Can You Drink Tap Water in Indonesia? Ice, Brushing Teeth and Refills
Short answer
No. Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Indonesia, including Bali and Jakarta. Drink sealed bottled water, boiled water or water from a refill dispenser, and use bottled water to brush your teeth. Hot drinks made with boiled water are fine.
- Tap water
- Not safe to drink
- Brushing teeth
- Use bottled water
- Coffee and tea
- Fine (boiled)
What the official advice says
The UK Foreign Office is blunt: tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia. The US CDC’s general guidance for countries like Indonesia is to drink only water from factory-sealed bottles, or water that has been boiled or properly disinfected — and to avoid ice that may have been made from tap water. Australia’s Smartraveller notes that waterborne and foodborne diseases are widespread.
Indonesians do not drink tap water either. Households use boiled water or 19-litre refill gallons (galon).
Everyday situations
| Situation | Safe? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Glass of tap water | No | Bottled, boiled or dispenser water |
| Brushing teeth | Not recommended | Keep a bottle by the sink |
| Coffee, tea, soup | Yes | Made with boiled water |
| Ice in drinks | Official advice: avoid | Many restaurants buy factory ice (cylinders with a hole in the middle); street stalls may not |
| Fresh juice and smoothies | Depends | Fruit is fine; the ice and any added water are the risk |
| Salad and raw herbs | Some risk | Washed in tap water; skip them in the first days if your stomach is sensitive |
| Showering, swimming in a pool | Yes | Just do not swallow it |
The CDC line on ice is stricter than how most visitors behave. Factory-made tube ice in established restaurants is generally regarded as lower risk than crushed block ice at a roadside stall, but it is not risk-free. If you are on a short trip and cannot afford two days in bed, follow the strict version.
Avoiding a mountain of plastic bottles
- Many hotels, guesthouses and cafés in Bali have refill dispensers; ask for isi ulang (refill).
- Buy a 19-litre gallon with a pump for a villa stay — it costs a fraction of small bottles.
- Bring a bottle with a built-in filter or UV purifier if you travel off the main routes.
If you get sick anyway
Most traveller’s diarrhoea passes in a few days. Drink plenty of safe water with oral rehydration salts (sold as oralit in every pharmacy). Get medical help if you have a high fever, blood in your stool, cannot keep fluids down, or symptoms last more than three days — and call your insurer’s assistance line before you go.
One drink risk that is not about water
Methanol poisoning from contaminated or counterfeit spirits, including arak, occurs in Indonesia. The UK Foreign Office reports cases from licensed bars, shops and hotels, and you cannot taste or smell it. Be wary of very cheap cocktails and spirits from unknown sources. Severe headache, vomiting or blurred vision hours after drinking is an emergency.
Sources
- UK FCDO — Indonesia health — "Tap water is not safe to drink", updated 30 Oct 2026
- CDC Yellow Book — food and water precautions
- Australian Smartraveller — Indonesia health