World Safety Map

Safest cities in Indonesia

215 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04

Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting

  • FCDO advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia:
  • Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province
  • Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra
  • Mount Marapi, West Sumatra
  • Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java
  • Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi
  • Mount Ibu, North Maluku Province

In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.

What official travel advice warns about

Terrorism

  • Terrorism in IndonesiaTerrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Indonesia.

Political situation

  • The political situation in Indonesia is stable. However, elections, internal and external developments, including in the Middle East, can trigger protests or unrest.

Crime

  • Sexual assaultReported cases of rape and sexual assault are high in Bali and Lombok. Be alert when out at night, and avoid areas that are poorly lit.
  • Drink spikingThere have been reports of drink spiking linked to sexual assault in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.
  • Protecting your belongingsBe aware of the risk of street crime such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing, particularly in busy tourist areas. There are often reports of bag-snatching in Bali. Conceal your bag as much as possible to reduce the risk. Carry only essential items and take care of your passport and bank cards.
  • ScamsCredit card fraud is common. Do not lose sight of your card during transactions. Criminals sometimes place a fake telephone number on ATMs advising customers to report problems so they can fraudulently ask for card details.
  • Alcoholic drinks and drugsDrinks served in bars can be stronger than those in the UK, usually because the measures of spirits are larger. In some cases, excessive drinking and taking drugs has resulted in accidents, injuries, robbery, assaults and lost travel documents. Some British nationals have suffered psychiatric problems caused by alcohol, drugs and a lack of sleep.…
  • Methanol poisoningThere have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Indonesia.

Laws and cultural differences

  • RamadanRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. Ramadan in Indonesia is from 19 February to 20 March 2026. During this time, do not:
  • Balinese New YearBalinese New Year (‘Nyepi’) is on 19 March 2026. During this time, local custom requires that all people in Bali observe a day of silence by staying indoors, turning off lights, and making no noise. Ngurah Rai International Airport is closed for the entire day. However, emergency services and hospitals are allowed to operate.
  • Personal IDYou must always carry your passport or stay permit (such as KITAS or KITAP).
  • Illegal drugs and prison sentencesDo not get involved with illegal drugs in Indonesia. Possession, using, making or trafficking illegal drugs is a serious crime. The Indonesian authorities have a zero-tolerance policy and those caught may face long prison sentences or the death penalty. Legal cases can be lengthy and costly.
  • Alcohol laws and bansThe province of Aceh enforces Sharia law. It is the only province in Indonesia to do so and the laws apply to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
  • LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in the province of Aceh under Sharia law. Punishment following a Sharia court process includes public caning, a prison sentence or a fine payable in gold.
  • GamblingIn the province of Aceh gambling is illegal under Sharia law. Punishment following a Sharia court process includes public caning, a prison sentence or a fine payable in gold.
  • Extra-marital sexIn the province of Aceh, extra-marital sex is illegal under Sharia law and punishable by public caning after a Sharia court process.
  • Wildlife, animal products and souvenirsIt’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. If you’re caught buying or smuggling illegal wildlife products, you’ll be prosecuted and could receive a prison sentence and a fine.

Transport risks

  • Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Indonesia, see information on driving abroad.
  • Driving conditionsTraffic discipline is very poor and there has been a large increase in moped and motorbike accidents – some fatal – in Bali. Wear a helmet in good condition if you’re riding a motorbike or moped.
  • Sea travelTravelling by boat or ferry can be dangerous as the sea conditions can change rapidly. Safety standards vary between providers. Vessels can be crowded and overloaded and are often poorly maintained.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

  • Volcanic eruptionsCheck Regional risks for warnings against travel to specific volcanoes.
  • FloodingThe rainy season usually runs from October to March. The wet season can be different in Eastern Indonesia, which usually runs from April to August.
  • Earthquakes and tsunamisEarthquakes happen regularly. If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, follow the instructions of local authorities, bearing in mind that a tsunami could arrive within minutes. The Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning Centre issues warnings when a potential tsunami with significant impact is imminent or expected. You can also use the…
  • WildfiresWildfires in Indonesia’s forests are most severe during the dry season, usually from April to September. Many fires burn all year in the peat-rich soil.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

  • Scuba divingDiving school standards are not always as high as in the UK. You should:

Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Indonesia, updated 2026-08-28 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →

Country figures

Homicide rate
0.41 /100k2024
Income inequality
Gini 34.42025
Human development
HDI 0.7282023
Income
$17,190/yrGNI per capita PPP
Road deaths
11.3 /100kWHO, 2019
Political stability
55/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
Rule of law
53/100WGI, 2024
Corruption perceptions
34/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
Natural-hazard risk
4.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Women, Peace & Security
0.68GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
Air quality
20.8 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
Safe drinking water
31%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
Healthcare capacity
0.5 doctors /1k1.4 hospital beds per 1,000
Malaria
2 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only

Natural hazards

Tsunami
9.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Earthquake
8.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Flood
8.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Drought
3.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Cyclone
1.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier

Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Indonesia (as of 2025).

How Indonesia compares

Indonesia against the median of all 180 countries in the dataset. Green means better than the median.
MeasureIndonesiaWorld medianDifference
Homicide rate0.4 /100k2.4 /100k−2.0 /100k — better for Indonesia
Income inequality (Gini)34.435.2−0.8 — better for Indonesia
Human development (HDI)0.7280.763−0.035 — better for World median
Road deaths11.3 /100k15.4 /100k−4.1 /100k — better for Indonesia
Rule of law53/10052/100+1/100 — better for Indonesia
Corruption perceptions34/10039/100−5/100 — better for World median
Air quality (PM2.5)20.8 µg/m³19.7 µg/m³+1.1 µg/m³ — better for World median
Natural-hazard risk4.5/103.8/10+0.7/10 — better for World median
And against its own region — often the more useful comparison, since Asia shares much of the context a global median averages away.
MeasureIndonesiaAsia medianDifference
Homicide rate0.4 /100k1.8 /100k−1.4 /100k — better for Indonesia
Income inequality (Gini)34.433.4+1.0 — better for Asia median
Human development (HDI)0.7280.771−0.043 — better for Asia median
Road deaths11.3 /100k15.3 /100k−4.0 /100k — better for Indonesia
Rule of law53/10052/100+1/100 — better for Indonesia
Corruption perceptions34/10037/100−3/100 — better for Asia median
Air quality (PM2.5)20.8 µg/m³28.6 µg/m³−7.8 µg/m³ — better for Indonesia
Natural-hazard risk4.5/103.6/10+0.9/10 — better for Asia median

Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.

All 215 cities, safest first

  1. Surabaya84.2 · #244 worldwide
  2. Tasikmalaya84.2 · #245 worldwide
  3. Denpasar84.2 · #246 worldwide
  4. Palembang84.2 · #247 worldwide
  5. Tarogong84.2 · #248 worldwide
  6. Malang84.2 · #249 worldwide
  7. Slawi84.2 · #250 worldwide
  8. Cirebon84.2 · #251 worldwide
  9. Batam City84.2 · #252 worldwide
  10. Purwokerto84.2 · #253 worldwide
  11. Samarinda84.2 · #254 worldwide
  12. Pekanbaru84.2 · #255 worldwide
  13. Padang84.2 · #256 worldwide
  14. Bandar Lampung84.2 · #257 worldwide
  15. Mataram84.2 · #258 worldwide
  16. Jambi84.2 · #259 worldwide
  17. Banjarmasin84.2 · #260 worldwide
  18. Pontianak84.2 · #261 worldwide
  19. Tulungagung84.2 · #262 worldwide
  20. Balikpapan84.2 · #263 worldwide
  21. Kuningan84.2 · #264 worldwide
  22. Selong84.2 · #265 worldwide
  23. Ambon84.2 · #266 worldwide
  24. Cilacap84.2 · #267 worldwide
  25. Kupang84.2 · #268 worldwide
  26. Jember84.2 · #269 worldwide
  27. Gorontalo84.2 · #270 worldwide
  28. Balung84.2 · #271 worldwide
  29. Kediri84.2 · #272 worldwide
  30. Jombang84.2 · #273 worldwide
  31. Manado84.2 · #274 worldwide
  32. Blitar84.2 · #275 worldwide
  33. Gresik84.2 · #276 worldwide
  34. Probolinggo84.2 · #277 worldwide
  35. Nganjuk84.2 · #278 worldwide
  36. Kendari84.2 · #279 worldwide
  37. Madiun84.2 · #280 worldwide
  38. Rangkasbitung84.2 · #281 worldwide
  39. Bengkulu84.2 · #282 worldwide
  40. Banda Aceh84.2 · #283 worldwide
  41. Duri84.2 · #284 worldwide
  42. Indramayu84.2 · #285 worldwide
  43. Pandeglang84.2 · #286 worldwide
  44. Bodeh84.2 · #287 worldwide
  45. Dumai84.2 · #288 worldwide
  46. Singaraja84.2 · #289 worldwide
  47. Bukittinggi84.2 · #290 worldwide
  48. Sorong84.2 · #291 worldwide
  49. Bojonegoro84.2 · #292 worldwide
  50. Pemalang84.2 · #293 worldwide
  51. Kemangkon84.2 · #294 worldwide
  52. Tanjung Balai84.2 · #295 worldwide
  53. Gunung Lingkas84.2 · #296 worldwide
  54. Ternate84.2 · #297 worldwide
  55. Pamekasan84.2 · #298 worldwide
  56. Ponorogo84.2 · #299 worldwide
  57. Pare84.2 · #300 worldwide
  58. Padang Sidempuan84.2 · #301 worldwide
  59. Binangun84.2 · #302 worldwide
  60. Merauke84.2 · #303 worldwide
  61. Pasuruan84.2 · #304 worldwide
  62. Kadipaten84.2 · #305 worldwide
  63. Banjarbaru84.2 · #306 worldwide
  64. Tembilahan84.2 · #307 worldwide
  65. Manokwari84.2 · #308 worldwide
  66. Bitung84.2 · #309 worldwide
  67. Rantau Prapat84.2 · #310 worldwide
  68. Tuban84.2 · #311 worldwide
  69. Situbondo84.2 · #312 worldwide
  70. Kotabumi84.2 · #313 worldwide
  71. Kisaran84.2 · #314 worldwide
  72. Metro84.2 · #315 worldwide
  73. Gondanglegi84.2 · #316 worldwide
  74. Waled84.2 · #317 worldwide
  75. Banyuwangi84.2 · #318 worldwide
  76. Ende84.2 · #319 worldwide
  77. Kersana84.2 · #320 worldwide
  78. Bangkinang84.2 · #321 worldwide
  79. Pacitan84.2 · #322 worldwide
  80. Ketapang84.2 · #323 worldwide
  81. Muncar84.2 · #324 worldwide
  82. Bagan Siapi-api84.2 · #325 worldwide
  83. Singkawang84.2 · #326 worldwide
  84. Sumbawa Besar84.2 · #327 worldwide
  85. Maumere84.2 · #328 worldwide
  86. Praya84.2 · #329 worldwide
  87. Muara Bungo84.2 · #330 worldwide
  88. Bondowoso84.2 · #331 worldwide
  89. Curup84.2 · #332 worldwide
  90. Tanjung Balai Karimun84.2 · #333 worldwide
  91. Lubuklinggau84.2 · #334 worldwide
  92. Trenggalek84.2 · #335 worldwide
  93. Palopo84.2 · #336 worldwide
  94. Losari84.2 · #337 worldwide
  95. Perawang84.2 · #338 worldwide
  96. Mekarsari84.2 · #339 worldwide
  97. Palabuhanratu84.2 · #340 worldwide
  98. Tanjung Pinang84.2 · #341 worldwide
  99. Cibodas84.2 · #342 worldwide
  100. Baubau84.2 · #343 worldwide
  101. Dolopo84.2 · #344 worldwide
  102. Kebonan84.2 · #345 worldwide
  103. Selatpanjang84.2 · #346 worldwide
  104. Kotamobagu84.2 · #347 worldwide
  105. Bontang84.2 · #348 worldwide
  106. Pare-Pare84.2 · #349 worldwide
  107. Arjawinangun84.2 · #350 worldwide
  108. Pemanggilan84.2 · #351 worldwide
  109. Tanjung Redeb84.2 · #352 worldwide
  110. Sangatta Utara84.2 · #353 worldwide
  111. Mamuju84.2 · #354 worldwide
  112. Karangwareng84.2 · #355 worldwide
  113. Atambua84.2 · #356 worldwide
  114. Langsa84.2 · #357 worldwide
  115. Sintang84.2 · #358 worldwide
  116. Poncowati84.2 · #359 worldwide
  117. Prabumulih84.2 · #360 worldwide
  118. Pangkalan Kerinci84.2 · #361 worldwide
  119. Lahat84.2 · #362 worldwide
  120. Bagelen84.2 · #363 worldwide
  121. Bima84.2 · #364 worldwide
  122. Banjar84.2 · #365 worldwide
  123. Lumajang84.2 · #366 worldwide
  124. Bireuen84.2 · #367 worldwide
  125. Ruteng84.2 · #368 worldwide
  126. Waingapu84.2 · #369 worldwide
  127. Rancateureup84.2 · #370 worldwide
  128. Pangkalan Bun84.2 · #371 worldwide
  129. Padangan84.2 · #372 worldwide
  130. Soe84.2 · #373 worldwide
  131. Bangko84.2 · #374 worldwide
  132. Gombong84.2 · #375 worldwide
  133. Majenang84.2 · #376 worldwide
  134. Blora84.2 · #377 worldwide
  135. Tenggarong84.2 · #378 worldwide
  136. Baturaja84.2 · #379 worldwide
  137. Masohi84.2 · #380 worldwide
  138. Sampang84.2 · #381 worldwide
  139. Raha84.2 · #382 worldwide
  140. Amuntai84.2 · #383 worldwide
  141. Luwuk84.2 · #384 worldwide
  142. Tanjung Pandan84.2 · #385 worldwide
  143. Kumbung84.2 · #386 worldwide
  144. Sumenep84.2 · #387 worldwide
  145. Tobelo84.2 · #388 worldwide
  146. Loning84.2 · #389 worldwide
  147. Kuala Tungkal84.2 · #390 worldwide
  148. Panyabungan84.2 · #391 worldwide
  149. Karang Kliwon84.2 · #392 worldwide
  150. Jajag84.2 · #393 worldwide
  151. Pangandaran84.2 · #394 worldwide
  152. Dompu84.2 · #395 worldwide
  153. Majene84.2 · #396 worldwide
  154. Keban Agung84.2 · #397 worldwide
  155. Payakumbuh84.2 · #398 worldwide
  156. Negara84.2 · #399 worldwide
  157. Kotaanyar84.2 · #400 worldwide
  158. Kotabaru84.2 · #401 worldwide
  159. Kuala Kapuas84.2 · #402 worldwide
  160. Tanjung84.2 · #403 worldwide
  161. Kepanjen84.2 · #404 worldwide
  162. Bandung82.4 · #1614 worldwide
  163. Yogyakarta82.4 · #1615 worldwide
  164. Semarang82.4 · #1616 worldwide
  165. Surakarta82.4 · #1617 worldwide
  166. Pekalongan82.4 · #1618 worldwide
  167. Jepara82.4 · #1619 worldwide
  168. Kudus82.4 · #1620 worldwide
  169. Magelang82.4 · #1621 worldwide
  170. Cipanas82.4 · #1622 worldwide
  171. Purwakarta82.4 · #1623 worldwide
  172. Kendal82.4 · #1624 worldwide
  173. Palu82.4 · #1625 worldwide
  174. Sumedang82.4 · #1626 worldwide
  175. Kebumen82.4 · #1627 worldwide
  176. Wonosobo82.4 · #1628 worldwide
  177. Pangkalpinang82.4 · #1629 worldwide
  178. Subang82.4 · #1630 worldwide
  179. Salatiga82.4 · #1631 worldwide
  180. Banjarnegara82.4 · #1632 worldwide
  181. Pati82.4 · #1633 worldwide
  182. Biak Kota82.4 · #1634 worldwide
  183. Purwodadi82.4 · #1635 worldwide
  184. Purworejo82.4 · #1636 worldwide
  185. Temanggung82.4 · #1637 worldwide
  186. Sragen82.4 · #1638 worldwide
  187. Cianting Utara82.4 · #1639 worldwide
  188. Haurgeulis82.4 · #1640 worldwide
  189. Serui Kota82.4 · #1641 worldwide
  190. Pasirukem82.4 · #1642 worldwide
  191. Parakan82.4 · #1643 worldwide
  192. Wates82.4 · #1644 worldwide
  193. Sungailiat82.4 · #1645 worldwide
  194. Palangka Raya82.4 · #1646 worldwide
  195. Wonogiri82.4 · #1647 worldwide
  196. Medan81.3 · #1787 worldwide
  197. Pematang Siantar81.3 · #1788 worldwide
  198. Tebing Tinggi81.3 · #1789 worldwide
  199. Sampit81.3 · #1790 worldwide
  200. Stabat81.3 · #1791 worldwide
  201. Jayapura80.5 · #1836 worldwide
  202. Abepura80.5 · #1837 worldwide
  203. Sentani80.5 · #1838 worldwide
  204. Nabire79.9 · #1849 worldwide
  205. Elelim79.4 · #1949 worldwide
  206. Jakarta78.6 · #2028 worldwide
  207. Watampone77.5 · #2097 worldwide
  208. Sengkang77.5 · #2098 worldwide
  209. Makassar77.3 · #2103 worldwide
  210. Bulukumba77.3 · #2104 worldwide
  211. Pangkajene77.3 · #2105 worldwide
  212. Enarotali73.9 · #2971 worldwide
  213. Timika73.4 · #3094 worldwide
  214. Mulia72.3 · #3152 worldwide
  215. Ilaga71.6 · #3229 worldwide