Safety
Indonesia is generally safe for tourists — most travelers have no issues. The crime rate against foreigners is low, and the people are exceptionally friendly and helpful. However, a healthy degree of caution never hurts.
Most Common Risks (in order)
- Traffic accidents: By far the greatest risk. The road traffic is chaotic, traffic rules are ignored, and scooters are dangerous — especially on Flores and in Sulawesi. Wear a helmet, drive defensively, never at night.
- Pickpocketing: Occurs in crowds (markets, train stations, ferries). Keep valuables close to your body, no smartphones in your pocket.
- Fraud: Overpriced rates for tourists, fake tour agencies, "broken" taxi meters. Use Grab/Gojek, negotiate prices beforehand.
- Natural hazards: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis — Indonesia is on the Ring of Fire. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes in coastal areas.
To Avoid
- Papua: There is an active independence conflict in parts of the Papua and West Papua provinces. Check with the Foreign Office for the current situation.
- Drugs: Indonesia has some of the strictest drug laws in the world. Drug trafficking is punishable by death — and it is enforced. Even possession of small amounts of cannabis can lead to years of imprisonment. Zero tolerance!
Achtung
Indonesia enforces the death penalty for drug offenses — and makes no exceptions for foreigners. Several foreign nationals have been executed. Never transport packages for others and completely stay away from drugs. This is not a theoretical risk.
