Is it illegal to share a room with your boyfriend in Bali?

So what does that mean if you and your partner aren't married and have been dreaming of a Bali digital nomad lifestyle? According to the new penal code, you could get time in jail just for living or staying with a partner you aren't married to. But it looks as though laws will not apply to foreign visitors after all.



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If you're planning on heading to Indonesia (including the dream island destination of Bali) as a couple in the next few years, it might be worth reconsidering. The country has now implemented a new criminal code that will make a lot of things illegal – including having sex outside of marriage.

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Although Bali is making efforts to stamp out badly behaved tourists, on the whole, the island is very lenient when it comes to unmarried couples. Sex outside of marriage has been illegal in Indonesia for decades. However, it was the case that charges could only be bought by an aggrieved spouse in the case of an affair.

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Indonesia's Bizarre Sex Ban
And in swift and worrying fashion, the bill passed. Indonesia has passed the law, and from the year 2025 onward, anyone having sex outside of marriage faces up to a year in jail as a result. Sadly, this applies to tourists, and includes semi-autonomous regions like Bali.

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Can unmarried couples stay in the same hotel room? According to the law, it's illegal for unmarried couples to stay in the same room during a holiday in Dubai. In reality, this is not strictly enforced and it's unlikely you'll be challenged on it. Many unmarried couples visit Dubai every year without issue.

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How can you avoid Bali Belly?
  1. Make sure all meat and seafood is thoroughly cooked (not raw or rare)
  2. Avoid the following foods while travelling: Sushi. Unpasteurised dairy products milk/cheese/ice cream. ...
  3. Water: Don't drink tap water. Don't use tap water to brush your teeth. ...
  4. Hygiene: Wash your hands after using the toilet.


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Gulf countries do not allow live-in relationships for unmarried couples. This is the case in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In fact, the 2022 World Cup highlighted some of Qatar's traditional laws.

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Also, avoid walking alone at night, especially on quiet streets and dark alleyways. Go with a friend or your group if you must venture out at night. There's probably nothing you can do about catcalls, especially at night, so it's best to ignore them.

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Is Bali Safe at Night? Bali has a vibrant night scene and is generally safe. You'll encounter little or no problems with the locals at night. If there's anything to worry about, it's drunken tourists on motorbikes who endanger themselves and others with reckless riding.

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Fortunately, hidden cameras in hotel rooms are extremely rare. But if you want to take precautions, a visual inspection and using detection tools can help identify any secret recording devices.

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