A bikini is fine on the beach, by the pool and at beach clubs, but not advisable on the street, in minimarts, restaurants or on a scooter. No law mentions the word "bikini", but Bali Governor's Circular (Surat Edaran) No. 7 of 2025, in force since 24 March 2025, requires foreign tourists to wear polite, reasonable and appropriate clothing at sacred sites, tourist attractions, public places and during all activities in Bali, including while riding. The details below were checked in September 2026 against the Bali provincial government site and the text of Law No. 1 of 2023 (the Criminal Code, KUHP).
What does Circular 7/2025 say about clothing?
Three points matter. Dress modestly at sacred sites, tourist attractions and public places. Dress modestly and wear a helmet when riding. Do not take photos in improper clothing or nude at sacred places. Violators will be "dealt with firmly" under existing law, and the Bali provincial Satpol PP is tasked with enforcement. The circular is not a criminal statute and sets no fines of its own. Real penalties come from other laws, such as the Criminal Code or immigration administrative action. The province also runs a WhatsApp Siaga hotline, 081-287-590-999, for residents to report foreign tourists who break the rules. The full circular is summarised in our article on tourist obligations and prohibitions in Bali.
Can I walk to a minimart or warung in a bikini?
No article of law bans it directly, but a minimart is a "public place" under Circular 7/2025. In areas like Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta you will see swimwear on the street, yet locals and many business owners consider it disrespectful. Some restaurants, cafés and shops post their own dress rules and can refuse entry. The easy fix: carry a T-shirt or a sarong and put it on as soon as you leave the sand.
What about riding a scooter shirtless or in a bikini?
Circular 7/2025 explicitly asks foreign tourists to dress modestly while riding. Beyond modesty, Bali police regularly run traffic checks that catch tourists without helmets or a valid licence. Bare skin also gives zero protection if you come off on asphalt. Wear a shirt, trousers or shorts, and a helmet.
What are the rules at temples?
The strictest of all. Visitors must wear a sarong (kamen) with a sash at the waist, keep shoulders covered, and stay out of the inner courtyard (utama mandala) unless praying in traditional dress. The same circular bars entering temples while menstruating. Many temples rent or lend sarongs at the gate. Details are in our temple etiquette guide.
Can I go topless or nude on the beach?
No. Bali has no official nudist beach. Since 2 January 2026 the new Criminal Code (Law No. 1 of 2023) is in force. Article 406 carries up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to category II (Rp10 million) for anyone who violates decency in public; the official explanation covers displaying nakedness. Article 10 of Law No. 44 of 2008 on Pornography also bans exhibiting nudity in public, with heavier maximum penalties. For tourists, the outcome most often reported is deportation. Article 75 of the Immigration Law (Law No. 6 of 2011) lets immigration take administrative action against foreigners who do not obey regulations, and several tourists who posed nude at trees or sacred sites in Bali in 2022 were deported. Men going shirtless on the beach is not an issue.
So what is safe to wear where?
- Beach, hotel pool, beach club: bikinis and swim shorts are normal.
- Street, minimart, warung, café: cover up with a T-shirt, shirt or sarong.
- Restaurants, malls, immigration office, banks: ordinary casual wear; shorts are usually fine, swimwear is not.
- On a scooter: shirt, trousers or shorts, helmet and footwear.
- Temples and ceremonies: sarong, sash, shoulders covered.
One practical tip: a thin market sarong costs little, fits in any bag, and solves almost every situation above, from a minimart stop to an unplanned temple visit on the way back from the beach.
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