Indonesia

Ramadan 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:

• eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car
• play loud music or dance
• swear in public

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

You should also:

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens
• follow local dress codes – clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time
• be aware that driving may be erratic, particularly when people are trying to get home at dusk
• be patient and show tolerance

Balinese 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.

You must always carry your passport or stay permit (such as KITAS or KITAP).

Do 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.

Cannabis and cannabis-based products, including medicinal cannabis, cannabis-based oils and creams, hemp-based products, CBD, THC, hash and edibles, are illegal in Indonesia. This applies whether it is carried in a bottle, vape, or any other form. The NHS has guidance explaining how cannabis oils differ and the risks they may carry.

British nationals have been caught and given  long prison sentences for drug offences. Criminal groups  sometimes pressure people into carrying drugs across borders. Do not allow yourself to be persuaded.

Airports in Indonesia have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

If you are detained by the police, it is important to understand your rights. The British embassy provides a guide to the legal and detention systems in Indonesia, but you must follow local laws and regulations. Any payments requested after arrest, that you agree to, are at your own discretion. 

In some venues drugs may be offered as free samples. Police often raid venues popular with foreigners, especially  in Bali. If police suspect drug use, you may be required to take a urine or blood test. A positive result will lead to arrest.

The 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.

In Aceh, the consumption, production and distribution of alcohol are all illegal under Sharia law. Punishment following a Sharia court process is public caning.

Same-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.

Across Indonesia, there have been reports of police arresting individuals at LGBT+ events. Some laws and regulations, including those related to pornography and prostitution, have been applied in a way that discriminates against the LGBT+ community. 

You should exercise caution and discretion, particularly in public spaces.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

In 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.

In the province of Aceh, extra-marital sex is illegal under Sharia law and punishable by public caning after a Sharia court process.

Indonesia’s new criminal code imposes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage if certain members of either party’s immediate family file a complaint.

It’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.

Indonesia has many active volcanoes. Volcanoes can erupt without warning and have caused damage and loss of life. Local authorities may evacuate communities near an eruption, and exclusion zones can change at short notice

Check with local authorities and news reports for updates on exclusion zones and safety advice before travelling to areas that are prone to volcanic activity.

For the latest information check:

• Bureau of Meteorology Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre
• MAGMA Indonesia (only in Bahasa Indonesia language) for daily updates on status and alert levels
• National Disaster Management Authority – BNPB (only in Bahasa Indonesia language)
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

While near any volcano, you should:

• respect exclusion zones
• monitor local media
• stay alert and listen to any local warnings
• follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders

Sometimes valleys beyond local exclusion zones are affected by mud and debris flows. Volcanic ash may fall outside exclusion zones.

Ash clouds can affect flight schedules and the operation of regional airports. Check with your airline or travel company for the latest information.

Ash plumes and pollutants from volcanoes can affect air quality and have an impact on health. A fitted face mask may provide some protection from airborne particles. To reduce exposure to hazardous gases, stay inside and close doors and windows. Masks will be available in Indonesia – or buy your own before you travel.

If you have any pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, you might be at increased risk of triggering or worsening your symptoms. Make sure you travel with enough of your regular medicines.

The rainy season usually runs from October to March. The wet season can be different in Eastern Indonesia, which usually runs from April to August.

Flash floods and widespread flooding can occur across Indonesia, damaging infrastructure, and causing injury and loss of life. There are landslides in mountainous and remote areas, but also in some urban areas/cities, especially Jakarta, and the island of Bali, can suffer severe localised flooding resulting in major traffic congestion and power outages. The main toll road to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and other major roads in Jakarta can be affected by flooding.

Follow and monitor local and international weather updates. BMKG - Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency can be translated into English.

Earthquakes 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 BMKG Multi-Hazard Early Warning System app.

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.

Wildfires 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.

The fires, mostly on Sumatra and Borneo, generate a widespread haze that affects air quality throughout the country.

Keep up to date with local information and seek medical advice on precautions. See Health. 

More information is available from the ASEAN Regional Haze Situation.