Nature Tourism Etiquette in Bali

A Guide to Visiting Bali’s Natural Wonders with Care and Respect

Bali is one of the world’s most treasured natural destinations, a living tapestry of volcanic peaks, ancient rice terraces, sacred forests, and turquoise coastlines. At Merusaka, our love for nature runs deep. We believe that every visitor carries a responsibility to protect the extraordinary landscapes they come to experience. This guide is our invitation to you: explore Bali with curiosity, but tread with gentleness.

Tourism is one of Bali’s greatest gifts and its most pressing challenge. With millions of visitors arriving each year, even small acts of carelessness can compound into irreversible damage. The good news? Mindful behavior costs nothing, and the rewards, for both the environment and the traveler, are immeasurable.

1. Respect the Sacredness of Nature

For the Balinese people, nature is not simply scenery, it is sacred. Mountains, forests, rivers, and the sea are regarded as the dwelling places of gods and ancestral spirits. This profound relationship between people and the natural world has shaped Balinese culture for thousands of years.

What this means for visitors:

✦      Dress modestly when entering nature areas near temples or sacred sites. Sarongs are often required and are widely available to borrow or purchase.
✦      Do not climb or touch sacred trees, shrines, or rock formations marked with offerings (canang sari). These are places of active worship.
✦      Maintain a respectful silence during traditional ceremonies that may be taking place near natural sites, such as those at rivers or beaches.
✦      Ask local guides before photographing rituals or sacred spaces. Permission matters.
✦      In respect of local Balinese traditions, women who are currently menstruating are kindly requested not to enter temple areas.

2. Leave No Trace

Bali’s natural spaces face immense pressure from plastic waste and littering. Beaches, rice terraces, and jungle paths are often strewn with single-use plastics — a problem that harms wildlife, contaminates waterways, and diminishes the beauty that visitors come to see.

Your commitment:

✦      Carry a reusable water bottle and refuse single-use plastics wherever possible. Many eco-conscious warungs and hotels in Bali now offer refill stations.
✦      Pack out everything you bring in. If you hike to a waterfall or trek through rice paddies, leave the spot cleaner than you found it.
✦      Never discard waste in rivers, on beaches, or in forests, even biodegradable waste can disrupt local ecosystems.
✦      Join a local beach clean-up if your schedule allows. Organizations across Bali welcome volunteer participation.
✦      Avoid releasing balloons or sky lanterns near natural areas, as they endanger wildlife and contribute to pollution.

3. Stay on Marked Trails and Paths

The desire to find the perfect photo or discover an untouched corner of Bali is understandable but venturing off designated paths causes real harm. Trampling vegetation destroys habitats, accelerates soil erosion, and can disturb nesting wildlife.

✦      Always follow marked trails in forested areas, including the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, the trekking paths on Mount Batur, and coastal cliff walks.
✦      In rice terrace areas such as Tegallalang and Jatiluwih, stick to the narrow earthen paths between paddies. Stepping onto the terraces damages crops that local farming families depend on for their livelihood.
✦      Heed warning signs and barriers. They exist to protect both you and the environment.
✦      If you are unsure of the right path, hire a certified local guide. They know the terrain intimately and their employment supports the local community.

4. Wildlife: Observe, Never Interfere

Bali is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, from the endangered Bali Starling to macaques, sea turtles, manta rays, and rare orchids. Human interference, even when well-intentioned, can cause lasting harm.

         At land-based nature sites:

✦      Never feed wild animals, including the monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest. Human food disrupts their natural diet, encourages aggressive behavior, and creates unhealthy dependency.
✦      Do not attempt to touch, pick up, or photograph wild animals at close range. This causes stress and can provoke defensive reactions.
✦      Avoid purchasing souvenirs made from wildlife products, including coral, shells, turtle shells, or feathers. Many are protected by Indonesian law.

In the ocean:
✦      When snorkeling or diving, never stand on, touch, or collect coral. Coral reefs take decades to grow and are destroyed in seconds.
✦      Maintain a respectful distance from sea turtles, manta rays, and reef sharks. These species are protected, and interaction causes stress.
✦      Use reef-safe sunscreen. Conventional sunscreens contain chemicals that bleach and kill coral ecosystems.
✦      If you visit a turtle conservation program, choose reputable organizations that prioritize animal welfare over tourist entertainment.

5. Water: Bali’s Most Precious Resource

Despite appearing lush and abundant, Bali faces serious freshwater challenges. Rapid tourism growth has strained water supplies, particularly in the south of the island. Rivers and springs that were once clean and vibrant are increasingly polluted.

✦      Shower rather than bathe to conserve water during your stay.
✦      Reuse hotel towels and linens — request that they not be changed daily.
✦      Never wash clothes, dishes, or vehicles in rivers or natural springs. These are often connected to sacred water sources.
✦      Be thoughtful about activities that use large quantities of water, including certain spa treatments or infinity pool resorts in drought-prone areas.

6. Support Local and Sustainable Tourism

One of the most powerful ways to protect Bali’s natural environment is to direct your spending toward businesses and guides who actively care for it. Sustainable tourism creates economic incentives for conservation, ensuring that local communities benefit from protecting — rather than exploiting — the natural world.

✦      Choose locally owned accommodations, restaurants, and tour operators over large international chains.
✦      Hire certified local guides for nature treks. They provide authentic experiences, and their income is tied to keeping natural areas pristine.
✦      Purchase handicrafts directly from artisans and cooperatives, rather than mass-produced items at tourist markets.
✦      Ask your accommodation whether they practice composting, use solar energy, or source food locally and support those that do.
✦      Avoid attractions that exploit animals for entertainment, such as elephant rides, bird performances, or photo opportunities with sedated wildlife.

7. Be Mindful of Your Carbon Footprint

Getting to Bali involves a long-haul flight for most visitors  a significant carbon cost. While this cannot be entirely avoided, conscious choices during your stay can help reduce your overall environmental impact.

✦      Rent bicycles or use ride-sharing apps rather than private cars for short journeys.
✦      Choose experiences that involve human-powered exploration hiking, cycling, paddling  over motorized alternatives where possible.
✦      Avoid unnecessary helicopter tours or speedboat excursions to fragile coastal areas.
✦      Consider carbon offset programs when booking your flights. Several reputable organizations direct offset funds toward reforestation projects in Indonesia.

8. Photography and Social Media

In the age of social media, Bali’s most beautiful natural spots can become overwhelmed almost overnight once a photograph goes viral. The pressure to capture the perfect shot has led to fence-jumping, trespassing, and the degradation of fragile sites.

✦      Do not trespass on private land or restricted areas for photographs, even if you have seen others do so.
✦      Avoid geotagging the exact locations of fragile or lesser-known natural sites on social media. This can rapidly lead to overcrowding and damage.
✦      Be patient and courteous at popular viewpoints. Crowding and rushing for the best angle disturbs both other visitors and the local environment.
✦      When sharing photographs, include a message about responsible tourism. Your platform can be a force for good.

A Final Word from Merusaka

Nature does not need tourists. But it can benefit from the right kind of traveler — one who arrives with open eyes, a humble heart, and a genuine commitment to leaving the world better than they found it.

At Merusaka, we believe that the most meaningful travel experiences are those rooted in respect: for the land, for the people who call it home, and for the generations who will inherit it after us. Bali has given the world extraordinary beauty. The least we can do is protect it.

“Loving Bali means protecting Bali.”