Ubud region, Bali, Indonesia © Shutterstock
A Thousand and One Islands
Your vaccination record should be up to date if you’re travelling to Bali or Sumatra. In urban or tourist areas, no additional vaccine is required. Depending on your destination, check with the relevant authorities to find out what is recommended for the time of your trip.
No, tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia — only drink beverages from sealed bottles.
And refuse ice cubes in your drinks. This applies in Indonesia as in many countries around the world.
Driving in Indonesia, and in Bali in particular, isn’t insurmountable — you’ll rarely exceed 50km/h.
Stay calm, learn to use the horn, avoid overtaking and driving at night, and all will go well.
But we clearly recommend hiring a private driver along with your car rental for a more relaxed trip. Driving in Asia is anything but simple for a European!
Bali is a diver’s destination, and you will indeed encounter sharks there — none of them dangerous to humans. Of 500 species, only 4 pose a danger to humans, and none of those are found in Bali waters.
Follow the observation guidelines you’ll be given, and as long as the animal doesn’t feel threatened, you run no risk.