Is Labuan Bajo safe?
Safe for visitors. Boat safety, heat and sea conditions matter more than crime.
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 Labuan Bajo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from rooms and bags is occasional; violent crime against visitors is rare. |
| At night | Quiet after 10 pm; streets are dim. Taxis are scarce, so book rides through your hotel. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women in town. Joining group boat trips is the usual way to travel; use reputable operators. |
| Other risks | Rough seas and strong dive currents; Heat and dehydration; Komodo dragon bites |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Day-trip prices differ widely; compare operators and avoid deposits to unknown agents
- Port touts overcharging for boat tickets
- Dive centers cutting corners on safety briefings
Take care
- Komodo boat trips: pick operators with life jackets and radios
- Dragon trails: follow ranger guidance
- Rough seas and strong currents at Komodo dive sites
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 Labuan Bajo 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 Labuan Bajo safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women in town. Joining group boat trips is the usual way to travel; use reputable operators.
Is Labuan Bajo safe at night?
Quiet after 10 pm; streets are dim. Taxis are scarce, so book rides through your hotel.
What is the crime rate in Labuan Bajo?
Petty theft from rooms and bags is occasional; violent crime against visitors is rare. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Labuan Bajo?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Labuan Bajo
Going to Labuan Bajo solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Komodo National Park
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- 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.