Pointing Feet and Hands in Bali: What Visitors Should Know About Balinese Culture

In Bali, pointing feet and hands at people or sacred objects is considered disrespectful, and understanding why makes everyday interactions smoother. This guide explains the reasoning behind these customs and gives you simple, practical habits for temples, homestays and the roads.

Why feet and hands carry meaning in Balinese culture

Bali is home to a Hindu culture known as Agama Hindu Dharma, where the body is ranked in a simple way: the head is considered the most sacred part and the feet the least. Feet touch the ground, which the community regards as the lowest and dirtiest contact point. For that reason, pointing a foot at someone, touching a person with your foot, or resting your feet on a table or altar is seen as an insult.

Hands follow a similar logic, though in a different direction. The right hand is generally used for eating, giving and receiving, so offering something with the left hand or pointing with one finger can come across as careless. Locals often use an open palm, or a slight nod with the chin, to direct attention.

Everyday gestures to get right

Small habits matter more than you might expect. Use these as a quick reference:

• Give and receive with your right hand, or with both hands when handing over money or a gift.
• Avoid pointing a finger at a person; gesture with an open hand, palm down, instead.
• Do not touch someone's head, including children's heads, even affectionately.
• Keep your feet off furniture, offerings and religious items; sit with your feet tucked or flat on the floor.
• Step over, never on, offerings (canang sari) placed on the ground, the steps and the pavement.

Temples and ceremonies

A temple visit is where these customs matter most. Wear a sarong and a sash (selendang) when entering, and keep your head at a level below that of priests and worshippers. Do not climb on shrines, sit on temple walls or pose with your feet toward the sanctuary. Photography is usually welcome in outer courtyards, but ask before photographing a ceremony or a person in prayer.

If a procession passes, step aside and let it go by. Traffic is sometimes paused for ceremonies, and the right response is patience, not an attempt to pass.

Dress rules and temple entry conditions are set by each temple's own community (desa adat), and can differ between sites. Check the signage on arrival and follow the local guardians' instructions.

Practical tips for travelling around the island

When you ride or drive around Bali, these customs show up in small moments: the way you pass a religious procession, how you leave an offering on a scooter seat, or how you greet a shop owner. A relaxed, respectful approach works best.

If you are riding a scooter, be especially careful not to ride over offerings on the road and to give way at temple gates. Your helmet should be on your head, not hung from the handlebar, and you should never ride with your feet pointing toward a shrine you are passing.

Getting around respectfully with SiapPergi

SiapPergi delivers scooters and cars anywhere in mainland Bali, including Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), Ubud, Canggu, Uluwatu and Amed, so you can explore temples and villages at your own pace. Delivery to your hotel or villa is included in the price. Catalogue prices start at Rp70.000 per day for scooters and Rp310.000 per day for cars, with 2 helmets included with every scooter. You don't leave a deposit and we don't hold your passport: you pay in Indonesian Rupiah when the vehicle arrives. Scooter and car options are listed on Scooter rental and Car rental, and you can book on WhatsApp or through How to book.

For a guided day with a driver, see Car rental with driver, which covers Yogyakarta and Central Java as well.

Quick checklist before you visit

1. Learn to use your right hand and an open palm.
2. Pack a sarong and sash, or buy one at the entrance.
3. Step over offerings and never touch them.
4. Ask before photographing people in ceremonies.
5. Pull over and wait for processions.

Customs and local rules can vary between villages. When in doubt, watch what locals do and follow their lead.