Best time to visit Indonesia

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Indonesia

Best time of year to visit Indonesia

Ideal for all kinds of water activities, April through October is considered the best time to visit Indonesia. The weather is stunning, so you can explore magnificent Mount Rinjani National Park or climb Mount Borneo. The country sees heavy short downpours and high humidity between November and March. However, this is an excellent option for discovering a collection of temples, as they are much quieter during these months. In the low season, you can try famous smelly durian and scare the demons away during Perang Api in March. All in all, Indonesia is warm and mostly sunny throughout the year with its tropical climate.

32 THINGS TO DO IN INDONESIA (MAY 05 - MAY 14)

Makare-Kare or Pandan War

Makare-Kare or Pandan War

May–June • event

A traditional tribute to Lord Indra, the protector of Tenganan village

Pink Beach, Komodo Island

Pink Beach, Komodo Island

April–June | September–November  • nature

An idyllic retreat spot at an official UNESCO World Heritage Site with clear turquoise water, green hills, endless blue skies, and striking pink sands

Diving

Diving

May–November  • activity

Go scuba diving in one of the most magnificent places in the world!

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

Tumpak Sewu Waterfall

April–October • nature

The most beautiful waterfall in Java and possibly all of Indonesia

Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo

April–October • nature

Pay a visit to an active volcano located in the "Sea of Sand"

Surfing

Surfing

April–August  • activity

Surfing in Bali may be an intimidating but awesome experience!

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking

March–December • activity

One of the best ways to explore the untouched beauty of Indonesia

Heaven Light (Jomblang Cave)

Heaven Light (Jomblang Cave)

May–September • activity

Witness the mystical heavenly light coming in through the hole in the cave

Kopi Luwak

Kopi Luwak

May–November • food

The most expensive coffee in the world is produced in Indonesia in a very unusual way

Swim with Stingless Jellyfish in Kakaban Lake

Swim with Stingless Jellyfish in Kakaban Lake

March–October • nature

Change the way you perceive these soft and slippery jellyfish by joining their underwater dance

Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight

Longboat Ride and Longhouse Overnight

May–August • activity

Spend a few nights with an indigenous community to learn the cultural roots of many cultures of Southeast Asia

Komodo Dragons

Komodo Dragons

April–December • nature

Observe the largest and most dangerous of all living lizards

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

May–October • nature

Indonesia will amaze you with its avian world unlike any other

Gereja Ayam or Chicken Church

Gereja Ayam or Chicken Church

all year round • activity

An abandoned church shaped like a giant chicken in the middle of the jungle

Kecak or Monkey Dance

Kecak or Monkey Dance

all year round • event

A fascinating performance charms the audience and tells the story of the island

Banjarmasin Floating Markets

Banjarmasin Floating Markets

all year round • activity

Start your morning with the freshest local fruits and vegetables for your healthy breakfast

Climbing Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid)

Climbing Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid)

April–November • activity

Though not the highest one, this mountain is one of the most demanding in the world

Beach Season

Beach Season

May–September • activity

Relax by the ocean on one of Java's white sandy beaches

Canopy Walks

Canopy Walks

May–September • activity

There are two perspectives from which you can look at trees—from the ground and from above. It is up to you to choose which you like more

Manta Rays

Manta Rays

April–May  • nature

Try diving with the beautiful and huge manta ray fish

Wayang Kulit Puppet Theatre

Wayang Kulit Puppet Theatre

all year round • activity

This art from ancient times is fascinating even without understanding the language—enjoy the music and the mysterious dance of shadows!

Dieng Plateau

Dieng Plateau

May–October • nature

A volcanic plain called Abode of the Gods thanks to its heavenly beauty

Climbing Mount Semeru

Climbing Mount Semeru

April–November • activity

The abode of Hindu gods and the tallest mountain on the island can be conquered with some effort

Kelimutu Crater Lakes

Kelimutu Crater Lakes

May–September • nature

You never know which colours of the lakes you'll find when you reach up the top—it depends on the mood of the spirits inhabiting the waters

Rainbow Village (Kampung Pelangi)

Rainbow Village (Kampung Pelangi)

all year round • activity

A former slum area has become an Instagram hit thanks to vivid paint colours

Cocoa Harvest

Cocoa Harvest

March–July | September–December • nature

Witness various stages of chocolate production in Indonesia

Krakatoa Island and Volcano

Krakatoa Island and Volcano

May–October • nature

Visit one of the most deadly volcanoes in the world while it's still in a peaceful state

Mount Rinjani National Park

Mount Rinjani National Park

April–December • activity

Climb the second largest volcano in Indonesia to see the most stunning views on Lombok Island

Padar Island

Padar Island

April–June | September–November • activity

Explore one of the most beautiful islands in Indonesia

Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing

May–October • activity

A true paradise for any kind of surfer with stunning beaches and nature

Black Orchids

Black Orchids

March–August • nature

Black orchids are a rare and fascinating flower not to be missed!

Climbing Mount Kerinci

Climbing Mount Kerinci

April–September • activity

Conquer the highest volcano in South-East Asia

25 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Bali Kite Festival

Bali Kite Festival

out of rangeJuly 29–31, 2022 • event

The kite festival that sends a message to the Hindu gods

Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival

Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival

out of rangeMay 24-26, 2024 • event

One of the biggest jazz events in Southern Hemisphere

Omed-Omedan

Omed-Omedan

out of rangeMarch 23, 2023 • event

The kissing festival for the singles

Mola Mola

Mola Mola

out of rangeJuly–November  • nature

An enormous sunfish swimming around—the incredible diving experience

Pacu Jawi (Cow Race)

Pacu Jawi (Cow Race)

out of rangeJanuary 7–28, 2023 (every Saturday) • event

An extreme tradition to celebrate the rice harvest

Java Mouse-Deer Breeding

Java Mouse-Deer Breeding

out of rangeNovember–December • nature

This tiny animal is unlike any other deer in the world

Baliem Valley Festival

Baliem Valley Festival

out of rangeAugust 8-10, 2024 • event

Witness one of the most spectacular cultural events in the world and taste the life in Papua New Guinea

Yadnya Kasada

Yadnya Kasada

out of rangeJuly 6–7, 2023 • event

Tenggerese worshippers bring offerings to the crater of Mount Bromo volcano

Idul Fitri (Lebaran)

Idul Fitri (Lebaran)

out of rangeApril 10-11, 2024 • event

A time when life slows down in the cities, so people can feast and celebrate

Durian

Durian

out of rangeNovember–March  • food

Considered to be the king of the fruits, this smelly fruit tastes like nothing you've had before!

Bali Arts Festival

Bali Arts Festival

out of rangeJune 18–July 16, 2023 • event

The biggest cultural event of the year on Bali

Perang Api

Perang Api

out of rangeMarch 22, 2023 • event

The Fire War to scare the demons away!

Solo Batik Carnival

Solo Batik Carnival

out of rangeJuly 17–19, 2020 • event

The colourful festival celebrates Indonesian culture and heritage

New Year's Eve in Bali

New Year's Eve in Bali

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Ring in New Year dancing on the beach and swimming in the warm ocean

Rice Terraces

Rice Terraces

out of rangeOctober–March • activity

Visit iconic lush green rice paddies where farming is still done the same way it was hundreds of years ago

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot

out of rangemid-January–mid-April | mid-September–mid-December • activity

A picturesque Hindu temple is one of the most popular photo spots in Bali, especially at sunset

Muharram or Islamic New Year

Muharram or Islamic New Year

out of rangeJuly 19, 2023 • event

Muḥarram is the first and the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. It's a national holiday in Indonesia, and in many regions it is marked with festivals and special events

New Year's Eve in Indonesia

New Year's Eve in Indonesia

out of rangelate December • event

Check out the most exquisite ways to celebrate NYE in Indonesia

Diving in Raja Ampat

Diving in Raja Ampat

out of rangeOctober–April • activity

The scuba diving heaven of Indonesia is like no other place on earth

Gawai Dayak (Hari Gawai)

Gawai Dayak (Hari Gawai)

out of rangeearly June • event

A vibrant Dayak ethnic festival, marking the end of the harvest season in Sarawak, Malaysia and West Kalimantan, Indonesia

White Water Rafting

White Water Rafting

out of rangeNovember–March • activity

Generally rivers in Bali are all class II and III, but during the wet season they may rise up to class IV

Cap Go Meh (Tatung)

Cap Go Meh (Tatung)

out of rangeFebruary 12, 2025 • event

People dance, jump, sing, pierce their skin, and experience trance. You can join them or you can just stand aside and watch

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week & Easter

out of rangeMarch 24–31, 2024 • event

Delve into regional peculiarities of Easter celebration in Indonesia

Mangosteen

Mangosteen

out of rangeDecember–March  • food

Considered to be the queen of fruits, mangosteen is a perfect buddy for the durian!

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year

out of rangeFebruary 9–10, 2024 • event

Celebrated by millions of Chinese Indonesians this holiday brings lots of color and joy

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