Country guide
Indonesia
Bali's temples and surf, Komodo's dragons, Java's volcano dawns and thousands more islands beyond; April to October is the dry season.
Currency
IDR
Language
Indonesian
English
Widely spoken
Payment
Cash preferred
Power
Type C / F
230 V, 50 Hz
Dialing
+62
Destinations
Bali
One small island with reef breaks, rice terraces and daily temple ritual - and roads that make you earn all three.
✓ best May-SepJakarta
A hot, loud, jammed capital you eat and drink your way through rather than tick off.
✓ best Jun-SepKomodo (Labuan Bajo)
The last wild dragons on earth, ringed by reefs that rank with the best diving in Indonesia.
✓ best May-SepLake Toba (Parapat)
The largest volcanic crater lake on earth, with an island nearly the size of Singapore in the middle and Batak villages all round the shore.
✓ best Feb, JulYogyakarta
The one Indonesian city where a living Javanese court, two world-class temple complexes and an active volcano sit within an hour of each other.
✓ best May-SepThe sweet-spot windows
Good weather, thinner crowds, better prices: the windows worth aiming for.
| Where | When | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bali | Apr-May | Transition: less rain, far fewer tourists than Jul-Aug | Occasional afternoon shower |
| Komodo & Flores | May & Oct | Shoulder dry: great diving, uncrowded boats | Oct can be windy |
| Lombok | Apr-May or Oct | Apr-May: dry starts, good surf. Oct: shoulder, uncrowded | Nov-Mar wet but best glassy surf conditions |
Climate zones, month by month
Indonesia has 5 distinct climate zones. The right month depends on where in the country you're going.
Bali →
✓ Best May-Sep · ✗ Avoid Dec-Mar
Conditions Jan-Feb Wet season · Mar Wet easing · Apr Transition · May Dry season · Jun Dry & cool · Jul Driest month · Aug Dry season · Sep Dry & warm · Oct Transition · Nov Rains start · Dec Wet season
Watch for Dec-Feb monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Jakarta Java →
✓ Best Jun-Sep · ✗ Avoid Jan-Feb
Watch for Jan-Feb monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Komodo (Labuan Bajo) Flores →
✓ Best May-Sep · ✗ Avoid Dec-Feb
Conditions Jan-Feb Wet season · Mar Transition · Apr Drying out · May Dry season · Jun Dry & clear · Jul Best diving · Aug Dry season · Sep Dry & warm · Oct Heating up · Nov Rains start · Dec Wet season
Watch for Jan monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Lake Toba (Parapat) Sumatra →
✓ Best Feb, Jul · ✗ Avoid Mar-Apr, Jun, Aug-Dec
Watch for Mar-Apr, Jun, Aug-Dec monsoon flooding risk · Jul-Oct haze risk
Cards tinted by calculated verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions
Yogyakarta Java →
✓ Best May-Sep · ✗ Avoid Dec-Mar
Conditions Jan-Mar Wet season · Apr Transition · May Drying out · Jun Dry season · Jul Driest month · Aug Dry season · Sep Dry & warm · Oct Transition · Nov Rains start · Dec Wet season
Watch for Dec-Mar monsoon flooding risk
Cards tinted by verified verdict · big number = typical daily high, small = low · hover for conditions