In February 2024, Bali introduced a tourist tax. The island stipulated that all international visitors would pay Bali tourist tax in order to enter the island. This fee would be in addition to the fee that tourists already pay for their visa.
The tax has had mixed success so far, with the many foreign tourists entering Bali without being aware of the new tourist tax, and the Indonesian government has announced an investigation into the distrubtion of the revenues.
So, let’s take a look at what international visitors to Bali need to know about the tourist levy in 2026.
Tl:DR?
While the tourism tax is contentious, it’s best to pay online before you arrive at Bali Airport. It’s only a small fee, and the Bali Government has pledged to use the revenue to improve infrastructure and tourist attractions on the island.
Be sure to only pay the Bali tourist levy on the official Love Bali app or website. Otherwise, you will probably be overcharged.
The Love Bali App And Website
You can pay the Bali tourist tax online before you enter Indonesia, and it’s very easy to do. The tax is just 150,000 Indonesian Rupiah or IDR (approx. $10 USD or $15 AUD), and international travellers can pay the tourist fee in advance on the Love Bali website.
We offer the full official URL here – https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/. You can tell this is an official site by the “.baliprov” which indicates it’s from “Bali Provincial Government”, the official Balinese government, “.go” an indicator of “government” and “.id” of “Indonesia”.
Please do not pay online on any other website; you risk losing your payment or being overcharged on any other site.
The website makes it super easy to pay the Bali tourist tax, and it accepts cards, bank transfer, QRIS (the Indonesian QR payment scheme) or even by virtual account.
However, if you can’t pay online for any reason, don’t worry. International visitors entering Bali can pay the tourist tax at Bali Airport. There’s a stand after you’ve passed through local customs, immigration and baggage claim. They take cash as well as cards.
Once you’ve paid the tax, you will be issued with a QR code as a receipt which can be scanned at any random checkpoint for the tax on the island. So, we’d recommend you keep this QR code on your phone throughout your holiday.
Does Everyone Have To Pay The Bali Tourist Tax?
No, Indonesian citizens are exempt as well as corporate investors, people on government business (e.g. diplomatic and official visa holders), golden and student visa holders, and those for other non-tourist purposes (such as employment or residence).
However, officially, even these folks need to visit the Love Bali site and apply for a tourism tax waiver. This waiver should be applied for 5 days before you arrive.
Why Does The Tax Exist?
The Bali Tourist Tax officially exists to preserve the natural environment on the island. This is, in turn, meant to encourage tourism and the local creative economy and then result in improvements to the infrastructure for tourists.
In theory, this should lead to a virtuous circle for the tourist tax, with tourists being the main beneficiaries of the payments. It might also help sustain local culture in the face of a tidal wave of tourism.
Bali Tourist Tax Controversy
We’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that the Bali Tourist Tax has had some teething problems:
- Only about 35-40% of tourists have been paying the tourism tax so far – this is partly due to a lack of awareness regarding the issue and partly due to lax enforcement on the ground. There is also some uncertainty regarding penalties for failing to pay the Bali tourist tax. Thus, non-compliance is rife.
- The system itself may have been mismanaged – while the Bali tourist tax has had some cautious support from Jakarta, recently the Indonesian Ombudsman has announced an investigation into the disbursement of the tax revenue.
Despite this, FINNS takes the position that it’s best to pay the Bali tourist tax. It’s a small and relatively insignificant sum of money for most visitors, and it’s better to avoid any potential trouble with the local authorities.
What Is The Punishment For Non-Compliance?
So far, the Balinese government has taken a softly-softly approach to the tourist tax, and while they have set up checkpoints at various popular tourist attractions to check payments, the procedure so far has been to ask tourists to make it right and pay the tourist tax on the spot.
However, the government has suggested that if this process doesn’t lead to further payments of the tourist tax, they may end up resorting to fining or even arresting and deporting those who do not pay.
This last step seems uncertain at the moment as Indonesian immigration (and the immigration office) works for the federal rather than the local government.
FAQs
How Much Is The Bali Tourist Tax?
It’s 150,000 IDR, which is about $10 USD or $15 AUD. This is in addition to any visa fees that you may need to pay.
Is There A Bali Departure Tax?
Yes, but it’s not something you need to worry about. As with most countries, the Indonesian departure taxes are billed as part of your flight ticket; there’s nothing extra to pay at the airport.
Is There A Fee To Enter Bali?
Yes, in effect, there are two potential fees. The first is the visa cost (most visa holders pay around 500,000 IDR, which is about $30 USD or $50 AUD), and the second is the tourist tax of 150,000 IDR (an additional $10 USD or $15 AUD).
Is There An Airport Tax In Bali?
Yes, but as with the departure tax, it’s included in the cost of your flights; there’s no separate fee to pay at the airport for this.
Can I Pay The Bali Tourist Tax At The Airport?
Yes, you can pay the tourist tax at the airport. There is a stand as you leave the main airport building, before you reach the taxi ranks and drivers, where you can pay the tourist tax at this stand.
It is also the only place where you can pay the tourist tax in cash, which can be handy for those who don’t enjoy doing their banking, etc., online.
Is Bali Strict With Passports?
Yes, you are expected to have a valid passport that is in good condition with no damage to the photo page, especially, and which is valid for a minimum of 6 months after your arrival date on the island.
Final Thoughts On The Bali Tourist Tax
While we appreciate that the Bali tourist tax start has been controversial, we’d urge people to pay this small local tax. International tourists are having a real impact on the island’s natural environment, and by paying this tax online, foreign visitors can do their part in trying to improve things.
Also, by paying the one-time fee for the tourist tax online, you can avoid getting into trouble at the random checks being conducted at tourism sites on the island. It’s not much money, and it ensures your trip will go without hassles.
