Don't Drink the Tap Water
Tap water isn't safe to drink across the island — bottled or filtered water is standard, and most hotels and villas provide it. Ice in established tourist restaurants and hotels is generally made from treated water and fine; be more cautious at very small local warungs.
"Bali Belly" Is Common but Usually Manageable
Traveler's stomach upset is common enough to have its own nickname here. Standard precautions — bottled water, being selective about very informal street food early in your trip, washing hands — reduce the risk significantly. Bring basic anti-diarrheal medication just in case.
Scooter Injuries Are the Most Common Real Risk
This is genuinely the top safety issue for tourists in Bali, not petty crime or anything more dramatic. If you ride, wear a proper helmet, get travel insurance that explicitly covers scooter accidents (many policies exclude them or require a valid license), and don't ride if you're inexperienced or have been drinking.
General Safety Is Good, With Normal Precautions
Violent crime against tourists is rare. Standard petty-theft awareness (don't leave valuables unattended on beaches, use hotel safes) and normal ocean caution (rip currents exist at several popular beaches, check local flag warnings) cover most of what you actually need to think about.
None of this should be alarming — bottled water, sensible food choices, a proper helmet if you ride, and standard beach caution cover the overwhelming majority of real risk. Scooter safety is the one worth taking most seriously.