local Balinese woman (cousins with the driver) who checked in on me daily. The first night, I walked into the center of Ubud for dinner and to see a traditional performance. AT NO POINT throughout the entire 5 week stay did I feel threatened or unsafe. I spent my weekends in Padang Bai where I met a british inkeeper and his Balinese wife who gave me a room at night, another sweet Balinese family who hosted me on the beach during the day, and a Lombok local now living in Bali who spoke 5 languages and who became my fast friend, teaching me to pray and taking me to visit his “wiseman”. These were just a few of my incredible introductions. Everyone I met was giving, peaceful, eager to learn English, happy to teach me Balinese, interested in my country and our many religions, and happy to teach me about Bali’s peaceful religion. I did go to Seminyak for a few nights just to see what it was about, the whole super tourist area in Bali, it was fine, I felt safe, but it wasn’t nearly as beautiful and interesting as the other little places I spent time. I’ll be graduating nursing school in 2018 and have already planned a month long visit back there with my 2 year old and husband. We’ll be staying in the house of my driver from 2011 in the same village where they looked after me like family. I have NO concerns whatsoever. In all of Indonesia, Bali is the most peaceful. If you don’t want drugs, stay away from Kuta Beach, and Gili Trawangan. They are party areas but they don’t represent 1/80th of the rest of the country. Bad things are bound to happen anywhere. Live!


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