Tourists traveling to Bali’s Nusa Penida are being reminded that the entry fee to the island is non-negotiable.
The conversation is hitting headlines after two tourists were recorded kicking up a fuss, arguing with tourism officials, and refusing to pay the fee earlier this week.
The Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Ni Made Sulistiawati, has spoken to reporters about the incident.
The altercation took place at Banjar Nyuh Harbor, Nusa Penida, which is the main arrival and departure point for tourists visiting the island. Sulistiawati said, “I have confirmed with the officer that the Russian tourist reportedly did not want to pay the official fee to Nusa Penida.”
Sulistiawati explained that initially, the tourists tried to avoid paying the official visit fee to Nusa Penida.
The entry fee to Nusa Penida costs IDR 25,000 per person, and it is a legitimate government-backed policy. Sulistiawati revealed that the tourism officer at Banjar Nyuh Harbor gave the two women a clear explanation of the fee but that they were still reluctant to pay and started causing a fuss.
As the situation got a little more heated, a number of tourism drivers who were standing nearby tried to convince the tourists that are official fees to pay. Police and army officers in the harbor area were also called into the debate.
According to Sulistiawati, this is not the first time an incident like this has happened at Banjar Nyuh Harbor. However, she noted that usually, after receiving an explanation, tourists are willing to pay. While the policy has been in place since before the pandemic, many tourists are suspicious of being asked to pay a fee on arrival to the island.
To help give tourists peace of mind, every officer at the Nusa Penida tourism levy collection post is required to wear an official uniform complete with the name tag.
If requested, officers are also expected to explain in detail the legal basis for the levy, which is stipulated in Klungkung Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2018 concerning Amendments to Regional Regulation Number 3 of 2013 concerning Recreation and Sports Places Retribution.
Sulistiawati confirmed, “Domestic and foreign tourists pay an entrance ticket of IDR 25,000 per adult or IDR 15,000 for children,” said Sulistiawati.
She confirmed that she has also briefed officers at the Banjar Nyuh Harbor tourism levy collection post and at other posts around the island to be understanding and calm with tourists and not to be “provoked or emotional” in response to tourist behaviour.
In March 2024, Sulistiawati, as the Head of Klungkung Regency Tourism Office, was also called to confirm that the entry fees to Nusa Penida are mandatory and non-negotiable to both domestic and international tourists.
She also suggested at the time that a new payment system would be introduced to streamline the arrival process for visitors but for now, things remain as they always have.
The Nusa Penida Entry Fee is different from the Bali Tourism Tax Levy. The Bali Tourism Tax Levy is another mandatory fee for all international tourists visiting Bali and is charged at IDR 150,000 per person per visit.
The fee can be paid via the LoveBali app or website, and tourists must keep their QR-code voucher closely as proof of payment should they be stopped by tourism officers.
The Nusa Penida Entry Fee is also a separate fee from the Nusa Penida Retribution Tax, which is applicable to tourists who dive, snorkel, or swim in the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area, which surrounds the three islands.
The Nusa Penida Retribution Tax is charged at IDR 100,000 for snorkeling and diving within the Nusa Penida Marine Protection Area. However, for the most part, this fee is included as part of the package cost of diving and snorkeling tours in the area.