Unlicensed money changers, the wrong taxi driver, contaminated alcohol, card fraud, pressure after a crash and price pressure in a studio: tourist traps in Bali and how to spot them.
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The most common Bali scams
The exchange without a licence
How it worksA small office or a table on the street changes your money. At the end some notes are missing. You recognise a licensed exchange by the Bank Indonesia logo, the words Authorized Money Changer and a QR code. Open the code and check the name and the licence.
WhereAnywhere someone offers to change money without you asking, including on the tourist streets of Kuta and Seminyak.
How to protect yourself
- Change money only where the Bank Indonesia logo and licence certificate are on display.
- Look for the words Authorized Money Changer in a visible spot.
- Scan the QR code and read whether the name and the licence match the shop.
- Count the cash before you leave the counter.
The driver who does not match the booking
How it worksYou call a taxi or book a ride in an app. On the street someone approaches you and claims to be that driver.
WhereOn the street, while you wait for a ride you booked.
How to protect yourself
- Book with a registered provider and check that the person and the vehicle match the booking.
- Do not get in with someone who approaches you and refers to your app.
Alcohol you cannot taste or smell
How it worksYou order an alcoholic drink. You cannot taste or smell what is in it. In Bali and Lombok, drinks have been contaminated with methanol. Cases have also followed purchases in licensed bars, shops and accommodation in tourist areas. Even a small amount can make you seriously ill.
WhereAnywhere alcohol is offered to you, including in licensed venues.
How to protect yourself
- Skip drinks of unclear origin.
- If you feel unusually unwell after drinking, get medical help straight away. Do not wait to see if it passes.
The card that slips out of sight
How it worksWhile you pay, your card disappears briefly behind the counter. Or a phone number stuck on the cash machine sends you to the people running the fraud if something goes wrong. Forced cash withdrawals happen as well.
WhereAt the till and at cash machines.
How to protect yourself
- Keep the card in sight for the whole payment and insist on being there.
- Ignore phone numbers stuck on the machine. Take out only the cash you need that day.
The paper after a crash
How it worksAfter a crash or a small traffic dispute you are asked to sign a report or a so called peace letter. It is an attempt to lock in an agreement on the spot. Foreign visitors already come under pressure over small offences or crashes.
WhereIn Bali, especially when a motorbike or scooter is involved. Crashes with motorcycles are common there.
How to protect yourself
- Germany’s Foreign Office advises against hiring motorbikes, scooters and quads.
- Do not sign anything you do not understand. Get legal advice first.
- If you do ride, wear a helmet in good condition.
The price that rises in the studio
How it worksIn a tattoo parlour, a nail salon or a spa the price only becomes clear once the treatment has started. Or it rises by extras you did not ask for. These cases have increased in Bali.
WhereIn tattoo parlours, nail salons and spas.
How to protect yourself
- Agree the full price before anything starts.
- Get the price confirmed in writing or by message before anything starts.
- Keep your card in sight while you pay. Do not leave it in the treatment room.
Travel Bali with fewer surprises
Which traps matter to you depends on how you travel: solo, with family, on a budget, or in peak season. TravelCheck on iPhone builds your personalized scam report for Bali, usable offline, with Indonesian phrases you can play aloud.
FAQ
Is Bali safe?
Pickpocketing, bag snatching and robbery happen in tourist places, on public transport and in cafés, according to Germany’s Foreign Office. Keep valuables close. The same advice also notes an elevated terrorism risk on Bali, so stay aware in crowds and follow local security staff.
How do I recognise a licensed money changer?
Bank Indonesia requires a visible logo, the licence certificate and the words Authorized Money Changer. UK travel advice adds the QR code: open it and check the name and the licence. Count the cash before you leave.
How do I pay the Bali tourist levy?
The province charges 150,000 Indonesian rupiah per person. Germany’s Foreign Office puts that at about 10 euros. Pay cashless on the Love Bali portal or at the airport or port counter. The QR code you receive is your proof of payment.
What should you watch for with alcohol in Bali?
Alcoholic drinks in Bali and Lombok have been contaminated with methanol. Even a small amount can make you seriously ill, and you cannot taste or smell it. Skip drinks of unclear origin. If you feel unwell after drinking, get medical help straight away.
What should I do with my card at an ATM?
Do not lose sight of your card while you pay. Ignore phone numbers stuck on the machine. Take out only the cash you need that day.
Should I sign something after a crash?
After a crash in Bali you may be asked to sign a report or a peace letter. Do not sign if you do not understand the language and the legal situation. Get legal advice first.
How do I agree a price at a spa or studio?
Prices at tattoo parlours, nail salons and spas in Bali often rise once the treatment has started. Agree the full amount first and keep your card in sight while you pay.
What are the emergency numbers in Bali?
In Indonesia, police are on 110, ambulance on 118 and fire on 112.
