Is Bali Safe for Solo Female Travellers? I Lived It to Know
The first time I forgot to lock my door in Ubud, I woke up to sunlight spilling through bamboo walls. The air smelled like incense and wet earth. Outside, birds sang like nothing had changed. For a second, my heart jumped. The latch on my little bungalow had been wide open all night. No lock. No guard. No safety net, just the thin walls and the quiet.
I checked my bag. Everything was there. My phone, my journal, my scarf, all untouched. No one had come in. That moment hit me hard. I sat up, bare feet on the cool tile floor, and asked myself: Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?
I wasn’t just asking about crime. I was asking about this strange, peaceful feeling I had here. A feeling that Bali could hold me, even when I forgot to protect myself. Bali is one of the safest places I’ve travelled solo as a woman. Not because danger doesn’t exist, everywhere has its risks, but because the people, the energy, and the culture wrap you in a kind of safety that feels rare.
Locals respect women travellers. Villages like Ubud and Sidemen have a calm that feels like a gentle shield. It’s a place where you learn to trust your gut and lean into kindness. Still, safety isn’t automatic. You have to stay aware. Watch your surroundings. Say no when something feels wrong. That’s the real answer when you ask, Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, it’s safe. But it’s also wild, warm, and full of surprises. And if you listen closely, Bali will tell you how to keep yourself safe, one sunset at a time.
My Trusted Sopts
Ubud
Waking up in Ubud feels like stepping into a calm dream. The air hums with soft chants and rustling leaves. Streets here move slowly, and people nod kindly as you pass. It’s easy to wander without hurry. I never felt rushed or unsafe, just held by a quiet respect that wraps around solo travellers gently.
Canggu
Canggu pulses with energy, but in a friendly way. Surfers, artists, and digital nomads fill cafés and beaches. Even in the busiest spots, you find pockets of connection. Strangers smile, and I found it easy to blend in and make friends. The vibe is open, and locals look out for each other, making it feel safe even after dark.
Sanur
Sanur feels like a warm hug. The calm beaches invite slow walks, and families gather in parks with laughter and chatter. Local shop owners greet you by name after a day or two. The pace is gentle, and the kindness around makes you feel seen and safe. Walking alone here feels natural and peaceful.
Sidemen
Sidemen feel like the heart of Bali’s soul. Rice terraces stretch like green waves, and time seems to slow down. The locals live simply but warmly. I remember a moment when a villager stopped to help me find my way without asking for anything. It’s a place where safety isn’t just rules, it’s the kindness in the air.
Each place answered my question: Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? The answer whispered back: yes. Stay alert, stay curious, but don’t be afraid.
What I Spent in Bali
Bali didn’t burn my wallet. I spent around $35–$50 a day without holding back.
- My stay near Ubud cost me $18 a night, a private room, jungle view.
- I ate fresh nasi goreng and fruit bowls for under $5.
- Scooters were $6 a day, and fuel barely touched $2.
- Yoga classes in Canggu? $10, with a sea breeze included.
- Entry to temples and waterfalls? Mostly under $2.
I splurged on massages, bought silver rings at the market, and still stayed within budget. Bali lets you live rich on little.
Safety Isn’t About Just Crime – It’s About Energy
For me, safety isn’t just about avoiding danger. It’s about how the air feels when I walk down a quiet lane. The energy of a street, the eyes I meet, the ones that glance away out of respect. In Bali, especially in places like Ubud and Sidemen, I felt held more than hunted. That’s a rare thing for a woman travelling alone.
Warm smiles, thoughtful gestures, and peaceful moments build that sense of security. But it doesn’t mean I let my guard down completely. The real question, is Bali safe for solo female travellers? lives in the space between the spiritual calm and street-smart instinct.
How Bali’s 2025 Laws Protect Solo Travellers
There’s comfort in instinct. But in 2025, when you ask, Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?, the answer comes with more than a gut feeling; it comes backed by law. Bali now runs with a tighter rulebook, and honestly, I respect that. On March 24, right before Nyepi, Governor I Wayan Koster made it clear: Bali is sacred, and visitors need to treat it that way.
Here’s what’s new this year:
- You’ll pay a Rp 150,000 (~$9) levy online before entering big sites like Besakih or Tanah Lot – no pay, no entry.
- Modest dress is a must at temples. Sarongs are non-negotiable. If you’re on your period, you can’t enter temple grounds; that’s cultural, not optional.
- Certified guides are now mandatory at sacred places. No wandering into holy grounds solo.
- Plastic and disposable items are not allowed on the island.
The Tourist Protection Task Force (Satgas Perlindungan Wisatawan) still patrols the big areas, and they’re sharper than ever. They’ve rolled out stronger penalties for scams, harassment, or even just being disrespectful.
You’ll also find mandatory safety checks for scooter rentals and a 24/7 English-speaking hotline if anything goes sideways. Knowing the law has my back helped answer the question again: Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? Yes, not just by feeling, but by regulation.
NB – I saved the number the minute I landed: +62 361 224 111 – Bali Tourist Police. Just knowing that someone’s watching over both you and the island, it shifts the answer to: Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? Yes, by law, culture, and conscious effort.
What Are the Safety Risks of Travelling to Bali?
Theft & Scams: A Bag Saved Me
I was walking through Seminyak’s night market when a guy bumped into me, hard. My heart skipped. But my crossbody bag was zipped tight and tucked in. I’d read too many stories about bag snatchers on scooters. That one move, wearing my bag right, probably saved my passport. Keep it close. Never flash cash. Small habits matter here.
Road and Scooter Safety:
I remember my first ride in Canggu, barefoot, clueless, no helmet. A cop waved me over five minutes later. He didn’t smile. “License?” he asked. I didn’t have one. That day cost me a fine, a scolding, and a bruised ego. Now, I always wear a helmet, carry my international permit, and triple-check scooter brakes before riding off.
Traffic Hazards Are Real:
One wrong turn in Uluwatu sent me down a gravel road that wasn’t really a road. No lights, stray dogs, and a pothole that nearly flipped my scooter. Locals helped me back, but I never rode without daylight again. Google Maps doesn’t know Bali like locals do. Trust your gut. Stay on paved roads when you’re solo.
Watch Your Drink, Trust Your Senses
In a beach bar near Kuta, a guy offered to buy me a cocktail. Something about his grin felt too wide. I smiled, said no, and ordered my own. Later, I heard another traveller had her drink spiked that night. We’re not being paranoid, we’re being present. Say “no” when it feels off. Walk out without guilt.
Health Hits Differently in the Tropics
Ubud was dreamy until the fever hit. I thought it was sunburn, turns out it was dengue. I hadn’t been using repellent. Rookie move. I spent three days shivering under a mosquito net. Since then, I spray up every morning and avoid dusk walks in dense green areas. Bali’s wild beauty needs respect and DEET.
Earthquake Wake-Up Call
I was brushing my teeth in Sanur when the floor began to hum. It grew into a sway. A gentle one, but enough. I ducked under the sink, heart racing. It passed in seconds. Locals stayed calm. I learned later it was a small quake. Now I always check the nearest exit and keep a flashlight by my bed.
My Bali Solo Travel Safety Compass
After seven years on the road, these tips are tattooed into my brain. They’re not just about Bali, but they came into sharper focus here. Here’s what I live by now:
- Don’t rent a scooter unless you’re fully confident, as roads can be slick and chaotic.
- Avoid shortcuts at night, even if Google Maps insists.
- Carry a sarong to cover up when visiting temples.
- Don’t drink more than you can protect yourself from.
- If someone feels off, they are. Walk away.
Because when you keep asking, Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? You also start asking, How can I be safer in myself?
What I’d Tell the Old Me
To the girl booking her first ticket in doubt, you don’t have to be fearless. You just have to begin. You’ll learn to listen to yourself. And Bali? Bali will meet you where you are. It won’t promise perfection. But it will offer peace.
So, if someone asks me today, Is Bali safe for solo female travellers? I say: yes. For the prepared, the mindful, and the brave-hearted. And if you’re all three? You’ll be more than fine.
Turning Bali from ‘What If’ into ‘Why Not’
I didn’t come to Bali fearless, I came with doubts tucked beside my passport and a bag full of what-ifs. But Bali met me gently, one sunrise at a time. I found confidence between waterfalls and roadside warungs, in quiet moments and bold ones too.
No place is perfect, but some places quietly remind you how strong you truly are. Bali did that for me. So, if you’re still wondering, is Bali safe for solo female travellers? I’ll say this: the stories waiting here are louder than the fear. Trust your gut. Take the leap. Bali has a way of catching you.
