Is it safe to travel to Jakarta and Bali if I am an american?

Question

I am considering a trip to Jakarta and Bali in a few months and was wondering if as an american this is safe to do?

I should add that I will be traveling with an indonesian as well..

Answer 1

Of course, absolutely safe.
Indonesia is a comfort place to visit. The people living here is always ready for free-of-charge help.
Same as any places in the world, please note that:
1. Do not attract thief's attention. Please not to wear any outstanding jewelry.
2. Exchange your currency with Rupiah. Provide rupiah around 10 millions (each Rp 50.000) per week in your wallet.
3. Prepare only 2 debit card and 1 credit card to prevent bad things. Living in three stars Hotel, commonly around Rp 300,000 (standard) until Rp 900,000 (executive) for this purpose, you can use your credit card.
For shopping in supermarket, you can use your debit card (visa electron/ mastercard electronic/ JCB).

America is not rejected here. But as you know, in most Muslim countries, The Anti-America is only to the food like KFC, Mc Donalds, etc, not against the person.
Maybe you're lauging at us, we are still watching Hollywoods film, even until present time!.
Indonesia's dependent on US is huge. (I dare to say, if you say you're American to villagers, maybe they are assuming you are a Hero.... ha ha )

So once again i emphasize that Indonesia is safe for American and other tourists. Once i was a guider, they said Indonesia is safe to visit. The Police stastion in Jakarta and Bali is almost everywhere. Meanwhile, Bali is a Paradise for Tourists.

Answer 2

Why shouldn't it be NOT safe? Of course you can enter Indonesia freely. First of all, I wouldn't spend a lot of time and MONEY in Jakarta, for there are only shopping malls, traffic jams etc. and the prices are currently increasing... But here are some shopping malls that you could visit in Jakarta:

- Plaza Senayan
- Plaza Indonesia
- PIM 1 & 2 (Pondok Indah Mall)
- Mall Kelapa Gading (III)

But that will do. You can also make a trip by yourself, by bus. It's called the Busway there, the buses have their own path (red) and can bring you to whatever destination in Jakarta. I wouldn't recommend you a tourguide or something, because Jakarta is a great city though, and you must see it from your own perspective.

Concerning Bali... I don't know actually, how it is there. The last time I was there was 3 years ago, Bali's developing quickly, so I can't tell you much about sightseeing and stuff.

But do note that the most people in Bali are Hindu, so you're more ''free'' there, concerning ''customs'' if you know what I mean. (Not customs at airports or something, but the culture). And please, don't talk about Dutch colonisation. Some wouldn't mind, but well... Their answers may be ''disturbing'', because you're a Caucasian and so.

Well, enjoy your stay.

Answer 3

It will be as safe for you as for any other tourist there. Indonesian people do not attack you or start a fight with you as an individual, just because you are an American. As long as you don't insult Indonesians, or their religion / culture (seems reasonable).

In a conversation, never get too deep into politics, it makes people very uncomfortable. Talk about home, your brothers and sisters, your parents, your education, your job........ people love it.

Bring postcards and pictures of your hometown and family, but don't be Santa giving sweets or pens to the kids in the street.... you will get a crowd before you know it (and you don't have enough pens).

Just stick to the safety rules that go for all tourists going anywhere: watch out for pickpockets, don't leave valuables unattended, don't flash your money, watch your mouth and respect the local customs (and dresscode when visiting formal or holy places).

Jakarta can be risky when going out alone late at night, but if you stick to the Blue Bird taxis, you will be fine.

Learn a few words that will really come in handy:

Terima kasih = Thank you
Ma-af = sorry
Tidak apa-apa = no problem
Jalan-jalan = I'm just taking a walk

This last one will be important, many people will ask you where you are going. Most tourists get fed up by being asked over and over again. But it is a local way of greeting. If you answer by saying that you are going to the postoffice, the asker might point you out where it is, or join you on your way there. But if you nicely answer jalan-jalan, people will wish you a nice walk or even say thank you. (It's an old custom to ask this, they ask locals too).

And everywhere in Indonesia you will find that showing them a friendly smile and a nod is always appreciated and returned.

Have a great time in Indonesia !!

Answer 4

indonesia is safe there are not many tourists so you are not a target ... dont advertise that you are an american with a big flag of the usa and you will be fine ... the indonesian people are fantastic and the major muslim community is onethat is very open and warm. if more people from the usa went to indonesia then they would see a wonderful thing that all muslims are not flag burning bush haters they are normal people with the same basic worries we all have ... feeding there familys and education of there childen .. jakarta and bali are the unsafest places in indonesia but really you have to be very unlucky and unwise to even see something that is remotely to to with anti americanism .... if you are traveling with an indonesian then you will see even better things that will make you trip even more enjoyable ...talking to the average person on the street will mean that you are invited to all sorts of wonderful events and to wonderful villages and island then you will see that it is only a tiny percentageof muslims who hold extremist views ... go to indonesia and do ot be afraid travel opens ones mind to the great things in life there is so much to learn from all cultures ... being safe is not something the people of jakarta think about when they go to work they live in these places and do not think about terrorist as it seldom happens

Answer 5

I guess it will be the same as travelling to any other places in the world. As you are a foreigners, try to mingled and respect the locals and their culture, especially in Bali. People in Jakarta and Bali are used to foreigners, so they hardly make any difference whether you were americans or else.
Always trust your insting. Don't forget to have necessary vaccination, and eat wisely, I mean don't just jump right away to any food staller in the street as it may ruin your trip to a severe diarhea.

Answer 6

They're all safe for everyone, i guess. Just enjoy you trip !
and just a few tips : maybe you can stay at Bali much more longer than at Jakarta & enjoy the nature there. all the fresh air, all the balinese things, all the historical sites...
as you know, Jakarta is big & polluted city. there's nothing you can find there unless mall, mall, and mall...

Answer 7

yes, it's safe. you don't have a mark on your forehead that says "i'm an American" don't you? lol...
make sure you plan your travel well, pick a good hotel location (this applies also for bali).
and get yourself a lonelyplanet guidebook, i think they have one for either Jakarta/Bali or Indonesia... they can come quite useful.

i met a lot of foreign (western) tourists that really enjoy their stay in Indonesia without feeling threatened or anything...

have a great trip!

Answer 8

Yes. why not? people don't care if u're an American, Asian, etc. I mean can people like know where do u come from just by looking at you? especially if ure traveling with another Indonesian. It will be all right as long as you don't wear lot's of jewelery, wear an expensive clothes, etc.

Have a nice trip!

Answer 9

yes. it is. but don't bluff too much there, many indonesian will try to cheat you if you do. not about to get your stuff or money, but to prove what are you saying is true. but if I were you, an american. i would love to travel to china, to a middle city like chengdu or kunming, cos many chinese girls there love white male foreigners. they will service you as their special guest. got what I mean, Dude?
for add info visit. net.kunming.net. i was there (kunming) for the past 2 years. enjoy your trip.


haekal

Answer 10

You are no more unsafe being an American than any other nationality. Noone could guarantee that something bad wouldn't happen but then that's the same with being anywhere nowadays.