Indonesia had only two uncomplicated seasons in the past. Climate change and El Nia made the weather worse.
The answer to the question "when should I go to Indonesia?" is always the same: it's always a good time to visit Indonesia.
There are more factors to consider than just the weather. A lot of travelers want to catch a perfect wave, climb a volcano, or hang out with orangutans. It's all about beach parties and festivals for some.
Don't worry, there's a lot to think about. We have everything you need. We've put together a guide to the best times to visit Indonesia.
When the European summer holidays and the Australian winter coincide with the peak season in Indonesia, tourists flock to the archipelago. It's a good time to visit if you don't mind the crowds. There are packed beaches and bars in the two places. Heavy rains in July and August are the exception to the prime time for hiking, surfing, diving, and outdoor wilderness adventures in most areas.
With all the fun comes the downside of crowded surf breaks, crowded tourist attractions, swarms of trails, and terrible traffic. Pre-booking months in advance will help you avoid high rates. You can expect tourism and prices to go up during the Christmas holidays, but there is more rain and humidity.
Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter.The shoulder season periods at the end of the peak season are our favorite times to visit Indonesia due to its winning combination of superb weather, reduced tourist numbers and lower prices. You are more likely to see glorious sunshine when there is no rain.
At this time, everything seems to be going well. The waves are pumping, orangutans are out feeding in the jungles of Sumatra and Kalimantan, and divers head out in search of whale sharks and mola mola, which gather in the summer. The shoulder season is a great time to scale Indonesia's volcanoes without the crowds of tourists.
There are drawbacks to shoulder season. Farmers burning off fields and areas of cleared forest in Sumatra and Kalimantan can cause smoke haze in the fall. This is something you will need to consider if you have respiratory issues.
Tourists don't want to hear the words wet season and hope for sun, surf and sand. While Indonesia is humid at this time of year, the rainy season doesn't mean it's going to go down for the whole trip. Before the blue skies come back and the sun shines again, expect short, intense downpours.
The wet months bring a more relaxed vibe and discounts across the board. During the off-season, it's a good time to visit local temples and immerse yourself in the local culture. Most volcanoes are off-limits from December to March so it's not a good time to hike. In the rainy months, Orangutans and other wildlife can be hard to find.
If you're looking for a place that isn't as wet, West Papua and Maluku have a dry season at this time of year. These are the best months to visit if you like hiking to remote villages or scuba diving. It's calm in the ocean and visibility is crystal clear, making it ideal for diving into the underwater world.
The best times to visit the legendary holiday island of Indonesia are during the monsoon season. At either end of the peak tourist season, things are perfect. It is possible to enjoy beach weather, legendary waves, stunning volcano treks, thundering waterfalls, yoga retreats and fascinating Hindu culture without the crowds. You can save money compared to peak season prices if you book months in advance.
If you enjoy getting a good deal and are after a chilled out holiday, then a trip to Indonesia is a good idea. It isn't going to rain around the clock even though you'll get some downpours from December to February. You can return to the pool, cocktail in hand, after a few hours of rain. If you've got your heart set on trekking, diving, surfing, and wildlife encounters, it's a good idea to schedule your trip during the busy, dry months of April to October.
The monsoon season brings sporadic downpours in between spells of sunshine, which is ideal for those looking for pristine beaches and world class diving. The Gerebeg is a key event.
Travelers who brave the rains are rewarded with discounts and a more relaxed atmosphere during the low season. The key events are Cap Go Meh and Pasola.
You can balance beach days with inland exploration as the weather warms up. After the rains, Indonesia's fertile landscapes are especially beautiful. Nyepi, the Day of Silence, will take place when all activity on the island stops. The key events are Nyepi.
More tourists are going for diving, volcano trekking and surfing. It's not as busy as it was during the summertime peak. Dates for the festival are April to May in 2022. and March to April in 2023.
The best time to visit Indonesia in May is when the weather is dry. There are orangutans in the forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The dates for the Java Jazz Festival and Idul Fitri/Lebaran are in the future.
The main islands are best visited at this time of year. There are less crowded beaches and temples in June. It's a good time for encounters with animals. The Danau Toba Festival is a key event.
The peak season for school holidays brings in crowds from Europe and Australia, so make sure to book your accommodations and activities in advance. The key events are the Tana Toraja funeral festivals and the Erau Festival.
During the peak tourist season, more people seek sun, sand and surf as the beaches and bars in Indonesia and Java are full. Independence Day, Bidar races (Sumatra), and theBaliem Valley Festival are some of the key events.
With peak season drawing to a close, things are more relaxed in September, but the weather and surf are still great. Pagerwesi is a key event.
The weather becomes more variable. It is a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival is a key event.
The rainy season in western Indonesia starts in November. This is still a good time to visit, even though there are less waves, muddier trails and worse visibility for diving. Sekaten is a key event.
After the beginning of Indonesia's rainy season, December sees things slow down until Christmas, when tourist numbers spike. It's a good time to dive in the areas of Maluku. There are a number of key events in Indonesia.
The article was first published about a decade ago.
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