What Nyepi Means For Your Trip to Bali This March

Bali isn’t a travel destination known for its quiet nature. From the scooter symphony of Seminyak to the dawn chorus of roosters and the ever-present beat of a distant beach club, noise is part of the parcel when experiencing the fun of Bali.

But for one 24-hour period each year, the entire island, all 5,780 square kilometres of it, collectively hits the mute button.

This complete shutdown is Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu Day of Silence, marking the start of the Saka New Year. Traffic on the island, which normally sees 16.2 million annual visitors, slows so much that carbon dioxide emissions drop so significantly—studies have proven the air quality tangibly improves.

Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, the third busiest in Indonesia, is the only airport in the world to completely close for a religious holiday, with over four hundred flights grounded.

From the electrifying spectacle of the night before to the absolute stillness of the day itself, here is what to expect, how to prepare, and how to embrace Nyepi.

In 2026, Nyepi takes place on Thursday March 19, from 6:00am until 6:00am the following morning.

Nyepi is a sacred ritual rooted in the Balinese Hindu calendar (the Saka calendar) and cosmic mythology. The word Nyepi itself is derived from sepi, meaning 'quiet' or 'silent'.

It marks the New Year, or Isakawarsa. The spiritual context is what gives the day its power. Unlike a Western New Year celebrated with fireworks and parties, this is a day of absolute silence, self-reflection, and spiritual cleansing. And if you happen to be visiting Bali when it occurs, it completely changes your understanding of Bali.

According to local lore, following the raucous, purifying celebrations of the night before, the island must appear uninhabited to any wandering evil spirits (Bhuta Kala). The silence and darkness are a giant, collective trick, creating the illusion of a deserted land, which encourages the demons to move on. The observance is guided by the Catur Brata Penyepian, four main prohibitions that apply to everyone on the island, local or tourist:

• Amati Geni: No fire or light, this includes electricity and, crucially for tourists, keeping lights low and curtains drawn.
• Amati Karya: No working or worldly activities.
• Amati Lelungan: No movement or travelling, which is why the airport and roads shut down.
• Amati Lelanguan: No entertainment or pleasure, this is the big one that shuts off your data.

For the Balinese, this 24-hour period is dedicated to Tapa Brata, or deep spiritual connection through fasting, prayer, and meditation, seeking self-reflection and renewal for the year ahead. It’s an immense act of spiritual discipline that non-Hindu visitors are expected to respect and adhere to.

If Nyepi is the silence, the days leading up to it are a cacophonous, visually stunning purge of the old year’s bad energy. This is arguably the most dynamic and must-see part of the week.

Three or four days before Nyepi, the Melasti ritual takes place. It’s a purification ceremony where thousands of Balinese Hindus, dressed in ceremonial white and traditional attire, walk in massive processions from their villages to the sea or a sacred water source. The purpose is to cleanse the sacred temple objects, such as Arca and Pratima, in the holy water.

Watching these enormous processions move toward the ocean, often at sunset, with traditional music and chanting, is a deeply moving experience that makes for incredible photography, just always remember to ask permission. Major beaches like those in Sanur, Kuta, and Tanah Lot become hubs for this spectacle.

The night immediately before Nyepi is called Pengerupukan, and the streets literally erupt. This is the night of the Ogoh-Ogoh parades. Ogoh-Ogoh are massive effigies of demons and mythological beings, most commonly representing the destructive spirit, Bhuta Kala.

These figures—which can be up to seven metres tall—are meticulously crafted by the youth organisations (Seka Teruna Teruni) of each local community (Banjar) over weeks. They are made from bamboo, papier-mâché, and often use sustainable, upcycled materials.

The parade, which usually starts after sunset, is a wild, visceral cultural event. Hundreds of young men carry the massive effigies through the streets, rocking and spinning them counter-clockwise at every major intersection to confuse the spirits. It’s an energetic, noisy, fiery procession, often accompanied by the fast, rhythmic beats of the Baleganjur gamelan orchestra and the flash of firecrackers. The grandest parades are in Denpasar, particularly around Puputan Square, and in the cultural heart of Ubud.

In some areas, like Canggu’s Batu Bolong strip, the parade maintains a traditional community-focused energy. The climax of the ritual, which symbolises the destruction and expulsion of evil forces, is the burning of some of the Ogoh-Ogoh. Just remember that traffic will be a complete nightmare, with major roads closed, so plan to arrive early and stay put.

On Nyepi itself, the sheer scale of the silence is staggering, and your role as a visitor is simple: respect the quiet and stay put.

The rules apply to everyone, regardless of nationality or faith.

From 6:00am to 6:00am the next day all traffic ceases. There is literally no driving, no riding a scooter, and no taxis, even within a gated compound. The only people you will see on the streets are the Pecalang, the traditional security guards, patrolling to ensure the silence is observed. They are not police, but they have the full authority of the community behind them.

In recent years, at the request of the Balinese government, major mobile data providers and even landline broadband services have also agreed to a complete internet shutdown for the full 24 hours. The intent is to remove all distractions from the required meditation, a mandated digital detox.

For tourists, your hotel or resort is your sanctuary and your temporary world. Hotels are experts at managing this day and will run internal operations to keep you comfortable. You must remain within the boundaries of your resort, villa, or hotel for the entire 24-hour period. Curtains and blinds must be drawn, and lights must be kept low. If you have a room-side balcony, you should not be on it, and certainly not with a brightly lit phone or device.

The idea is that from the air, the island appears completely dark. This lack of light pollution means that if you peek outside your curtain, the night sky is often the clearest you will ever see Bali.

Noise must be kept to an absolute minimum. In your room, TV and music volumes must be barely audible. This isn't the day for a loud phone call home or a pool party. Hotel restaurants and room service will operate, often offering a special Nyepi-friendly set menu or buffet. The swimming pool will generally be open during the day, but again, noise must be kept low.

Many hotels offer special, respectful activities like yoga, Balinese cooking classes, or traditional craft workshops to help guests pass the time and engage with the culture. Check-in and check-out are strictly prohibited on Nyepi day itself.

When the clock strikes 6:00am the day after Nyepi, the silence lifts, and Bali hits the 'play' button again. This day is called Ngembak Geni, or ‘rekindling the fire,’ symbolising the return of light and social life.

The energy returns with a deep sense of renewal and warmth. People emerge to visit family, friends, and neighbours to exchange apologies (saling ngampura) for past grievances and start the new year with a clean slate. It's a day of sincere forgiveness that cements community bonds.

In the village of Banjar Kaja Sesetan in Denpasar, the day after Nyepi brings Omed-Omedan, or the ‘Kissing Ritual.’ Unmarried youths of the village participate in a playful mass-kissing event in the street, while the crowd pours buckets of water over them. It’s chaotic, noisy, and utterly unique, reinforcing social harmony and attracting thousands of onlookers.

Within a few hours of Ngembak Geni, traffic will resume, shops will reopen, and your holiday can return to the regular Balinese itinerary, albeit with a new sense of peace having participated in such a profound cultural reset.

Nyepi is the Balinese Day of Silence, marking the Hindu New Year. For 24 hours, from 6:00am to 6:00am the next morning, the entire island of Bali is silent and still. The airport closes, roads are completely empty, all shops shut down, and lights are kept off or low. The day is dedicated to meditation, fasting, and self-reflection for the Balinese. Tourists and residents must remain inside their accommodation.

The four main rules, or Catur Brata Penyepian, that must be observed by everyone on the island are:

1. Amati Geni: No fire or light (keep lights off and curtains drawn).

2. Amati Karya: No working or worldly activities.

3. Amati Lelungan: No movement or travelling (stay in your accommodation).

4. Amati Lelanguan: No entertainment or pleasure (expect a ban on public entertainment and a complete mobile internet shutdown).

Nyepi in 2026 falls on Thursday 19 March. The silence begins at 6:00am and ends at 6:00am on Friday 20 March.

• Plan ahead: Book flights and ferries to arrive or depart at least one day before or one day after Nyepi.
• Stock up: Buy snacks, drinks, and reading material the day before.
• Stay in: You must remain in your hotel or villa for 24 hours.
• Be respectful: Keep noise and lights low. Embrace the opportunity for a forced digital detox and enjoy the incredible, clear night sky.