The sun dipped low over Seminyak as I stepped onto the warm sand, the salty breeze tussling my hair like an old friend. A few metres away, two young men clinked bottles of Bintang while glancing playfully at the painted sky. Bali has a rhythm — lush, unhurried, and deeply welcoming. But for LGBTQ+ travellers, the question often arises: is the Island of the Gods truly a safe and friendly space?
Having explored Bali as a queer traveller and met many others along the way, I can reassure you that while Indonesia’s national laws are more conservative, Bali carves out its own path – one where smiles are generous, love is love, and diversity is embraced… most of the time. With the right knowledge, it is entirely possible to enjoy a joyous, authentic and respectful experience. Here are my personal tips and insights to help you feel at home while exploring this magical island through a rainbow-tinted lens.
Understand the cultural nuances
Balinese society differs significantly from the rest of Indonesia. While the country is predominantly Muslim, Bali is a Hindu-majority island, and with that comes a more relaxed and philosophical attitude towards identity and personal expression. That said, it’s essential to remember that we are visitors – guests, in the truest sense – in a complex cultural landscape where discretion is still valued.
Public displays of affection, regardless of orientation, are generally frowned upon in Bali. That doesn’t mean you can’t be yourself – just adapt your behavioural compass slightly. Holding hands or a discreet kiss on the cheek in tourist hubs is rarely a problem, but overt affection in rural areas or at temples may attract unwanted attention.
Balinese Hinduism celebrates a duality of nature – masculine and feminine energies coexisting harmoniously – and this philosophy fosters a more accepting environment, but always balanced with an emphasis on respect and humility.
Stay in welcoming neighbourhoods
Some parts of Bali feel like a carefree bubble, where beach parties, boutique cafes, and yoga sanctuaries create safe spaces for all kinds of travellers. Choosing the right base for your trip can greatly enhance your experience.
- Seminyak: Often dubbed the LGBTQ+ capital of Bali, Seminyak is vibrant, stylish and inclusive. Here, you’ll find bars like Bottoms Up that cater directly to the queer community, drag brunches, and beach clubs where diversity is woven into the sunset soundtrack.
- Ubud: For those drawn to serene rice fields, healing arts and spiritual introspection, Ubud offers a quieter, soulful retreat. While not as overtly ‘scene’-friendly as Seminyak, the town pulses with open-mindedness, and queerness here is more than accepted – it’s often celebrated through the universal language of mindfulness and connection.
- Canggu: A haven for digital nomads, wellness junkies, and surfers, Canggu is young, creative and irreverently cool. While the nightlife is more mixed, there’s an LGBTQ+ presence that’s growing, particularly among the ex-pat community.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to stray from the tourist trail, do so, but stay attuned to your surroundings. Smaller villages might offer heartwarming encounters or lukewarm curiosity – every journey is different.
Connect with LGBTQ+-friendly stays and services
Bali’s hospitality scene understands the fine art of making people feel seen. More and more hotels, villas and eco-resorts are embracing inclusivity in tangible ways, from team training to thoughtful welcome notes.
A few delightful favourites:
- The Colony Hotel (Seminyak): An adults-only boutique haven with a warm and professional team. While not exclusively gay, their elegance and open attitude make it a popular choice for LGBTQ+ couples.
- Blue Karma Secrets: With properties in Seminyak and Ubud, this brand blends eco-conscious luxury and a strong ethos of holistic hospitality inclusive of all identities.
- Clothing-optional resorts: If you’re looking to shed your worries (and more), there are a select few clothing-optional resorts that are male-only and explicitly gay-friendly. These are well-reviewed and discreet – a great choice if you’re craving a little sanctuary of your own.
Booking platforms like Misterb&b and Gay Stay Indonesia may also help you filter accommodations based on policies and reviews by fellow LGBTQ+ travellers.
Nightlife that knows your name
Bali’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene is an intoxicating blend of beach bonfires, drag extravaganzas and underground electronic music in candle-lit caves. While it’s not on the scale of Bangkok or Berlin, it’s intimate, inviting and often unforgettable.
If you’re in Seminyak, your rainbow path likely leads to Mixwell Bar — a long-standing institution of drag performances and dance-all-night energy. A few metres away, Bali Joe Bar adds colour to the evening with high heels, high drama and high-spirited fun. For something more alternative, head to Pretty Poison in Canggu, where the boundary between art, skateboarding and queer expression blur in all the right ways.
Safety in these spaces generally matches that of any Western city, but as always, keep an eye on your drink, avoid flashiness with valuables, and smile often — friendships bloom quickly on this island.
Embrace queer wellness and spirituality
What initially drew me to Bali wasn’t the parties, but the promise of inner shifts. There’s an ineffable magic in Ubud’s sacred temple grounds and in the hands of a healer who seems to see straight through your defences. That sense of being welcomed, understood without explanation – it’s restorative.
Whether attending an LGBTQ+-friendly yoga retreat, jumping into ecstatic dance gatherings at The Yoga Barn, or meditating in the tranquillity of the Campuhan Ridge Walk, queer travellers will find serenity folded in with transformation.
It’s in these quiet, sacred moments – as incense curls into sky and gamelan chimes echo across the valley – that the feeling of belonging becomes more than social safety. It becomes a spiritual homecoming.
Helpful phrases and local etiquette
While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, learning a few words in Bahasa Indonesia can open hearts. Simple phrases like “terima kasih” (thank you), “apa kabar?” (how are you?) or “saya dari [country]” (I’m from [country]) are met with surprise and delight.
And although LGBTQ+ terminology isn’t commonly understood or used, here’s a tip: rather than defining your identity, lead with kindness, curiosity and a genuine willingness to learn. Balinese culture places a high value on harmony – internal and external.
Also, don’t forget:
- When visiting temples, wear a sarong and sash. These are often available for rent or free use at entrances.
- Remove shoes before entering someone’s home or a sacred building.
- Never touch someone’s head – it’s considered the most spiritually significant part of the body.
Respect flows both ways, and often, a small gesture carries more meaning than a loud declaration ever could.
Celebrating pride, island style
Bali doesn’t (yet) have massive Pride marches echoing through the streets, but it has a quiet, growing movement of celebration and visibility. Small-scale Pride events take place in Seminyak and Denpasar, generally around June and October, often tied to art exhibitions, dance evenings, or advocacy forums hosted by NGOs like GAYa NUSANTARA.
The community is tight-knit and creative, often announcing events via social channels or word of mouth. So don’t hesitate to ask a bartender, a yoga teacher, or your guesthouse host what’s happening – you might just stumble upon an unforgettable soirée beneath palm leaves and fairy lights.
Final reflections from a grateful heart
More than once, during my time in Bali, someone would take my hand – a temple priest blessing me, a new friend guiding through a rice terrace, a stranger helping me onto a swaying scooter – and I would feel such serenity in being embraced as I was, fully, without pretext.
Bali isn’t just about tolerance. It’s about spirit, connection and shared joy. Does it have its imperfections? Of course. But doesn’t every place worth loving?
If you travel here with openness and a gentle respect for the traditions that precede us, you’ll find that Bali is, for many LGBTQ+ souls, not just a destination — it’s a mirror. One that reflects back not only how far you’ve come, but how radiant you already are.