Bali Tightens Rules on Foreigners as Running Club Controversy Leads to Entry Ban for Two Dutch Nationals
A popular Bali-based running club, Entourage Bali, came under fire after allegations of discrimination against local applicants and noise complaints from its 'silent disco run' events in Canggu. Indonesian immigration authorities banned two Dutch nationals linked to the club from re-entering the country, amid a broader trend of stricter enforcement against foreigners in Bali and rising deportation numbers.
Entourage Bali, a running club known for its popular 'silent disco run' events in the tourist hub of Canggu, sparked controversy in July after social media posts accused it of discriminating against local applicants. Videos of large, noisy early-morning runs and participants wearing glowing headphones spreading across entire roads went viral, drawing over 500 comments on a Reddit thread and widespread backlash online.
In response, Indonesian immigration authorities announced on July 24 that they had banned two Dutch nationals connected to the club from re-entering the country. Both had already left Indonesia on July 23 and are now barred from returning. Authorities have also ordered further investigation into the event's organizers.
The incident is the latest in a series of cases in which foreigners in Bali have faced scrutiny for disregarding local laws and customs. In 2023, a German tourist was arrested after disrupting a temple ceremony and stripping naked. In March 2025, a Swiss tourist was arrested for posting content insulting Nyepi, Bali's Hindu Day of Silence, and in April, an Italian man who confronted traffic police in a viral video was deported.
Bali provincial senator Ni Luh Djelantik commented, 'We Indonesians follow the rules when we go abroad. We simply ask the same of foreigners visiting Bali.' Deportation data shows 342 foreigners were expelled between January and June 2026, compared to 335 for all of 2023 and 378 in the first nine months of 2024, indicating a sustained tightening of enforcement.
With around 7 million foreign tourist arrivals annually against a local population of roughly 4.5 million, Bali has seen a surge in digital nomad communities—coworking spaces, wellness groups, and running clubs among them—alongside rising land prices and shifting local dynamics in popular tourist areas.
Things to Consider
If you join running clubs, coworking meetups, or similar expat-organized events in Bali, avoid loud early-morning activities in residential areas and be mindful of local residents' daily life and traffic. Before visiting temples or attending religious ceremonies, check dress codes and behavioral norms (avoid revealing clothing, do not interrupt rituals). Stick to activities permitted under your visa type (tourist, remote worker, etc.) and refrain from unauthorized work or commercial activity. Never post content on social media that mocks local religious observances such as Nyepi. Keep your passport and visa documents readily accessible in case immigration authorities request verification.
Source: Business Insider Japan