Bali Tourist Scam
Bali Tourist Scam – Tourists traveling to Bali should always be aware of scams and cons. While Bali is one of the safest tourist destinations in the world, with more than 7 million international visitors arriving on the island every year, opportunistic crime and scams do occur from time to time.
There is currently a huge conversation happening online over the alleged extortion of tourists at Uluwatu’s Dreamland Beach. This iconic white sand beach is popular for surfers and sunbathers alike. Dreamland Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Uluwatu, a destination that is seeing an exponential increase in demand from international tourists.
Earlier this week, video footage of tourists being charged to enter Dreamland Beach went viral, and the conversation around the issue is fraught. The video has caught the attention of local officials who have issued formal statements on the matter to help ensure that both locals and tourists are clear on the rules.
In the video, tourists could be seen walking along the lane from the parking spot at Dreamland Beach towards the beachfront. Tourists were stopped by a small group of local people and told to pay IDR 10,000 to enter the beach.
The group has installed a bamboo pole as a barrier to entry and had an old-looking wooden box into which they were collecting the cash. There was no official-looking signage, receipts were not being issued, and they were not accepting card payment.
Head of the South Kuta Sub-District, Ketut Gede Arta, told reporters, “We actually coordinated on Sunday afternoon regarding the extortion issue after it went viral on social media. We don’t yet know the facts. On Monday, village officials went to the location to check, but no one was there.”
Adding “Because we haven’t directly witnessed the illegal levies, this is still a guess. However, regulations must be followed in tourist areas. We hope everything goes according to plan.” He called for the community to slow down with speculation online and hoped that the issue would not escalate further.
The Head of the Pecatu Traditional Village, Made Sumerta, gave further clarification to reporters regarding entry fees for Dreamland Beach. He confirmed that Pecatu Traditional Village, who oversee the management of Dreamland Beach, does not impose fees. He confirmed that in the past, a pay-what-you-can system, known locally as punia, was in place for parking and vehicle security, but no entry fees.
Sumerta explained, “Regarding the extortion, I’m not sure if it’s true. In the past, guests’ belongings were often broken into or stolen, such as motorcycle saddles being pried off. At the request of visitors, their motorcycles were kept safe, and then they were given a small service in the form of a small gift.”
He added, “Essentially, the traditional village doesn’t have any regulations regarding ticket fees; it’s just a donation. Whoever wants their motorcycle guarded? And that’s purely to protect the guests’ belongings, and as far as I know, there’s no coercion.”
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Sumerta shared, “To prevent incidents like this from happening again, we have already approached the Badung Regency Government to have Dreamland Beach designated as a tourist destination. We have written to them several times.”
He concluded by confirming that tourists should not hand over money at beaches or parking lots unless an official ticket or receipt slip can be issued.
Dreamland Beach is one of Uluwatu’s most popular beaches. It is popular with surfers and sunbathers, and is safe to swim.
However, tourists should be extra careful about entering the water, especially at high tide and during tidal swells, as the waves at Dreamland Beach are famously high and crash heavily on the shoreline.
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Bali Illegal Tourist Accommodation
Bali has been on a mission to crack down on illegally operating tourism businesses, especially accommodation businesses, on the island. The issue has been a hot topic for Governor Koster in both his first and now his second term in office.
As 2026 gets underway, it is clear that he will not slow down in his efforts to bring accommodation providers in line.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has issued a summons to Online Travel Agents (OTA) and digital booking platforms that specialise in accommodation to pay their taxes.
According to Governor Koster, there are hundreds, potentially thousands, of private vacation villas and hotels operating illegally by not paying their taxes.
Governor Koster, “There has been a letter from the Minister of Tourism gathering OTA operators, they have been given instructions, and the Bali Provincial Government will also invite these operators, along with the Ministry of Tourism, so that it is integrated.”
He added, “We will organise it so that everyone benefits. Currently, only OTAs benefit, but we don’t. So this is what we need to organise.” Adding “it has to be done gradually, it can’t be done immediately because everyone actually has a role, as long as we create a good system like that.”
According to the Bali Provincial Government, in 2025, nowhere near the amount of tax revenue was generated by accommodation businesses in Bali. While this may not seem like an issue that directly affects tourists, it really does.
Bali’s infrastructure is crumbling under the weight of the tourism sector and rapid commercial and urban development. Issues range from failing waste management systems to widespread traffic congestion, both of which are issues that require billions in taxpayer funds to resolve, alongside state funding and independent investment.
He noted that many private villas and other accommodation providers in Bali did not pay Hotel and Restaurant tax (PHR) in 2025, resulting in a massive deficit in the forecasted provincial budget.
Nevertheless, tax income for the Bali Provincial Government did increase in 2025 compared to 2024.
Governor Koster shared, “PHR revenue increased in all districts/cities, meaning the increase in the number of foreign tourists also increases the occupancy rate of official hotels that pay taxes.
If, for example, they stay at an unofficial hotel, they don’t pay taxes, but fortunately, this increase shows a positive trend in our tourism achievements.”
For tourists visiting Bali, this is an issue to be aware of, since according to figures from the Bali Provincial Government, there are many hundreds of properties operating illegally in the province. This then raises questions like, if a business is not operating within the law in terms of paying taxes, what other corners are being cut in terms of safety and security?
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Tourists traveling to Bali can rest assured, however, hotels, guesthouses, and private villas that are registered members of the Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) must all operate within a strict set of standard operating procedures, both in terms of business management and guest experience.
It is always advisable for tourists to do sufficient research while making accommodation bookings in Bali. It is essential to look at accommodation across a number of booking platforms, social media, and to read real reviews from fellow travellers.
Bali tourists, too, have an obligation to pay their Bali Tourism Tax Levy before departing from the island. The IDR 150,000 tourism tax is a mandatory fee that has been in effect since February 2024.
Payment can be made via their LoveBali app or website, or at the dedicated counter at Bali Airport.
Those traveling as part of package tours may find that the Bali Tourism Tax Levy has already been included and organised by their booking agent.
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Cruise Travel Dominate Bali 2026?
As we settle into 2026, we are already seeing this year’s travel trends come into their own. In 2026, cruise travel in Bali is going to be a big deal.
The Indonesian State-Owned Enterprise, Pelindo, which oversees many of the country’s biggest ports and harbors, has confirmed that 65 cruise ships docked in Bali’s Benoa Harbour in 2025, bringing a total of 140,000 tourists and crew to the island.
Benoa Port General Manager, Anak Agung Gede Agung Mataram, told reporters that the figures for 2025 surpass those of 2024, when Genoa welcomed 56 cruise ships and 107,000 passengers and crew.
Mataram shared, “We prioritize the safety, security, and comfort of passengers.” This is important, especially since Benoa Harbor is due to welcome even more passengers in 2026. Benoa Port, which is also known as the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, is set to welcome 73 luxury cruise liners in 2026.
The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, which has undergone a massive redevelopment, can now receive jumbo cruise ships since the dock is now 500m in length. The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub has already received its first luxury cruise ship of the year. Bearing the Bahamas flag, the cruise carried 3,431 passengers and 1,542 crew to Bali
Bali Maritime Tourism Hub is suitably equipped to welcome this size of vessel and this volume of passengers. There are immigration and x-ray security facilities, currency exchange points, toilets, parking areas, waiting rooms, prayer rooms, parent and baby rooms, a medical clinic, as well as a retail area for local medium, small, and micro businesses.
As current bookings stand, the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub is set to welcome 61 international cruise ships in 2026, 19 of which are considered large cruise ships. The presence of smaller but more luxurious vessels set to dock in Benoa Harbour is being celebrated by port officials.
Mataram told reporters, “Approximately 55,000 to 65,000 passengers. This is also greatly influenced by the number of large and tall ships. There are 19 large and tall ships with an average passenger capacity of around 3,000. Most of these passengers are considered quality tourism.”
He continued, “Based on the 2026 cruise ship schedule, Benoa Port will serve 61 vessels of various sizes and segments from expeditions to world-class cruise ships. This demonstrated the strong confidence of international shipping industry players in Benoa Port’s readiness.”
Mataram concluded, “Benoa Port not only serves as a docking point for ships, but also handles turnaround activities, which involve the simultaneous boarding and disembarkation of large numbers of passengers. This activity has a significant multiplier effect on the port, the tourism, the transportation, hospitality, MSMEs, and Bali’s broader economy.”
It’s not only cruise travel but maritime tourism more broadly that will be a key travel trend in Bali and across Indonesia in 2026. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism recently announced that gastronomy, wellness, and maritime tourism experiences are a top priority for development and promotion moving forward.
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Speaking in late 2025, Gede Budiwijaya, the spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism, told the media, “We at the Ministry of Tourism want to upgrade our priority programs, such as maritime tourism, where we will focus.”
“We will ensure a complete and superior marine product offering, both underwater and watersports.”
Almost all tourists traveling to Bali engage with maritime tourism in one way or another. With so many different experiences to explore, it’s hard to resist the call of Bali’s waters.
From watching dolphins jump over the sunrise in Lovina, to swimming with manta rays in Nusa Penida, through to surfing in Canggu and parasailing in Benoa, or island hopping to the Gili Islands, maritime tourism is the backbone of Bali tourism and is set to soar in 2026
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All above News articles are provided by “The Bali Sun“
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