On March 7th 2019 the island will turn dark and quiet in celebration of Nyepi Day. This most important and sacred day in the Hindu religion is part of the 6 days lasting Balinese New Year celebrations. As opposed to most other cultures in the world, where people often flock to the streets to celebrate the arrival of the new year with music, dance and fireworks, in Bali the streets go empty, and the island turns all dark and quiet. That’s why Nyepi Day is also often referred to as Silence Day.
Here are some tips on how to spend Nyepi Day in Bali:
- Find out where the Ogoh Ogoh parade in your area is. This is an amazing experience on the day before Nyepi, so make sure not to miss it.
- If you’re arriving the day before Nyepi, book your airport transfer in advance to get to your hotel hassle-free.
- Many taxi drivers are going home to their village to celebrate Balinese New Year, so don’t travel too far the day before and after Nyepi Day; the roads can get very congested.
- That’s also why you shouldn’t rely on taxi’s the night before Nyepi. Whether it’s Blue Bird, Gojek, or Uber, many drivers don’t take any rides anymore as they are on the way home for the upcoming celebrations. Getting around in Bali can be quite challenging this day.
- If you’re staying in a resort, make sure to book your spa treatments early. You’re most likely not the only one looking for some relaxation on this day.
- If you’re staying in a villa, stock up on food, drinks, and DVDs as you can’t leave your place on Nyepi Day. When watching movies after sunset, do close the curtains, as otherwise the Nyepi police will knock on your door and tell you to switch off the lights / television.
- Make sure you have enough money for 3 days as ATMs are often empty and money changers are closed. Plus the exchange rate will drop.
Consider yourself lucky if you’re in Bali on Nyepi Day. It truly is a magical day and a wonderful experience. Hopefully, these tips are a useful guide for you on how to spend Nyepi Day in Bali.
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