crime in bali

[kathydee]

I think Bali is rated as dangerous because of the two terrorist bombings. These happened in the past and are not common day experience. I've heard of some crime in Kuta (the party town) but have spent many months over the span of 6 trips and 7 years without ever once feeling threatened.

Quite the contrary, it's perhaps the happiest, safest place on earth ;-).

Prices are jacked up sometimes 10X what they should be in the market place to take unsuspected tourists dollars, but that's honest thievery ;-).

Bali is paradise! Have fun!

 

[Zippsy]

I've been to Bali many times and never saw or heard of any probblems other than the money changers. My advice there is to use only a real authorized money changer, know the rate and charges ahead of time, watch and count your money very carefully, don't move until you are sure you have gotten what you expect. It seems like every crook in Indonesia has moved to Bali and only works money changing scams. Other than that, I love the place and will go back often.

 

[matts1w]

The only issue in Bali is the drunken, knucklehead, obnixious.....well.....I dont want to single out certain demographic that floods Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, etc... The Balinese are wonderful people, and their island is magical. Do not let surf culture and individuals in Bintang tank tops and jean shorts define Bali and Indonesia for you.

 

[photog]

Bali is on my list of safest places to travel, but I still watch out for my valuables. 99.9% of the people may be honest, but there is always that .1%.

I've traveled to Bali since 1990, stay there frequently and have only had a problem one time. It was at a largish hotel in Kuta. Someone came into the room in the middle of the night while we were sleeping (apparently they had a key, we suspect an employee) and took a huge wad of travelers checks. Mosquito's got into the room when the door was open and they woke me up. We saw the door open and the silhouette of someone leaving. We immediately reported the theft to the office and then went back to the room and to bed.

The next morning I opened the door to step outside and the travelers checks were there, neatly folded in a paper, about 2 inches from the door. Would have been a great ad for American Express travelers checks!

Over the years (many, don't ask) traveling all over the world on business and on holiday, I've had a few items taken from hotel rooms while I was away, or from a bag sitting beside me. The latest was my favorite ring - the opal cracked so I put it in with my junk jewelry to take home. When I went to get it out after the next day's tour, it was gone. That was in Scotland in a very lovely boutique hotel.

My opinion: When traveling, you should always lock up your valuables. Money, passport, etc.

On our last dive trip, one of the guests stole things (verified) from the Indonesian divemaster, the ship and the cruise director!

I have never felt uncomfortable or threatened anywhere in Bali. Hmmm.. except by those macaques that hang around the Monkey Forest entrance in Ubud.. watch out if you walk by with food.

 

[vladimir]

Bali does have some crime issues, though all I've encountered in over a dozen trips is a shakedown by the police. I have had some uncomfortable moments though. Read THE BALI TIMES for a few weeks to get a feel for it. If anything, it has gotten safer over the years I've been visiting. I would say that if you avoid nightclubs and Kuta and Legian in general, you have very little to worry about. Which is easy for us divers, since there are much better bases to dive from.

From the current Bali Times:

KUTA
Two Australian tourists were stabbed on Friday night after a confrontation in Kuta’s popular Bounty Nightclub. Two local people were also reportedly injured. Another Australian man and an Indonesian were subsequently charged in relation to the attack.

 

[Allison Finch]

Been to Bali several times. In fact, I just returned from there a couple of weeks ago after spending a month in Indonesia. It is far safer there than my own home town. Count your monet at least three times if you go to a street money changer. Other than that, just enjoy and do due diligence.

 

[matts1w]

Bali does have some crime issues, though all I've encountered in over a dozen trips is a shakedown by the police. I have had some uncomfortable moments though. Read THE BALI TIMES for a few weeks to get a feel for it. If anything, it has gotten safer over the years I've been visiting.

I believe 95% of the crime issues are centered in Kuta. I will concede that area has some issues, especially with petty crime, fighting, and scams one finds in places like Patong Beach, Cancun, and even Key West. Perhaps the craziness of such a touristy is a magnet for thieves and those who prey on naive and/or drunken travelers. I guess my point is that, to me, Kuta and the rest of Bali are very different places.

 

[jake11]

We are headed to Indonesia for our 10th time this coming August! The only problem we have ever had was with those crazy monkeys in the monkey forest in Ubud! They stole my water bottle! HA!!! It is a wonderful place and we are looking forward to some peaceful time getting massages before and after our LOB trip! You can not beat the diving in Indonesia! Go and you will have a great time!

 

[gee13]

Bali is a hindu country and you will find that karma plays a huge part in spirituality. Offerings to the gods are made daily. Children are sacred and considered the medium between heaven and earth. Its a place where smiles are a start to good karma. Its tourism and money that has influenced negative behaviour in Bali however Im amazed at how much resistance there is from this small hindu island to the rest of muslim indonesia. The people remain genuinely friendly, respectful of tourists. Just for comparison albeit a larger population and more urban Florida has had an approx average of 1000 murders per year over the last decade. Other violent crimes 120,000 per year...Puts things into real perspective.

 

[vladimir]

Just for comparison albeit a larger population and more urban Florida has had an approx average of 1000 murders per year over the last decade. Other violent crimes 120,000 per year...Puts things into real perspective.

This does absolutely nothing to put things in perspective. Compared to what? You gave no denominators and no numerator for Bali.

For example, Indonesia has 8.1 murders per 100,000, the United States has 5 per 100,000. That doesn't tell us much about Bali (or southern Florida), but at least it's a comparison, and a comparison of equivalents.

It is far safer there than my own home town.

This is a more useful comparison...for all of those who are familiar with Chapel Hill, or for those who are trying to decide between Chapel Hill and Bali as a vacation destination.