Bali crime/kidnappings. Fact or fiction?

Posted by axptguy38 (575 days ago)

Note before we start: I don't want to be alarmist. I am just looking for some info.

While I realize that no place is 100% safe, there are news stories and websites about Bali that do make you wonder. http://www.fugly-bali.org/crime.html. There is also this travel advisory: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/Indonesia

So is Bali safe? Should one avoid hotels and/or villas? Is it safe for kids? Given the enormous amount of tourism, I doubt it can be that dangerous, but I have been known to be wrong.

Anyone have any more information/rumors/anecdotes/opinions?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by Scuba_Diver (563 days ago)

Axptguy38, I just came back from Bali and stayed in Grand Hyatt Hotel Nusa Dua. I was also worried of going to Bali and the first thing that I asked the hotel driver when I arrived Bali is about the safety issue. The driver told me that it is safe to stay in Nusa Dua area which houses most of the 5 star hotels since the land is owned by the government - it has 2 security. 1st is when you enter Nusa Dua which is provided by the government and 2nd is before you enter the hotel. So far I feel safe when I was in Bali.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by axptguy38 (563 days ago)

Thanks Scuba_Diver.

To be fair I have heard lots of people say they have been to Bali, and not one has mentioned any problems. No place is completely safe I suppose but Bali doesn't seem to be full of robberies and kidnappings exactly.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by RachRobin (563 days ago)

I have been to Bali a few times over the past 15 years.
Avoid Kuta at all costs, not because it's dangerous, it's just the skankiest, ugliest area that attract degenerates (I'm talking mainly tourists by the way!)

I would put Bali on a par with Koh Samui or similar.....keep your wits about you, check your money carefully if you exchange it anywhere, use the hotel safe for valuables.
In terms of crime/culture, obviously we are a little spoilt living in HK, and it's easy to get used to. There are more scams, shopkeepers and hawkers are pushy (a lot more than Ko Samui!). I'm sure a few bad things happen to young adults on their first overseas trip when they party too hard and their judgement is impaired!
Taxi drivers seem very trustworthy and all hotels etc. have round the clock security.
The Balinese people are just lovely and they love kids. There is a beautiful culture there (mainly Buddhist) and a relaxed pace.

By the way, the Australian smarttraveller website has had the Indonesian warning up for at least the past 4 years from memory. If you google 'bali travel forum' you will find a website that can provide some additional info in forum form.

Have a great holiday - I wish it was me!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (563 days ago)

Thanks very much RachRobin. Sounds just like your usual tourist spot then. That we can handle.

We have booked a (hopefully) nice villa in Oberoi. We're not really into going out on the town anyway except for the occasional dinner. We're just looking to spend a relaxing couple of weeks with our daughters. I plan to sit on my posterior and read books much of the time. (We're not the most exciting of people I guess). So hopefully we can avoid the worst of the scammers and hawkers.


"I'm sure a few bad things happen to young adults on their first overseas trip when they party too hard and their judgement is impaired!"

Heck, they don't have to go overseas for that. ;)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mr Cynical (563 days ago)

Bali is not dangerous. Samui yes, I was told by the GM of a top hotel in Bangkok that the reason you see relatively few 5 star international brands in samui is because the island is run by gangsters and they simply do not want to have to do business with those people. Further I was told by the GM of a top hotel there a similar story, he said never to get into a dispute with a cab driver because almost all of them are lowlifes involved with organized crime and they can be dangerous. He said that it is very common for foreigners to be jumped by gangs of thugs usually when they leave the various pubs, and robbed.

Bali is nowhere near anything like this. They have had their bombings which is a concern but on a day to day basis it is generally peaceful. If you were to follow the cover their butt government advisories you'd never leave your house and go anywhere. They are usually a load of rubbish. Like what are the odds of getting caught up in a terrorist bombing? Definitely have a better chance of winning the mark six.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldsllvn (562 days ago)

we just came back from Intercontinental in Jombaran bay - was just fantastic. Axptguy - an absolutely brilliant place for kids (and adults of course!) 6 swimming pools with fountains, sprinklers etc, great kids club. Anyway - absolutely loved it. Got out to Kuta etc a few times - fine. Really did not feel unsafe ( bad driving was the only thing really) or threatened at any time. Go - fab place! And as RR said - Kuta is not that nice - we just went there for shopping - so can take it or leave it really... Ubud however is supposed to be amazing - we never made it - 1.5 hour drive - did not fancy it with small kids, no car seats...

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by axptguy38 (562 days ago)

Thanks for the tip Idsllvn. Our kids are a bit small for the 6 pools. ;) We've booked a nice private villa with staff. All included except for the food/drink consumables the cook uses.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by RachRobin (561 days ago)

Also, you can find great places to dine out without needing to go to Kuta necessarily. Great places to eat near the Oberoi on Seminyak beach. One Italian place (cant remember it's name but it's something like La Luciola) great food on the beach which is also great for kids. Seminyak itself is really good for shopping, a better mix of interesting stuff than Kuta. Supermarket in Seminyak is also pretty decent to stock up on snacks etc.

We had a villa last time we stayed with private pool, chef etc. It was the most memorable, relaxing holiday I've ever had.

The only 'scam' we encountered was someone approaching us to scratch a card to see if we had won an 'instant' prize. They try to get you to come along to an office to claim it, it's all tied up with a 'Holiday Club' where they do the hard sell to get you to become a member etc. We had about 8 people try to do this to us! Not really a scam though, just really annoying.

Ubud is beautiful but I agree, maybe not worth the trip with little ones. If you go, the Monkey Forest is up there - be aware the monkeys are on the loose and can be pretty scary! The most it ever took us to get there was 45 minutes, even though the guides say an hour +.

Have a great time. :)

(I am based in Hong Kong)