Travel Guide | Southeast Asia

Mosquitoes in Bali: Zika, dengue and what to pack

Bali is a low-risk place for malaria (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Malaria, opens in a new tab) but not a mosquito-free one. CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) currently has a Zika (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Zika, opens in a new tab) notice for Indonesia that names Bali, and dengue (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Dengue, opens in a new tab) and chikungunya (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Chikungunya, opens in a new tab) are listed for the country. Here is what CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) says and how most travelers prepare.

Reviewed September 2026. Based on CDC Travelers' Health guidance for Indonesia.

Current CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) notice

Zika (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Zika, opens in a new tab) in Indonesia: Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Travel Health Notices, opens in a new tab), posted August 7, 2026

CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) reports that cases of Zika (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Zika, opens in a new tab) are being reported in returning travelers from Bali, and advises travelers to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission. CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) has additional guidance for people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, so read the notice and talk with your provider before you travel.

Notices change. Check the current CDC page for Indonesia (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) before you go.

Mosquito-borne diseases CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) lists for Indonesia

Zika (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Zika, opens in a new tab)

See the notice above. There is no vaccine, so prevention centers on avoiding mosquito bites.

Dengue (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Dengue, opens in a new tab)

Listed as a risk in Indonesia. There is no routine vaccine for travelers, so CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab)'s advice centers on avoiding bites.

Chikungunya (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Chikungunya, opens in a new tab)

CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) notes an elevated chikungunya (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Chikungunya, opens in a new tab) risk in Indonesia. A vaccine may be considered for travelers planning a long stay, generally six months or more.

Malaria (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Malaria, opens in a new tab)

CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) notes no malaria (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Malaria, opens in a new tab) transmission in the resort areas of Bali. It recommends preventive medicine for travelers to certain other parts of Indonesia, including eastern Indonesia, parts of Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Sumatra, and West Nusa Tenggara, which includes Lombok. If your trip adds any of those, ask a travel-health provider whether you need it.

Japanese encephalitis (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Japanese Encephalitis, opens in a new tab)

A vaccine is recommended for some travelers depending on how long they stay and what they do, for example long stays or extended time in rural areas. Your provider can tell you whether it applies to your itinerary.

When mosquitoes are more active

Bali has a dry season and a wet season. Dengue (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Dengue, opens in a new tab) can occur in any month, and cases generally rise when rain leaves standing water around homes and lodging.

Season	Roughly	What to expect
Dry	April to October	Fewer mosquitoes overall, but bites and cases still happen, especially near water storage and gardens.
Wet	November to March	More standing water and generally more dengue (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Dengue, opens in a new tab) activity. This is the season to be most careful.

Timing varies by year and by area, so treat these dates as a rough guide.

Where bites tend to happen in Bali

The mosquitoes linked to Zika (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Zika, opens in a new tab), dengue (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Dengue, opens in a new tab) and chikungunya (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Chikungunya, opens in a new tab) are generally most active in the daytime. Around Bali that often means garden villas, rice-terrace walks, temple visits, pool areas and shaded outdoor cafes as well as jungle hikes. Open-air bungalows and villas without screens are worth planning for, since you may be sleeping and resting with no barrier at all.

Packing checklist for Bali

An EPA (source: U.S. EPA: Find the Insect Repellent That Is Right for You, opens in a new tab)-registered insect repellent for daytime as well as evening. CDC (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Indonesia, opens in a new tab) recommends products with 20% or more DEET (source: U.S. EPA: Find the Insect Repellent That Is Right for You, opens in a new tab) and lists picaridin (source: U.S. EPA: Find the Insect Repellent That Is Right for You, opens in a new tab), oil of lemon eucalyptus (source: U.S. EPA: Find the Insect Repellent That Is Right for You, opens in a new tab), IR3535 (source: U.S. EPA: Find the Insect Repellent That Is Right for You, opens in a new tab) and 2-undecanone (source: U.S. EPA: Find the Insect Repellent That Is Right for You, opens in a new tab) as other options. Follow the label directions.
Lightweight long sleeves, long pants and a hat for temple visits, walks and outdoor meals.
Permethrin (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Avoid Bug Bites, opens in a new tab)-treated clothing and gear, or a treatment kit. Do not apply permethrin (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Avoid Bug Bites, opens in a new tab) to skin.
A travel bed net or a plan to choose air-conditioned or screened rooms, especially for open-air villas.
A written list of your vaccines and any medicines your provider recommends, in your carry-on.

Before you go

See a healthcare provider or travel clinic four to six weeks before departure if you can.
Share your full route. If you add Lombok, Sulawesi or eastern Indonesia, the malaria (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Malaria, opens in a new tab) advice changes.
If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, or your partner is, ask specifically about Zika (source: CDC Travelers' Health: Zika, opens in a new tab) before booking.
If you get a fever during or after your trip, seek medical care and mention that you traveled to Bali.

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Sources

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General information only. This page is not medical advice and may not reflect changes made after the review date. See CDC's guidance on avoiding bug bites and the EPA repellent search tool, and speak with a healthcare provider before your trip.