Destination Comparison
Ubud vs Surabaya
Which destination has more documented tourist scam activity? Side-by-side comparison based on verified reports.
21
Total scams compared
Ubud
8 warnings
Surabaya
13 warnings
Overall Risk Assessment
Surabaya
Higher documented risk
Ubud has a lower overall scam risk score. Based on weighted frequency scoring across 21 documented reports. Both destinations are safe with preparation.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Ubud
Lower riskIndonesia · Southeast Asia
Total documented scams8
Severity
High
1
Medium
7
Low
0
Scam types
Top scams
- Money-changer short-changing
- Transport-cartel overcharging and app-blocking
- Monkey Forest macaque theft and 'handler' demands
- Scooter-rental damage and 'license' checkpoint fines
Surabaya
Higher riskIndonesia · Southeast Asia
Total documented scams13
Severity
High
1
Medium
9
Low
3
Scam types
Top scams
- Fake Bromo-Ijen Tour Booking Websites
- Juanda Airport Taxi Overcharge
- Becak Rickshaw Overcharging in Kota Tua
- Fake Bromo Tour Package Touts
Overlapping Risk
Scam Types Found in Both Destinations
These categories appear in both Ubud and Surabaya. If you're visiting both on the same trip, these are the patterns to study first.
Common Questions
Ubud vs Surabaya — Common Questions
Is Ubud or Surabaya safer for tourists?
Based on documented scam data, Ubud has a lower overall risk score. Ubud has 8 documented warnings (1 high severity) vs 13 in Surabaya (1 high severity). Both are popular tourist destinations visited safely by millions each year — preparation matters more than the destination itself.
What scams should I watch for in both Ubud and Surabaya?
Both cities have documented activity in: Taxi & Transport, Street Scams, Online Scams, Tour & Activities, Money & ATM Scams, Other Scams. If you're visiting both, these are the scam types to review first since the same tactics are used in each city.
Which city has more high-severity tourist scams?
Ubud has 1 high-severity documented scams vs 1 in Surabaya. High-severity scams carry significant financial or safety risk and should be reviewed carefully before travel regardless of which destination you choose.
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