Is Bali Safe? Australia, Japan and Korea Travel Advisories 2026

Yes. All three governments rate Bali as fine to visit with normal to heightened caution, with no ban or advice to postpone. As of 25 October 2026 Australia gives level 2 of 4 for all of Indonesia including Bali, while Japan and Korea both give Bali level 1 of 4.

A low level does not mean no warnings. Each country's detailed advice differs, and that detail is exactly where insurance claims go wrong. Everything below was checked on 25 October 2026 against each official site.

Australia (Smartraveller): level 2 of 4

Status: "Exercise a high degree of caution" for Indonesia overall due to security risks. The higher "Reconsider your need to travel" applies only to Papua Pegunungan and Papua Tengah. The latest update is dated 21 October 2026. Smartraveller could not be reached directly from our server, so we read the 21 October 2026 copy in the Wayback Machine archive, which states "Still current at: 21 October 2026".

• Methanol and spiked drinks: the latest update notes methanol poisoning cases, including in Bali and Lombok, from arak, spirit-based cocktails and even brand-name alcohol. The legal drinking age is 21.
• Motorbikes: Australians have been seriously injured and killed in motorbike accidents, particularly in Bali, Lombok and the Gilis. After a crash you will often be assumed to be at fault. Your insurer will deny claims if you are not correctly licensed.
• Beaches: rip currents drown several Australians each year, and many beaches are unpatrolled.
• Drugs and medicines: the death penalty applies to some drug offences. ADHD medication, all cannabis products including CBD, and magic mushrooms are illegal; Australians have been in trouble with police over mushrooms, particularly in Bali.
• Other points: terrorism risk in tourist areas, sexual assault including in Bali, rabies, dengue, measles outbreaks including in Bali, wet-season flooding (around October to April), and treks on Mount Agung and Mount Batur as active volcanoes. There is also a note on daily caps on subsidised fuel purchases.

Japan (MOFA overseas safety site): Level 1 of 4

Status: Level 1 "Exercise sufficient caution" for all of Indonesia, naming Jakarta and Bali explicitly. Level 2 (avoid non-essential travel) covers only Central Papua and Highland Papua. The danger information is dated 24 March 2025 and marked as continued; the safety measures page was updated 30 September 2025.

• "Show me your money" scam: described as common in Bali. A stranger strikes up a conversation, claims to be from Dubai or wants to see Japanese yen, then takes cash from the wallet you show.
• Dating app and karaoke bar traps: Japanese men confronted by fake "narcotics police" and pressed to pay settlements worth millions of yen.
• Drugs: penalties can include death; never carry luggage for someone you have just met.
• Licences: Japanese-issued International Driving Permits are not valid in Indonesia.
• Bootleg alcohol: a Japanese national died in the Jakarta area after drinking illicit liquor; MOFA asks travellers never to buy or drink it.
• Sea and health: strong currents in some waters have killed foreign visitors including Japanese; rabies is present in Bali; ice is best avoided even at upscale hotels.

South Korea (0404.go.kr): Level 1 여행유의

Status: Level 1 여행유의 (travel with caution) for all of Indonesia outside designated areas. Level 2 (여행자제, refrain from travel) covers West Papua, Papua, Maluku and Aceh. Latest change: from 00:00 on 24 October 2026, Korea's foreign ministry issued a special travel advisory (특별여행주의보) for Central Kalimantan because of four months of wildfire haze, citing 314,124 acute respiratory infection cases (17 August to 20 October) and 2,604 disrupted flights. Bali is not included.

• Motorbike bag snatching: described as frequent, especially in Kuta.
• Dogs and monkeys: many unleashed dogs in Bali and frequent bites; remove hats and sunglasses at monkey forests.
• Water: drownings while swimming, snorkelling and on seawalker trips; always wear safety gear and go with a guide.
• Fake ride-hailing drivers: check that the plate matches the one in the app.
• April 2026 note: on 1 April 2026 the Korean Embassy issued a serious-crime prevention alert for Jimbaran, Seminyak and Canggu. According to ANTARA (9 April 2026), Bali police responded that Bali remains safe and that crimes involving foreigners fell 23% in January-April 2026.

What it means for travel insurance

• Bali's advisory level does not trigger a general exclusion. Claims more often fail because of personal circumstances: riding without a valid licence, accidents while intoxicated, or activities the policy does not cover.
• Australia states plainly that insurers will deny claims if you are unlicensed or hold the wrong class of licence, and the government will not pay for medical evacuation. On licences, see is an International Driving Permit valid in Bali.
• Japan recommends travel insurance with adequate cover, noting many cases of large bills for treatment and emergency transport.
• Korea has no insurance section on its country page. If your route transits Central Kalimantan, check your policy against the new special advisory.
• A checklist of what to look for in a policy is in do you need travel insurance for Bali.

Two warnings shared by all three countries, risky drinks and drugs, are covered in detail in our guide to arak and methanol risk and drug penalties for tourists. Other rules are on our Bali rules page.

Quick answers

Has the Kalimantan haze reached Bali? Korea's special advisory covers Central Kalimantan only. Bali stays at level 1 for all three countries as of 25 October 2026.

How often do these levels change? Australia updates its Indonesia page several times a month; Japan last issued danger information for Indonesia in March 2025; Korea last changed Indonesia's status on 23 October 2026. Recheck a week before you fly.

Where can I get consular help in Bali? Australia and Japan have consulates-general in Denpasar; Korea has an embassy branch office at Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No. 243, Benoa, with a 24-hour emergency line on +82-2-3210-0404.