{"id":1328326,"date":"2026-11-10T13:35:32","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T13:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=1328326"},"modified":"2026-11-10T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T13:35:32","slug":"is-bali-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/is-bali-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Bali Safe? What Solo Travellers Actually Need to Know in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bali is safe for most solo travellers, as long as you plan for the risks that actually hurt visitors. Those are mostly accidents and health problems: scooter crashes, cheap spirits laced with methanol, dog and monkey bites (Bali has been under rabies emergency status<\/a> in 2026) and strong currents at unpatrolled beaches. Petty theft is the main crime to watch, and UK travel advice<\/a> singles out bag-snatching in busy tourist areas.<\/p>\n

We checked UK and Australian government advice and 2026 Bali news reports for each risk below. Then the guide covers where to base yourself and how to meet people. For the rest of your trip, see our Indonesia travel guides<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo by Olena Derebera<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali?<\/h2>\n

A scooter is the riskiest thing most backpackers do in Bali, and the paperwork matters as much as the riding. To ride legally you need your home licence with a motorbike category plus an International Driving Permit that covers motorbikes. A car-only permit or a “licence” sold by a rental agent won’t count. The WHO<\/a> figure quoted by InDaily<\/a> is that over 70% of Indonesian road deaths involve motorbikes or scooters.<\/p>\n

Police do check. In May 2025, Badung police seized 56 vehicles and cited 81 riders, 30 of them tourists, in Canggu, Uluwatu, Kuta and Seminyak, InDaily reported<\/a>. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers. Riding without the right licence can also void your travel insurance, which leaves you paying the hospital bill.<\/p>\n

If you’ve never ridden, don’t learn on Bali’s roads. Lujza Horvathova, Paid Social Marketing Executive at Hostelworld<\/strong>, who went in October 2026, says:<\/p>\n