Southeast Asia • Updated August 2026

Country Risk Report

Indonesia

Overall Risk Rating

Medium

Capital

Jakarta

Languages

Indonesian (official); local languages and some English

Currency

Indonesian rupiah (IDR)

Executive Summary

Indonesia is classified as a MEDIUM risk destination, with conditions varying sharply across its vast archipelago. The main tourism and business hubs, Bali, Jakarta and much of Java, Yogyakarta and Sumatra, are stable and function normally, and the medium rating reflects a residual terrorism threat, significant natural-hazard exposure and a serious separatist conflict in Papua rather than everyday danger to visitors. The provinces of Central Papua and Highland Papua are subject to do not travel designations due to a separatist insurgency in which armed groups have attacked security forces and mining-linked targets and abducted foreign nationals. Elsewhere, the terrorism threat from Jemaah Islamiyah, which has disbanded, and Islamic State-linked networks has been significantly reduced by counter-terrorism operations but is not eliminated, with residual capability in areas such as Central Sulawesi. Indonesia sits on the most seismically active zone on earth and regularly experiences earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and flooding, which can disrupt transport and services. Frequent demonstrations, including student protests against government policy since 2025, can turn violent, and travellers should avoid crowds. Petty crime, scams and road and marine safety are the everyday concerns in tourist areas.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Moderate	A separatist insurgency in Central and Highland Papua; the rest of the country is stable.
Terrorism	Moderate	A reduced but residual threat from Islamic State-linked networks; JI has disbanded.
Kidnapping	Moderate	Concentrated in Papua, where separatists have abducted foreign nationals; low elsewhere.
Crime	Moderate	Petty theft, scams and drink-spiking in tourist areas; low violent crime against visitors.
Civil Unrest	Moderate	Frequent demonstrations, including anti-government student protests, that can turn violent.
Health & Medical	Moderate	Good private care in Jakarta and Bali; limited elsewhere. Evacuation may be needed.
Internal Travel	Moderate	Natural-hazard disruption, marine and air safety, and long inter-island distances.
Digital / Cyber	Moderate	Scams and fraud; some monitoring and content restrictions.

Essential Precautions

1Avoid Central Papua and Highland Papua, where a separatist insurgency has attacked targets and abducted foreign nationals.

2Maintain terrorism vigilance, as residual networks can attack places of worship, hotels and public venues with little warning.

3Prepare for natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and flooding.

4Avoid demonstrations and crowds, which occur frequently and can turn violent.

5Guard against petty crime and scams, including theft, card fraud and drink-spiking in nightlife areas.

6Take marine and volcano-tourism precautions, using reputable operators and heeding official warnings.

7Take care on the roads, where traffic and motorbike accidents are common.

8Respect local laws and customs, including strict drug laws that carry severe penalties.

Security Situation

Medium

Indonesia's security varies sharply across the archipelago, with stable, functioning hubs and a serious separatist conflict in Papua. The medium rating reflects residual terrorism, natural hazards and the Papua insurgency rather than everyday danger to visitors in the main areas.

Jakarta and Java

Medium

Jakarta and Java are stable and function normally, with petty crime, protests and seismic risk the main concerns.

Bali and the Tourist Islands

Low

Bali and the tourist islands are stable and welcoming, with petty crime, scams and marine safety the everyday issues.

Sumatra and Sulawesi

Medium

Sumatra and Sulawesi are largely stable but have residual militant networks in places and significant seismic and volcanic activity.

Papua (the East)

High

Central Papua and Highland Papua face an active separatist insurgency and should be avoided.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Moderate

Indonesia is stable across most of the country, but a long-running separatist insurgency in Central and Highland Papua involves attacks on security forces and mining-linked targets and the abduction of foreign nationals. It amounts to a localised armed conflict in the east.

Terrorism

Moderate

The terrorism threat has been significantly reduced by sustained counter-terrorism operations, with Jemaah Islamiyah disbanded, but residual Islamic State-linked networks retain some capability, notably in Central Sulawesi. Attacks can target places of worship, hotels and public venues.

Kidnapping and Detention

Moderate

Kidnapping risk is concentrated in Papua, where separatists have abducted foreign nationals, and is low elsewhere. Detention risk relates mainly to Indonesia's strict drug laws, which carry severe penalties including the death penalty.

Crime and Lawlessness

Moderate

Everyday crime is mainly petty theft, bag-snatching, card fraud, scams and drink-spiking in tourist and nightlife areas, with low violent crime against visitors. Vigilance in crowded and nightlife areas is advisable.

Internal Travel

Moderate

Natural-hazard disruption, marine and domestic-air safety, long inter-island distances and heavy traffic are the main travel concerns. Ferries and small aircraft have variable safety records, and volcanic activity can ground flights.

Health and Disease

Moderate

Good private healthcare is available in Jakarta and Bali, but care is limited elsewhere, and serious cases may require evacuation, often to Singapore. Mosquito-borne diseases including dengue are present.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

Moderate

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority country but highly diverse, with Hindu-majority Bali and many traditions, and is generally welcoming. Modest dress at religious sites, sensitivity around religion and politics, and respect for local custom, including in conservative Aceh, are advisable.

LGBT Travellers

Moderate

Same-sex relationships are legal in most of Indonesia but socially sensitive, and Aceh applies Islamic law with severe penalties. A restrictive criminal code affects private conduct. LGBT travellers should exercise discretion, particularly outside Bali and major cities.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

Low

Indonesia is a stable democracy and major regional power under President Prabowo Subianto, with functioning institutions and good consular access, though student and civil-society protests against government policy have been a feature since 2025. Governance is robust and the main risks to visitors are not political.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Moderate

Online scams and card fraud occur, and the authorities monitor and restrict some content under strict electronic-information laws. Travellers should guard financial data and avoid sensitive posts.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended for many travellers.
Japanese Encephalitis
Consider for rural or long stays.
Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays, including Bali.

Other Health Hazards

Natural hazards: Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and floods are frequent; know local guidance.
Dengue and malaria: Dengue is widespread; malaria risk in the east and Papua. Take bite-avoidance measures.
Rabies: Rabies is present, including in Bali; avoid contact with animals.
Marine and volcano safety: Use reputable operators and heed official warnings.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Cover for Indonesia is available on a specialist basis, with Central Papua and Highland Papua typically excluded. The main hubs are manageable with standard precautions, while Papua and natural-disaster disruption require specialist advice, and cover should include medical evacuation, often to Singapore.

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Annex A - Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Checkpoints operate, more so in Papua and during unrest; cooperate calmly. Carry ID and a clear travel purpose. Central and Highland Papua carry access restrictions and high risk. Do not photograph military, police or sensitive sites.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

Separatists have abducted foreign nationals in Papua. Kidnapping is rare outside Papua. Strict drug laws carry severe penalties, including death. Papua travel carries the main abduction risk.

High-Risk Travellers

Papua travellers face separatist and abduction risk. Nightlife visitors face drink-spiking and theft risk. Disaster-period travellers face seismic and volcanic disruption. Those carrying drugs face severe penalties.

Annex B - Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Avoid Papua and favour the stable hubs. Prepare for earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. Hold medical and evacuation cover. Ensure vaccinations cover food, water and mosquito-borne risks.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Guard against card fraud and scams. Avoid sensitive posts under electronic-information laws. Consider an eSIM for reliable data. Limit public location sharing.

Movement and Operational Security

Avoid Papua and demonstrations and plan around natural-hazard disruption. Use reputable ferry, air and road transport. Use reputable marine and volcano operators and heed warnings. Take particular care with motorbikes and traffic.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Respect religious and cultural norms, including in Aceh. Never carry drugs; penalties are severe. Be sensitive on religion and politics.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.