Fun fact: Did you know that Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia and the largest archipelago in the world?
Indonesia is also home to approximately 240 million people.
Resting between the Indian and Pacific oceans, Indonesia shares land borders with East Timor, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.
There is also an extensive maritime border shared with India, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Palau, and the Philippines.
A transcontinental country primarily located in Southeast Asia, it has some territories in Oceania.
Plus, 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited.
For the most part, Indonesia is considered safe, and many experiences and sights await your visit, though you should know that it is not without its dangers.
The good news is that Indonesia is ranked the 76th safest country in the world.
Yet, as anywhere, many hazards potentially lie in Indonesia, from natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, to social disruptions that can include corruption, terrorism, street attacks, and crime.
It is believed to be a reasonably secure destination for travelers, especially those who are respectful, cautious, sober, polite, and aware of their surroundings.
Just like home!
In addition, locals in Indonesia are typically incredibly gracious and quite welcoming to tourists, and tourism is becoming an increasingly strong component in building a burgeoning engine of prosperity.
Contents
Bali
What some have called “The Island of the Gods,” Bali attracts travelers to the area for its gorgeous natural scenery and legendary nightlife.
This makes for an exciting mix of surfers, students, honeymooners, digital nomads, retirees, and everyone else.
In addition, some consider it among the safest places in Indonesia, thanks to amiable locals and a relaxed pace of life.
An island extensive in size, with a wide range of areas to discover, Bali has beaches, lakes, terraced rice fields, and a couple of active volcanoes thrown in for good measure.
A spectacular travel destination, Bali has it all, from breathtaking nature to nightlife, cool cafes to beautiful beaches.
Lombok
Lombok offers beautiful beaches, a laid-back lifestyle, and fantastic nature experiences.
Enjoy adventures such as climbing the active volcano Rinjani or relaxing on the white sand beaches.
The prominent tourist spot is Kuta, in the south part of the island, and there are unique places all over Lombok.
Apart from the natural hazards like earthquakes, Lombok is safe, calm, and peaceful.
It’s an excellent location to experience the authentic lifestyle of the locals, who are mainly farmers.
They are less tourism-dependent.
And less hunger and poverty translate into greater safety.
Malang
A dynamic economic region, Malang is filled with people conducting business and commuting to their workplace on a weekday.
And as in any area taking mass transit, be aware of your environment and attempts at pickpocketing.
Many people enjoy visiting Malang because of its pleasant and temperate climate.
Others want to explore this center for business and the economy.
In contrast, others enjoy the opportunity to explore a more urban area that possesses the enticements and the pleasures of any fascinating city.
And just like visiting any city, use caution when going out at night.
Yogyakarta
Filled with artsy communities and interesting tourist landmarks, Yogyakarta is a serene area that welcomes visitors.
Added inducements to visit include being relatively affordable, with fun eating options from inexpensive cafes to fine dining options.
Be open to adventure and polite, and you should have an excellent travel experience in this town popular with locals and tourists.
Many tourists visit this local area because it merges two wonderful traits that draw travelers: it is reasonably affordable, and there are some excellent and well-known attractions and travel bargains.
So come and explore one of the safest places to travel in Indonesia.
Bandung
Bandung has earned the honor of being named A Creative City by UNESCO because of its unique and exciting designs, which is only one of the reasons why Bandung is a favorite among tourists.
In addition, it is getting a reputation as an epicurean city, famous for its cuisine.
Bandung is a popular city to explore with its calm and fresh weather.
Cikarang
One of the exciting things about Cikarang is its initiative to turn its central business district into a smart, green city with world-class amenities and architecture to cater to the growing expatriate community.
The town is a home base for over 2,500 multinational companies.
Because of this, it has attracted an increasing number of ex-pats and tourists and a bustling feel and energy.
Palembang
If on Sumatra Island, snack connoisseurs should consider paying homage to Palembang.
Palembang is primarily famous, and justifiably so, for its renowned snack, Pempek Palembang.
While there, stroll over to the town’s icon, Ampera Bridge, which is beautiful and has a considerable array of dining options from independent and proud food vendors.
Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat is on its way to becoming one of the safest spots for solo travel in Indonesia.
Explore boat transit and tours, and for those who love combining nature and aquatic life, there are many types and levels of water recreation.
Enjoy snorkeling, swimming, or diving.
Regarding accommodation, there is a diverse range of lodging for every taste and budget.
And, as always, you are safest staying in an area that caters to travelers.
Bangka-Belitung Islands
The Bangka Belitung islands consist of two islands, Bangka and Belitung, situated right off the southeast coast of Sumatra.
Belitung is a smaller island, surrounded by many tiny islands and granite rock formations, so it is excellent for enjoying island hopping boat tours!
However, one possible hazard to consider is that during the rainy season, October to February, weather conditions can be challenging and perhaps even risky for non-swimmers exploring this island.
Flores
Yes, the island of Flores possesses volcanic mountains surrounded by terraced rice paddies and gorgeous beaches looking over the deep turquoise sea, making it a favorite place for visitors to explore.
Flores is the perfect getaway spot to relax for a few days.
However, for many visitors worldwide, the primary appeal can be summed up in two words: Komodo Dragons!
Labuanbajo, a port town, is the main tourist center and the transit hub to get to Komodo National Park and the nearby offshore diving sites.
There are many boat tours, or you could go snorkeling with the Manta Rays or take a stroll in the Komodo Dragon National Park and trek on some of the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Indonesia
- Do not get lured away by an unregistered guide. You do not follow strangers into dark streets at home. Please don’t do it on vacation! Only use the services of a guide working with a reputable tour agency.
- Try to avoid accepting candy from strangers. But, again, this translates to understanding what you’re getting into. The best thing to do, eye-roll, is not to take strangers’ drinks, drugs, candy, or other items, which is generally an intelligent policy, wherever you go.
- Indonesia is a conservative and primarily Muslim country. Therefore, it is wise to dress appropriately to avoid problems and misunderstandings and show cultural respect.
- Do not leave your personal belongings unattended in a public space. Theives are everywhere in the world, including Indonesia; why tempt them?
- When working towards keeping safe, keep in the know. Stay informed by monitoring the local news for events of interest, from climate occurrences to political unrest, before and during your trip.
Indonesia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Indonesia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to Indonesia?
Indonesia is thought by most to be a safe country to travel in, yet, like any place, it still has its dangers, which can range from natural disasters to terrorism to drink spiking to petty theft.
With that said, plan your trip with care, express a bit of caution, a lot of common courtesy and consideration, keep your wits about you and your cell phone and bag close on the streets of Indonesia, and you should be fine.
Does Indonesia have many natural dangers?
Situated on the poetically and aptly named Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known to experience a high degree of tectonic activity, the area is susceptible to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and flood risks.
What is an easy thing I can do to stay safe?
One easy way to stay safe is to stay connected with friends, fans, and family during your trip.
Keep your people updated about where you’re staying and any day trips.
That way, you can be quickly found in an emergency.
Are pickpockets and purse snatching a problem in the region?
Pickpocketing and purse snatching are widespread problems.
So it is best to display caution, especially in public and crowded places like airports and bus and train stations.
Therefore, keep your belongings close by, or leave valuables in a security deposit box at your hotel.
Better yet, unless you need your goodies while traveling, leave them at home.
It’s reassuring to see cities in Indonesia making significant strides in safety measures, creating a more secure environment for residents and visitors.
Living in one of the safest cities there has been a blessing, but it’s hard to maintain these standards and continuously improve safety protocols.
Safety is a top priority for many when choosing a place to live. These cities in Indonesia offer a great balance between safety and quality of life.
While safety is a key aspect, it’s equally important to address social issues to ensure a holistic sense of security in these Indonisian cities.