Drug offences can carry the death penalty
Possessing, using, making or trafficking illegal drugs is a serious crime. Indonesia has a zero-tolerance policy and offenders can face long prison sentences or the death penalty.
Local Rules for Travellers
🇮🇩 Local Rules in Indonesia for Travellers
Indonesia, and Bali in particular, combines very strict national laws with local Balinese customs. Drug offences can carry the death penalty, CBD and all cannabis products are illegal, every foreign tourist pays a Bali levy, and on Nyepi the whole island stops for a day. These rules were checked against Indonesian Customs, the Bali provincial government, Indonesia's official tourism site and the UK government's official travel advice for Indonesia.
🚫 Drugs & cannabis
CBD and every cannabis product are illegal
Cannabis and cannabis-based products are illegal in Indonesia, including medicinal cannabis, oils and creams, hemp products, CBD, THC and edibles. Leave them at home.
🍺 Alcohol
Methanol poisoning from drinks in tourist areas
There have been cases of methanol poisoning from drinks bought in licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas. Methanol can't be detected by taste or smell.
🏛️ Public places & behaviour
Sex outside marriage can be punished after a family complaint
Indonesia's new criminal code imposes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside marriage if certain members of either partner's immediate family file a complaint.
🤝 Local customs
Bali: on Nyepi everyone stays indoors in silence
On Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, local custom requires everyone in Bali, visitors included, to stay indoors, turn off lights and make no noise. Bali's airport is closed for the whole day. The date changes every year, so check it before booking.
🪪 ID, fees & documents
Bali: every foreign tourist pays a IDR 150,000 levy
Foreign tourists visiting Bali must pay a one-time levy of IDR 150,000. Pay online through the official Love Bali site before you arrive, or at the counters at Bali's airport or Benoa port (cashless).
Always carry your passport
You must always carry your passport (or stay permit) in Indonesia.
Staying in a villa? Register with the local police
If you stay in private accommodation such as a rented villa (rather than a hotel, which registers you), you must register with the nearest police station. Not registering can be fined IDR 5 million.
🚗 Driving
Scooters: proper licence and a helmet
Only drive, ride or hire a vehicle if you hold the right licence for it, and check your travel insurance covers you. Moped and motorbike accidents, some fatal, have increased sharply in Bali: always wear a helmet in good condition.
🛃 Customs & what you can bring
Duty-free: 1 litre of alcohol (age 21+) and 200 cigarettes
Passengers aged 21 or over may bring 1 litre of alcoholic drinks duty-free, and passengers may bring 200 cigarettes. Excess amounts are destroyed by customs. Personal goods are duty-free up to US$500 per person per arrival.
Source: Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai) ↗
Law, venue rule, custom or advice?
Every rule on this page is labelled, so you can tell what is enforced by law from what is simply polite.
- Law
- Set by national, regional or city law. Breaking it can mean a fine or worse.
- Venue rule
- A rule set by a venue or operator, such as a bath, museum, hotel or transport company.
- Local custom
- Not a law, but expected behaviour. Ignoring it can cause offence.
- Safety advice
- Practical advice from an official source to keep you out of trouble.
Sources checked for this page
- UK government travel advice (FCDO) for Indonesia
- Indonesia.travel (official tourism site)
- UK government travel advice (FCDO) for Indonesia
- Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the source.