On the evening of September 26, 2026, hundreds of truck drivers staged a protest that completely halted operations at Ketapang Port in East Java. The disruption spread to Bali's Gilimanuk Port, causing traffic queues exceeding 7 kilometers that had not fully cleared by the afternoon of September 27.
Things to Consider: If you are planning to cross from Bali to Java via the Gilimanuk-Ketapang ferry, expect significant delays and consider departing much earlier than usual or postponing your trip until conditions stabilize. Impact on Denpasar airport flights is limited, but if you're traveling overland by bus or rental car toward Java, check local traffic updates from Polres Jembrana or ASDP beforehand, follow officers' instructions, and avoid attempting to cut into queues. Given that similar disruptions have recurred multiple times in 2026, consider alternative options such as flying instead of the ferry if your schedule is time-sensitive.
On the morning of September 27, 2026, a protest by thousands of truck drivers at Ketapang Port in East Java restricted port access, causing a 3.5km vehicle queue toward Gilimanuk Port on the Bali side. Police have deployed additional personnel to manage traffic and report the situation remains under control.
Things to Consider: If you plan to travel from Bali to Java via Gilimanuk Port, consider departing several hours earlier than planned or postponing your trip until the protest situation calms down. Check local news and social media for real-time traffic updates, strictly follow police officers' instructions at checkpoints, and avoid cutting into other lanes. If you have a ferry booking, contact the ferry operator in advance to inquire about possible delays.
Indonesia's Ngurah Rai Immigration Office detained four foreigners—an Egyptian man, two Russian men, and a Nigerian woman—during a joint operation in Canggu, Bali. Three were suspected of misusing their stay permits to work as DJs at a nightclub, while the woman had overstayed her visa by 402 days.
Things to Consider: Foreigners staying in Bali should verify the type of visa or stay permit they hold and confirm that their activities fall within its permitted scope. Working in any capacity—including as a DJ—on a tourist visa or Visa on Arrival is illegal; those earning income should switch to a proper work visa or KITAS. Regularly check your visa expiration date via your passport or apps like M-Paspor to avoid overstaying. Since joint immigration operations occur without advance notice, it is advisable to always carry your passport and relevant stay permit documents.
A service called 'RELOCARE' allows people to experience one month of daily life in Bali, including housing, airport transfers, local support, and visa consultations. So far, 30 groups (41 people) have participated. Free online consultations are also available for those still undecided about relocating.
A wildfire broke out on Mount Ijen in Banyuwangi, East Java, prompting authorities to temporarily close the hiking trail to the crater for safety and firefighting operations. The closure affects many tourists who visit Ijen on day trips from Bali, who will need to postpone or cancel their climbs.
A 40-year-old director of an immigration and travel document service company has been charged at Denpasar District Court with embezzling a total of IDR 649,549,255 from 11 foreign clients. Prosecutors allege the funds were not used to pay required immigration office fees, leaving clients' visa and residency documents unprocessed.
The chairman of Bali's DPRD Commission II, Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, has called for regulations limiting land purchases by foreign nationals (WNA) in Bali, citing concerns that high foreign purchasing power is driving up land prices and pricing out local residents. He proposed a zoning system, similar to those in Dubai and Barcelona, to restrict where foreign investment (PMA) can acquire land use rights, though the policy is still under study.
On August 31, 2026, six volcanoes across Indonesia—Mount Ibu, Mount Semeru, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, Mount Ili Lewotolok, Anak Krakatau, and Mount Sinabung—erupted on the same day. Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) stated these eruptions were independent events with no evidence of a shared triggering mechanism. None of the volcanoes are located in Bali, but the simultaneous activity could affect domestic flights and travel routes across Indonesia.
The body of a 44-year-old Polish tourist who went missing at Tembles Beach in Jembrana, Bali, was found after a three-day search, roughly 7.5 km away at Yeh Kuning Beach. The search began after his motorbike and belongings were found abandoned on the shore, indicating he had been swept away by a rip current.
Minikino Film Week 12, Bali's international short film festival, will run September 11-18, 2026, centered in Denpasar. From 1,454 international submissions, 122 films from 60 countries were selected, with the full programme reaching 202 shorts across 42 screening programmes.
Swarga Suites Bali Berawa, an all-suite beachfront hotel along Berawa Beach, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The property has grown alongside the rapidly developing Berawa area, expanding its dining, wellness, and leisure offerings while maintaining its tropical beachfront identity.
According to Bali's statistics agency (BPS), foreign tourist arrivals to Bali reached 697,809 in July 2026, up 15.34% from 604,962 in June. The increase is attributed to holiday seasons starting in key source countries including Australia, China, South Korea, and Europe. Australia remains the largest source market.
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.
Bali Interfood 2026, an international F&B and hospitality trade exhibition, opened on September 2 at BNDCC in Nusa Dua, Bali. The three-day event features 110 exhibitors from eight countries, including 35 small businesses, with an expected 15,000 visitors, alongside gelato competitions, wine pairings, and culinary workshops.
Malaysia's AirAsia has announced its first codeshare partnership with Turkey's Pegasus Airlines, allowing Southeast Asian travelers, including those from Indonesia, easier access to five European destinations via Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul. The partnership will eventually cover over 100 routes between Asia and Europe.
Indonesian immigration authorities in Tabanan, Bali, apprehended a Nigerian national who had overstayed his visa for eight years. The man attempted to flee during questioning but was caught with the help of local police and community security. He is now held at the Denpasar immigration detention center pending deportation.
The Mount Rinjani National Park authority in West Nusa Tenggara has restricted climbing activities starting September 1, 2026, to prevent forest and land fires. Existing paid bookings remain valid, but new online reservations are temporarily suspended. The overall trekking quota has not been reduced.
Lombok Island, located just east of Bali, is gaining attention as an alternative destination amid Bali's overtourism issues like traffic congestion and rising costs. It offers clear-water snorkeling, the Gili Islands, and diverse areas like Senggigi and Kuta, though local transportation has some unique restrictions travelers should know about.
Indonesia's immigration authority is modernizing border and entry control through a 'digital fence' program using AI, drones, and facial recognition technology. Facial recognition has already been implemented for immigration checks at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, and a new immigration service point for foreigners has opened in a Kuta shopping mall.
Bali's economy grew 5.78% year-on-year in Q2 2026, but an economist from Warmadewa University warns that growth driven by hotels, villa construction and property investment does not automatically translate into higher purchasing power for local residents, as rising land prices and living costs offset wage gains.
On September 1, 2026, Bali Province, Badung Regency, and state railway operator PT KAI signed an MoU to develop a battery-powered tram connecting Ngurah Rai International Airport to Canggu. The project aims to ease severe traffic congestion, with partial operations targeted for 2028 and full commercial service by 2029.
On September 1, 2026, the Bali Provincial Government, Badung Regency, and Indonesian Railway Company (KAI) signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a tram line connecting Ngurah Rai Airport, Kuta, Legian, and Canggu. The project aims to reduce traffic congestion in southern Bali and is planned for phased opening in 2028 and 2031.
Japanese TV personality Erina Arai shared details of a three-generation family trip to Bali with her one- and two-year-old children on social media. Her post highlights practical tips on food and water precautions as well as effective use of hotel facilities, offering useful guidance for other travelers visiting Bali with young children.