North Bali Vacation
North Bali Vacation Is Easier Than Ever For Adventurous Tourists
Tourists traveling to Bali are being actively encouraged to explore lesser-visited regions of the province. As leaders encourage holidaymakers to look further afield than destinations like Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu, travellers are in need of a little guidance on how to place an adventure in emerging destinations on the island.
North Bali is home to an incredible range of destinations, both coastal and jungle-clad. However, as the north of Bali is notably less developed for tourism than the central south, we have gather together all the best hints and tips to help you create the best travel itinerary for your upcoming trip and to understand the lay of the land round these parts.
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Bali Rejects Casino Development
Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that he has rejected a multi-million dollar offer to open a casino on the island.
Gambling is illegal throughout Indonesia, including in Bali. Despite this, over the years, a number of international investors have made tentative steps to create conditions where an exclusive casino would be permitted.
Speaking to reporters, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster confirmed that he firmly rejects any notions of building a casino in Bali. He told reporters, “Bali’s future is at stake in our culture-based tourism in Bali.”
He added, “Bali must be strong, sturdy, principled, don’t be easily swayed by temptations like doing this, doing that, don’t do it, we just stick to our culture.”
There is a prevailing belief amongst many leaders in Bali that creating policy changes that would allow gambling activities to be conducted with a strictly controlled license in an exclusive venue would be one concession too far.
Governor Koster noted that Bali is “Only one in the world based on culture, so because of that, there is no rival. We will continue to win the culture-based tourism battle.
That’s all, so in the future, never waver about this culture.”Governor Koster’s statements were echoed by Bali Senator Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, who gave his backing to the provincial leader’s commitment to prioritizing Balinese culture.
Though he shared that there could be benefits to legalising or decriminalizing gambling, in some cases. He alluded to hopes that in the long term, a casino could be established in an area of Bali in need of an economic boost.
Governor Koster revealed that he has rejected offers from investors to build a casino in Bali that would be projected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the province.
He shared, “I was promised that if a casino opened in Bali, it would generate IDR 100 trillion in revenue. The figure is indeed IDR 100 trillion, but if we take a wrong step, we could lose more than IDR 100 trillion and threaten Bali’s future.”
He also confirmed that he has rejected applications to develop a racing track circuit in Bali, like that established in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. He stated that he had rejected the requests not only due to the lack of space in Bali, but also to help preserve Balinese values and community interests.
Senator Linggih shared, “I agree to maintain cultural tourism. Maybe Tajen [cockfighting] can be legalized then. Considering the new Criminal Code that recognizes the living law and the Bale Kerta Adhyaksa Regional Regulation that was passed before is also based on the living law that applies in Bali.”
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He noted that Bali Police have been clear that they do not wish for gambling to be legalised or decriminalized in Bali, though Senator Linggih suggests that by implementing strategic policies on the practice, any grey areas or underground gambling activities could become safer and easier to surveil.
Senator Linggih shared, “Actually, it’s simple; if it can’t be eradicated, it’s better to arrange it. I support 1,000 percent eradication. But if you can’t, you have to think about how to arrange it. Don’t leave it gray and be exploited by people.”
Despite Governor Koster’s clear statements that a casino is not the way forward, Senator Linggih told reporters that the projected long-term economic and social benefits to the Balinese people must remain under consideration.
He shared, “I certainly hope for a commitment from any investors to ensure that 50 percent of the management is Balinese. This way, we won’t just be employing lower-level employees, but also middle- and upper-level employees.”
He added, “It’s very easy to control that. Tax money from these casinos could help law enforcement eradicate online gambling, which is destroying our children.”
Bali Police To Level Up English Skills
Dozens of police officers in Bali are to be given English language training to help them better serve in tourism hotspots.
Bali Police have confirmed that an English language training day was held last week and are hopeful that this will increase the safety and comfort of top tourism resorts for international visitors.
Bali Regional Police have held an English language training as part of ongoing efforts to improve police services, but also crack down on unruly, criminal, and disrespectful foreigners on the island. The training was held at the Bali Regional Police Precision Building on WR Supratman Street on Friday, 8th August.
The training is described as “a form of Bali Regional Police’s readiness in facing task challenges in the Bali region, which is an international tourist destination”.
The workshop was opened by the Bali Police Chief, Inspector General of Police Daniel Adityajaya, and attended by the Deputy Chief of the Bali Police, Brigadier General of Police Komang Sandi Arsana, and other top officials of the Bali Regional Police.
Inspector General Adityajaya explained to the officers in attendance that the high level of interaction between local people and foreign tourists must be accompanied by coherent and effective communication skills. He noted how this is an important part of providing services, protection, and maintaining public security and order.
He shared, “As a world tourist destination, Bali needs police officers who are not only professional, but also able to communicate well with foreign tourists. This training is a strategic step to answer these needs.”
Adding “The hope is to improve the quality of human resources in the Bali Regional Police environment, so that the service to the community, especially foreign tourists, is more optimal and at an international standard.”
Bali is on a longstanding mission to crack down on criminal behaviours and cultural disrespect from tourists, holidaymakers, digital nomads, expats, and international business visitors. This effort is being coordinated across agencies, from the provincial government to the tourism board, to the provincial police, immigration teams, and even local pecalang village security.
Just last week, the Indonesian Minister for Immigration, Agus Andrianto, confirmed that he had ordered the deployment of the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force, known as Satgas.
Minister Andrianto told reporters, “The establishment of this Immigration Patrol Task Force is a follow-up from the President’s direction to ensure stability and security in Bali as one of Indonesia’s main tourist destinations.”
Minister Andrianto explained that the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force will be formed of a team of 100 on-the-ground officers who will be available to provide a rapid response to any foreigner reported to be breaking the law, disturbing public order, or disrespecting local culture.
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The officers will also be deployed wearing security vests, sometimes known as stab vests, and wearing body cams.
The officers on deployment have access to official immigration department vehicles, including motorcycles, to conduct their patrols. The teams will be deployed across ten strategic locations within the jurisdiction of the Ngurah Rai and Denpasar Immigration Offices.
Minister Andrianto also revealed where these patrols will be taking place. In North Kuta, the immigration police units will be deployed in Canggu, Seminyak, and Kerobokan.
In Denpasar, teams will be conducting patrols around Sanur’s Matahari Terbit Beach and Benoa. In Pecatu, officers will be deployed to patrol around Uluwatu Beach and at Bingin Beach, and down to Mertasari Beach. Patrols will be conducted in the resort area of Kuta, Nusa Dua, and throughout Ubud.
In the weeks after his inauguration into his second term in office, Bali Governor Wayan Koster made it clear that over the next four years, he will be taking a ‘no mercy’ approach to foreigners found to be engaging in criminal activity, disturbing public peace, or disrespecting local culture.
Bali’s Immigration Patrol Teams
Bali’s new immigration patrol units have been spotted on deployment in the popular tourist resort of Legian.
In early August, the Indonesian Minister for Immigration announced that he had ordered the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force to get to work cracking down on unruly foreigners on the island.
Bali is on track to welcome more than 6.5 million international arrivals by the end of 2025. Current projections suggest that the province could be on track to smash tourism targets and have yet another record-breaking year.
While the vast majority of international tourists to the island are law-abiding and culturally respectful, leaders in Bali have long been concerned about the rising number of foreigners found to be engaging in crime, flouting immigration laws, and disrespecting local culture.
In fact, due to the apparent soaring number of immigration violations recorded in Bali Province during the first quarter of the year, the Indonesian Immigration was prompted to totally change the way in which tourists and social visa holders extend their visas. Between January and April 2025, 1,620 immigration violations were recorded, representing a more than 36% increase from the same period in 2024.
Post-pandemic, it has become possible to extend most visitor and social cultural visas totally online. However, in light of Indonesian Immigration wishing to keep closer tabs on foreigners on the island, the new Hybrid Application System is in place.
The new visa extension system came into effect on the 29th May 2025 and is applicable to both the visa on arrival and e-visa on arrival categories.
The process now requires extension applicants to register their extension application online first, then visit their closest immigration office in person no more than 2 working days after their online registration for travel document checks and biometrics.
The visa extension application process is just one of many steps that the Indonesian Immigration is taking to help level up security and ensure that all foreigners on the island are obeying the rules.
It was announced in early August by the Indonesian Minister for Immigration, Agus Andrianto, that the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force, known as Satgas, would be deployed across strategic spots in Bali’s busiest tourism areas.
These officers have been tasked with ensuring public order and following up on any potential visa violations. Immigration officers will have a specific focus on foreigners who are working illegally, conducting illegal business, disrupting public order and peace, or engaging in criminal activity. Officers are recognisable by their black uniforms and protective vests, which also now feature body cams.
Officers will be conducting patrols on foot, as seen earlier this week in the popular resort of Legian, as well as with motorcycles and official immigration cars.
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Minister Andrianto confirmed that the deployment of the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force came with the blessing of President Prabowo Subianto. Minister Andrianto explained, “The establishment of this Immigration Patrol Task Force is a follow-up from the President’s direction to ensure stability and security in Bali as one of Indonesia’s main tourist destinations.”
The teams will be deployed across ten strategic locations within the jurisdiction of the Ngurah Rai and Denpasar Immigration Offices.
In North Kuta, teams will be deployed in Canggu, Seminyak, and Kerobokan. In Denpasar, teams will be deployed around Sanur’s Matahari Terbit Beach and Benoa.
Down on the Bukit, officers will conduct patrols in Uluwatu Beach and in Bingin Beach, as well as Mertasari Beach. Patrols will be conducted in the resort area of Kuta, Nusa Dua, and throughout Ubud.
The moves by Indonesia’s Immigration to show more of a public presence and proactive response to potential violations are echoed by the Bali Provincial Government’s commitment to show ‘no mercy’ to foreigners found to be breaking the law and disrespecting local culture.
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All above Bali News” articles are provided by The Bali Sun
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