Balinese officials have moved to reassure potential visitors that the popular holiday spot is safe, despite ongoing travel warnings and multiple arrests on the island following widespread unrest across Indonesia.
Protests erupted in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, on 25 August over a controversial change to politicians’ high allowances. Tensions spiked when a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver was killed by a police vehicle during demonstrations a few days later, and quickly spread across Indonesia, including in Bali last weekend. Six people were killed in protests nationally, local media reported.
The unrest prompted the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to issue an updated travel warning to the country, including Bali.
“Large protests with potential to escalate into violence and property damage are occurring across major cities in Indonesia, including Denpasar, Bali, causing disruption and impacting local traffic movements,” it stated on its Smartraveller website.
“Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates.”
According to the Jakarta Post, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said that all activities on the island have returned to normal.
“Bali is now very safe, conducive and peaceful. We invite both domestic and international tourists to visit and enjoy its natural beauty, warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage,” he said this week.
Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali Chapter Secretary Perry Markus said the unrest has had minimal effect on Bali.
“There hasn’t been a significant impact. A few hotels have reported minor cancellations, but nothing substantial,” he remarked.
Indonesian Travel Agencies Association (ASITA) Chair Putu Winastra has reminded those considering travelling to Bali that a travel warning “doesn’t mean a ban”.
“A travel warning is a normal thing, a notification of the current situation,” he stated.
“This morning, an agent in Spain asked me, and I told them Bali is safe.”
According to the Bali Sun, Winastra added that there have not been any significant travel booking cancellations, despite some demonstrations continuing in parts of Indonesia.
“Not yet. [A] travel warning is to remind the citizens, and it is a natural thing to be done by the government there,” he said.
“If travel is banned, then it’s banned. This is just a travel warning.”
In the wake of the Bali demonstrations, 158 individuals were arrested, the Chief of Bali Police Public Relations confirmed.
DFAT advises Australians to “Exercise a high degree of caution” in Indonesia overall due to security risks, with higher levels applying in some areas.
What Aussies need to know
Despite the reassurances, Comparetravelinsurance.com.au Director Natalie Ball warned Australians heading to certain parts of Indonesia to be ready to adjust their itineraries.
“Given the fast-evolving situation, Australians travelling to affected parts of Indonesia should be prepared to change their travel plans if necessary,” she said.
Ball added that civil unrest may also rule out insurance coverage for travellers.
“With the military now deployed in Jakarta, it’s possible that claims related to travel disruptions may be excluded from cover,” she remarked.
“Claim cases are always assessed on their own merit, and insurers will assist you if you are physically at risk and or in need of assistance as best they can in line with their policy terms.”
Ball said cover also depends on when you bought your policy.
“If you hadn’t bought travel insurance prior to the riots, you’ll unlikely be able to make a successful claim,” she added.
“However, if you bought your travel insurance well in advance, you may be eligible for cover.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) latest monthly report on outbound and inbound travel, Indonesia – thanks mainly to holiday hotspot Bali – is the most popular overseas destination among Australians.
The ABS data revealed that 149,260 Aussies (equal to 16% of all resident returns) travelled to Indonesia in June 2025 followed by New Zealand (80,960), UK (65,130), Japan (56,530) and USA (54,240).
Earlier this week, Indonesia introduced a new entry requirement for Australian visitors. Read about that on Karryon here.
