Is Bintan safe?
Safe, especially in the resort area. Roads, jellyfish and sudden storms are bigger concerns than crime; outside Lagoi expect basic emergency services.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2026-07-06.
- Homicide rate in Indonesia: 0.3 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Indonesia: 11.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Bintan at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Low. Occasional theft of belongings from beaches and unlocked rooms; overcharging by unofficial taxi drivers. |
| At night | Lagoi is quiet and secure after dark. Trikora and rural roads are unlit; hotels can arrange drivers. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, especially around Lagoi. Dress modestly in Tanjung Pinang and local fishing villages. |
| Other risks | Jellyfish in some months; Sudden thunderstorms and rough crossings; Haze from Sumatra fires, Aug–Oct |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unmetered taxis at ferry terminals quoting high flat fares
- Tour sellers inflating boat trips to Pulau Penyengat
- Scooter rental damage claims; photograph the bike first
Take care
- Rural roads at night: unlit, with potholes and roaming animals
- Beach swimming during storms: strong currents and jellyfish
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- From 2026, sex outside marriage and unmarried cohabitation are crimes, prosecuted only on a spouse's, parent's or child's complaint
- Drug trafficking can bring the death penalty; even small amounts mean prison
- Disrespecting temples or sacred sites in Bali can lead to deportation
How Bintan compares in Indonesia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Nusa Dua | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bali | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ubud | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Canggu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Seminyak | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluwatu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yogyakarta | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gili Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Penida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Labuan Bajo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sanur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Raja Ampat | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mount Bromo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bandung | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nusa Lembongan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Toba | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kuta Lombok | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amed | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Batam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bintan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Malang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bukit Lawang | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Surabaya | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tana Toraja | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jimbaran | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jakarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Kuta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Medan | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Bintan safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, especially around Lagoi. Dress modestly in Tanjung Pinang and local fishing villages.
Is Bintan safe at night?
Lagoi is quiet and secure after dark. Trikora and rural roads are unlit; hotels can arrange drivers.
What is the crime rate in Bintan?
Low. Occasional theft of belongings from beaches and unlocked rooms; overcharging by unofficial taxi drivers. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Bintan?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Bintan
Going to Bintan solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Bintan Resorts
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- InJourney Airports (Indonesian airports)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.