Stay Healthy in Indonesia: Your Doctor-Backed Travel Health Guide
by: Dr. Paul Chang, General Practitioner, Regis Medical
Planning a trip to Indonesia? Stay healthy and stress-free with vaccination advice, health kit essentials, and travel safety tips from the doctors at Regis Medical Singapore.
Why Singaporeans Love Visiting Indonesia
Indonesia is a favourite getaway for Singaporeans — from quick weekend trips to Batam and Bintan, to shopping in Jakarta, and beach holidays in Bali.
In 2023, over 1.2 million Singaporeans visited Indonesia — making it one of the most travelled international destinations from Changi Airport.
Visa-free travel (30 days), short flight times, and affordable options for wellness, luxury, and culture make it a top choice year-round.
Best time to go: May–September (dry season, best for beaches and outdoor trips), October–April (green season, fewer crowds, lush scenery)
- Batam & Bintan – Spa weekends, resorts, golf
- Jakarta – Shopping, business, city breaks
- Bali – Wellness, beaches, cafés, surfing
- Yogyakarta – Culture, temples, Borobudur
- Surabaya / Medan – Family visits and local cuisine
Vaccines to Consider Before Going to Indonesia
Recommended Vaccines for Indonesia:
- Influenza – Recommended year-round due to crowd exposure
- Hepatitis A – Strongly recommended due to food and water hygiene variability
- Hepatitis B – For longer stays, tattoos/spas, or close local contact
- Typhoid – Advised if eating from street vendors or rural areas
- Japanese Encephalitis – Considered for extended rural stays or rice paddy trekking
- Rabies – Important if you plan to hike, stay in rural areas, or may come into contact with monkeys or stray dogs
Pre-Travel Health Screening & Advice
Who should screen?
- Elderly
- People with chronic medical conditions
- Immunocompromised individuals
- Travellers doing outdoor adventure, water sports, or long stays
Suggested tests:
- Hepatitis A/B immunity check
- General health review if staying long-term or doing outdoor activities
- Glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure monitoring (especially for older travellers)
Pack These: Emergency Medications & Health Kit
Whether you're heading to a Jakarta mall or Batam beach resort, pack a compact travel health kit which may come in handy:
- Flu medicine or lozenges
- Plasters and antiseptic cream
- Eye drops and moisturiser lotion
- Anti-diarrhoea meds (street food may cause GI upset)
- Motion sickness tablets (for ferry rides)
- UTI medication
- Antihistamines (for bug bites or allergies)
- Fever meds and lozenges
- Mosquito repellent (dengue is present in many cities)
- Sunscreen & after-sun lotion (Bali’s sun is strong!)
- Paracetamol and flu medication
- Hand sanitiser & wet wipes
While You’re There: Protecting Your Health
Do not drink tap water – only drink bottled or filtered
Avoid ice cubes in drinks at small stalls unless they use bottled ice
Eat only freshly cooked food, especially at beach clubs and markets
Avoid swimming in unchlorinated pools or rivers
Keep insect repellent on, especially in the evenings
Watch for monkeys in Ubud – they may bite or steal belongings
Always wear helmets on scooters – accidents are common
Watch for poor air quality in Jakarta during haze periods
After You Return: Post-Travel Watchlist
Be alert for:
- Fever, fatigue, or stomach upset within 7–10 days of return
- If symptoms occur, consult a GP — particularly if you had street food often or you visited rural areas.
- Mosquito-related illnesses (dengue, chikungunya) if you feel unwell
At Regis Medical, we offer rapid tests for flu, and gastrointestinal infections at our clinic.
Travel Health Checklist
✅ Vaccines completed
✅ Meds packed
✅ Mosquito repellent ready
✅ Travel insurance arranged
✅ Emergency contact card in bag
✅ Nearest hospital of your destination bookmarked
Planning a trip to Indonesia?
Visit Regis Medical for a Pre-Travel Vaccines and Health Consult — personalised for your destination, itinerary, and health needs.
