Do I need health insurance?

Yes. You need travel health insurance that is valid in Indonesia for your whole stay, including emergency assistance for medical and security evacuation. You don’t need it when you apply, but you must be able to show it at any time on request.

Do I need vaccinations for Bali?

The Indonesian government does not require any vaccinations for visitors. Get medical advice in your home country before you travel to Asia anyway.

What is “Bali belly”?

An upset stomach, common among new arrivals. Drink bottled or filtered water, be careful with ice and raw food at first, wash your hands often and carry rehydration salts. If it lasts more than a couple of days or you get a high fever, see a doctor.

Is there dengue fever in Bali?

Yes, dengue is spread by mosquitoes, especially in the rainy season. Use insect repellent, above all at dawn and dusk, and see a doctor if you get a sudden high fever.

Health & Safety in Bali for Students

Q: Will doctors speak English?

Most doctors work in well-equipped international hospitals, so you can expect fluent English.

Healthcare for students in Bali

International hospitals, doctors and pharmacies: everything is here.

If you need medical help, doctors of all specialities are available in Bali. Most of them work in well-equipped international hospitals, so you can expect fluent English. For everyday needs there are pharmacies all over the island. At the start of every semester, GoBali also holds an information session on health in Bali for Udayana students.

Doctors

Doctors of all specialities, many of them fluent in English.

Hospitals

Modern, well-equipped international hospitals.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies all over the island for everyday needs.

Health insurance

Sort it out in time.

All international GoBali students need travel health insurance that is valid in Indonesia for the full length of their studies, including emergency assistance that covers medical and security evacuation. You don’t need the policy when you apply, but you must be able to show it at any time on request.

Student in a field in front of a volcano in Bali

Vaccinations

What to check before you fly.

The Indonesian government does not require any vaccinations for tourists. We still recommend getting medical advice in your home country and checking for any requirements before you travel to Asia.

Student sitting in the rice terraces between palm trees in Bali

Staying healthy in the tropics

A few simple habits keep you fit all semester.

Food and water

Drink bottled or filtered water and use it to brush your teeth at first. Street food is part of the fun: pick busy stalls where food is freshly cooked.

Sun and heat

The sun near the equator is strong. Use high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and drink more water than you think you need.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can transmit dengue fever. Use repellent, especially at dawn and dusk, and sleep with a fan, air conditioning or a net.

Animals

Keep your distance from stray dogs and don’t feed or touch the monkeys at temples. If an animal bites or scratches you, clean the wound and see a doctor the same day.

Pack a small first-aid kit

Insect repellent and after-bite cream
High-factor sunscreen and after-sun lotion
Rehydration salts and something for an upset stomach
Plasters and disinfectant for small cuts and scooter scrapes
Your regular medication for the whole stay, with a copy of the prescription

In an emergency

General emergency: 112
Ambulance: 118
Police: 110
GoBali team (WhatsApp): +62 877 5047 9754

Save these numbers and your insurance’s emergency hotline in your phone before you arrive. In a serious emergency, call 112. For less urgent cases, going straight to a private international hospital by car is often quicker than waiting for an ambulance.

Health & Safety in Bali