Bali: healthcare and everyday safety for newcomers

Second Chapter Editorial

Start with the care you need

Before choosing where to live in Bali, check whether your destination can provide the healthcare you need. UK health guidance recommends this alongside insurance for local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation, particularly if you have an existing health condition.

This article is orientation only, not medical, legal or insurance advice. For official guidance, consult the UK government’s Indonesia: health advice and Indonesia: safety and security, and check medicine rules with the relevant Indonesian authorities.

UK guidance says some medical tests cannot be performed reliably in Indonesia, psychological and psychiatric services are limited, and serious care may be difficult to obtain in remote areas. These are country-level cautions, not an assessment of any particular Bali hospital. Use them as prompts to check the specific care you need rather than assuming either that every facility is suitable or that none is.

Check medicines before packing

A medicine prescribed or sold in your home country may have a different legal status in Indonesia. UK guidance advises checking the rules before taking medicines abroad.

Make that check part of your preparation, rather than treating a familiar prescription as confirmation that you can bring the medicine into Indonesia.

Plan for mosquitoes and animal encounters

UK health guidance lists dengue among Indonesia’s health risks and recommends checking vaccine and health advice at least eight weeks before a trip. Include mosquito prevention in your Bali preparation, alongside that advance health check.

Rabies exists in both wild and domestic animals in Indonesia. UK guidance specifically highlights street dogs in Bali and monkeys around temples and tourist areas. After a bite or scratch, seek medical assistance immediately.

Ask about drinking water when viewing homes

UK health guidance states that tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia. When viewing a Bali rental, ask how drinking water is supplied rather than assuming that a property’s appearance or price tells you what is safe to drink.

Make a deliberate transport choice

UK safety guidance reports an increase in moped and motorbike accidents in Bali, including fatal accidents. It advises having the appropriate licence, checking insurance and wearing a helmet, and suggests considering a car with a driver.

Treat those checks as part of your transport decision, not something to leave until after hiring a bike.

Look beyond a dry-season visit

Indonesia’s rainy season is usually October to March, with regional variation, according to UK guidance. Bali can experience severe localised flooding, traffic congestion and power outages. A dry-season scouting visit alone does not establish whether a location will suit you throughout the year.

Indonesia also experiences earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. UK guidance warns that volcanic exclusion zones can change quickly and ash can disrupt flights. Plan around the particular location you are considering rather than treating every part of Bali as having the same risk.

Check arrangements around Nyepi

Nyepi affects everyday life across Bali, not only visits to religious sites. The provincial government’s 2026 notice required residents and visitors to remain at home, suspended land, sea and air transport, and requested suspension of mobile data, with emergency communication provisions.

For that notice’s details, consult the provincial government’s Seruan Bersama: Hari Suci Nyepi 2026.