Last Updated on January 12, 2026
Do I need vaccines for Bali in 2026? 🏝️ If you’re planning a tropical escape filled with surf lessons, temple visits, and coconut sipping, the short answer is: yes—several vaccines are strongly recommended (though not legally required).
Every year, travelers in Bali run into unexpected health issues—like a monkey bite in Ubud Monkey Forest that suddenly raises the rabies question, or food-borne illnesses (ex. Bali Belly) after sampling street food. With the right vaccines, you can prevent these risks and enjoy your trip worry-free.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ Which vaccines are recommended for Bali
✅ What’s legally required (and what’s not)
✅ Whether rabies or Japanese Encephalitis shots are worth it for your trip
✅ What other travel illnesses to watch out for
✅ Smart ways to save money on travel vaccines
That way, you’ll spend less time stressing about your health—and more time watching the sunset in Seminyak or hiking Bali’s waterfalls.
💉 Recommended Vaccines for Bali (2026)
Even a short trip can expose you to unfamiliar bacteria or viruses. The following are vaccines to consider for a trip to Bali but actual recommendations depends on your trip itinerary and style:
| 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 |
| MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) | Transmitted via airborne droplets | All travelers should be up to date with vaccine |
| Polio | Transmitted via contaminated food or water | All travelers (for those who have completed their childhood series may receive a single lifetime booster) |
| Hepatitis B | Transmitted through blood or sex | All travelers |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Mosquito-borne virus in rural areas | Long-term (>1month), frequent travel, rural, or extensive outdoor activities such as hiking or camping or staying in areas with no mosquito protection |
| Rabies | Spread by dogs, monkeys, bats bites | Long stays, rural travel, animal contact |
| Chikungunya (As per CDC, FDA has suspended the use of this vaccine IXCHIQ since Aug 22, 2025) | Mosquito-borne virus causing fever, joint pain | 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. For those who completed their childhood series, a single adult booster is recommended
- Influenza and COVID-19 – especially if you’re traveling during flu season or have risk factors
- Shingles (zoster) – recommended for travelers aged 50+ to prevent Shingle symptoms and complications
💡 Why a Polio booster in 2026? Indonesia has seen sporadic outbreaks of vaccine-derived poliovirus. While the risk is low, the booster is often free or low-cost in Canada, so I usually recommend ticking this box just to be safe.
✈️ 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
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, chikungunya 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.
🎒 Learn more about Mosquito Bite Prevention.
🧳Traveling to other areas in Indonesia besides Bali? Learn about the malaria risk.
🧪 COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Bali (2026)
As of 2025, Bali does NOT require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry.
It is still recommended to be fully vaccinated and boosted, especially if you’ll be in crowded areas or around vulnerable travelers.
🗂️ Tip: Keep digital and paper proof of your COVID shots just in case—they may still be required in emergencies.
🐵 Should You Get the Rabies Vaccine for Bali?
Rabies is present in Bali, particularly in dogs and monkeys. I often see posts in travel groups from panicked tourists bitten in Ubud. Here is the clinical reality:
- If you are vaccinated: You still need 2 additional shots if bitten, but you don’t need the hard-to-find ‘Immunoglobulin’ (RIG).
- If you are NOT vaccinated: You need the full series + RIG. In Bali, RIG is not always easily accessible, which means you might need an emergency flight to Singapore ($).
My Advice: If you plan to visit the Monkey Forest, I strongly recommend the pre-exposure vaccine. If you skip the vaccine, skip the Monkey Forest. It is not worth the $10,000 evacuation flight.
You might also 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
🦟 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 or Icaridin/Picaridin 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?
- Travelers planning to stay in Indonesia for 6 months or longer
While a new Chikungunya vaccine (IXCHIQ) was approved, the FDA suspended its use in August 2025 due to safety reviews. For 2026 travelers, I generally recommend focusing on bite prevention instead, as the vaccine is currently unavailable/suspended.
🦟 Learn more about Chikungunya, Risks and Prevention
💸 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 |
| Routine Vaccines | Usually free |
🎯 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 / school health insurance 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.
- 💊 Pharmacist’s Take on “Bali Belly: In my practice, I see more patients returning from Bali with stomach issues.
- The Dukoral Debate: Many patients ask me about the oral cholera vaccine (Dukoral) for preventing diarrhea. While it is marketed heavily, studies show it only protects against ~25-50% of traveler’s diarrhea cases (specifically E. coli). I usually tell patients: ‘Take it if you want every layer of protection, but do not treat it as a magic shield. Your real protection is safe eating habits.
- 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/B, Typhoid and be up to date on routine vaccines such as Tdap, MMR, Polio (consider getting adult booster), Chickenpox, Flu, Covid-19. 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 see if any vaccines are covered.
🔗 Learn more about how to stay healthy while traveling:
👉 Malaria in Bali: A Pharmacist’s assessment
🦠 Traveler’s Diarrhea: Prevention and Treatment
💊 Essential Travel Health Kit: What Medications to Pack
☀️ Southeast Asia Heat Survival Guide: Prevent Dehydration & Heatstroke
🦟 Ways to Prevent Dengue Fever in Cambodia
🧳 Best Travel Insurance for Canadians (2025)
🌏 Travel Vaccines by Country: How to Check What You Need
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Travelers should always consult a qualified healthcare professional or a travel medicine specialist for personalized advice regarding malaria prevention, medications, and vaccination recommendations based on their specific travel itinerary and health history.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Travel Health – Indonesia.
World Health Organization (WHO). International Travel and Health.
NaTHNaC (National Travel Health Network and Centre, UK). Country Information – Indonesia. (Access via their website for specific UK guidance).
About the Author
Jun is a Canadian pharmacist and the writer behind Mindful Travel and Health. I believe in simplifying travel health advice so every traveler can feel confident on their journey. I continue to expand my knowledge to help improve health outcomes for global travelers. Learn more →
