Tour & Activity Scams in Bali, Indonesia
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Bali — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Lombok, Palawan, and Mandalay.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
4
Tour & Activities Scams
15
Total in Bali
How it works
Near popular temples, strangers claim tourists need to buy offerings or perform a ritual cleansing for good luck. The "ceremony" costs far more than disclosed upfront, and refusal is met with guilt-tripping or mild harassment.
How it works
The monkeys at Uluwatu Temple are trained to steal glasses, hats, phones, and bags from tourists. "Handlers" then appear offering to retrieve your item — for a fee.
How it works
Men stationed outside popular temples such as Tanah Lot and Uluwatu claim tourists must rent a sarong from them to enter, charging 50,000–100,000 IDR. Most temples provide free sarongs at the official entrance as part of the standard admission process.
How it works
Men stationed outside popular temples such as Tanah Lot and Uluwatu claim tourists must rent a sarong to enter and charge 50,000–100,000 IDR. Most temples provide free sarongs at the official entrance as part of the admission process. These individuals are not temple staff.
See all scams in Bali
15 total warnings across all categories