The Bali Tourist Tax has just been introduced by the Bali Provincial Government and will most likely apply to you if plan on visiting Bali sometime soon.
Bali Immigration is still an evolving entity and its laws and regulations are always changing – even I find myself confused as whether or not certain laws have already been implemented or is still in the approval process.
If you are arriving at Bali Airport soon, here’s all you need to know about the new Bali Tourist Tax.
1. How much is the Bali Tourist Tax?
The Bali Tourist Tax or Tourist Levy costs 150,000 IDR – approximately $15.00 AUD, $10.00 USD, or 9.00 EUR – per person. This tax can be paid online or at Bali Airport.
This is a one-time fee upon entry to Bali and is won’t hurt your pocket too much compared to most countries who do charge a tourist tax – which is usually added on to accommodation costs per night.
2. When is the Bali Tourist Tax effective?
The Bali Tourist Tax is effective as of February 14th 2024.
It seems that this tourism levy will be in place permanently.
3. How to pay the Bali Tourist Tax?
Luckily we live in the age of the internet. The Bali Tourist Tax can be paid online at the LoveBali.BaliProv official website.
This is the official website to pay the Bali Tourist Tax, so beware if other websites are claiming to do so as well. If you’re not a native English speaker, the LoveBali website also offers translations in Arabic, Spanish, German, Indonesian, and Chinese.
You can pay the Bali Tourist Tax online with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and a few other local and international payment methods such as QRIS and Bank transfer.
The form is quite simple to fill out and it should only take you about a minute. It will ask you for your full name – same as your passport, your email, your passport number, and your arrival date. You and your family can also pay as a group. If you don’t know your arrival date yet, I suggest waiting until you book your flight just to be on the safe side.
After the Bali Tourist Tax has been paid, you should receive a confirmation email containing a QR Code. Keep this handy for when you arrive because you’ll need to scan it at checkpoints when you arrive at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. If you can’t find it in your inbox, make sure to check your spam / junk folder.
If you’re out of cash and you need to access an ATM at the airport, here my guide on how to withdraw money from ATM at Bali Airport.
4. Can I pay the Bali Tourist Tax at Bali Airport?
Yes. If you somehow couldn’t pay the Bali Tourist Tax online or didn’t know about it, you can simply pay the tourism levy in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) at one of the checkpoints after entry to Bali.
Bali Airport is currently in the process of installing more checkpoints to make your arrival procedure more smooth.
5. Do I need to pay again if I travel to another island?
So far, no. If you’re planning on a transfer to Gili Islands (Gili T, Gili Meno, or Gili Air) or anticipate a snorkelling trip in Nusa Penida, you won’t have to worry about paying the Bali Tourist Tax again when you return to Bali.
Keep in mind, this might change. But at the time of writing this, there are no checkpoints to pay any taxes at Bali harbours (excluding coming from Java through Gilimanuk) – other than the regular harbour fees.
6. Who does the Bali Tourist Tax apply to?
Generally, all foreigners arriving in Bali must pay the Bali Tourist Tax – regardless of age.
This tax also applies if you are entering Bali through a domestic flight, for example: flying from Singapore to catch a connecting flight in Jakarta to head to Bali. If you plan on transferring from Gilimanuk Harbour, you will also need to pay the tax. So, no, you won’t be able to save $15 by flying to Jakarta first.
Keep in mind, as the name ‘Bali Tourist Tax’ states, this tax only applies to international visitors who are coming to Bali. If you are headed directly to Jakarta, Bandung, or any other city in Indonesia, you can forget about this tax.
7. Who is exempted from the Bali Tourist Tax?
If you are included in the following list, you won’t have to worry about paying the Bali Tourist Tax upon arrival at Bali Airport:
- KITAS Holders
- KITAP Holders
- Diplomatic Visa holders
- Crew of conveyance
- Family Unification Visa holders
- Student Visa holders
If you hold any other type of Visa issued by Indonesian Immigration, such as the Golden Visa, you can also apply for an exemption on the Bali Tourist Tax payment website.
8. Do I have to pay the Bali Tourist Tax?
If you plan on entering Bali and experiencing what this beautiful island has to offer, then yes, you have to pay the Bali Tourist Tax. There’s no other way around it
According the Bali Provincial Government, foreigners who refuse to pay the required tourist tax / tourist levy will be restricted from entering Bali.
9. What is the Bali Tourist Tax used for?
Contributions to the Bali Tourist Tax fund will essentially be used to preserve the Balinese culture and its arts, heritage, traditions, and local wisdom. The Bali Tourist Tax fund is also aimed at protecting Bali’s breathtaking nature – a characteristic that can slowly wither if left unattended.
In summary, both of these goals above will actually enhance your holiday experience in Bali. By preserving the Balinese culture and Bali’s natural environment, you can have the most authentic holiday in a culturally strong destination.
Love Bali is an organization initiated by the Bali government aimed at enforcing the ‘Comprehensive Development Plan’ policy. Essentially, the Comprehensive Development Plan involves cultural and natural preservation initiatives mentioned above.
10. What else I need to know?
That’s it! It’s really not that big of a deal as many people are claiming it to be. Simply put, it’s a small tax to support Bali’s culture and natural environment. I’m honestly not against this tourist tax. If used responsibly, these funds can also help keep the beaches and rivers clean.
Remember this is a relatively new tax and will very likely be altered or changed during the course of the year. I’ll do my best to keep the information on this page updated.
If you’re planning a trip to Bali, consider booking my Bali Airport Transfer with Private Car and Driver. I work with a handful of some of the best Bali drivers who provide Day Tours and Transfers. You can even book your own Private Car and Driver for the day.
If you already have your own itinerary planned out and organized, no worries. I’m glad that this information here can at least help clear the air on the Bali Tourist Tax confusion. See you soon!
