22 Common Bali Scams in 2026 & How to Avoid Every Single One

Transport Scams

1. The "Broken Meter" Taxi

Always use BlueBird taxis with the official app, or stick to Grab/Gojek. If a driver claims the meter is broken, get out immediately. Flagfall should be 7,500 IDR.

2. Airport Taxi Mafia

Aggressive touts will swarm you at arrivals. Walk past them to the official taxi counter or Grab pickup zone on level 1. Better yet, pre-book a transfer with a vetted driver — you'll save 50% and skip the stress entirely.

3. Fake Gojek/Grab Drivers

Always verify the license plate against what the app shows. In areas like Canggu, local transport mafias sometimes impersonate ride-hailing drivers. If the plate doesn't match, cancel immediately.

4. The "Special Price" Driver

Drivers near tourist sites will offer "special price" tours. These always include mandatory stops at shops and galleries where they earn commissions. Book through reputable services or negotiate a set price for your route in advance.

Money Scams

5. Fake Money Changers

Only use authorized, air-conditioned money changers with glass doors and official signage (BMC, Central Kuta). Avoid street-side kiosks advertising unrealistically high rates — they use sleight-of-hand to shortchange you. Always count your money twice before leaving.

6. Counterfeit Bills

When receiving large IDR notes (100K), check for the watermark and feel for the raised printing. This is rare but happens at sketchy money changers.

7. ATM Skimmers

Use ATMs inside banks or shopping malls — never standalone machines on the street. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN. BCA and Bank Mandiri are the safest options.

8. Card Surcharge Scam

Some restaurants add a 3–5% "credit card fee" that's not shown on the menu. Always ask about card surcharges before ordering, or carry cash for smaller places.

Tourist Area Scams

9. The "Temple Sarong" Scam

Although you do need a sarong to enter Hindu temples, many major temples provide them for free with your ticket. Don't let vendors outside bully you into buying one for 200K IDR. If you must buy, 30K–50K IDR is the fair price.

10. "Donation" Collectors at Temples

After entering some temples, you may be approached for a "mandatory donation." The entry ticket is your only required payment. Small donations to the actual temple are welcome but optional.

11. Overpriced Surf Lessons

In Kuta/Canggu, beach touts charge 500K–600K IDR for a 1-hour lesson. The fair price is 250K–350K IDR for 2 hours including board rental. Book in advance, not on the beach.

12. The Instagram Swing Price Hike

Those famous swings in Ubud charge 200K–350K IDR for a few photos. The experience lasts 10 minutes. Not worth it for most people — save your money for better activities.

Accommodation Scams

13. Bait-and-Switch Villas

Photos online look nothing like reality. Always check recent Google Reviews with photos. Book through established platforms (Booking.com, Airbnb) that offer refund protection for significant discrepancies.

14. Hidden Resort Fees

Some villas add "cleaning fees," "service charges," or "government tax" at checkout that weren't in the listing. Read the fine print or ask directly before booking.

Activity Scams

15. The "Free" Bracelet Trick

Someone ties a "friendship bracelet" on your wrist and then demands payment. Keep walking and politely decline. Don't let them touch your arm.

16. Fake Dive Operators

For scuba diving, only use PADI or SSI certified operators. Check that equipment is well-maintained and that they carry proper insurance. Budget operators cutting corners can be genuinely dangerous.

17. Petrol Station "Discount" Fuel

Roadside fuel sellers in vodka bottles often mix petrol with cheaper liquids. Always refuel at Pertamina official stations where meters are standardized and fuel quality is guaranteed.

18. Monkey Forest Theft

Monkeys at Sacred Monkey Forest will snatch sunglasses, phones, and water bottles. Secure everything before entering. Staff sometimes "help" retrieve items for a tip — which may or may not be orchestrated.

Digital Scams

19. Fake Villa Booking Sites

Google sometimes surfaces convincing fake booking sites. Always verify you're on the official domain of the platform you're booking through. Check for HTTPS and recent reviews.

20. WiFi Phishing

Free WiFi at cafés and co-working spaces can be insecure. Use a VPN whenever connecting to public networks, especially for banking or logging into accounts.

21. "Tour Guide" WhatsApp Groups

Random contacts may add you to WhatsApp groups advertising cheap tours. These are often bait for overpriced, low-quality excursions. Book through verified platforms or word-of-mouth referrals only.

22. Rental Scooter Damage Claims

Some rental companies claim pre-existing damage was your fault. Take photos and video of the scooter before and after renting, including close-ups of any existing scratches. Get the rental agreement in writing.

The Golden Rule

Most Balinese people are incredibly warm and honest. These scams come from a small minority targeting tourists. Use common sense, do your research, and pre-book through trusted services like BaliBuddy — and you'll have an amazing, scam-free trip.

Related Guides

💰 See fair prices for everything in Bali so you know when you're being overcharged.

✈️ The airport is scam central — read our Bali airport transfer guide.

🆕 First time in Bali? Check 25 things I wish I knew before visiting.

💵 Understand what a trip actually costs for each budget level.