When to Visit Indonesia
When is the best time to visit Indonesia? That depends on where you want to visit, what you want to do, and your tolerance for crowds. Because of its tropical climate, Indonesia has two seasons: dry and wet. The dry season takes place from May to September, making these some of the nicest weather months. But if you can’t make it then, rest assured that you can expect year-round warm temperatures, and the sun usually shines at least part of the day during the rainy season.
Dry and summer season
The most popular times to visit Bali (and Indonesia in general) correspond with the most popular times for travel in the western hemisphere – around Easter in the spring, during the summer months, and then again around Christmas and New Years, from mid-December to mid-January. During these peak seasons, you can expect hotel prices to be significantly higher, sometimes by as much as 50 percent. From May until September, the overlap of the dry season and summer break means that you should expect some competition for beach blanket real estate on the popular beaches.
Rainy and low season
Throughout Indonesia, the rainy season lasts from October to March, and December thru February are some of the wettest months. The rainy season is also when the high humidity makes the slightly higher temperatures feel more oppressive. Even so, earlier in the rainy season can be a good time to visit – the off-season means that beaches are less crowded, and the prices are generally lower. May and October are the two most popular off-season months for visiting Bali.
The rainy season conditions also vary depending on which parts of the islands you plan to visit. On a typical day during the rainy season on the coast of Lombok or Bali, it will rain once in the morning and then again in the afternoon, with beautifully sunny stretches in between. Keep in mind that if you plan to visit the mountainous regions of either Bali or Lombok, you can expect more rain and more complete cloud coverage during the rainy season. This doesn’t have to deter your travel plans, but if you plan to travel during the rainy off-season, make sure to bring sturdy, waterproof hiking shoes and a light rain jacket.
