Book safely
How to check a Bali tour company is legit before you pay
Updated · By the Bali Activity Tours desk in Ubud
Short answer
A legitimate Bali tour company shows the full price in writing, says exactly what is included, names where the activity runs, uses one phone number and email that match its website, and gives you a written confirmation before asking for money. If any of those is missing, ask. If the answers are vague, book elsewhere.
Eight checks that take five minutes and work on any Bali activity seller, from a big platform to a one-person WhatsApp desk, plus how we answer each of them.
The eight checks
| Check | What good looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Price | One total in one currency, written down | “Price depends”, or a dollar price converted on the day |
| Inclusions | Pickup, entrance, meals, and insurance each listed as in or out | A single number and nothing else |
| Venue | The arena, river base, or route is named | “Best ATV in Bali”, no place name |
| Contact | The same number and email on the website, the chat, and the confirmation | A new number appears halfway through |
| Payment timing | After a written confirmation | Deposit first, details later |
| Payment method | Bank transfer to an Indonesian account, or cash on the day | Gift cards, crypto, or a personal account abroad |
| Changes | A clear rule for changing the date | No answer, or “no changes, no refunds” after payment |
| Photos | Real departures with the same vehicles and river | Stock photos or pictures lifted from other sites |
Direct, platform, or hotel desk?
Big booking platforms add card payment and a support team if a supplier does not show, and they usually charge more for the same seat. Hotel desks are convenient and often resell a local operator. Booking direct is usually cheapest and you speak to the people who plan your pickup, but you need to run the checks above yourself.
Whichever you choose, the rule is the same: no money before a written total and a confirmed date.
Run the checks on us
We would rather you check than trust. Here is how we answer each one; every line can be checked on this site.
| Check | Our answer |
|---|---|
| Price | Rupiah only, on every tour page and in the 2026 price table |
| Inclusions | Listed on each tour page; pickup is included on the jeep; river and ATV days have a private shuttle for Rp 400.000 from Ubud or Rp 650.000 from the south coast |
| Venue | Named on each tour page, with the meeting pin sent on confirmation |
| Contact | WhatsApp +62 817 7572 3663 and sekarprivatebaliactivity@gmail.com, printed on every page |
| Payment timing | After we confirm the seat; the website takes no card and no deposit |
| Payment method | ATV, rafting, tubing: on the spot at the venue in cash, QRIS, Visa, Mastercard, or debit card (cards +3%). Batur jeep: Indonesian bank transfer or cash. We never ask for card numbers online |
| Changes | Change the date up to 24 hours before pickup if the seat is free |
| Photos | ATV, rafting, tubing, and jeep photos are from our own departures; others are credited on the photo page |
Questions worth asking any seller
- Is the jeep or raft private, or shared with other guests?
- Is the entrance fee in the price, or paid at the gate?
- Is insurance included, and for which ages?
- Who drives the pickup car, and what time will they arrive?
- What happens if it rains or the river is too high?
Ask us anything on the list
Send us your questions before you book
Ask about inclusions, pickup, insurance, or the weather plan on WhatsApp. We answer in writing with the rupiah total, and you pay only after the seat is confirmed.
- Hotel pickup from Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur, and Nusa Dua
- No card online: you pay in rupiah after we confirm the seat
- Change the date up to 24 hours before pickup, if the seat is free
