What Tourists Need To Know About Bali's Nyepi 2025 Travel Ban

The Indonesian island of Bali is a great destination for your adventure travel bucket list, but if your stay overlaps with March 28 through March 30, 2025, you'll have to put some of that adventuring on hold. This marks a holy holiday in Balinese culture known as Nyepi, or the Hindu Day of Silence. It's also the start of the Balinese New Year. The exact days vary each year with the lunar calendar, but they typically land in March.

From 6 a.m. March 29 through 6 a.m. March 30, Nyepi is a day for quiet reflection. Locals observe the self-restraint principles of "Catur Brata Penyepian," which include abstaining from work, pleasure, entertainment, and travel. Lights are kept off, businesses shut down, and everyone stays indoors. Some simple cultural etiquette rules tourists in Bali should follow during Nyepi include dimming the lights or closing curtains if you have lights on, being silent (or at least extremely quiet), and appreciating the sanctity of the day.

Tourists should be aware that the airport closes, and even tourists are not permitted to leave their hotels. Officials have said they'll make travel as smooth as possible leading up to and after Nyepi but warned that travelers should expect some congestion — so plan to leave early if you must, otherwise, there's a chance you could get stuck. However, staying in Bali during Nyepi can be a unique cultural and spiritual experience. It's also the perfect time for stargazing since the island's darkness lets the night sky appear at its clearest and brightest.

Bali can be even better to visit during the off season, especially if you're in town for the Ogoh-Ogoh parades, which kick off the holiday with locals carrying paper effigies representing evil spirits and demons through the streets. They're then burned, which is believed to ward off negative spirits and symbolize the victory of good over evil.

While cell phone and internet service are shut down across the island, most hotels still offer Wi-Fi services. You'll find many Nyepi packages offered by hotels and resorts, which typically include meals and cultural or wellness activities. The Viceroy Bali's package includes a visit to watch the Mesabatan Fire Tradition, as well as drinks and meals in a luxury villa complete with a private heated pool (perfect for quietly observing the stars). The Hilton's Pause in Paradise includes meals, free Wi-Fi, access to resort amenities, and daily activities.

If you're staying in a vacation rental, be sure to stock up ahead of time. Businesses close early on March 28, and the day will be busy with everyone gathering supplies ahead of the holiday. Don't think you'll get around the staying indoors rule, either — local guards known as Pecalang patrol the streets to enforce restrictions and make sure everyone respects the sacred day.

Though Nyepi might feel like an inconvenience for some, it's also a rare opportunity to experience Bali in its purest, most peaceful form. Many travelers embrace the day as a chance for self-reflection, digital detoxing, and relaxation. When the island reawakens on March 30, Bali bursts back to life, with celebrations continuing in the days that follow. If you're visiting during this time, approach Nyepi with respect, and you'll come away with a deeper understanding of Bali's rich cultural and spiritual traditions.