Indonesia travel safety starts with realistic planning: the country is enormous, its islands and local conditions differ greatly, and the risks of city travel are not the same as those of diving, hiking volcanoes or taking remote boat transfers. This practical guide updates an older page that focused almost entirely on landline telephone codes. It provides essential contacts, disaster awareness, transport advice, health precautions and common-sense security information for international travellers.
Emergency numbers in Indonesia
Save important numbers in your mobile phone and keep a paper copy. Services depend on your location, network availability and the incident; if a number does not connect, ask hotel staff or local authorities for direct assistance.
Service |
Number |
What to know |
|---|---|---|
Police |
110 |
National police contact centre; Indonesia’s police confirmed 24-hour nationwide service in January 2026. |
Medical emergency |
119 |
Health Ministry emergency response line; local ambulance availability can differ. |
General emergency |
112 |
Emergency service where implemented; coverage and routing may vary by city or region. |
For verified sources, see the police’s 110 contact centre and the Health Ministry’s PSC 119 service. In serious situations, provide your exact location, a nearby landmark, the number of injured people and the type of help required. If you cannot communicate in Indonesian, ask your accommodation to assist.
How to call an Indonesian number
Indonesia’s country code is +62. When calling internationally, omit a domestic phone number’s initial zero. For example, a domestic mobile beginning with 08 normally becomes +62 8… from overseas. For emergency short codes, ask a local network or hotel if international roaming causes difficulties. Time zone information is available in our Indonesia time-zone guide.
Earthquakes and tsunamis
What to do during an earthquake
Stay away from glass and falling objects, protect your head and follow local instructions. Indoors, get under sturdy furniture if safe; do not rush down stairs while the building is shaking. Outdoors, move away from power lines and damaged structures. The official BMKG earthquake guidance explains measures for different settings.
When to evacuate the coast
If you feel strong or prolonged shaking near the sea, notice an unusual sudden sea retreat or receive a tsunami warning, evacuate immediately to higher ground or a designated safe vertical-evacuation structure. Do not wait for a social-media confirmation and do not return until authorities give the all-clear. Follow official BMKG tsunami alerts. This matters for coastlines described in our Indonesia beach guide.
Volcanoes, mountains and outdoor travel
Check the latest hazard zone
Indonesia has many active volcanoes. Activity levels and exclusion zones can change quickly, meaning an appealing crater view on a travel blog might now be prohibited. Consult MAGMA Indonesia and park authorities before mountain trips. Our Mount Merapi safety guide and mountain-climbing overview can help with orientation, but cannot replace live bulletins.
Use licensed local guides
Choose qualified organisers for trekking, rafting and climbing. Ask about equipment, evacuation routes, weather checks, age restrictions, insurance and guide-to-guest ratios. Never enter a closed trail or cross safety barriers for a photograph. In West Java, consult Bandung adventure considerations.
Sea crossings, diving and swimming
Be selective about boats
Use reputable operators with adequate life jackets and documented capacity. Check marine weather forecasts, exact boarding piers and return trips; do not board an overloaded vessel. Island travel such as Jakarta’s Thousand Islands or remote Raja Ampat requires additional planning.
Know the risks of reefs and currents
Clear water does not guarantee safe swimming. Rip currents, coral cuts, sudden drop-offs and diving emergencies occur in tropical seas. Use certified dive operators, avoid touching or standing on coral, and never mix diving with hurried flights. Review Indonesia’s surfing destinations for specific wave considerations.
Staying healthy during your journey
Food, drinking water and heat
Drink reliably treated or bottled water, practise hand hygiene and choose cooked food prepared under sanitary conditions. Do not assume ice in every informal stall was made with drinking-quality water. Keep hydrated during hot outdoor activities and ask about allergens in regional dishes. Explore our Indonesian satay guide and iced desserts with appropriate food-safety awareness.
Mosquitoes and travel health
Mosquito-borne diseases exist in parts of Indonesia. Wear protective clothing, use a suitable insect repellent and seek professional travel-health advice on vaccinations, malaria risk and other prevention based on your precise itinerary. Do not take prescription prophylaxis solely because a generic article suggests it.
Insurance and medical facilities
Choose travel insurance covering medical care, emergency evacuation and activities you plan to undertake. Remote islands may have limited facilities; a transfer to a major city or hospital can be expensive. Carry necessary medicines in their original packaging and check local import rules.
Urban safety and common scams
Transport and personal belongings
Use properly identified taxis or trustworthy ride-hailing services, check the vehicle and driver before boarding and wear seat belts or appropriate motorcycle helmets. Be alert to pickpockets in crowded areas and keep your passport secure. Jakarta city travel and Jakarta hotel districts illustrate different urban contexts.
Payments and documentation
Use secure ATMs, avoid fraudulent booking links and confirm the price before taking a trip or buying a tour. Learn about Indonesian rupiah and payments, and make sure your visa matches your travel activities through our up-to-date e-Visa guidance.
Local customs and legal awareness
Respect dress and behaviour rules at religious buildings, communities and heritage sites. Indonesia’s laws and social expectations may differ from those in your home country; possession or trafficking of illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties. Ask permission before filming local people. See cultural etiquette in Indonesia and mosque visitor etiquette.
A practical pre-departure safety checklist
- Save hotel, insurer, airline and embassy emergency contacts offline.
- Check current BMKG, MAGMA and national-park notices for the exact route.
- Share remote trekking or boat itineraries with a trusted contact.
- Confirm passport, entry conditions and arrival declarations.
- Pack prescription medicines, sun protection, insect repellent and a small first-aid kit.
- Allow flexible travel days when connecting islands or travelling during rainy weather.
For broad orientation explore Indonesia’s geography and regional destination planning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the police emergency number?
Call 110 in Indonesia; the national police describe it as a 24-hour service.
What is the medical emergency line?
The Health Ministry identifies 119 as its emergency-health response service.
Does every Indonesian beach have lifeguards?
No. Follow local restrictions and avoid swimming in unsafe or unsupervised conditions.
Where can I check earthquakes and volcanic alerts?
Use BMKG for earthquakes and tsunamis, and MAGMA Indonesia for volcanic hazard updates.