Yes, with care, for most of Indonesia. The US State Department asks for increased caution because of natural disasters, unrest and terrorism, and warns its citizens away from two provinces in the Papua region.
At Safe to Go, we monitor official assessments daily so you can separate localized regional hazards from popular island destinations. Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands are not covered by the Papua warnings, but the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) reports sexual assault and drink spiking there, and frequent bag-snatching in Bali.
Where the Warnings Concentrate across the Indonesian Archipelago
Government travel warnings in Indonesia concentrate on specific conflict zones rather than the main resort destinations. The US State Department tells its citizens not to travel to the provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) because of civil unrest.
The UK FCDO gives specific regional advice for the Papua region, Aceh, Central Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands. In the Papua region, armed separatist groups known as the TPNPB-OPM fight government security forces. Clashes have caused civilian deaths, including a New Zealand national killed at a mining facility in Highland Papua Province in 2020. In February 2023, separatists kidnapped a New Zealand national in Nduga and issued statements threatening foreigners. Separatists have also attacked commercial aircraft that service remote communities from local airfields in Central and Highland Papua. The UK government has no permanent presence in the region, and limited hospital facilities mean emergency medical treatment is likely to require medical evacuation to Darwin in Australia.
In Aceh, Sharia law is in force, there have been reports of Sharia police harassing foreigners, and the UK FCDO says to take particular care in remote areas. In Central Sulawesi Province, the UK FCDO says to take particular care in Palu, Poso and Tentena. Conflict between Indonesian security forces and terrorists, including attacks on police and civilians in 2021, is mostly in the Sigi, Parigi Moutong and Poso regions. The Maluku Islands have a history of unrest between religious and tribal factions, requiring extra care on Ambon Island and Haruku Island (Pulau Haruku).
Crime and Methanol Risks in Bali and Lombok
Street crime like bag-snatching and pickpocketing affects busy tourist centers. Bags get snatched frequently in Bali, meaning travelers should carry only essential items, conceal bags, and secure passports and payment cards. If you are traveling by car, keep doors locked while driving.
Alcoholic drinks containing methanol have caused deaths and serious illness in Indonesia, the UK FCDO says. Criminal gangs produce counterfeit replicas of well-known alcohol brands that can contain high amounts of methanol. Poisonings have occurred from drinks purchased in licensed bars, hotels, and shops in tourist areas. You cannot detect methanol by taste or smell, so seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are with shows signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
Reported cases of rape and sexual assault are high in Bali and Lombok, and drink spiking linked to sexual assault has been reported there and on the Gili Islands. Watch drinks being made, never leave glasses unattended, and refuse drinks from strangers. For local transport, rely strictly on registered taxi companies like Bluebird, Silverbird, or Express, or ride-hailing apps where you can verify the driver matches the profile before boarding. Unlicensed money changers may short-change you, so use only licensed exchanges that show a Bank of Indonesia logo and a QR code, and open the code to check the business name and licence. There has been a rise in scams at tattoo parlors, nail salons, and spas in Bali, so agree fees in advance.
Comparing Assessments across US, UK, and Canadian Travel Advisories
The three governments set different levels of caution for Indonesia. The US State Department asks for increased caution and keeps its strictest warning for Central Papua and Highland Papua, while the UK FCDO advises against travel to no part of the country. The live panel above shows today’s level from each government.
The Government of Canada asks for a high degree of caution, with regional advisories, and its latest change updated the travel health section.
The UK FCDO no longer advises against all travel to volcanoes in Indonesia, and it says it will not do so for future eruptions either. Instead, the UK FCDO points you to the exclusion zones that local authorities enforce around volcanically active sites. The US says terrorists target police stations, places of worship, hotels, bars, nightclubs, markets, shopping malls and restaurants. The UK FCDO adds beach resorts, ferry terminals and airports to its list of potential targets.
Indonesian Laws and Holidays That Affect Visitors
Indonesia has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs, and people caught possessing, using, making or trafficking them may face long prison sentences or the death penalty. Cannabis in every form is illegal, including medicinal cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), hemp-based products, hash, edibles and vapes, and airport scanners also check the baggage of transiting passengers. You must always carry your passport or stay permit, such as a KITAS or KITAP.
During Ramadan, whose dates vary by year, do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car, and do not play loud music, dance or swear in public. Balinese New Year in Bali is known as Nyepi. During this time, local custom requires that all people in Bali observe a day of silence by staying indoors, turning off lights, and making no noise. Ngurah Rai International Airport is closed for the entire day, though emergency services and hospitals are allowed to operate.
Indonesia regularly experiences earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, which the US State Department says can disrupt transport, infrastructure, sanitation and health services. Escalation in the Middle East has also caused international flight delays and airspace closures affecting transit routes into Indonesia. Get travel insurance that covers your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
- Avoid all political protests, demonstrations, and student rallies, as they can turn violent without warning.
- Credit card fraud is common, so do not lose sight of your card, and ignore any phone number posted on a cash machine asking you to report problems.
How to Check Whether Indonesia Is Safe Right Now
The live panel above shows today’s level from each government, and we re-check those advisories every day. The UK FCDO says the security situation in Highland Papua and Central Papua can change quickly, and that if a volcano erupts you should follow local authorities’ advice on areas to avoid and exclusion zones.
American travelers should register their itinerary with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. The UK FCDO Indonesia page offers email alerts when its advice changes. Watch local news for planned demonstrations, which the UK FCDO says can become violent without warning.
Central and Highland Papua Are Off Limits for Ordinary Trips
If your trip includes Central Papua or Highland Papua, Indonesia as planned is a poor fit: the US tells its citizens not to go there, and the UK FCDO reports regular armed clashes and a separatist statement that foreigners in the Papua region would be targeted. Move that part of the trip elsewhere, and see is Bali safe? if Bali is on your list.
Our verdict would change if any of the three governments extended its strictest warnings beyond the Papua region, for example to Bali or Jakarta. Our verdict would also change if the UK FCDO again advised against all travel to volcanoes.
Before you book flights between islands, check the latest advisory changes for any new warning that covers your stops.