Planning a tropical escape to Bali? 🏝️ Between surf lessons, temple visits, and sipping coconuts, don’t overlook one essential part of your travel prep: vaccines for Bali.
As a pharmacist and travel health writer, I’ll walk you through what vaccines are actually needed—without the fluff.
In this 2025 guide, you’ll learn:
✅ Which vaccines are recommended for Bali
✅ What’s legally required (and what’s not)
✅ COVID vaccine updates for 2025
✅ Whether you really need the rabies or Japanese Encephalitis shot
✅ How to save money on travel shots
✈️ Are Any Vaccinations Required to Enter Bali?
As of 2025, no vaccines are mandatory for tourists entering Bali, unless you’re arriving from a country with a yellow fever risk. In that case, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required at the border.
👉 But even without legal requirements, several vaccines are strongly recommended to protect your health while traveling.
🧳 Planning a trip to Southeast Asia beyond Bali? Check out my complete vaccine guide by country
💉 Recommended Vaccines for Bali (2025)
Even a short trip can expose you to unfamiliar bacteria or viruses. These vaccines are commonly recommended for Bali by travel health experts:
| Vaccine | Why It’s Recommended | Who Should Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Transmitted via contaminated food or water | All travelers |
| Typhoid | Risk through food, especially street food | Most travelers |
| Tetanus (booster) | From cuts/scrapes in tropical environments | All travelers |
| Hepatitis B | Transmitted through blood or sex | Long stays, tattoos, sex |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito-borne virus in rural areas | Long-term, rural, or rainy-season travelers |
| Rabies | Spread by dogs, monkeys, bats | Long stays, rural travel, animal contact |
| Chikungunya | Mosquito-borne virus causing fever, joint pain | Older adults (65+) (>2 weeks), or long-term travelers (>6 months in Indonesia) |
🧠 Pro tip: Book your shots at least 4–6 weeks before departure—especially for multi-dose vaccines like rabies or JE.
🛡️ Don’t Forget Routine Vaccines
Before focusing on travel-specific shots, make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date, including:
- Tetanus-diphtheria (Td or Tdap) – every 10 years
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) – especially if you were born after 1970 and haven’t had two doses
- Varicella (chickenpox) – if you’ve never had it or weren’t vaccinated
- Polio – if you didn’t complete your childhood series
- Influenza and COVID – especially if you’re traveling during flu season or have risk factors
- Shingles (zoster) – may be recommended for travelers aged 50+ to prevent Shingle symptoms and complications
These are often overlooked but can still pose a risk abroad—especially in countries with lower vaccination coverage.
✏️ Tip: Your pharmacist or doctor can help review your vaccination history and recommend boosters if needed.
Malaria Risk in Bali: What You Need to Know
Good news for travelers: Bali is considered malaria-free. You don’t need to take anti-malarial medication when visiting the island, unlike some other parts of Indonesia or Southeast Asia.
That said, Bali does have other mosquito-borne illnesses to watch out for, such as dengue fever and Japanese Encephalitis (mostly in rural or rice field areas). So, be sure to use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves during peak mosquito hours, and take other bite-prevention measures.
🐵 Should You Get the Rabies Vaccine for Bali?
Rabies is present in Bali, particularly in dogs and monkeys. Tourists have been bitten in popular spots like Ubud Monkey Forest.
You might consider getting the rabies vaccine if:
- You’re staying more than a month
- You’ll visit rural areas or islands with limited medical access
- You plan to interact with animals (volunteering, hiking, monkey forests)
Even with the vaccine, you still need post-exposure shots if bitten—but it gives you more time to reach a clinic and better protection.
🦟 Japanese Encephalitis in Bali: Do You Need the Vaccine?
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne virus found in rural parts of Southeast Asia. The risk is low for short trips to tourist areas, but may be higher if:
- You’re staying over 1 month
- You’ll visit rice fields or rural villages
- You’re traveling to rural areas with extensive outdoor exposure
Your travel health provider can help you weigh your personal risk, budget, and itinerary.
🎒 Learn more about Japanese Encephalitis, Risks and Prevention
🧪 COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Bali (2025)
As of 2025, Bali does NOT require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry.
Still, I recommend being fully vaccinated and boosted, especially if you’ll be in crowded areas or around vulnerable travelers.
✈️ Check if your airline or transit country has its own COVID vaccine or testing rules.
🗂️ Tip: Keep digital and paper proof of your COVID shots just in case—they may still be required in emergencies.
🦟 What About Dengue Fever in Bali?
Dengue fever is common in Bali, especially during the rainy season.
There is a dengue vaccine (Qdenga), but it’s not routinely given in Canada or the U.S. yet. It’s mainly offered to people who’ve had dengue before or are living long-term in endemic areas.
For now, prevention is key:
- Use DEET-based mosquito repellent
- Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk
- Sleep with screens or under a mosquito net
🦟 Learn more about Dengue Fever, Risks and Prevention
🦟 What About Chikungunya in Bali?
In addition to dengue and Japanese Encephalitis, chikungunya is another mosquito-borne virus found in Bali. It causes fever, joint pain, rash, and fatigue. There is currently no widely available vaccine for most travelers, but vaccination may be considered in some cases:
Who might consider the chikungunya vaccine?
- Adults aged 65 or older, especially with underlying health conditions, who plan to spend 2 weeks or more in mosquito-exposed areas in Indonesia (including Bali)
- Travelers planning to stay in Indonesia for 6 months or longer
For most short-term travelers, preventing mosquito bites through repellent and clothing remains the best protection.
💸 How Much Do Bali Travel Vaccinations Cost?
Prices vary, but here’s a rough estimate for Canadian travelers:
| Vaccine | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | $60 – $100 |
| Typhoid | $40 – $80 |
| Hepatitis B | $40 – $100 |
| Japanese Encephalitis | $200+ (2 doses) |
| Rabies (pre-exposure) | $200+ (3 doses) |
| Chikungunya | $150 – $250 (2 doses) (approx.) |
| Routine Vaccines | Usually free |
💡 Note: The chikungunya vaccine is still new and may not be widely available in all clinics. Prices may vary significantly, so check with your travel clinic in advance.
🎯 Money-saving tips:
- Ask about combo vaccines like Twinrix (Hep A + B)
- Check if your provincial public health unit covers any shots
- Use your work health benefits or travel insurance if available
💊 Want to pack smarter too? Check out my Southeast Asia Travel Health Kit Essentials
🤒 Other Common Illnesses in Bali
Even with vaccines, you’ll want to stay alert for:
- Traveler’s diarrhea: Be cautious with water and raw food. Pack oral rehydration salts and loperamide.
- Sunburn & heatstroke: Use high-SPF sunscreen and hydrate often.
- Motion sickness: Roads in Bali can be winding—bring Gravol if you’re sensitive.
🧠 Final Tips: Preparing for a Healthy Trip to Bali
📅 Book your travel clinic 1–2 months before departure
🧳 Pack a basic travel health kit (painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds, electrolytes)
📲 Save contact info for clinics near Ubud, Canggu, or Denpasar
💬 Read this guide on dealing with diarrhea while traveling
🧬 FAQ: Vaccines and Travel Shots for Bali
Most travelers should get Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and be up to date on routine shots. Hepatitis B, rabies, and JE may be recommended depending on your plans.
No, unless you’re coming from a yellow fever country. Others are recommended, not required.
It’s recommended if you’re doing outdoor activities, staying long-term, or visiting monkey areas.
No, it’s not required, but still recommended for your health and peace of mind.
Ideally 4–6 weeks before you go. Some vaccines need multiple doses.
They can be—expect $40–$200+ per shot in Canada. Look into insurance or public health programs to cut costs.
✅ Summary: What Shots You Really Need for Bali
If you only skimmed, here’s your checklist:
✅ COVID: Not required as of 2025
✅ Required: None (except yellow fever if applicable)
✅ Recommended for all: Hepatitis A, Typhoid
✅ Optional based on your risk: Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis
✍️ Got Questions?
Leave a comment below if you have questions about Bali vaccines—or if you’ve already been and want to share your travel health tips! I personally reply to each one.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Travel Health – Indonesia. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/indonesia
World Health Organization (WHO). International Travel and Health. Available at: https://www.who.int/travel/en/
NaTHNaC (National Travel Health Network and Centre, UK). Country Information – Indonesia. (Access via their website for specific UK guidance).