Indonesia

Recommended Vaccinations For Indonesia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Vaccines are recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all age groups. Also including infants of 6 to 11 months old.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended for infants 6 to 11 months old.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, who are going to live for more than 3 months in the country. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination is recommended only for those planning to visit rural areas in Kalimantan, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Mollucas, Papua (Irian Jaya), and Lombok. The vaccination is not required for travellers visiting urban areas only.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Indonesia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Anti-malaria drug resistance for chloroquine is present.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Indonesia

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya occurs in Indonesia.

Cholera

Cholera has occurred in this country. It is bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated food and water. Can cause severe watery diarrhoea although mild infections are common.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Indonesia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur in Indonesia, particularly in East Java. The risk is higher in heavily populated urban areas and during the rainy season.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Indonesia.

For Some Travellers

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country. The disease is an endemic in this country and any non-immume person can become infected.

Zika Fever

There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers over 9 months of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in Indonesia. It is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as when swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is presumed to occur year-round in rural Indonesia and has been reported in the following areas: Kalimantan, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Mollucas, Papua (Irian Jaya), and Lombok. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Indonesia are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Indonesia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in most areas of the five eastern provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, and West Papua. Also including rural areas of Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Sumatra. There is no malaria risk in Jakarta and Ubud Municipalities, resort areas of Bali and Java, and Gili Islands and the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu). There are low levels of transmission in rural areas of Java, including Pangandaran, Sukalumi, and Ujung Kulong.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus, also known as Tsutsugamushi fever, generally occurs year-round in some areas of Indonesia.

Safety & Security in Indonesia

Personal Safety

Indonesia ranks 48th out of 163 countries in the 2024 Global Peace Index. Crime rates experienced a notable 52 percent increase in 2022 after declining from 2015 to 2021. Petty crime is widespread across tourist areas in Bali and Lombok, with bag-snatching, pickpocketing, and purse-snatching remaining common. Credit card fraud and ATM scams occur regularly, with criminals placing fake numbers on machines to steal card details. Unlicensed money changers may short-change you, so use only Bank of Indonesia licensed exchanges. Violent crimes like armed robberies happen periodically, particularly on the road from Banda Aceh to Medan. Foreign nationals traveling alone, especially at night, face increased risks. Criminals sometimes force people to withdraw cash from ATMs. Drink spiking incidents have been reported, particularly in bars and clubs. Methanol-adulterated alcohol has caused deaths in tourist areas including Bali, Lombok, the Gili Islands, and Sumatra. Counterfeit alcohol brands often contain dangerous methanol levels. Crime against tourists has reportedly risen in 2024 and into 2025, with Bali authorities planning enhanced security measures in response. Payment of damages in accidents often falls to foreigners regardless of fault. Crowds may gather at accident scenes and compromise safety. Groups of motorcycle riders sometimes threaten car drivers involved in accidents. Scams are common at tattoo parlors, nail salons, and spas in Bali. Ferry accidents occur frequently due to poor safety practices and extreme weather conditions. Standards of police services differ considerably from Western countries.

Extreme Violence

Indonesia has not experienced any major terrorist attacks since December 2022, when a police station bombing in Bandung killed one officer and injured 11 people. The country has recorded a ‘Zero Attack Phenomenon’ between 2023-24, with no large-scale physical attacks. However, terrorism has not been eradicated but evolved. The Indonesian National Police and National Counterterrorism Agency consider Jemaah Islamiya the most dangerous terrorist group currently operating. Jamaah Ansharut Daulah remains a decentralized priority for law enforcement. In 2023, Indonesia arrested and charged several hundred individuals for affiliation with terrorist groups. Throughout 2024, the National Counterterrorism Agency and Ministry of Communication blocked 180,954 pieces of content containing intolerance, radicalism, extremism, and terrorism, largely originating from ISIS, Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia, and Jamaah Ansharut Daulah. Digital radicalization continues and extremist propaganda is becoming increasingly widespread in cyberspace. Terrorist cells remain active and have the capacity to carry out attacks throughout the country. Effective counterterrorism measures are in place, with the special counterterrorism unit Densus 88 continuing operations. In 2022, Densus 88 arrested several hundred suspected terrorists from JI and JAD. Extremist groups have targeted police stations, places of worship, hotels, bars, nightclubs, markets, shopping malls, and restaurants in past attacks. The 2002 Bali bombings killed 202 people and remain the deadliest act of terrorism in Indonesian history. Since 2011, terrorist attacks have shifted from targeting foreign Western interests to attacking Indonesian police officers. While effective counterterrorism operations have reduced large-scale attacks, extremist networks persist and adapt their strategies.

Political Unrest

Mass anti-government demonstrations have been a recurring feature in Indonesia during 2025. The first wave of protests launched on February 17, 2025, by students and civil society groups. A third major wave erupted around August 25-31, 2025, initially sparked by reports that parliamentarians receive a 50 million rupiah (approximately $3,000) monthly housing allowance on top of salaries, which is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage. The August protests escalated into violence after a 21-year-old delivery driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed by an armored police vehicle on August 28. The death triggered nationwide violence across Jakarta, Surabaya, Solo, Yogyakarta, Medan, Makassar, Manado, Bandung, and Manokwari. At least 10 people died in the unrest. Protesters torched vehicles, government buildings, and regional parliament buildings. Demonstrators ransacked the homes of parliamentarians and the Finance Minister. Three people died in a fire at a regional legislature building in Makassar. Police arrested 3,195 people across the country by early September, including 1,240 in Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto ordered military and police to take stern action against rioters and looters, suggesting elements of violence resembled acts of terrorism and treason. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters at universities in Bandung. Demonstrations spread across Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan. The protests reflect deep-seated dissatisfaction with economic conditions, political frustration, and perceptions of elite disconnect. Students, workers, and women’s rights groups have led demonstrations. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. Security forces may use tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. Long-standing sectarian and social tensions exist throughout the country, with potential for violence despite ongoing security operations.

Areas To Avoid

Central Papua and Highland Papua provinces face the highest risk and are subject to Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisories from multiple governments. Armed Papuan separatist groups are fighting for independence, with violence steadily increasing since 2018. Regular armed clashes occur between separatist groups and government security forces, resulting in civilian deaths including foreign nationals. In 2020, a New Zealand national was shot dead at a mining facility in Highland Papua. In February 2023, another New Zealand national was taken hostage by an armed group in Paro, Papua Highlands, and held for over 500 days before release. In 2024, another foreign pilot was killed. Foreigners have been targeted for kidnappings and attacks, especially in remote regions. Roads near mining areas have seen deadly incidents. Several instances of separatist attacks on commercial aircraft servicing remote communities from small local airfields have occurred. Political tensions have led to violent demonstrations in cities across Papua that can turn violent at short notice. The security situation is unpredictable and can change quickly. Aceh province enforces Sharia law, which applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims. Armed robberies have occurred on the road from Banda Aceh to Medan. There is a threat of kidnapping in Aceh. Religious police enforce strict rules including prohibitions on alcohol, gambling, and extra-marital sex, all punishable by public caning. Central Sulawesi Province, particularly Palu, Poso, and Tentena, remains politically unsettled with conflict between security forces and terrorists. Attacks on police and civilians occurred in 2021, predominantly in the Sigi, Parigi Moutong, and Poso regions. The Maluku Islands have experienced unrest and violence between different religious and tribal groups. Particular caution is needed in Ambon Island and Haruku Island. East and West Kalimantan have known violent crime including kidnappings.