Will you or your clients be in Bali in the next week? If so, mark 11 March in your calendar. Next Monday, Balinese New Year (Nyepi) will take place on the Indonesian island – and travellers will be impacted by the holiday known as the Day of Silence.
Most significantly, shops, restaurants and all tourist facilities will be closed. Hotels and resorts will continue to operate, but visitors should speak to their accommodation providers to see if special provisions are being made for the day.
Ngurah Rai International Airport (aka Denpasar Airport) will also suspend operations for 24 hours from 6am on 11 March.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website, passengers in transit will need to stay inside the airport during that period, so should check with their airline as required.
Elsewhere, Bali waterways will be closed while visitors should avoid overland travel.
Meanwhile, the renowned ‘Ogoh-Ogoh’ competition and parades have been cancelled this year at the regency level, but tourists will still be able to witness village-level parades that are taking place, local media reported.
Tourists are also reminded to follow local Pecalang’s (village security officials) at all events.
Last month, the Bali Provincial Government introduced a new tourist tax of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (around AU$15) effective 14 February.
However, tourists visiting the Indonesian island are now able to speed through Denpasar Airport after the province officially introduced automated gates in the international arrival and departure terminals.
In February, the newest link to Bali from Australia was announced, with Batik Air launching nonstop flights between Denpasar and Canberra in June 2024.
