Mount Marapi Eruption: Is It Safe To Travel To Indonesia Right Now?

Mount Marapi, a volcano in western Sumatra, erupted on Sunday, December 3. Of the hikers on the mountain at the time, 50 were evacuated immediately, but 23 were killed. Rescuers have now recovered the body of the last hiker reported missing. Authorities have raised the volcano alert to the second-highest level, meaning it could erupt again, and have prohibited anyone from going within two miles of the crater. The volcano is the most active in Indonesia and its last major eruption was in 1979 when 60 people died. 

Main photo: Mount Marapi in western Sumatra, Indonesia (Getty Images)

Where is Mount Marapi and when did it erupt?

Mount Marapi is on the island of Sumatra, the closest Indonesian island to mainland Asia and the third-largest in the country. The volcano is to the island’s southeast and has the towns of Bukittinggi, Padang Panjang and Batusangkar at its base. It’s part of the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire” — home to 127 active volcanoes — where the meeting of continental plates can cause large amounts of volcanic and seismic activity. 

In terms of nearby tourist destinations, the closest major city is Singapore, which is around 435 miles from Mount Marapi, while Bali is around 1,600 miles away. So far there has been no impact reported in either destination following the eruption. 

Indonesia’s Mount Marapi erupted on Sunday, December 3 (Getty Images)

What’s the latest government advice about travelling to Indonesia?

The UK Foreign Office hasn’t updated its advice since Marapi erupted. It currently advises against all travel to two areas of Indonesia, but they’re not typically areas that tourists would visit and are related to volcanoes. Tourists are advised to avoid all travel to within a three-mile zone around the Mount Sinabung crater in North Sumatra. They are also advised against going within three miles of the crater of Mount Semeru in East Java, Java’s highest mountain, and to stay more than 500m from the nearby Besuk Kobokan riverbank, which is full of volcanic material. Visitors should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities’ advice on travel to the area.

There were around 75 hikers on the mountain and 50 were evacuated immediately (Alamy)

Is it safe to travel to Indonesia right now?

On the whole, yes, although the usual caveats apply. Aside from the two regions mentioned above, the rest of Indonesia is deemed safe to visit, although there are warnings in place. Terrorists are “very likely to try to carry out attacks in Indonesia”, and the Foreign Office cautions that the “threat of Islamist extremism remains high”. Potential targets for attacks could include large, crowded spaces including beach resorts, restaurants, airports and tourist attractions, and there’s a higher risk during holiday periods such as Christmas and Chinese New Year as well as election periods.

Mount Marapi spews volcanic material on December 4 (Alamy)

Which areas have been affected by the eruption?

Falling ash has covered several nearby villages and blocked sunlight. Bukittinggi, Sumatra’s third-largest city and home to over 100,000 people, has also been affected and residents have been advised to wear sunglasses and masks to protect themselves from the ash. 

Which islands are unaffected?

Bali, the main tourist island in Indonesia and visited by millions of visitors a year, is unaffected as it’s about 1,600 miles away — likewise for its neighbour Lombok. The capital Jakarta, on the island of Java, is also unaffected and flights are taking off and landing as normal.

Female travellers in Ubud (Getty Images)

Is Indonesia safe for female travellers?

On the whole, yes. Women should take normal precautions in busy areas such as Bali and Jakarta, and keep their wits about them at night by using licensed taxis and avoiding less crowded places. Indonesia — with the exception of Hindu Bali — is a majority Muslim nation, so women should dress appropriately when visiting religious sites.

Diamond Beach in Nusa Penida, an island near Bali (Getty Images)

Is Indonesia safe for LGBTQ travellers?

Homosexuality is not punishable by law across most of Indonesia, but it is considered a taboo topic. However, it is illegal in the northern province of Aceh, which is governed by sharia law, and people have been publicly flogged for breaking the law. Visitors to Indonesia should note that there is a stigma around homosexuality and it does not accept same-sex marriage. There are also no laws protecting the LGBTQ community against discrimination or hate crimes.

Evacuation of the population! The eruption of the Marapi volcano covered Sumatra, Indonesia