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If you are deciding when to travel to Indonesia, it is important to keep in mind that the four traditional seasons as we know it do not exist there. Consisting of more than 17,000 islands, the archipelago has a climate that is never identical at any one time. Despite this, the general dry season is between April and October, with the wet season lasting from November to March. In more recent years, the rainy season in Indonesia has been starting later, such that in 2015 the first rains started arriving in mid-December.
Nevertheless, you can reassure yourself that if you decide to visit Indonesia, the weather is relatively mild throughout the year. Even in the rainy season, you will experience beautiful sunny days. Most of the time, the rain will fall heavily during the night and for a few hours at the end of the day. The main drawback of the rains is therefore not the duration but rather the consequences. In cities and villages, flooding occurs frequently and can prove to be a problem when navigating by scooter or car. Thus, during rainy days it is advisable to carry a rain poncho which can be found in most minimarts. Our Travel Experts at Shanti Travel are full of suggestions on when to travel to Indonesia and will help you find the best activities for each season, whether it be pampering yourself with a massage on a rainy day or advising the best beaches to soak up the sunshine.
Throughout the year, and especially during the monsoon season, Indonesia experiences a typical equatorial climate - hot and humid! On your holidays to Indonesia you can expect an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius by the seaside with humidity levels varying between 70% and 90%. Around coastal areas, the variations in temperature are relatively small with only a few degrees difference depending on the area and the season. Nevertheless, keep in mind that altitude will play a big role on temperature - at the top of volcanoes and mountains higher than 2,000 metres above sea level, temperatures can drop below 10 degrees Celsius, especially in the early mornings.
If you decide to travel to Indonesia between the end of July and the end of August, you will experience the “windy season”. During this time, a jacket and scarf are recommended for the cool evenings, especially if you choose to explore higher areas such as Ubud, Munduk, Kintamani, Berastagi, Rantepao, Bromo, Ijen, Rinjani and Kelimutu, to name a few. The famous “masuk angin”, which literally means “entering wind” is greatly feared among our Indonesian friends and could result in you being bedridden with a fever for a couple of days if you are not careful! Nevertheless, the windy season in Bali also brings with it the kite flying season; during this period hundreds of colourful kites can be seen scattered across the sky, which is worth taking into account when deciding when to travel to Indonesia.
Another factor that might influence your decision on when to travel to Indonesia is the tourist season. The months of July and August are regarded as the high season in Indonesia. During these two months it is common to see raised prices and heavy traffic, especially in the popular tourist areas of Kuta and Legian in Bali. The best way to avoid the crowds and the monsoon rains is to travel to Indonesia during the months of May, June, September and October, when the weather is milder and there are fewer tourists.
If you decide to travel to Bali, Indonesia’s most popular beach destination, keep in mind that every year the number of tourists on this little Hindu island increases exponentially. It has also become the preferred domestic destination for Indonesian tourists from Jakarta and other big cities in Indonesia. Australians also flock to Bali during the Christmas season as well as during various school holidays, while July and August tend to be the months most popular with European travelers. Generally, tourism is concentrated on the south coast of the island, and while some travelers enjoy the hustle and bustle, if this is not your scene, take a short drive out and you will find yourself surrounded by lush tropical jungles and verdant rice fields.
Trust your travel expert at Shanti Travel to guide you through the marvels of North and Central Bali and through the tropical islands of Indonesia with insider advice on when to travel to Indonesia!
