Ramadan is the most holy month in the Islamic faith and Indonesia is a Muslim nation. However, while Bali is a part of Indonesia, it’s also a Hindu, not a Muslim, island.
So, how does Ramadan in Bali work and will it interfere with your holiday plans? Spoiler alert, it won’t upset your holiday at all and our guide will explain in detail why not and what Ramadan in Bali is really like.
What Is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and it’s a month when Muslims, the world over, fast during daylight hours.
That means no food, no drink, no smoking, and no sex too.
The purpose of Ramadan is for Muslims to experience some of the discomforts that are experienced by the poorest and most unfortunate folk on Earth.
Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. The others are the belief that Muhammad is the prophet of God and that there is only one God Allah, the daily prayers (salat) which take place five times a day each and every day of the year, the giving of zakat (charity) to the poor once a year after Ramadan and conducting the Hajj pilgrimage once in a lifetime.
Thus, Ramadan is one of the most sacred obligations of a Muslim.
When Is Ramadan?
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar and thus the date of Ramadan changes on our Gregorian calendar each year.
In 2024, the month of Ramadan begins on Sunday, 10th March and ends on Tuesday, 9th of April.
In 2025, it begins on Friday, 28th February and ends on Sunday, 30th of March.
In 2026, Tuesday, 17th of February and ends on Thursday, 19th of March.
In 2027, Sunday, 7th of February, and Monday, 8th of March.
And in 2028, on Thursday, the 27th of January and Friday, the 25th of February.
What Is Bali Like During Ramadan?
The majority of the people in Bali are not Muslim, they are Hindu. Thus, for most people, there’s not much change during Ramadan.
Local Muslims fast, their family and friends gather at the break of the fast and at the end of the month, they celebrate the holiday which is locally called Idul Fitri.
There are no restrictions for people of other religions and most businesses will be open as normal and operating exactly as normal during Ramadan.
What Is Fasting Like And What Are The Rules Regarding Fasting?
Daily fasting requires self-discipline but it’s not a huge burden and recent research shows this practice of a fasting month, may actually be super healthy.
Scientists say that regular fasting helps to burn weight faster than dieting and the process of fasting may even help us age more slowly!
For locals that fast, you will find that during the fasting month, they abstain from food, drink, cigarettes and sexual activity in daylight hours. (It’s worth noting that “good Muslims” don’t drink alcohol at all at any time of year).
There are exceptions in Islamic law during the holiest month to ensure that anyone whose health might be damaged by fasting can skip the fast and then make up a day at a later date if they are able to do so.
It’s worth noting that people’s energy levels may dip a little during this time, but it’s probably not due to the fasting, but more that they tend to go to bed late after iftar (the break of the fast) and then rise early for a pre-dawn meal before the fasting begins again for the day.
Eid-Al-Fitr, Idul Fitri, The “Lebaran Holiday”
At the end of the month comes Eid Al Fitr (in Arabic) or Idul Fitri (in Bahasa) or simply “the Eid holiday” or the “Lebaran tradition”.
Idul Fitri begins immediately following the last day of Ramadan and then lasts for three days.
It is a public holiday in Indonesia and outside of Bali it is common for the whole country to take a week off at this time (from the Monday after Ramadan to the Monday following.
It’s not uncommon for post offices, banks, government offices, etc. to close for the whole week.
However, shopping malls appear to be less likely to take a week off after the end of the holiest month.
As you might expect at the end of a period of extended fasting, most Muslims will celebrate this time by feasting with their friends and family members.
Famous Lebaran Day foods include opor ayam (which is chicken braised in a local coconut soup), beef rendang, and other street snacks.
Muslims do not eat pork, so don’t expect to find any pork on a Lebran Day menu.
We have a guide to all the public holidays in Bali, if you’re curious about what other occasions are celebrated on the island.
FAQs
Is There Ramadan In Bali?
Yes. Ramadan takes place globally, in fact. Everywhere that you can find Muslims, you will find people who celebrate Ramadan.
It’s one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and every Muslim who is capable of fasting for the month of Ramadan is meant to do so.
Does Indonesia Have The World’s Largest Muslim Population?
Yes, there are more Muslims in Indonesia than in any other country. About 87% of the population practices Islam and that means about 240 million Indonesians are Muslim.
Pakistan, with the second largest population, has a population that is nearly 99% Muslim but has 15 million fewer Muslims in total than Indonesia. India comes in third with nearly 211 million Muslims.
Does Ramadan Affect Tourists In Bali?
Ramadan In Bali doesn’t really affect tourists.
The majority of Balinese people are Hindus, not Muslims and while some of our Muslim neighbours will adhere to this important fasting month on the Islamic calendar, the majority of people here will not.
That means all food stalls, restaurants, cafes, and even bars, other than those operated by Muslims, will be open for business as usual.
Non-Muslims in Bali are not expected to undertake any fasting and may eat and drink as they like.
If you do meet some Muslims you may be invited to “iftar”, the breaking of the fast, and sharing meals is very common for Muslims around the world at this time.
Can Tourists Drink During Ramadan In Bali?
Yes. While it is the holy month for Muslims it’s a month that Muslims celebrate and nobody else in Bali is compelled to get involved.
It’s polite not to drink in the streets in front of Indonesian Muslims at this time of year but it’s polite at any time of year, really. However, at food stalls, cafes, bars, etc. that serve alcohol, you will be fine to drink in any part of their establishment that they serve alcohol in.
What Do Indonesians Do During Ramadan?
Muslims in Indonesia will begin fasting during the month of Ramadan from their morning prayers until after their fifth and final prayers of the day.
This means they will not eat, drink, smoke or take part in sexual activity during daylight hours. At the end of each day in this holiest month, they will break their fast at a meal known as “iftar” and visit relatives and friends.
They may continue to eat sweet snacks until late in the evening during the month of Ramadan.
It’s worth noting that Muslim women are exempt from fasting if they are menstruating or pregnant, though the majority will make up the days they miss at a later date. Breastfeeding women are also given leave not to fast.
Anyone travelling is exempted on the day of travel, and again, they may make up fasting days at a later date.
Old people, sick people and young children are also exempt from fasting, though most will refrain from smoking if they don’t refrain from eating and drinking.
Is It OK To Visit Bali During Ramadan?
Yes, it’s OK to visit Bali during Ramadan. It’s the holy month of the Islamic calendar but for most people in Bali, it’s simply a holiday to respect for their Islamic neighbours as the majority of Balinese are Hindu.
Thus, the most significant ceremonies/festivals in Bali are Nyepi, the day of silence, and the period of Galungan and Kuningan which lasts for 10 days and occurs twice a year.
Does Ramadan Affect Tourists In Indonesia?
Yes. While the holy month is not going to impact a tourist’s experience in Bali, in most of the rest of Indonesia, the month of Ramadan is celebrated by the majority of people.
You may find that in some areas you cannot drink, eat or smoke and that the restaurants and cafes are closed during daylight hours.
It’s also possible that even in some big cities, bars and nightclubs may close for the duration of the month of Ramadan.
In some parts of the country, such as Banda Aceh, you may find that the local police will help to enforce the fast during daylight hours.
It is worth researching your destination in detail if you want to travel in Ramadan and intend to visit other parts of Indonesia as well as Bali.
Are Restaurants Open In Bali During Ramadan?
Yes, while some halal establishments may close for the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan, for the majority of Balinese restaurants, cafes and bars, it’s business as usual during the fasting month.
Given that most people in Bali are Hindu, not Muslim, this isn’t really surprising.
Indonesia may have the largest Muslim population in the world but it is not an Islamic state, and other several other religions have been accorded equal status with Islam under Indonesian law.
How Do I Book A Bali Holiday During Ramadan?
We always recommend that you book any Balinese holiday through the locally owned and operated travel specialists at Bali Res Centre.
They can ensure you have an amazing time here in Bali and if you and your family members are looking to celebrate Ramadan in Bali, they can help you plan your Eid Holiday too.
Final Thoughts On The Holy Month Of Ramadan Celebrations In Bali
Ramadan is the most important month in the Islamic Calendar and there are many Muslims in Bali who will fast for the month until Idul Fitri comes around.
However, for the majority of people in Bali, both tourists and locals, this time of year is simply business as usual in Bali. It’s only if you travel further afield in Indonesia that Ramadan may impact your travel plans.
If you are visiting Bali at this time of year, feel free to drop in at FINNS, the world’s best beach club, where we will be happy to serve you all day long, if your religion permits.
