IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO BALI?

Bali conjures exotic images of jungle landscapes and sinewy dances – and it’s totally capable of delivering on those images. But Bali’s also a destination that’s so prone to so much stuff that’s it’s fair to ask, “Is it safe to travel to Bali?” 

There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive in. 

What and where is Bali? 

Bali is part of Indonesia, but since Indonesia consists of more than 17,500 islands, that may not be much help.  

It’s more helpful and accurate to say that Bali is a medium-sized island just east of Java, the main Indonesian island where Jakarta, the country’s capital (for now), is sinking into the sea. 

Bali also needs to be distinguished from Balikpapan, a region of the Indonesian island of Borneo that’s also popular with tourists. They’re different places on different islands.  

Bali historically has been a center of South Asian culture and knowledge, which is evident as you explore the island. 

What’s also evident about the island is its plethora of natural wonders, from jungles to mountains to coral reefs. 

Combine that with a well developed tourism infrastructure, and you have the ingredients for a prime tourist destination. 

What do the numbers say about Bali? 

Because Bali is minimally developed and lacks a major city, there aren’t solid numbers on the island’s safety. 

Looking at the safety of Indonesia as a whole, Numbeo puts the country 57th, between Canada and Greece. 

The Global Peace Index places the country 48th out of 163, noting its high levels of internal conflict, demonstrations and weaponization but relatively low levels of jailed and displaced people. 

Finally, the State Department gives the country a level-2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”) rating for a variety of reasons, many of which have little to do with Bali. 

Indonesia safety overview 

Indonesia has made significant strides in tourism safety over the past decades, and Balinese culture, with its emphasis on hospitality and community, has played a big role in that. 

Still, there’s often a disconnect between Bali and the rest of Indonesia. The country is so far-flung and consists of so many islands that the safety picture on one island may be starkly different from the island next door, or it may vary from the north side of the island to the south. 

In Indonesia it’s important to be aware of the safety conditions where you are locally and not pay attention to the fact that there may be pirates or insurgents 40 islands over. The violence is not likely to spill over. 

In general, these are the general safety issues you can expect to find to some extent across all of Indonesia, including Bali: 

• Violent crime 
  
  
• Petty theft 
  
  
• Transportation safety 
  
  
• Water and sun safety 
  
  
• Tropical diseases 
  
  
• Food safety
  
  
• Natural disasters 

Violent crime 

While assaults and armed robberies are a problem in neighborhoods in Jakarta and other more urban parts of the country, they shouldn’t trouble you in Bali if you follow common sense and routines like: 

• Traveling in groups 

• Being alcohol smart 

• Avoiding poorly lit neighborhoods at night 

• Dressing modestly  

• Eschewing gaudy jewelry 

Also, when in doubt, stick to the resort grounds.  

Petty theft 

Like practically every tourist area in the world, Bali has petty theft – generally pickpocketing and bag- and phone-snatching. 

While it’s most common at beaches and markets and in crowded tourist areas like Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud, theft can occur just about anywhere in Bali. 

To keep your valuables secure: 

• Avoid flashing your phone in crowded areas 
  
  
• Carry valuables with you on beaches, or leave them with a member of your group 
  
  
• Use bags with cut-proof straps and secure pockets 
  
  
• Wear pickpocket-proof clothing or carry valuables in a money belt or scarf 
  
  
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times 

Transportation safety 

Indonesia’s known for nutso traffic and awful roads, so be prepared for chaos, especially in Bali’s more urban areas. 

You can protect yourself by: 

• Being a super-careful pedestrian 

• Not renting or riding a motorbike 

• Using licensed taxis, vetted (and insured) rentals, or ride-sharing apps 

If you have to walk, walk the beach. 

Flying into Bali 

As for getting to Bali, there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Bali. Still, you have options – and some very safe and attractive options, all things considered. 

For instance, you could: 

• Fly into Singapore, experience the world’s best airport, and then fly Singapore Airlines to Bali 

• Fly into Seoul, explore the city that’s a popular safety pick among American travelers, then fly to Bali on Korean Air 

• Fly to Tokyo, have a day in that dazzling (and safe) city, then fly to Bali on Japan Air 

• Take any of the UAE’s airlines (Qatar, Etihad or Emirates) to their hub city, explore that city’s wonders, then fly on to Bali 

• Fly to Australia, scoot around one of the world’s safest countries, then head to Bali 

Not bad, huh? 

Once you’re on Bali, your best bets for getting around safely are: 

• Hiring a private driver through GetYourGuide, Klook or your hotel; 

• Using a ride-hailing app like Grab  

• Using Bluebird taxis – the island’s only authorized taxi service 
  
  

Water and sun safety 

Bali is a haven for divers and snorkelers. However, the State Department wants you to be aware that: 

• Dive boats may not follow all safety protocols 

• Rip currents are not uncommon 

• Jellyfish and other aquatic dangers are present 

• There’s a hyperbaric chamber for divers on Bali, but not in other parts of Indonesia 

• Water conditions can change rapidly 

• Lifeguards are scarce 

All of these are good reasons to thoroughly check out dive companies before booking and stick to the resort pool if you’re not sure about water safety at the beach. This is especially true if you’re traveling with kids. 

One last caveat: Don’t drink and dive (or swim or even wade in the surf). 

Tropical diseases and bites/stings 

Dengue fever’s a problem during the rainy season, and malaria is ever-present. To protect yourself, wear insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET and sleep under mosquito netting when you can. 

In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend travelers get immunized against: 

• Chikungunya 

• Hepatitis A and B 

• Japanese encephalitis (for longer-term stays) 

• Yellow fever 

The CDC also recommends travelers take anti-malaria medication prior to visiting Indonesia. 

This is in addition to common vaccinations for things like measles, polio, tetanus, and COVID. 

Diseases aren’t the only tropical worries for travelers to Bali. The creepy-crawlies can get pretty nasty. Depending on where you go in Bali, you may encounter: 

• Beetles with venom more powerful than a cobra’s 

• Venomous wasps 

• Komodo dragons 

• Cobras 

• Kraits (snakes that are more deadly than cobras) 

• Vipers 

• Coral snakes 

And that’s just on land! In the water you may encounter: 

• Jellyfish 

• Sea snakes 

• Stonefish 

• Sea urchins 

Hannah Home Educates, Greenschool and Pets on Mom have details on wildlife to watch out for in Indonesia. 

Water and food safety 

If you visit markets in Bali, only eat hot food that’s been freshly prepared. Wash all fruits and vegetables in bottled water. Stick to bottled water for drinking and avoid drinks with ice in them. 

Generally the more popular a food stall, the fresher the food is and the safer it is for you. Even so, intestinal issues happen. Pack an anti-diarrheal or take some travel probiotics during your trip and you should be fine.  

The No. 1 recommendation from Reddit groups is to take it slow. Even the blandest Indonesian street food requires some acclimation. Take small portions in your first encounter and work your way up. 

Natural disasters 

Bali is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area full of islands with live volcanoes and a generally active weather pattern. 

The results include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, in addition to typhoons and other tropical storms. 

Bali has been nailed more than once by all of these: 

• July 14, 1976: A 6.5-magnitude earthquake destroyed 85,000 homes, killed more than 570 and injured more than 4,700.  

• Dec. 18, 1979: A 6.3-magnitude earthquake destroyed 80% of the buildings in the epicenter area, killing 27 and injuring 200.  

• June 3, 1994: A tsunami struck Java and Bali, killing more than 250 between the two islands. 

• Dec. 26, 2004: A massive tsunami caused widespread destruction across Indonesia and neighboring countries. 

• Nov. 27, 2017: Mount Agung erupted multiple times, disrupting air travel and prompting the evacuation of thousands.  

• Aug. 5, 2018: A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck a neighboring island, killing two people on Bali. 

Earthquakes and eruptions can take place at any time, and there’s very little travelers can do other than to heed evacuation warnings. 

The State Department notes that “the Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning Centre issues tsunami warnings when a potential tsunami with significant impact is imminent or expected.” Multiple notification methods are available to registered users. 

Cultural sensitivity 

Respecting local customs isn't just polite; it can be a critical safety strategy in certain situations. To that end: 

• Dress modestly, especially in or near temples 

• Remove shoes when entering sacred spaces 

• Ask permission before photographing individuals, temples, and shrines 

• Learn basic Indonesian phrases 

• Understand and respect local spiritual practices 

Now more than ever it’s important to be a good American traveler. 

Resources 

Planning on visiting Bali? Put this contact information in your phone: 

• Local police: 110 

• Ambulance: 118 

• Tourist Police: +62 361 224111 

• U.S. Embassy/Consulate: +(62)(21) 5083-1000 (non-emergency); +(62)(21) 5083-1000 ext. 0 (emergency); email: JakartaACS@state.gov 

Bali is a magical destination – and you can soak in its beauty and culture before the hordes arrive.  

If you do, be sure to protect your travels with a plan from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. AdrenalineCare® is custom-made for adventure travelers and LuxuryCare® offers some of the industry's highest limits – perfect for the trip of a lifetime to the destination of a lifetime. 

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However you approach Bali, be adventurous and open-minded … and don’t forget the insect repellent.