Nyepi in Bali: Etiquette for Bali’s Day of Silence
If you’ll be in Bali during one of Bali's most unique and interesting cultural holidays - Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence - then you’re in for an interesting experience. Nyepi falls on the 29th of March, 2025, and marks the beginning of a new year on the Balinese Saka calendar. During this time, it’s important to be aware of some restrictions that will come into place for roughly 24 hours. It’s also a good idea to prepare yourself for the holiday, so that when it comes, you can enjoy the peace and quiet that this very special day brings.
For the Balinese people, Silence Day is a time for self-introspection, reflecting on life, and cleansing the mind of negative energy.
What is Nyepi?
Nyepi is a 24-hour period of silence, reflection and self-restraint observed throughout Bali. Unlike the festive New Year celebrations in many parts of the world, the Balinese New Year is actually honoured with complete stillness – a day in which people meditate and reflect.
During Nyepi, the entire island shuts down as the Balinese follow these restrictions:
No entertainment or activities
No traveling outside homes or hotels (stay-at-home day)
No working
No lighting fires (or lights)
No noise
These restrictions are known as "Catur Brata Penyepian" (Four Nyepi Prohibitions), and they truly create a unique atmosphere that transforms Bali into a place of profound tranquility for one full day.
The Nyepi Calendar & Schedule
Nyepi falls on a different date each year as it follows the Balinese Saka lunar calendar. The date is generally in March or early April, marking the spring equinox. Every year, the Balinese government officially announces the exact date, and it becomes a public holiday.
Nyepi is actually one part of a larger, several day long celebration which includes:
Melasti Ceremony (2-3 days before Nyepi): A purification ritual performed at beaches, lakes, or other sources of holy water. You'll see colorful processions carrying temple objects. It’s also an interesting experience to visit the beach during this ceremony, and see hundreds of people sat down on the beach taking part.
Pengrupukan/Bhuta Yajna (Day before Nyepi): Known for the famous Ogoh-Ogoh parade, where villages create large sculptures of negative entities. These impressive creations are paraded through streets, as groups of people play traditional drums and make a lot of noise. The idea behind this is to scare negative spiritual forces away from the island.
Nyepi (The Day of Silence): 24 hours of silence beginning at 6 AM.
Ngembak Geni (Day after Nyepi): On this day, normal activities will resume, and Balinese usually visit friends and relatives to ask forgiveness for past wrongdoings.
Ogoh-Ogoh is one of Bali's iconic traditions held the day before Silence Day. You can't miss this spectacle.
Nyepi Etiquette for Visitors
If you're staying in Bali during Nyepi, it’s important to respect the traditions. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Make Sure You Plan Ahead:
Book accommodation in advance: Hotels can get booked up, especially as many offer special deals during this holiday
Stock up: Buy food, water and other essentials before the Nyepi day as all shops and restaurants will be closed. It’s ideal to do this a couple of days in advance, as usually shops and restaurants close around midday on the day before Nyepi. If you don’t want to go hungry, it’s smart to prepare!
Charge your devices: Power usually stays on, but it's wise to fully charge everything.
Don’t:
Leave your accommodation: Stay inside your hotel/villa for the entire 24 hours - definitely don’t walk outside on the streets!
Play loud music or making noise:Keep the volume down and enjoy the stillness and quiet. It’s one of the most beautiful things about the day - you can hear the birds and nothing else.
Turn on bright lights: Lights visible from outside should be covered with curtains.
Use the beach: All public spaces are off-limits - this includes beaches.
Use transportation: No cars, scooters and even walking outside is permitted.
Activities You Can Do on Nyepi Day:
Quiet conversations: Talk to your friends, family or partner.
Reading, meditation or yoga: These are all even more enjoyable with peace and quiet.
Eating in your room or designated hotel areas: Hotels will provide meal arrangements.
Walking within hotel grounds: Many resorts allow quiet movement within their premises.
What to Expect from Your Accommodation:
Staying in Hotels
Some will give you information explaining more about Nyepi
They will cover windows and reduce lighting in public areas
Potentially, your hotel may organize some quiet indoor activities
Some hotels can help you arrange food, although this may require pre-ordering for specific hours
Staying in Private Villas
Your staff may not be present during Nyepi
Make your food delivery before Nyepi begins and keep it refrigerated
Ensure you understand how to manage essential services
Keep lights off outside, and not visible through the windows
Staying in Local Homestays
Follow the lead of your Balinese hosts
Be prepared to strictly follow Nyepi traditions
Participate respectfully in any family rituals you're invited to join
Melasti is an important ritual performed by Hindus in Bali before Nyepi, aimed at cleansing oneself spiritually.
Safety and Emergency Information
Although nobody wants to break traditions or head outside during Nyepi Day, there are exceptions in the case of emergencies:
Medical emergencies: Emergency services are still operational, although most likely with reduced capacity.
Local security (Pecalang): The Pecalang are traditional security forces who go around the streets making sure that Nyepi rules are followed.
Emergency contacts: Keep important phone numbers at hand, and only call emergency services if you’re facing a genuine emergency.
If you encounter a genuine emergency and are staying in a hotel, ask the staff so they can make sure you follow Nyepi protocols whilst still getting help.
Remember:
The rules aren’t only for Hindus - they are for everyone.
Internet or phone services could be affected, although in recent years they are generally still functional.
Don’t leave your hotel (even if you plan on being discreet). You will most likely run into the pecalang (local patrol) and face issues or be escorted back to your accommodation.
The airport closes down for a full 24 hours.
If you’re planning visa renewals during this time - allow extra time as immigration services will also close down in observance of both Nyepi and Eid.
Whilst this may seem like a lot of rules to follow, or perhaps an inconvenience where you’re unable to order your food, it’s better to see the bright side! Nyepi is a unique and interesting experience that connects you with Balinese culture, and gives you an opportunity to enjoy an incredible sense of peace and quiet. It’s a wonderful day to stay in silence, reflect, and if you’re able to go outside late at night in your hotel premises, see incredible night skies free from light pollution (just please be mindful not to make noise while you do so). ‘
If you need assistance processing your visa during this busy time - please reach out now so that our expert team at Bali Solve, Bali’s premier visa and business consulting agency, can help you. Drop us a message on Whatsapp or visit our office in Pererenan (near Canggu). We wish you a peaceful and relaxing Nyepi and a wonderful New Year.
Written by Team Bali Solve
26 March 2025
