Is Nusa Penida safe?
Safe from crime. Rough boat crossings, steep cliff trails and unlicensed scooter riding on bad roads are the real dangers.
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 Nusa Penida at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft is rare; unattended scooters and beach bags sometimes go missing. |
| At night | Very quiet after dark; streets are unlit. Eat by early evening and arrange transport from your homestay. |
| Solo women | Generally safe for solo women. Beaches and villages are quiet at night; arrange a driver for after-dark trips. |
| Other risks | Cliff falls and slippery trails; Strong currents at Crystal Bay and Manta Point; Rough sea crossings |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat touts and tour sellers inflating ticket prices
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated prices for the island loop
- Scooter rental damage claims after return
Take care
- Kelingking Beach trail: steep, no railings; deaths have occurred
- Roads: broken surfaces, steep hills and blind bends
- Fast boat crossings in rough seas: overloaded boats
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 Nusa Penida 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 Nusa Penida safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women. Beaches and villages are quiet at night; arrange a driver for after-dark trips.
Is Nusa Penida safe at night?
Very quiet after dark; streets are unlit. Eat by early evening and arrange transport from your homestay.
What is the crime rate in Nusa Penida?
Petty theft is rare; unattended scooters and beach bags sometimes go missing. Nationally, Indonesia records 0.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Nusa Penida?
Police 110 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 113 · All emergencies 112.
More about Nusa Penida
Going to Nusa Penida solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Wonderful Indonesia (Ministry of Tourism)
- BIMC Hospital
- 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.