A Guide to the Best Time to Visit Indonesia in 2023

Interested in visiting Indonesia? Well, first, you must know the best time to visit Indonesia to get the most out of your trip.

Indonesia is renowned for its stunning and picturesque landscapes. You can have the most wonderful experiences by traveling to Indonesia. You will have the chance to learn about Indonesia’s fascinating culture, savor its exquisite cuisine, and discover its natural beauty as well.

In general, Indonesia has two distinct seasons: dry and wet seasons. In addition to the weather, the best time to visit Indonesia will also depend on the peak seasons as well as the islands you plan to visit.

You can learn the guidance of Indonesia’s seasons and climate if you are unsure about when is the best time to visit Indonesia as your dream trip by reading the information below.

Wet Season in Indonesia

The wet season starts from January to April, as early in the year in Indonesia is a quiet time. At this time, the number of tourists is relatively low, so it will be a peaceful period for you to visit. Additionally, this is the time when hotels are cheaper.

Furthermore, this time of the year in Indonesia will be the finest moment for you if you want to take in the serene atmosphere in the company of the rain.

1. January

Generally, Indonesia in January experiences frequent rainfall and damp weather throughout the month, with an average temperature of 25 degrees.

If you want to engage in outdoor activities at this time, we do not advise you to travel to Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Komodo Island, Flores, Lombok and Gilis, or Sumba. It is not recommended to visit these islands in January because the weather is unfavorable as the heavy downpours happen daily.

However, it will be fantastic to travel to Bali in January for a healing moment to reconnect with yourself. Visiting Indonesia in January, specifically Bali will let you have the opportunity to connect with yourself by engaging in traditional Balinese healing therapy with the accompaniment of peaceful rains.

Nonetheless, going to Indonesia in January will also allow you to take pleasure in the outdoors, particularly if you go to West Papua and Raja Ampat. The islands may be visited all year round because the ocean is always warm, and the everyday temperatures range from 30 to 34 degrees.

However, you must remember that Raja Ampat does not have an off-season; thus January is not the low season in Raja Ampat.

2. February

In February, it is not recommended to visit Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Komodo Island, Flores, Lombok and Gilis, or Sumba if you wish to engage in outdoor activities because the weather is pretty much the same as it was in January. But, you still can enjoy the outdoor activities if you travel to West Papua and Raja Ampat.

3. March

In general, the heavy downpours are decreasing in March. Usually, Indonesia only experiences a light tropical downpour this time around. At this time, you can travel to any of Indonesia’s islands.

However some islands in Indonesia like Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Komodo Island, Flores, Lombok, and Gilis or Sumba may experience light rain, so it would be wise for you to wear warm clothing during your outing. Moreover, you can still expect less crowd with a higher probability of experiencing outdoor activities.

Furthermore, March is the greatest time to visit islands like Sulawesi, West Papua, Raja Ampat, and the moluccas islands, so you may need to prepare for crowds.

4. April

April in Indonesia is a really lovely time of the year as the blue skies are magnificent this time. At this time, you can go to any island in Indonesia since the weather across the country is lovely. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities like surfing, volcano trekking, and diving, then April will be the best time to visit Indonesia.

Furthermore, April will be the finest time of the year to dive off the coast of Bali, Lombok, or the Komodo National Park. Additionally, as Ramadan, the biggest religious celebration, will be taking place in April 2023 in Indonesia, you will have the chance to experience one of the country’s most authentic cultures as well as taste a variety of scrumptious Ramadan delicacies.

Dry Season in Indonesia

This is the period where the weather becomes lovely. At this time, sightseeing is more leisurely as the well-known tourist spots are going to be increasingly crowded up to the peak season. During this time of the year, most of the islands’ humidity level is low with a fresh breeze blowing inwards.

Below are the month-by-month guide for the dry season in Indonesia:

1. May

May is the best time to visit Indonesia, specifically the west and central islands which includes Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Bali, Komodo, Flores, Lombok and the Gilis, and Sumba. Additionally, the temperature ranges from 25 to 28 degrees.

It will be the perfect time for you to experience mountain climbing in the mountains of Bromo or Ijen, take in the grandeur of Molucca Island, or travel to Bali while being embraced by the lovely sky and warm sunlight.

2. June

June in Indonesia is another best time to visit Indonesia when you can experience great weather with a smaller crowd. It is specifically a good time for you to visit the west and central islands of Indonesia to have a jolly time while being embraced by the good weather.

It is highly recommended to visit Bali during this time as you can visit the popular beaches like Jimbaran, Sanur, and Seminyak with less crowd. Moreover, in June, you can also experience the annual cultural event like Danau Sentani Festival in Papua and Danau Toba Festival in Sumatra.

3. July

July in Indonesia is a time when the weather is great, with a range of temperatures between 25 and 27 degrees. At this time, you can basically go anywhere in Indonesia, but one thing to worry about is the crowds as it is the start of the European and Australian school holidays.

Additionally, you can experience culture through yearly festivals like the Erau Festival in Kalimantan and the Tana Toraja Funeral Festivals in Tana Toraja, both of which take place in July.

4. August

In Indonesia, August is another busy month. Since the weather is essentially the same as it was in July, there are a lot of tourists looking to engage in activities like surfing, enjoying Bali’s beaches, or even visiting Java’s most popular sights, which causes the areas to become crowded.

5. September

Another best time to visit Indonesia is in September, when temperatures vary from 25 to 27 degrees, and you can take in the beautiful scenery without having to worry about crowds. Even in September, the weather will be suitable for outdoor activities like surfing.

Holiday Season in Indonesia

Although the beginning of the rainy season makes for less-than-perfect weather from October to December, we can still expect to see crowds. Especially during the holiday season in December, you will see a crowd of tourists who choose to spend their time away from their home countries.

Christmas festivities can be enjoyed in various well-known Indonesian destinations, such as Java or Bali, or you can engage in outdoor activities like diving in the Eastern Islands, specifically Maluku’s Banda Islands.

When is the Best Time to Visit Indonesia?

As we can infer from the information above, it can be said that the right time to visit Indonesia is during the dry season. From May to September, you can bathe in the warm tropical climate that has become one of Indonesia’s most distinctive signatures. This time of the year is typically known as the peak season for international travel.

Most tourists, however, will choose to avoid visiting Indonesia during the low season, which starts from October to April. During this time of the year, the number of tourists who come will be significantly lower than during the peak season.

However, you can also choose to visit Indonesia during the holiday season, especially during Christmas. It can be an alternative choice to spend your Christmas time with a change of scenery that you and your family may need.

Visa Application for A Short Vacation

To travel in Indonesia for a short period, you can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) or Visit Visa (B211A). Each visa is the best choice for international tourists who intend to stay in the country for a vacation or other personal reasons.

In order to get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for your 30-day stay period, you should provide the following documents:

A passport with at least six months validity
A return or onward ticket from Indonesia
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
Sufficient funds for your personal expenses

On the other hand, the required documents you should provide for a Visit Visa that can grant you a 60-day period of stay are as follows:

A valid passport; at least valid for six months
A passport cover
Passport/visa photos
A bank statement: $2,000
A return or onward ticket
COVID-19 vaccination proof
Proof of insurance stating your willingness to pay for personal medical expenses
A guarantor letter

And that is all there is to know about Indonesia’s seasons and climate to help you choose the best time to visit Indonesia. How is it? Do you want to explore Indonesia?

Well, if you do, pay special attention to the details of your visa application. To make your trip go smoothly, you can contact DoorToID to get a quick, professional, and transparent consultation on your visa application.