Just like any other tourist destination, Bali travel is fairly safe. Though there are some hassles from the typical scammers, hawkers, peddlers, & touts similar to any other tourist destination only few visitors encounter any real problems or danger.
The tropical island paradise of Bali is not only known for its panoramic landscape, countless temples, cultural scenic spots, as well as its wide range of hotels, resorts, and bali villas as it is also as the unlucky scene of one of the lethal terrorist bombings.
Following the suicide and car bombing in 2002 and 2005, where more than 200 people were killed and more than 350 injured in total, with both waves of attacks targeting nightclubs and restaurants popular among foreign visitors, the island of Bali has mostly been free of terrorist activity since. However, Bali safe security is consequently tight at obvious targets, though it is of course highly improbable to protect oneself completely against terrorism. To be safe, it may be prudent to avoid high-profile western hang-outs, especially those without security measures or you can head out from the tourist enclaves of South Bali to elsewhere on the island.
Aside from the threatening perils of terrorism, petty theft occurs but it is not prevalent in Bali. Problems of rabies are around. There have been several deaths arising from rabies infections as recorded in early 2011. Visitors are therefore warned to avoid contact with dogs, cats, monkeys, and other animals that carry the disease. You must seek medical attention if bitten.
Illegal drugs like marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, and tourists getting drugged are a particular problem in Bali. As Bali is increasingly enforcing Indonesia’s harsh penalties against the import, export, trafficking, and possession of these drugs, the islands’ police regularly conduct raids on establishments known to be popular with tourists. In some cases, body searches as well as drug testing on urine or blood are randomly conducted by the police. So, one should be on the lookout for those seemingly harmless street boys looking to sell you drugs as they might be working with undercover police that entrap you in buying these drugs.
