New Bali Tourist Tax Will Go Live Next Week

Starting on Feb. 14, all inbound foreign tourists will be required to pay Bali’s new tourist tax.

The tax, which is 150,000 rupiah (around ($9.60 USD or $12.90 CAD), will apply to all visitors, including children, heading not only to mainland Bali, but also to any of its surrounding islands including Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Penida. It also applies to all visitors, including those coming via land, cruise ship, or airplane.

Bali says the taxes will go towards “protecting the nature of Bali,” including the environment and the culture on the islands.

“The number of foreign tourists traveling to Bali has increased after the status of the COVID-19 pandemic was lifted to endemic. Later, the foreign tourist fee will be used to: 1) protect Bali tradition, culture and local wisdoms; 2) supporting sustainable tourism; 3) implementing quality tourism governance; 4) creating cleanliness, safety and comfort for tourist; and 5) build quality public transportation facilities and infrastructure,” Love Bali, the destination’s tourist board, said when it initially announced the tax last year.

Bali has set up a space on Love Bali to pay the tax—credit cards, bank transfers, BPD Bali Channel, and more are all acceptable forms of payment.

Those paying the tax will need their passport number, along with an active email and their date of arrival, to complete the payment. Bali will also accept payment in I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport or Benoa Bali Harbor for those who didn’t pay beforehand.

The tax is nothing new for the travel industry—over the past 12 months, taxes on inbound tourists have become more and more commonplace with Greece, Quintana Roo, Denmark, Scotland, Amsterdam, and many more announcing either a new or an increased tax in one form or another.