The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:

  • within 4 km of the Mount Agung crater in east Bali
  • within 7 km of the Mount Sinabung crater in Kalo Regency, North Sumatra

These are exclusion zones put in place by the local authorities due to ongoing volcanic activity. If you’re in either exclusion zone, you should leave immediately.

Flash floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 21 people in Greater Jakarta since heavy rainfall began on 31 December 2019.

Violent protests have taken place in Manokwari, West Papua Province and in Jayapura and Wamena, Papua Province during August and September 2019. You should monitor local media, follow the advice of local authorities, and avoid large gatherings in public areas, including demonstrations and political rallies, as they could become violent with little notice.

There were nationwide protests in Indonesia by students against new draft legislation on 24 September 2019. These have the potential to reoccur. You should avoid large gatherings in public areas, including demonstrations and political rallies, as they could become violent with little notice.

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Indonesia. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and intent to carry out these attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country. Types of attacks have included suicide bombing and small-arms fire, targeting public and crowded places. Be vigilant and take care. There is a heightened risk during holiday periods, including those with a religious focus. You should exercise extra caution at these times.

You should exercise caution when travelling to Aceh, Central Sulawesi Province (especially Palu, Poso and Tentena), Maluku Province (especially Ambon), Papua and West Papua Province due to potential for violence or violent conflict.

Forest fires continue to burn in Indonesia’s forest and peatlands, mostly on Sumatra and Borneo, generating widespread haze that can affect air quality. You should monitor air quality during your visit and follow medical advice where appropriate.

There are many active volcanoes in Indonesia, any of which can erupt with little or no warning. This often results in the evacuation of villages within a 3 to 7 km radius and disruption to air travel in the wider region. In the past, repeated eruptions have caused destruction and fatalities. Check media reports before travelling to areas that are prone to volcanic activity. The local alert level may change at short notice. Take extra care and follow the advice of local authorities, including respecting any exclusion zones.

A number of areas across Indonesia, including in Central Sulawesi, Lombok and the Sunda Strait, are continuing to recover from the impact of earthquakes and/or tsunamis in 2018. If you’re travelling to affected areas, you should exercise caution, particularly around damaged buildings and the most affected areas.

Health authorities have classified Indonesia as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

In February 2019 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reported two cases of genetically linked circulating vaccine derived polio virus (cVDPV) type 1 in Papua Province, Indonesia.

Possession, trafficking and manufacture of drugs are serious offences in Indonesia. Some offences carry the death penalty. Don’t get involved.

There have been a number of deaths and cases of serious illness of tourists in Indonesia, caused by drinking alcoholic drinks contaminated with methanol.