Following a series of recent incidents, tourists should be aware of relevant safety advisories for traveling and navigating Indonesia, particularly in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

According to the Bali Sun, Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, has advised tourists to seriously consider the climbing risks that come with journeying up the country’s mountains and volcanoes. Reportedly, Antoni shared the advisory after Indonesian search and rescue authorities found 26-year-old Juliana Marins, a Brazilian tourist, dead. Tragically, she fell nearly 2,000 feet down Mount Rinjani. The latter is an active, over 12,000-foot volcano on Indonesia’s Lombok island.

“Climbing the mountain is not the same as going to the mall,” warned Antoni. “[It] requires physical, mental, and adequate equipment. Don’t just follow the trend, because safety should not be at stake.”

“Our imagination about climbing a mountain should not be equated with going to the office, on vacation,” said the forestry minister. “This requires physical exercise, complete equipment, and mental readiness.”

What Else Should I Know About Staying Safe In Indonesia?

In late April, the United States’ State Department issued a “Level 2” advisory instructing travelers to “exercise increased caution” if traveling to Indonesia. The U.S. government’s safety guide noted the potential of terrorism or natural disasters in Indonesia.

In December 2024, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism shared safety tips on social media for traveling the country. The authority advised remaining informed by its key natural disaster and health agencies regarding important and timely updates. The post also shared the numbers to call for the country’s various emergency services. The post also noted that if there is a crisis tourists should “stay calm,” follow local authorities’ directives, and avoid dangerous or restricted areas.

What Incidents Have Recently Occurred?

Volcanic eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki within the past month have caused disruptions in Bali’s airspace, including the cancellation of dozens of flights. In addition to that, recent major incidents have involved tourists in and around Bali, a popular Indonesian island and province.

An Australian male collapsed at the island’s Denpasar International Airport shortly after arriving via a July 6 Jetstar flight. The Bali Sun alleged that the man suffered a severe head and neck injury while heading to the arrivals area. Airport police spokesperson I Gusti Ngurah Rai Ipda I Gede Suka Artana, further detailed that “the victim had a seizure and fainted at the scene.”

“After receiving initial medical treatment, the victim was then evacuated to BIMC Kuta Hospital for further treatment,” added Artana.

Separately, Indonesian search and rescue teams have yet to locate a 29-year-old Saudi Arabian man who went missing earlier this month while swimming at Bali’s Batu Belig Beach.

Moreover, on July 14, Reuters reported that Indonesian authorities have reduced their search efforts for the 17 ferry passengers still missing after the vessel sank in early July. The ferry reportedly went down shortly after it started sailing Bali’s nearby waters. Ribut Eko Suyatno, an official working at Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, allegedly disclosed that the ferry incident had 30 survivors, and 18 deceased victims.

When the vessel set sail, 65 people were on board.

When planning a trip, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of booking flights, accommodations, and excursions. But some travelers may overlook the financial side of pre-trip preparations.

Whether you’re backpacking through Europe or relaxing at a beach resort, the last thing you want on vacation is to lose your money. Traveling can make you an easy target for scams, theft, or financial mishaps, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the local customs, currency, and language. But a few smart precautions can go a long way in keeping your money safe.

So before you jet off, learn how to protect yourself and your finances while traveling.

According to a report from the Mastercard Economics Institute, the travel industry is one of the sectors most susceptible to fraud. The study found that fraud in popular tourist destinations spikes up to 28% during peak seasons.

When you’ve put time and money into planning a trip, the last thing you want is for a financial mishap to spoil your vacation. If you want to keep your money safe, here are a few best practices to keep in mind.

Before you leave, take the time to inform your bank, credit union, and/or credit card companies that you’ll be traveling. For one, this will ensure legitimate transactions aren’t flagged for fraud, which can be a major hassle to clear up while traveling.

Additionally, notifying your financial institutions of your travel details (including where you’re going and the dates of your trip) can also help detect fraudulent activity that may occur once you’re back home. For instance, if your debit or credit card information is stolen while you’re traveling, the scammer may not try to use it until weeks later. However, your bank will know that you’re back in the U.S. and can stop suspicious transactions from going through.

Read more: 6 important security features to look for in a bank

Though many banks have fraud detection services in place, they’re not foolproof. You can add another layer of security by setting up bank alerts that help you spot suspicious activity right away.

For example, you can enable text or email alerts for transactions over a certain dollar amount or when your account balance falls below a certain threshold.

When you need cash in a pinch, you may be tempted to use the first ATM you can find. However, pulling money out of a privately owned ATM, especially a standalone machine in a dark or low-traffic area, puts you at higher risk of ATM skimming.

Instead, plan ahead and withdraw cash from ATMs located inside reputable banks, airports, and other well-lit, high-traffic areas. You can also consider purchasing foreign currency before you set off for your trip (but don’t carry the full amount on you once you reach your destination).

Read more: Guide to ATM safety: Tips for protecting yourself and your money

If you’re out and about, keep your wallet close to you and secured at all times. Don’t walk around with your wallet in your back pocket or in an unzipped purse, especially if you’ll be walking through crowded areas or tourist attractions.

You should also avoid carrying around large amounts of cash. Consider keeping enough cash in your wallet to cover your expenses for that day and storing the rest in your hotel safe.

Read more: Lost your wallet? Here’s what to do.

Public Wi-Fi networks may be unsecured, allowing hackers to intercept unencrypted data between your device and the Wi-Fi router. Plus, scammers can set up a rogue Wi-Fi network with a name similar to a legitimate one (like “Hotel_WiFi_Free” vs. “Hotel_WiFi”) so that when you connect, they can monitor everything you do.

So, when you use a public network to log into online banking platforms, you’re putting your sensitive information at risk of falling into the wrong hands. If you absolutely need to log on to your account while abroad, it’s best to rely on your mobile data or a VPN to keep your information secure.

Read more: Is mobile banking safe? How to keep your personal data secure.

If your primary payment method is compromised while traveling, carrying a second credit card or extra cash can ensure you always have access to your money. If possible, carry your backup card or cash in a separate, hidden area from your primary payment method.