crime
Be aware of the risk of street crime and pickpocketing, especially in busy tourist areas of Bali where bag snatches have been reported. Take sensible steps to protect yourself and your belongings. Avoid obvious display of bags and carry only essentials. Please pay special attention to your passport and bank cards and avoid traveling alone.
Credit card fraud is common. Don’t forget your card during the transaction. Criminals sometimes place a fake phone number on ATMs, advising customers to report problems. Customers calling the number will be asked to enter a PIN and their card will then remain inside the machine.
Beware of thieves on public transport. If you are traveling by car, always lock the door. Only book taxis with reputable companies. You can ask your hotel to book one for you, or use a Bluebird, Silverbird or Express group taxi. These can be found everywhere in hotels and shopping malls in central Jakarta as well as Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Note that the Bluebird and Silverbird vehicles are differentiated from “similar” competitors. Do not use unlicensed taxi drivers at airports or anywhere else. Their vehicles are often in poor condition, unmetered and do not have a dashboard ID permit. They have been known to charge exorbitant fares and rob passengers.
alcohol and drugs
Drinks served in bars can be stronger than those in the UK. In some cases, excessive drinking and drug use have resulted in accidents, injuries, robberies, assaults and loss of travel documents, and some UK nationals have suffered mental problems from alcohol, drugs and lack of sleep. You should drink responsibly and be mindful of your limits.
drink sprint
Sexual assault and alcoholism have been reported in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Make sure drinks are ready within your sight and be aware of accepting drinks from strangers at clubs and parties, or leaving drinks unattended. Tourists have also been robbed after taking tourists to hotel rooms and, in some cases, found their drinks had been drugged.
methanol poisoning
In Indonesia, there are numerous cases of locals and foreigners dying and becoming seriously ill from drinking methanol-contaminated alcoholic beverages. The cases occurred in bars, shops and hotels in popular tourist areas such as Bali, Lombok, Gili Islands and Sumatra. Criminal gangs reportedly manufacture knockoffs of well-known brands of alcohol that contain large amounts of methanol. Be extra careful when buying alcoholic beverages, as the bottles may look genuine, but they’re not.
There have also been cases of methanol poisoning from drinking adulterated arak/arak, local rice or palm wine.
Seek immediate medical attention if you or someone traveling with you shows signs of alcohol-induced methanol poisoning or drinking too much alcohol.
local tourism
Use a reliable and reputable guide for any adventure travel, otherwise you may run into difficulties if you need help from your local government. For longer trips, inform friends of your travel plans, contact them when you arrive, and travel with others if possible. Always have a reliable means of communication with you.
Papua and West Papua
Political tensions in Papua province have led to occasional violence and armed attacks between the Movement for Free Papua (OPM) and related groups and Indonesian authorities, particularly in the central highlands area around Puncak Jaya (including Wamena), but also in Jayapura, North Abepra and Fairy Valley on the coast, the town of Timika on the south coast.
On March 30, 2020, a New Zealand national was shot dead and some Indonesian nationals were injured at the Freeport mining facility in Papua province. Conflicts in previous years have sometimes resulted in civilian deaths. You should be extra careful if you are traveling in the area. Papuan separatists have kidnapped foreigners in the past. In some areas, particularly along the border with Papua New Guinea, there is a large presence of security personnel.
Political tensions have also led to occasional large demonstrations in Papuan cities, with recent protests in several locations, including Manokwari in West Papua, and Jayapura and Wamena, Timi in Papua Card and Fak Fak Counties. (August and September 2019). There have been reports of difficulties with internet connectivity and possible limited communications. You should follow the local media and avoid all protests, demonstrations and political rallies in these and other areas as they can become violent without being noticed.
If you need medical care, hospital facilities in Papua and West Papua are limited and a possible destination for medical emergencies is Darwin, Australia. Monitor the situation and be alert to changing circumstances.
Central Sulawesi
Political turmoil in Central Sulawesi. Be especially careful in Palu, Poso and Tentner and be wary of the possibility of politically motivated violence.
Clashes continue between Indonesian security forces and terrorists, including attacks on police and civilians in May 2021. The conflict is mainly concentrated in the Sigi, Parigi Mouton and Poso areas.
Maluku
Maluku province has experienced unrest and violence between different religious and tribal groups. Be especially careful in Ambon, including the island of Haruku (Pulau Haruku).
Aceh
Aceh has emerged from a long-running internal conflict. Although violence against foreigners is rare, a British national was kidnapped in June 2013 and there were three separate incidents against foreigners in November 2009. There have been reports of Sharia (religious) police harassing foreigners.
Be wary of the risk of politically motivated violence and be especially careful in remote areas. Keep abreast of local developments and avoid large crowds, especially political rallies.
Sharia law is valid in Aceh.see local laws and customs
Political situation
The overall political situation is stable, but internal developments such as elections, presidential inauguration, and external developments, including in the Middle East, could spark public protests or unrest. You should avoid all protests, demonstrations and political rallies as they can turn violent without being noticed.
There were again nationwide student protests in 2019 and 2020, and they could happen again at any time. You should avoid large gatherings in public places, including demonstrations, student and political rallies.
road trip
You cannot drive in Indonesia with a UK driving licence. You can drive with an International Driving Permit issued in Indonesia. International Driving Permits issued in the UK may need to be endorsed by the Licensing Office in Jakarta, Indonesia. Before driving, cycling or renting any type of vehicle, make sure you have the appropriate license and check with your travel insurance company to confirm that you are covered.
Traffic discipline is poor. Foreigners can be vulnerable to exploitation even for minor traffic violations or accidents. Consider hiring a private driver or renting a car with a driver. Some multinational companies do not allow their foreign employees to drive in Indonesia. If you ride a motorcycle or moped, make sure to wear a helmet.
If you are involved in an accident or breakdown, make sure someone stays with your vehicle. If you have any concerns about your safety, please move safely to another location. If asked, you should expose yourself to police questioning.
air travel
This FCDO It is not possible to advise on the safety of individual airlines, but IATA publishes a list of registered airlines that have been reviewed and meet a number of operational safety standards and recommended practices. This list is not exhaustive, and the absence of an airline on this list does not necessarily mean it is not safe.
On October 29, 2018, a Lion Air domestic flight from Jakarta to Bangkapin port crashed in the Kavalang Sea shortly after takeoff. There are no survivors and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.
A list of recent incidents and accidents can be found on the Aviation Safety Network’s website.
sea travel
Traveling by boat or ferry can be dangerous as sea conditions can change rapidly, boats can be crowded, overloaded, poorly maintained and safety standards vary between providers. In 2017, the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency recorded 1,687 vessel accidents (76 of which occurred in Bali and Lombok), resulting in multiple injuries and 680 deaths. Make sure you are satisfied with your safety standards before you travel, including the availability of safety equipment and life jackets. Life jackets suitable for children are not always available and you should consider bringing your own. Avoid traveling after dark unless you are satisfied with the proper equipment of the boat.
Attacks against ships have occurred in and around Indonesian waters. Sailors should remain vigilant to reduce opportunities for theft, establish secure areas onboard and report all incidents to coastal and flag state authorities.
