Travel guides › Practical travel info

Balinese Temple Etiquette, Nyepi, and Local Rules at a Glance

At temples, cover your shoulders and knees, wear a sarong and sash, and follow on-site entry instructions. During Nyepi, stay at your accommodation and keep noise and lighting to a minimum. In 2027, Nyepi falls on Monday, March 8.

At a Glance

Cover your shoulders and knees and wear a sarong and waist sash when visiting a temple.
Do not enter sacred inner areas of a temple unless you are there to worship.
Do not step on or move canang sari offerings, and keep pathways for processions and offering areas clear.
Stay at your accommodation during Nyepi and keep noise and lighting to a minimum.
Nyepi falls on Monday, March 8, 2027. Check flight and transport service notices.

What should I wear, and what are the entry rules at Bali temples?

Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, along with a sarong and waist sash. Access areas and additional rules vary by temple, so follow the instructions on site.

Unless you are there to worship, do not enter Utamaning Mandala or Madyaning Mandala, the innermost sacred areas of a temple. Do not climb sacred trees or monuments, and avoid taking photos at sacred sites in inappropriate clothing.

How should I behave around religious ceremonies and canang sari offerings?

When watching a procession or ceremony in Bali, keep its route and offering areas clear. Ask permission before taking close-up photos, and follow the priest’s or site staff’s instructions.

Canang sari offerings placed along the road are made daily. Do not step on or move them; walk around them. Do not litter or behave disrespectfully in public places.

What should visitors do on Nyepi?

During Nyepi, the observance of Catur Brata Penyepian calls for refraining from work, travel, and entertainment. Visitors should also stay at their accommodation, keep noise and lighting to a minimum, and follow the hotel’s on-site instructions.

Do not plan to go out to the streets or beaches that day. Travel and public activities in Bali are restricted, and the airport and major transport services may also stop operating.

How should I plan flights and transport around Nyepi?

For Nyepi in 2026, scheduled commercial flights at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport were suspended from 6:00 a.m. on March 19 until 6:00 a.m. on March 20. Bali transport services were temporarily suspended during the same period, and Gilimanuk Port was also closed.

This is an example of the 2026 arrangements. If you are traveling in 2027, check flight notices and your accommodation’s guidance again closer to your travel date, and avoid scheduling travel on Nyepi itself.

What should I know about Galungan and Kuningan?

Galungan celebrates the triumph of dharma over adharma in Balinese Hinduism and recurs every 210 days. Kuningan is observed ten days after Galungan.

Ceremonies take place at homes and temples during this period, and you may see decorated penjor along the roads. Do not ask anyone to adjust a ceremony to fit your sightseeing schedule, and check each temple’s entry instructions.

What local rules should I follow in Bali?

Visitor guidelines prohibit or caution against working or doing business without permission, illegal trading, traffic violations, and exchanging money at unauthorized places. Respect local customs at temples and in public places, and do not litter.

What to Do in These Situations

If you don’t have a sarong or sash
Before entering a temple, check the on-site instructions and follow the rules for wearing a sarong and sash.
If you encounter a ceremonial procession
Keep the route and offering areas clear, and ask permission before taking close-up photos.
If you spot a canang sari offering on the road
Do not step on or move it; walk around it.
When planning a Bali trip on Nyepi
Plan to stay at your accommodation, and follow the hotel’s instructions to keep noise and lighting down.
When visiting a temple during Galungan or Kuningan
Do not ask anyone to change the ceremony schedule; check the entry instructions at each temple.

Upcoming Holidays That May Affect Your Trip

Nyepi falls on Monday, March 8, 2027. Galungan recurs every 210 days, with Kuningan ten days later, so check the local schedule for your travel dates.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Pack clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for temple visits, and check the guidance on wearing a sarong and sash.
Follow each temple’s access rules and on-site instructions.
Keep ceremony routes and offering areas clear, and do not step on or move canang sari offerings.
Check whether your trip overlaps with Nyepi and be prepared to stay at your accommodation.
Check flight and transport notices before and after Nyepi.

FAQ

Do I have to wear a sarong when visiting a Bali temple?

You should wear a sarong and waist sash when visiting a temple. Cover your shoulders and knees, and follow the on-site instructions at each temple.

Can I enter the inner sacred areas of a temple?

Unless you are there to worship, do not enter Utamaning Mandala or Madyaning Mandala.

Can I step on or move a canang sari offering?

Do not step on or move it; walk around it. It is an offering made daily.

Can I leave my accommodation on Nyepi?

Visitors should stay at their accommodation and avoid planning outings to the streets or beaches. Keep noise and lighting down, and follow the hotel’s instructions.

When is Nyepi in Bali in 2027?

According to the Indonesian government’s announcement of public holidays for 2027, it falls on Monday, March 8.

Do flights to and from Bali operate as usual around Nyepi?

Flights and major transport services may be suspended during Nyepi. Check the 2027 service notices closer to your travel date.

Official sources & check dates

Surat Edaran Gubernur Bali No. 7 Tahun 2025 · 2026-10-31
5 Extraordinary Cultural Travel Ideas to Explore in Bali · 2026-10-31
Informasi penting yang harus diketahui saat Hari Raya Nyepi · 2026-10-31
Gov’t Announces 2027 National Holidays and Collective Leave Days · 2026-10-31
7 Upacara Keagamaan Bali: Ritual, Filosofi, dan Etika Wisata · 2026-10-31
How to Spend the Day in Bali During Nyepi or Day of Silence · 2026-10-31
Kemenhub Sesuaikan Operasional Transportasi Jelang Hari Raya Nyepi di Bali · 2026-10-31
Bali Airport announces 24-hour operational suspension during Nyepi · 2026-10-31
Majalah Kencana Lestari Edisi VII 2023 · 2026-10-31
Warisan Budaya Bali yang Menarik, Ada Pura hingga Tarian · 2026-10-31
Daftar Hari Libur Nasional, Libur Fakultatif, dan Cuti Bersama Tahun 2027 · 2026-10-31

More practical info

Site updated: 2026-11-01