Tips for Women Travellers in Bali

Whether travelling alone or in a group, personal safety features high on women’s lists of concerns. And although Bali, on the whole, requires less of an adjustment from ‘Western’ women travellers than other parts of the continent - the mix of cultural influences here ensures a great degree of tolerance for all types of women’s lifestyles - there are some travel guidelines to bear in mind.

Baliblog’s Tips for Women Travellers:

•Personal safety: we don’t mean to be alarmist, but it’s important to remember, that a woman will always be in more danger, when travelling solo, than a man. There is a whole category of people who will hassle a female, who wouldn’t hassle a man. I have traveled all over Asia, and often my personal safety is not even something I think about, when exploring places at night, being male. It’s always safer to travel with someone else.

Don’t ‘look like a tourist’ - There are 2 types of westerners here, tourists and expats. Its better to look like an expat, as it gives the impression you know your way around. Keep your camera packed away until you want to use it; don’t wear valuable jewelry; enter a shop before consulting a map; and don’t open your purse or bag on the street. I try not to walk away from an ATM counting my money, or come out of a shop before I’ve put my wallet away.

Go out at night in groups. Odds are that you won’t have an unpleasant experience, and keeping in a group works very much in your favor. When staying in a guest house / hotel, lock your door when in your room. I hope this doesn’t make Bali sound like the Bronx, it isn’t, but being careful is a good idea.

☯Planning to travel alone? Find a travel buddy at your destination on the BootsnAll Travel Forums.

•Sexual harassment and rape are not too common in Bali, as far as foreigners are concerned. Many foreign women come to Bali looking for a holiday romance. The Japanese lead the pack, and I have on many occassions, observed innocent looking Japanese women, wander out onto the beach, camera in hand, and ask a Balinese man to take a photo. That almost always leads to chit-chat and ‘new friends’. Nothing wrong with that, just saying there is a well worn path, and many Bali beach boys, especially in the Kuta area, are actively trying to get together with foreign women, for the financial benefits. If this does not include you, don’t stress, be polite and say you are married. Many solo women travelers wear a ring, to indicate marriage. Ignore the pettier kinds of behavior (whistling, shouting, etc.), but make a scene if you are ever pressured into doing things against your will, or are being moved from one location to another. If you are raped / attacked, call the Bali Police, (0361) 224111, and contact your consulate.

•Dress code in Bali:Bali in a Hindu island and therefore enjoys relaxed attitudes to things of a sexual nature. Hindu art and Balinese dances, often contain deliberately suggestive material. On the beach you can go topless, without too much to worry about, though nude bathing is not cool.

Out at night you can wear pants, a dress, a skirt, or shorts, no worries. Indonesian women out late in the party scene often wear skimpy outfits, so you can enjoy the tropical climate, and not feel you have to cover up.

One place where you should cover up, is a Balinese temple. You’ll need a long sleeve, non-revealing shirt, sarong & sash (which you can often rent). You may not enter a Balinese temple during menstruation, as the Balinese consider you ‘sebel‘ (ritually unclean).

•Tampons, medicines and the Pill are available at local apoteks (pharmacies), but it’s more convenient to bring supplies from home. If you’re on the Pill, bring enough to last your entire trip (and remember that severe vomiting or diaorrhea can render it ineffective).

•Health care and pregnancy: Private healthcare in Bali is okay; if you find you’re pregnant during your trip, go to a nearby private doctor or hospital for advice. SOS International or BIMC are good clinics, both in the Kuta area. Most large hotel / resorts will have a doctor on call. My wife Ika went to a local doctor in Denpasar, the whole time she was pregnant, and it worked out fine.

☯Hospitals & Clinics in Bali.

Abortion is illegal in Indonesia, however, I know 2 people who have gone to a clinic in Bali, and had one, so ask around if you need one.

•Travelling in the rest of Indonesia:
The rest of Indonesia, with the exception of Jakarta, has way less foreigners. You will find yourself in the extreme minority, when traveling through Lombok, Java, Sumatra etc. While not generally dangerous, there are certain places that offer a higher degree of personal risk than others, including Papua, Aceh, Central Sulawesi. You should research your trip and talk to locals, for the latest news about your next destination.

The rest of Indonesia is either Muslim, Christian, or some variety of animist religion. When travelling in Muslim areas, its good for women to wear a non-revealing top, and long pants, definitely no sexy wear. Now, here’s the flip-side. In Jakarta you’ll find nightlclubs galore, that’s different. All across Indonesia there are whore houses galore, that still doesn’t mean its a good idea for you to wear sexy clothing. Locals will wonder why you are traveling in a foreign land without your ‘husband’, so you want to give them the impression you are just another traveler, so as not to draw attention. In general you will not have any major problems travelling as a female in Indonesia.