Think Twice Before Buying a SIM Card in Bali

Buying a SIM card in Bali might sound like the easiest way to stay connected, but the reality is more complicated than most travelers expect. By government policy, every SIM card purchase requires you to hand over a copy of your passport and register your phone’s IMEI number. In practice, this means you literally have to let someone take a picture of your passport. Once that information is submitted, both your personal details and your device identity are out of your control, and in the wrong hands they could be cloned or misused.

The process itself isn’t very tourist-friendly either. Official providers such as Telkomsel, XL, or Indosat usually make you go to their store, wait in line, and deal with limited opening hours. That’s why many visitors end up buying from third-party sellers, but this only adds another layer of risk. And despite the common belief that local SIM cards are cheap, the reality is different — prices for tourists often come with extra fees and mark-ups, making them far less of a bargain.

Some people think they can just rely on Wi-Fi at hotels or cafés instead, but that’s not a great solution either. Connections in Bali are often slow and unstable, and public networks expose you to possible data interception or infiltration.

A smarter alternative is to use international roaming or switch to a travel eSIM. Services like Airalo or Holafly let you purchase and activate data instantly, without handing over your passport or IMEI, and without wasting time in queues. It’s faster, safer, and in many cases even more affordable than a local SIM.

The truth is, while buying a SIM card in Bali might look like a convenient option at first, the risks, hassle, and hidden costs make it hardly worth it. For most travelers, roaming or a travel eSIM is the better choice — secure, simple, and stress-free.