On Being a Good Guest in Bali: A Few Customs Worth Knowing Before Your Honeymoon
The first thing many visitors notice in Bali is not the beaches or the rice fields. It is the offerings. Small baskets of flowers on the pavement, incense smoke drifting from a shrine at a petrol station, a ceremony procession that brings traffic to a gentle halt. Religion and daily life are woven so tightly together here that it is almost impossible to separate them.
For a couple arriving on honeymoon, this is part of the magic. It also means a little knowledge goes a long way. None of the customs below are complicated, and the Balinese are famously patient with visitors. But understanding them turns you from a tourist watching the island into a guest taking part in it.
Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, yet Bali is overwhelmingly Hindu. Balinese Hinduism is its own distinctive tradition, mixing Hindu, Buddhist and older animist beliefs, with a strong focus on balance between people, nature and the spiritual world. That idea of balance explains a lot of what you will see: offerings for good spirits and for troublesome ones, temples in the mountains and by the sea, ceremonies to mark almost every stage of life.
The small palm-leaf offerings you see everywhere are called canang sari. They are placed several times a day, and once they are on the ground, they have served their purpose. Still, try not to step on them deliberately. If one is in your path, walk around it. If you accidentally nudge one, do not panic; nobody will be upset, but a quick apology is appreciated.
Temples are active places of worship, not museums, and the etiquette follows from that. Legs are covered with a sarong and a sash, which most temples provide at the gate. Shrines and walls are not for climbing, however good the photo would be. You should never stand higher than a priest, and when sitting, keep your feet from pointing towards a shrine. If a ceremony is under way, keep a respectful distance and ask your guide whether photographs are appropriate.
Traditionally, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter temples. Visitors are not checked, of course, and this is a matter of personal respect. Many travellers simply choose to stay outside or visit on another day.
In Balinese culture, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body, so avoid touching anyone’s head, including children’s, however friendly the gesture. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean, so use your right hand to give or receive money and objects, or both hands together as a sign of extra respect. Pointing with your finger can feel rude; locals often gesture with an open hand or the thumb instead.
You are on your honeymoon, and nobody expects you to act like strangers. Holding hands is completely fine everywhere. In tourist areas, a quick kiss will not raise an eyebrow. In villages, temples and traditional markets, though, more reserved behaviour is appreciated. Save the extended romance for the villa. It is prettier there anyway.
You will very likely see a ceremony during your stay. Processions of people in white and gold, carrying offerings on their heads, sometimes accompanied by gamelan music, are a common sight. Roads may be temporarily closed. Accept the delay with a smile; it is one of the most beautiful things you will see on the island.
If you are invited to watch or join a family ceremony, it is a real honour. Dress modestly, follow your host’s instructions, and consider bringing a small gift such as fruit or sweets.
Once a year, usually in March, Bali stops completely for Nyepi, the Balinese New Year. For twenty-four hours, no one is allowed on the streets, the airport closes, lights are kept low and noise is kept to a minimum. Hotels continue operating for guests inside their grounds. The night before is the opposite: noisy parades of giant ogoh-ogoh effigies, which are then burned to drive away evil spirits.
If your honeymoon overlaps with Nyepi, do not worry. Many couples find it one of the most memorable experiences of their trip: a whole island in silence, and a night sky full of stars. Just check the date when booking flights.
Bargaining is normal at markets and small shops, but keep it friendly and remember that a small amount to you may matter a great deal to the seller. Fixed-price shops, restaurants and hotels do not bargain. Many restaurants add a service charge; where they do not, rounding up or leaving a small tip is welcome. Drivers and guides generally appreciate a tip at the end of the day.
A few words of Indonesian, which almost everyone speaks, earn warm smiles out of all proportion to the effort: terima kasih for thank you, selamat pagi for good morning, tidak, terima kasih for a polite no thanks to a street seller, and berapa? when you want to know how much. In Balinese, suksma means thank you and is a lovely surprise for locals to hear from visitors.
Balinese people are generally happy to be photographed, but always ask first, especially during ceremonies and in villages. A smile and a gesture towards your camera is usually enough. Drones are restricted in many areas, including near temples and the airport, so check the rules before flying one, and never fly over a ceremony.
The easiest way to understand all this is to spend a day with a Balinese guide who can explain what you are seeing as it happens. Some honeymoon itineraries include a temple visit with a short cultural briefing built in, which is a gentle introduction before you explore on your own. To see how those guided cultural days are usually arranged within a honeymoon plan, see details of a typical itinerary and adapt it to your interests.
Respect, curiosity and a smile will cover almost every situation. The island will give you the rest.