When to visit - Indonesia

The weather in Sumatra is equatorial, which means there is no significant disparities between temperatures and rainfall amounts throughout the year. It is therefore difficult to pinpoint the best time to travel, and you should expect the occasional heavy downpour in all months. It is important to note that rainfall in Sumatra tends to fall in the afternoon for an hour or so, and most mornings are clear year-round.

February and March: The two driest months in the bulk of Sumatra are February and March, but not by a huge margin. At this time of the year the air temperatures and humidity levels are slightly lower. Lake Toba is very popular in the Chinese New Year, which normally falls between late January and early February, and this is not a recommended time to visit Samosir Island due to inflated prices and more visitor numbers.

April and May: As Sumatra’s temperatures rise in April and May the rainfall amounts increase slightly to a value of 130mm. May is the best month to visit Lake Toba as the temperatures start warming up and the rainfall drops.

June to August: Rainfall then drops from June to August, and this is considered Sumatra’s second dry season. Sumatra sees more visitors in July and August when the European schools take holidays, so June is a preferable month to visit Sumatra if you want to avoid the crowds. The best time to see orangutans in the jungles of Bukit Lawang is from June until September.

September to January: The rainiest months in Sumatra are from October to December, with slightly lower amounts expected in September and January. Despite this the variation in rainfall between the peak in October (260mm) and the lowest in February (90mm) is not a significant amount.

April - June: This is the start of the dry season, and one of the best times to visit Bali for sunny weather without the crowds. The chance of rain lowers throughout this period, with more frequent showers in April and very few in June, but the number of tourists increases as you approach the peak summer months. Bali can be very humid in April and May, so these months are good for exploring places in the interior highlands which are cooler such as Munduk or Lake Batur.

July and August: The driest time in Bali is July and August, which also coincides with both the European summer holidays and coldest months in nearby Australasia. At this peak time of the year the most popular beaches and resorts in the south of the island, along with the town of Ubud, become very busy. To avoid the crowds we recommend heading to the quieter areas of Bali such as Amed, Pemuteran & Menjangan and Sidemen which are less affected by the influx of visitors. You may also want to consider visiting West Coast Bali, Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan if you are seeking quieter places in Bali in July and August.  

September & October: If you have flexibility with your travel dates these months are one of the optimum times to visit Bali for good weather without the crowds. You should expect occasional downpours in September and October, but these should not detract from an enjoyable holiday in Bali whether you are on the beach, exploring the temples or doing an activity such as cycling or hiking. The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival falls in October each year which draws authors, aspiring writers, and book lovers from around the world. For five days each year Ubud transforms into a literary playground with workshops and seminars led by celebrated writers, stand-up comedy, and live music performances.   

November – March: Between November and March is considered to be Bali’s green season, but despite this there are reasons to visit in these much quieter months. Humidity starts building in November, but if the monsoon rains arrive later than expected this month can offer some excellent weather combined with much lower hotel rates. More prolonged rain showers start arriving in late November and continue through to February, but the north of the island receives half the rainfall of the south. So in Bali's green season the north coast beaches in places like Pemuteran and Amed are much drier at this time. The weather in Bali at Christmas and New Year is mixed – you should expect some heavy showers in the afternoon, but many days start off with good spells of sunny weather. Bali is a good value destination for Christmas due to the fact many neighbouring destinations in Southeast Asia are in their dry season and supremely popular. Nyepi, or the ‘Day of Silence’, is one of the most important dates in the Balinese Hindu calendar which normally falls in March after the spring equinox. For a 24-hour period between 6am and 6am the whole island descends into a compulsory silence, and locals fast, to reflect and pray. If you are in Bali on Hari Raya Nyepi you will need to stay in the grounds of your hotel and keep noise to an absolute minimum.      

April to June: April is the very start of Java’s dry season, although frequent heavy showers are to be expected in this month. The benefit of travelling to Java in April is that after the rains the paddy fields are in their full verdant bloom, so this is a good time for photographers if you are lucky with clear skies. Java’s weather in May becomes more reliable, with less frequent showers and longer periods of sunshine, making this a great month for hiking at Mount Bromo and Ijen. This trend continues through this period leading up to the busier months of July and August, making June one of the best months to visit Java.       

July and August: The driest months in Java are July and August, and humidity is at its lowest, making this the optimum time to visit the island. These ideal conditions attract higher number of visitors, so popular places such as Borobudur, Prambanan and Mount Bromo can get very busy during these months. Booking early is advisable if you wish to travel at this time of the year.   

September and October: Both September and October are an optimum time to visit Java. Temperatures start rising slightly in September, but rainfall remains very low. Java’s visitor numbers decrease as you get further into September and October, and with fewer visitors the popular sights are less crowded than in the peak summer months. As the heat builds Java’s rainfall starts increasing in October, especially in the western areas such as Jakarta and Bandung, but this normally takes the form of afternoon downpours.  

November to March: Rainfall increases towards the end of the year, peaking in January which is considered to be Java’s wettest month of the year. The eastern part of Java remains fairly dry in November, so this month is fine for visiting the cultural sights around Yogyakarta, Borobudur, Mount Bromo and Ijen. Between December and February expect cloudy skies and frequent thunderstorms throughout Java. From March the conditions start improving with rain falling in sharp showers dispersed with periods of clear skies.      

Idul Fitri: In the weeks that follow the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan the Indonesian people celebrate a national holiday of Idul Fitri. In the build-up to this important festival millions of Indonesians are on the move back to their family homes to feast and celebrate the end of fasting. All airports, trains and roads are heavily congested, so it is best to avoid visiting Java in the week before and after Idul Fitri.