Is Indonesia safe? The travel advice, and the numbers to call
What the UK and Canada advise, where travellers run into trouble, and the numbers to call.
By the Local SIM Indonesia team, checked October 3, 2026
The short answer
Both the UK and Canada advise care in Indonesia. Canada's level is exercise a high degree of caution, due to political and social tensions and the threat of terrorism, and it warns against non-essential travel to Indonesian Papua, except Raja Ampat and Sorong. The common risks are petty crime and road accidents. Emergency: 110 police, 118 ambulance.
- Canada's level: exercise a high degree of caution, due to political and social tensions and the threat of terrorism.
- Regional: Canada advises against non-essential travel to the provinces of Indonesian Papua, with Raja Ampat and Sorong excepted.
- The everyday risks: petty crime and bag-snatching in the tourist areas, card fraud and scams; keep bags and phones secure.
- Roads: motorcycle and scooter accidents are the main cause of death and serious injury among foreign visitors, Bali included; wear a helmet.
- Emergency: 110 police, 118 ambulance, 112 fire.
Checked October 3, 2026
What the advice says
Petty crime
- The advice
- Common in the tourist areas, Bali and Lombok included, as bag-snatching and pickpocketing; keep bags and phones close, and take care on public transport.
Scams and fraud
- The advice
- Card fraud is common and unlicensed money changers may short-change you; use licensed exchanges with the Bank Indonesia logo and a QR code, and keep your card in sight during any transaction.
Roads
- The advice
- Traffic discipline is poor and moped and motorbike accidents have risen, some fatal, in Bali; wear a good helmet, and check your insurance covers riding before you rent.
Volcanoes
- The advice
- Eruptions happen frequently; ash can affect flights and the operation of regional airports, so check with your airline and respect exclusion zones near an active volcano.
Rabies
- The advice
- The risk comes from animal bites; avoid stray dogs, monkeys and other animals, and talk to a travel health provider about the vaccine before you go.
Where travellers run into trouble
Bag-snatching
The busy tourist areas, Bali and Lombok included, see the most of it; keep bags and phones close, avoid showing valuables, and use ATMs in public places or inside a bank.
Nights out
Drink spiking is reported in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands, and methanol poisoning has killed people who drank adulterated spirits; watch your drinks being prepared, do not leave them unattended, and get medical help if you feel unwell.
Visa scams
The advice warns about fake agents selling visa extensions, including in Bali; use the official immigration site, and never hand your passport to an agent.
The bottom line
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Is Bali safe for travellers?
Bali gets the same national advice, with a few notes of its own: bag-snatching and drink spiking are reported in the tourist areas, the UK says reported cases of rape and sexual assault are high in Bali and Lombok, and moped accidents have risen. Take normal care: keep bags and phones secure, use registered transport, and save the emergency numbers.
Which parts of Indonesia carry stronger warnings?
Canada advises against non-essential travel to all the provinces of Indonesian Papua, except the Raja Ampat Regency and the city of Sorong, and the UK describes regular armed clashes and an unpredictable situation in Highland Papua and Central Papua. Check the current advice before you plan the route.
What should I watch for on the roads?
Motorcycle and scooter accidents are the main cause of death and serious injury among foreign visitors, Bali included, and the UK describes traffic discipline as very poor; wear a good helmet, and check your insurance covers riding before you rent.
What is the emergency number in Indonesia?
The police are on 110, an ambulance on 118 and the fire service on 112.
Sources
Where the facts on this page come from.
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Indonesia travel advice
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Indonesia safety and security
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Indonesia regional risks
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Indonesia getting help (emergency numbers)
- Government of Canada, Indonesia travel advice
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