Bali is one of those places that seem designed for couple photos: terraced rice fields stepping down the hillside like green stairs, temples among palm trees, misty mornings and postcard sunsets. It is also an island with a lot of nightlife, a lot of tourism and laws that have changed. This guide tells you the lovely part and what official advisories say, which is what keeps a dream trip from ending in an emergency room or a police station.
The island you want to see
The cover shows the rice terraces of Ubud, Bali's green cultural heart, where temples, workshops and paths between fields come together. The coast offers a different mood, more beachy and lively. The sensible approach is to pick a base area to suit the plan and not try to cover the whole island in a week: roads are slow. If you are building a regional route, see also Singapore or the mainland cities.
The criminal code and cohabitation
The UK FCDO (consulted in November 2026) states that, under the new criminal code, cohabitation and sex outside marriage carry penalties if certain close family members of either person file a complaint. Many couples do not know this. We do not dramatise: the advisory itself ties it to a complaint from family. But it is worth knowing, being discreet and checking your own government's information.
Drugs: not a party island without consequences
The advice is clear: possessing, using, making or trafficking drugs is a serious offence with zero tolerance, with long prison sentences or even the death penalty; all cannabis products are illegal, including CBD and edibles. Police may require urine or blood tests if they suspect use, and a positive result leads to arrest. It warns that some venues offer drugs as free samples and that raids are frequent, especially in Bali, at places popular with foreigners.
Methanol and drinks
Alcohol adulterated with methanol has caused deaths and serious illness, even at licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas. It cannot be detected by taste or smell. If you or your partner show symptoms after drinking, seek urgent medical help. In general, be wary of suspiciously cheap deals and dubious cocktails.
Safety on the island
The advice notes high rates of reported rape and sexual assault in Bali and Lombok, drink spiking in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands, and cases of tourists assaulted or robbed after going to a room with strangers. Bag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in busy areas. There are also scams: card fraud, unlicensed money changers (use only those showing the Bank of Indonesia logo and a QR code) and tattoo, nail and spa scams. Always agree the price beforehand.
Traffic: the biggest threat
Road discipline is poor and motorbike accidents, some fatal, have risen sharply. Wear a good-quality helmet, carry an international permit (UK licences are not valid) and, if there is an accident, wait for police at the scene: foreigners can face extortion even after minor accidents.
Nature and health
Earthquakes are regular, tsunamis can reach the coast within minutes and volcanoes can erupt without warning, with exclusion zones that change. Tap water is unsafe. There are street dogs and a rabies risk: if bitten or scratched, seek medical help immediately. Dengue and malaria are also listed. Take out insurance with medical evacuation, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
Nyepi and respect
During Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, there is a day of silence when people stay indoors, lights go off and the international airport closes; emergency services and hospitals keep running. If it coincides with your trip it is an experience, but you must plan for it.
What we do not publish
We list no lifestyle venues in Bali: we could not verify any with a live official website, and the Indonesian legal framework calls for caution. This page is an honest travel guide for couples, not a directory.
A couple's plan, step by step
So that Bali does not become a string of improvised decisions, we suggest a simple method. First, sit down together with your own country's official advice and this page, and note three things: what you want to experience, what worries you and what limits each of you has. Second, divide your time: days of rice terraces and temples, beach days and at least one day with no scooter and no schedule. Third, agree before going out on a signal for changing plans without explanations, and a meeting point in case you get separated. Fourth, save your embassy's phone number, the emergency number and your accommodation's address on your phone and on paper. Fifth, check your insurance: it should cover medical care, evacuation and the activities you plan to do.
At BarSwinger we believe travelling as a couple is, above all, communication and consent: deciding together, stopping when either of you asks and not doing anything just because "that is how it is done here". That attitude is worth more than any guide and is what turns Bali into a lovely memory instead of an anecdote with a bad ending.
Before you book: three checks
The first is the date: compare the weather and the official advisories in the weeks before, because conditions change. The second is accommodation: choose one with an official website, a clear policy and recent reviews from sources you can verify. The third is the contingency budget: set aside an amount for an extra transfer, a medical consultation or a flight change. If any of the three fails, it is better to adjust the plan than to improvise on the way. If anything on this page has changed by the time you travel, trust the latest official information and, if you write to us, we will correct it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to share a room if we are not married? The criminal code provides penalties if certain relatives file a complaint; the advisory puts it that way. Check your government's advice before travelling.
What if I suspect a drink is adulterated? Do not drink it and, if you have symptoms, see a doctor urgently: methanol cannot be detected by taste.
Can I ride a motorbike? You need an international permit and a helmet; accidents are frequent and insurance may not cover you without a valid licence.
