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Is Bali dangerous? 8 hazards to know
Bali is one of the safest major destinations in Southeast Asia in terms of violent crime, and one of the most dangerous in terms of ordinary accidents. Almost every serious incident involving a foreign visitor falls into three categories: a scooter crash, a drowning on the west-coast surf beaches, or an illness picked up from food or water. Volcanic and seismic risk is real but managed, and rarely affects a normal trip.
- 2High risk
- 6Medium
- 0Low
- 8Tracked
Every hazard in Bali
Ordered by danger level. Each entry is a zone in the Dangers Here hazard database, with the same wording the app shows on the map.
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South Bali — Scooter Traffic
HighDense scooter traffic around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu causes frequent tourist crashes. Wear a helmet, avoid riding at night or after drinking, and never ride a scooter unless experienced.
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Kuta & Uluwatu Surf
HighPowerful rip currents and shore breaks on the west-coast surf beaches drown swimmers each year. Swim only between the flags and heed lifeguard warnings.
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Bali — Food & Water Illness
Medium"Bali belly" from contaminated food, ice, or water affects many visitors. Drink sealed bottled water, avoid questionable ice and raw produce, and carry rehydration salts.
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Bali — Dengue Risk
MediumDengue is endemic and peaks in the wet season. Use repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk, and seek care for high fever with severe headache.
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Nightlife — Tainted Alcohol
MediumLocal arak and cheap cocktails are sometimes contaminated with methanol, which can cause blindness or death. Stick to sealed, branded drinks from reputable venues.
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Ubud Monkey Forest
MediumMacaques bite and scratch visitors, snatch belongings, and may carry rabies. Avoid eye contact, do not feed them, secure loose items, and seek medical care for any bite.
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Bali — Seismic & Tsunami Zone
MediumBali sits on the active Sunda Arc; offshore quakes can trigger tsunamis. If you feel strong shaking near the coast, move to higher ground immediately.
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Mount Agung
MediumMount Agung is an active volcano that has erupted in recent years, closing the airport and forcing evacuations. Check the official alert level and respect exclusion zones.
Bali safety questions
Is Bali safe for tourists?
Bali is safe for most visitors, but our hazard database tracks 8 distinct risks there, 2 of them rated high. The high-rated ones are Scooter Traffic, Kuta & Uluwatu Surf. Most incidents involving visitors come from these rather than from crime.
What is the biggest danger in Bali?
South Bali — Scooter Traffic — Dense scooter traffic around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu causes frequent tourist crashes. Wear a helmet, avoid riding at night or after drinking, and never ride a scooter unless experienced.
When is the riskiest time to visit Bali?
Risk in Bali is seasonal for several hazards. Our database flags these periods: Wet season. Hazards outside those windows are present year-round.
Is it safe to swim in Bali?
We track 1 water-related hazards in Bali: Kuta & Uluwatu Surf. Swim at lifeguarded beaches, obey the flag system, and never swim alone or after drinking.
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More on these hazards
Deeper guides to the hazard types found in Bali.