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Best time to go to Indonesia

Depending on where you’d ideally like to visit: Bali, Flores or Sumatra, for starters, will essentially dictate the best time to go to Indonesia which is why our temperature & rainfall chart covers all bases, especially when added to our month by month guide, supplier advice and our cultural picks from the Indonesia calendar.

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Best time to go to Indonesia

Indonesia is never stiflingly hot, or bitingly cold; an entirely tropical archipelago, the whole country is bathed in a dewy, misty warmth that says ‘relax’

The best time to go to Indonesia really just depends on you and what you’re up to. Being located near the equator, the country does have a pretty even climate with two long seasons – the cooler wet season from Nov-Apr, where rain falls for a few hours daily in sudden tropical downpours, and the warmer dry season that runs from June to Nov. As a rule of thumb, if you’re heading to Bali alone, take your pick, the weather is ideal year-round; June to Sept will allow you optimum island hopping.

Call us for the best time to go to Indonesia

Bali Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

328

FEB

261

MAR

225

APR

117

MAY

107

JUN

JUL

119

AUG

SEP

116

OCT

173

NOV

187

DEC

258

Our Indonesia Vacations

Indonesia, Month by month

During the wet season (late November, December - April), roads can be blocked and trekking routes closed for safety reasons, so it’s best to double check how much this will affect your chosen itinerary. The shoulder season (March, April, May, October and November) is fairly unpredictable weather-wise, but both prices and crowds drop and temperatures are cool making it a great time for trekking. During December, January and February rain makes areas such as Sumatra and Flores virtually inaccessible due to closed ferries and washed out roads. There are plenty of other places to see at this time though - with Bali and Kalimantan enjoying much more stable climates. If you're heading to the Mount Rinjani National Park on Lombok to see the infamous volcano, plan your Indonesia vacation outside of January – March, when the park closes. If you’re heading to Java, avoid the end of July – these are the final days of Indonesia’s Lebaran celebrations and transport is utter chaos. Indonesians often choose to take vacations at the end of Ramadan (usually around June or July, but flexible, so best to check according to your chosen year of travel) which can mean more crowds and higher prices. September in Indonesia brings the favourable weather conditions of August, but without the crowds and high season prices, making it a brilliant time to visit.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Indonesia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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Toll free 1-866-821-6866

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Responsible Travel recommends

Philip Beale, from our supplier Pioneer Expeditions, shares his advice on the best time to go to Indonesia: “The seasons in the country are pretty clear-cut – anytime from April through to September is generally the best time to visit, but it’s a country of three time zones, so it’s hard to generalise. The rainy season comes in and conditions start to get worse from October through to March, and although you can travel in the rainy season, you need to be prepared for two or three hours of rain daily plus a bit more wind. From April onwards it gets warmer with blue skies all day and then over our summertime, the weather is hot and sunny and perfect conditions for the wide range of activities that Indonesia offers.”

Festivals & events

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival

Taking place in Ubud, Bali’s artistic heartland, this a five-day party that brings the written word to life through the musings of some of the best Indonesian, Southeast Asian and international voices across a lively programme of book launches, talks, film screening and local workshops.

More about Indonesia

Indonesia travel guide

Our Indonesia travel guide aims to point responsible travelers in the right direction when it comes to what we rate & what we don’t as well as all the information you need on food, shopping & people to assist in your quest to discover Indonesia like a local.

Where to go in Indonesia

Make the most of your time in Indonesia by using our interactive map of highlights featuring everywhere from Kalimantan and Sulawesi to Java, Komodo and Lombok, to help you decide where to go in Indonesia.

Things to do in Indonesia

If you’re looking for our top activities in Indonesia then you’ve certainly come to the right place as from a kayak into the jungle, to a tour of the temples, and a chance to explore the road less travelled as you enter the dragon, this is just the tip of the misty mountain when it comes to finding things to do in Indonesia.

Komodo dragon tours in Indonesia

If you’re getting into Game of Thrones or can’t forget Smaug from The Hobbit, there’s only one thing to do – set sail on a Komodo dragon tour.

Sea kayaking the Komodo Islands

Sea kayaking in the Komodo Islands is a chance to be immersed in nature, paddling your way to remote corners of this beautiful national park, camping on beaches and sleeping under the stars.

Traveling in Indonesia with kids

Don’t be put off traveling in Indonesia with kids in favour of more familiar stomping grounds as there are loads of activities for families including hiking around volcanoes in Lombok, horseback riding in Barat National Park and grabbing a snorkel, mask and flippers to explore underwater off the beautiful beaches of Bali.

Indonesia travel advice

Indonesia travel advice should definitely start with a few tips from our friends in Indonesia who will help when it comes to: dealing with begging, avoiding overcrowded beaches, and accepting advice on what to pack and how to travel safely in Indonesia.

Responsible tourism in Indonesia

If you’re looking to travel right in Indonesia then you’ll need to weigh up development vs poverty, find out more about the problem with palm oil and research what you can do to help when it comes to animal rights, especially where the plight of the orangutan is concerned.

All our Indonesia guides

All our Indonesia guides. Find all of our Indonesia guides in one place, for particular places in Indonesia such as Bali, Borneo or Raja Ampat. Or perhaps you would like to know more about the different types of Indonesia vacations we offer such as orangutan watching.

More relevant guides

Written by Polly Humphris

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Jean-Marie Hullot] [Intro: Ifan Bima] [Philip Beale Quote: Farhan Perdana (Blek)] [Ubud Writers & Readers Festival: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival]

Best time to go to Indonesia