Think twice.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Indonesia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Think twice.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Drug Entrapment
Street vendors may offer drugs to tourists while working with undercover police. Once you engage, uniformed officers arrive to demand bribes or take you into custody.
ATM Skimming
Criminals install card skimmers on ATMs to clone bank cards. Use Gallery ATMs located inside bank branches with security guards to lower the risk.
Drugged Drinks
Strangers may offer drinks that are laced with drugs. Do not accept drinks from people you do not know.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Illegal Drug Possession
Indonesia enforces harsh penalties for the possession, import, export, or trafficking of drugs. Even small amounts for personal use can result in trials, lengthy prison terms, or execution.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Zika in Indonesia
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Most visitors to Indonesia must obtain an e-Visa in Indonesia unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival. However, some countries must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Indonesian diplomatic missions before being allowed to enter Indonesia.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Indonesia. The threat from Islamist extremism remains high, though the Indonesian authorities continue to disrupt attack planning. Indonesian authorities report multiple arrests of alleged terrorists in the advanced stages of preparation. Indonesian government and law enforcement interests and places of worship are regularly targeted by extremists. Western interests are also at risk. Small-scale attacks occur on a regular basis and further incidents are likely. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals. Potential targets include: beach resorts hotels, bars and restaurants markets and shopping malls hosting major international brand outlets tourist attractions places of worship foreign embassies polling stations ferry terminals and airports There’s a heightened risk on and around: Christmas, New Year and Easter Chinese New Year Nyepi (Balinese New Year) Islamic celebrations and holidays such as Ramadan national and local elections presidential inaugurations Independence Day (17 August) Follow the advice of the local authorities, and stay alert in crowded places and at large gatherings. Recent attacks include: in 2022, a suicide bomber attacked a police post on Jalan Astana Anyar, in Bandung, West Java, killing one and injuring 8 people in 2021, there was a suicide attack outside the Catholic Cathedral Church at JaIan Kajaolalido, Makassar
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the province of Aceh under Sharia law. Punishment following a Sharia court process includes public caning, a prison sentence or a fine payable in gold. Across Indonesia, there have been reports of police arresting individuals at LGBT+ events. Some laws and regulations, including those related to pornography and prostitution, have been applied in a way that discriminates against the LGBT+ community. You should exercise caution and discretion, particularly in public spaces. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Indonesia has been and continues to be wracked by every pestilence known to man: earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, terrorism, civil strife, plane crashes, sinking boats, and corruption make the headlines on a depressingly regular basis.
- •Scams are rare in the less touristy areas, though be more cautious in Bali.
- •Crime: The crime rate in Indonesia is generally considered moderate.
- •Local and long-distance public transport (buses, trains, ships) is often targeted by thieves.
- •Do not leave valuable items in an empty hotel room, and use the hotel's safe deposit box instead of the in-room safe.
- •There are incidents of cards being skimmed or cloned at ATMs.
Staying healthy
- •Diseases: The bad news is that every disease known to humans can be found somewhere in Indonesia — the good news is that you most probably will not go there.
- •Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary for Java or Bali, but is wise if travelling for extended periods in remote areas of Sumatra, Borneo, Lombok or points east.
- •Dengue fever can be contracted anywhere, so using insect repellents (DEET) and mosquito nets is highly advisable.
- •Hepatitis B is also common, mainly in Lombok and Lesser Sunda Islands, and getting vaccinated before arriving in Indonesia is wise, but Hepatitis B cannot be transmitted by foods.
- •Oralit is a cheap, widely-available brand of rehydration salts, you should be able to find the sachets in even the smallest apotek.
- •The air quality in major cities, especially Jakarta and Surabaya, is poor, and the seasonal haze (June–October) from forest fires on Borneo and northern Sumatra can also cause respiratory problems.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
- No formal protests over Sumatra , Kalimantan fires : Indonesian lawmaker2026-08-22
- Indonesian Red Cross sends 33 , 947 relief items to quake - hit NTT2026-08-22
- The quiet crisis of Indonesia shrinking middle class - Academia2026-08-22
- NTT quake : Gibran brings UI students to provide psychosocial aid2026-08-21
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Indonesia is generally safe, but logistics dictate your experience. Violent crime is not the primary concern for travelers. The real hurdles are infrastructure and social friction. In areas like Kuta, Lombok, the lack of public transport and the absence of ride-sharing apps like Grab make getting around difficult for those who cannot drive a scooter. Attempting to learn to ride a scooter in local traffic conditions is a dangerous gamble. Furthermore, travelers with visible tattoos or those who are transgender may face unwanted attention or ridicule, necessitating a strategy of covering up or keeping a low profile to avoid social friction.
“I've never driven a scooter in my life, so the accessibility issue felt like a dealbreaker.
— r/travel
“I understand long sleeves and pants will be needed but what about the hands? Along with this, how do we avoid drawing unwanted attention and ridicule for using sign language?
— r/travel
“Would it be realistic to learn to drive a scooter while there? I'm a fast learner and reasonably coordinated — I'd be open to taking a lesson or two before going solo on the roads. Or is that a bad idea given the traffic and road conditions?
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 112 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
Tipping is not a universal practice in Indonesia. You will find some areas and businesses discourage it while others encourage it or there may be a neutral viewpoint about it. In popular tourist areas, in particular on Java and Bali, tipping is often hoped for. Tipping is certainly not a requirement in Indonesia, but if you feel you'd like to reward the person who helped you because they did a gre
SIM / Data
When dialing from mobile phones, always include the operator or area code, prefixed by +62 or 0: <code>+62 812-3456-7890</code> or <code>0812-3456-7890</code>.
Cash vs. Card
Indonesia's currency is the rupiah, abbreviated Rp (ISO code: IDR).
Zoom in
2 Indonesia cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09