In Bali, as in any other part of the world, there are no limits to how hard you can party, and a wild night can quickly turn bad.
Bali is a bit more open, very friendly, and a little bit carefree. People can enjoy being who they want to be on the island without feeling too much like they are being judged. Even so, the night in Bali may quickly go bad if you let your guard down and indulge in some unhealthy behaviors.
You can meet a lot of people in Bali’s clubs and bars. Locals and tourists from all over the world mix and mingle in the discos and clubs, making it easy to find a friend for the night or someone more serious.
Visitors looking for company don’t need to worry, there are many single travelers, and locals who are looking to meet new people, day and night.
In Bali’s discos, clubs, bars, and even pubs, you’ll meet a lot of young local girls, “kupu kupu malam” (working girls from poorer rural areas of Java), “night butterflies,” and young boys who compete with the girls in some places.
At least in the south of Bali, all taxi drivers, security guards, and street vendors will know where the popular karaoke bars and massage parlors are in Kuta, Legian, and Denpasar, as well as the “Houses of ill Repute” in the narrow back lanes.
Massage parlors that offer Plus and Plus Plus services are now often run online and offer outcall massage services, where the “therapist” comes to your hotel or villa. BUT….
…is illegal in Indonesia. It is also a big business in Bali, like almost any other popular tourism destination in the world; however, like in many countries, everyone turns a blind eye, and tourists aren’t the only ones looking for some action.
Regular customers of massage parlors in Indonesia, especially wealthy males, tend to request what is known as a “happy ending” or “plus services” massage.
While visitors seldom lose their lives in Bali’s red light district (after all, this isn’t Patong or Tijuana), they wake up without their wallet or watches after their adventure, or worse, with a transmitted disease that is difficult to get rid of and much more embarrassing to explain.
Traveling the world can be a risky business. What might seem like a good time at first might easily turn into an issue or a demand for money. Although everything is pretty clear, even the most clueless tourists will know what they’re getting into. Some are cleverer than others. Don’t let your emotions control your decisions and instead rely on your common sense and good judgment.
We read about it in the headlines every day: “Drunk Tourist Urinates on Sacred Temple,” “Angry Tourists Attack Local,” “Tourists Party Loud Till 4am,” ” Intoxicated Tourists Race Scooters Into Canggus Ditches,” or “Tourist Poses Naked on Sacred Tree.
It makes locals less likely to want to talk to visitors, especially if they don’t respect the country they’re visiting.
And it gives us all a bad name.
Even though Bali is very open-minded and the Balinese have a lot of patience with tourists, Indonesia is still a conservative country. People from other places should be respectful of the locals and their culture.
In Indonesia, using or trafficking drugs is similar to playing Russian roulette. If you choose to use them, you may end up in a hospital, institution, prison, or die, just like anywhere else in the world.
Drug trafficking is a serious crime in Indonesia, and foreigners who are caught are either imprisoned or sentenced to death—even with just small quantities.
Although the death penalty is only used in extreme cases of premeditated murder, it is frequently used against some drug traffickers. In 2021, Indonesia imposed the most confirmed death sentences for drug offenses, with 89. Seven of them were foreign nationals.
More than half of Indonesia’s 404 people on death row are there because of drug crimes. This makes Indonesia, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia, one of the most dangerous places in the world to possess or sell drugs.
However, people continue to sell drugs, even in broad daylight, in the Kuta and Legian backstreets. People can buy marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, mushrooms, or whatever they want. We’ve already given you the reasons why partaking in that game is risky. Don’t believe it’s safe to buy and use drugs just because a security guard is openly selling them or because many people are taking them right in front of you.
Too many young tourists in Bali and the Gilis lose everything to drugs: their money, passports, credit cards, sense of reason, control of their motorbikes, health, and sometimes even their lives.
Even though it may seem easy to just throw your bottle of pills into your suitcase when you’re packing, you can only bring prescription drugs into Bali.
However, it’s against the law to bring drugs into Indonesia. If you are bringing medicines that contain narcotics, you must fill out a customs declaration form and show a copy of the original prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining why you need to take the medicine. Medications that contain narcotics must be in their original packaging, and the amount of doses cannot be more than what is needed for the length of the visit.
The Narcotics Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 22/97 says that the following types of drugs cannot be brought into Indonesia:
A letter from the doctor, a list of the medicines, and a copy of the original prescription all need to be translated into Indonesian or English.
Some people abuse prescription drugs because they think they will help them have more fun, lose weight, fit in, or even stay awake all night to catch fish. It may be easier to get prescription drugs than street drugs because family or friends may have them. But sometimes prescription drugs are sold on the street, just like other drugs that are illegal.
You’d think that most people would know better than to buy drugs from strangers on the street. It is a risky business that can hurt the body and mind in a lot of ways. People in places where the average daily income is $5 USD, like Bali and many other places around the world, don’t really know what’s in their pills. It might be sugar or something strange. Even though some party animals are willing to take that risk, doing drugs in Indonesia can get you into a lot of trouble.
The cases of Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine made it clear that authorities would not hesitate to crack down on drug trafficking. Many nightclubs are subject to frequent, unpredictable police raids.
An abundance of “event planners” facilitate illicit activities at private events, such as the supply of drugs, prostitution, and even gambling.
There’s no telling who’s watching or if there are any ongoing investigations, so this could be a bad idea.
“Don’t drink and drive.” is a common phrase that continues to be ignored despite the fact that hundreds of visitors to Bali are injured or killed each year riding motorbikes. In Bali, one of the worst things you can do is get behind the wheel of a scooter while intoxicated or high on drugs whether you cause an accident or not. Scootering or motorcycling alone in Bali is risky in and of itself. Inexperienced drivers, stray dogs, potholes, ditches, darkness, and who knows what else populate the highways. Drunken visitors are the last thing Bali needs.
Even though about 5 million people from other countries and 8 million people from Bali visit each year, the crime rate is low. Most people who come to Bali say that they feel and experience a very high level of safety while they are here. But you shouldn’t forget about your own safety, especially in Kuta, where drunk people at parties are easy targets. Stay with your close friends and be careful by setting limits.
Even though it is against the law, prostitution is common, so tourists should be wary of anyone who offers their services.
Locals who are too helpful and offer rides, Viagra, and other things to tourists under the false illusion of wanting to “help” should be avoided by tourists. Keep your guard up, or you might be conned into purchasing something illegal.
