Indonesia travel safety: the real risks and how to manage them

Ask travellers what went wrong in Indonesia and the answers are rarely dramatic: a scooter crash on a wet road, a phone taken from a beach bag, a stomach bug that ruined three days. Violent crime against visitors is rare. The risks that actually shape a trip are the ones you can prepare for.

This page is not a substitute for official advice, which changes with outbreaks and volcanic activity. Check your government's current advisory before you fly, then use the practical notes below to plan around the things that are unlikely to make the news.

Traffic: the risk that actually matters

Indonesia's roads are the most dangerous part of any trip. Traffic is dense, lanes are advisory, and motorbikes overtake on both sides. If you ride a scooter without experience, the odds of a fall rise sharply, especially in rain, at night, or on the unlit roads of Bali and Lombok.

The standard advice from long-term residents is blunt: do not learn to ride a scooter in Bali. Learn at home, get the licence, then rent. If you do ride here, assume every junction has someone pulling out and that the shoulder is a lane. Rain reduces grip on the polished asphalt and floods the drains in low-lying streets.

Wear a helmet, ride within your ability, and avoid night riding on unfamiliar roads. If you take an ojek, check that the helmet fits and that the driver is not weaving through oncoming traffic. In a car, wear the seatbelt in the back as well as the front, and refuse a driver who is clearly reckless.

• Helmet on every ride, including short ones
• No night riding on unfamiliar roads
• Avoid scooters in heavy rain
• Seatbelts in the back seat too

Theft and common scams

Petty theft is opportunistic: a phone on a restaurant table, a bag on the sand while you swim, a wallet in a back pocket on a crowded bus. Use a zipped bag, keep the phone out of sight in markets, and leave valuables in the hotel safe. Violent robbery is uncommon, but bag snatching from a passing motorbike happens in Jakarta and Bali.

The classic scams are rental damage claims, rigged money changers, taxi meters that stay off, and fake police asking for a fine. Photograph a rental before and after, count your money at the counter, agree the taxi fare or use an app, and ask a supposed officer to take you to a station rather than paying cash on the spot.

Earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis

Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and small earthquakes are frequent. Most are harmless, but the advice is consistent: drop, cover and hold under a sturdy table, then leave the building when the shaking stops. Do not use lifts, and expect aftershocks.

Volcanic eruptions can close airports and cancel flights for days, as Raung, Merapi, Sinabung and Lewotobi have done. Follow the exclusion zones, which are enforced, and check the official volcanic activity level before trekking. On the coast, a strong earthquake or a sudden retreat of the sea is a tsunami warning: move inland or uphill immediately, without waiting for an official alert.

Water and adventure sports

Rip currents are the main hazard on Bali's west coast and around Nusa Penida. There are few lifeguards. Swim between the flags where they exist, and if you are caught in a rip, swim parallel to the beach rather than against it. Coral cuts need cleaning the same day; the reef is sharp and infection is common.

Diving and snorkelling operators vary in quality. Check that the boat has life jackets, oxygen and a first-aid kit, and that the divemaster asks about your certification. Trekking guides should be licensed; on Ijen and Rinjani, the official associations are the ones to book.

Health and food safety

Drink bottled or filtered water, be cautious with ice from street carts, and eat at busy places where food turns over quickly. Most stomach trouble resolves in a few days, but dengue, typhoid and hepatitis are real. See a clinic if a fever persists, and do not take antibiotics without a diagnosis.

Rabies is present in Bali. Wash any animal bite for 15 minutes and go to a clinic immediately. Monkeys at temples and in Ubud's forest areas are the usual culprits, and they will grab food and bags if given the chance.

Women, solo travellers and LGBTQ visitors

Women travelling alone generally report fewer problems than in many other regions, but attention can be persistent. Dress modestly outside beach areas, avoid unlit streets at night, and use app-based transport rather than accepting rides from strangers. A wedding ring and a firm "no" are useful tools.

Attitudes to LGBTQ travellers vary. Bali is relatively relaxed, and Jakarta has a visible scene, but public affection is best avoided everywhere, and in Aceh, sharia law criminalises same-sex relations. Check local norms before travelling to conservative areas.

Emergency numbers and insurance

The general emergency number is 112; police is 110, an ambulance 118 or 119. English is not guaranteed on the line, so a hotel reception or a local fixer is often faster. Save your embassy's number and your insurance emergency line before you need them.

Travel insurance with medical evacuation is the most valuable safety purchase for Indonesia. A clinic visit in Bali is affordable; an evacuation from Raja Ampat or a remote part of Papua is not. Check that the policy covers motorbike riding and the activities you plan to do.

• 112 general emergency
• 110 police, 118 ambulance
• Save your embassy and insurer numbers
• Medical evacuation cover is essential

Questions people actually ask

Is Indonesia safe for tourists?

Generally yes. Violent crime against visitors is rare; traffic accidents, petty theft and stomach illness are the common problems. Check current government advice for volcanic and security updates.

What should I do in an earthquake?

Drop, cover and hold under sturdy furniture, then leave the building when the shaking stops. Avoid lifts. If you are on the coast and the sea retreats, move inland or uphill immediately.

Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali?

Only with experience and a licence. Wear a helmet, avoid night riding and heavy rain, and check that your insurance covers motorbike riding. Scooter crashes are the most common traveller injury.

Are the beaches safe for swimming?

Some are, but rips are common on the west coast and around Nusa Penida, and lifeguards are rare. Swim between flags where they exist and never swim alone at dusk.