Top score of 7, drier with 127mm of rain over 21 days and 10.3 hours of sunshine daily.
Shoulder season
Feb, Apr, May, Aug, Sep
Capital
Jakarta
Language
Indonesian
Currency
Indonesian rupiah
Time zone
UTC+07:00, UTC+08:00 +1
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V / 127 V
Driving
On the left
Emergency
112
Why visit Indonesia
Indonesia suits travellers who want island-hopping, diving, surfing or temple and rice-terrace scenery without a fixed route. With three time zones and islands stretching across 1,904,569 km2, distances between regions can be long, so pick one area rather than trying to see it all. June and July are the best months, falling in the drier season. Outside that window, rain and humidity are common, so pack for both.
A vast archipelago nation
Indonesia spans 1,904,569 km2, making it one of the largest countries in Asia. With a population of 288,315,089, it's also one of the most populous countries on Earth, offering huge diversity in landscapes and cultures across its islands.
Three time zones to explore
Indonesia stretches across three time zones, UTC+7, UTC+8 and UTC+9. This gives a sense of just how far the country reaches from west to east, from Sumatra to Papua.
Ubud, an inland cultural base
Unlike many Indonesian destinations built around beaches, Ubud sits inland rather than on the coast. It works well as a base for travellers who want a change of pace from the coastal towns elsewhere in the country.
June and July for travel planning
If you're mapping out a trip, June and July are marked as the best months to visit Indonesia. These months are worth building an itinerary around if your dates are flexible.
Indonesian as a common language
Indonesian is the official language, which is useful to know if you're learning a few phrases before you go. It's spoken across the whole archipelago, helping travellers communicate from one island to the next.
Is Indonesia right for you?
Great for
Travellers who want warm weather all year, with highs of 26-30°C every month
Dry-season trips in August and September, when rain falls on only 12-15 days a month
Sun-seekers: August to October give 11-11.5 hours of sun a day
Trips timed for June and July, the two driest, sunniest, most settled months
Long-stay or remote-work travellers, since temperatures barely change across the year
Less ideal for
Travellers who dislike rain: March has 26.5 rain days and 311mm, the wettest month
Trips planned for December to February, when rain falls on 22-25 days a month
Anyone wanting cool evenings: lows stay near 21-22°C even at night all year
Indonesia right now: November
4.3/10
Avg high
30°C
Avg low
22°C
Rain days
20
Averages for Indonesia.
Weather by month
This climate data is for Indonesia (based on Jakarta-area readings). July and June are the best months, with highs around 25.8–26.1°C, fewer rain days (21–23) and strong sun (9.9–10.3 hours), while September and August see even less rain (60–67 mm) and more sun. The toughest weather comes from November to March, when rain falls on 20–27 days a month, totals climb to 216–311 mm, and sunshine drops to around 8.5–9.1 hours a day.
Indonesia's national fried rice dish, cooked with sweet soy sauce, garlic and chilli. It is eaten everywhere, from street carts to breakfast tables, across the whole country.
Satay (Sate)
Skewers of grilled meat, often chicken or goat, served with a peanut sauce. You find satay stalls in nearly every city and at night markets after dark.
Rendang
A slow-cooked beef dish from West Sumatra, simmered for hours in coconut milk and spices until the sauce turns thick and dark. It is a staple at Padang restaurants found across Indonesia.
Gado-Gado
A vegetable salad of blanched greens, boiled egg and tofu, covered in a rich peanut sauce. It began in Jakarta and is now eaten island-wide as a light lunch.
Nasi Padang
A style of eating rather than one dish: many small plates of curries, vegetables and meats from West Sumatra, served together with rice. Padang restaurants are common in every major city.
Es Kelapa Muda
Young coconut water served with its soft flesh over ice, sometimes with a little syrup. It is a common drink in warmer coastal towns during the hot daytime hours.
Know before you go
Currency:
The currency is the Indonesian rupiah. Carry small notes for markets and warungs, since change for large bills can be hard to find outside cities.
Language:
Indonesian is the official language, spoken across all the islands. English is common in tourist areas like Bali, but less so in rural regions.
Plugs and voltage:
Indonesia uses plug types C and F, the two-round-pin style common in Europe. Voltage is 230 V in most areas, though some older buildings still run on 127 V.
Driving side:
Traffic drives on the left. Roads can be crowded with scooters, especially in Bali and Java, so take care crossing streets.
Emergency number:
Dial 112 for emergencies anywhere in Indonesia. This single number covers police, fire and medical services.
Time zones:
Indonesia spans three time zones: UTC+7 in the west (Jakarta, Sumatra, Java), UTC+8 in the centre (Bali, Kalimantan), and UTC+9 in the east (Papua, Maluku).
Tap water:
Tap water is not safe to drink straight from the tap in most of Indonesia. Stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth.
Indonesia: frequently asked questions
Is Indonesia good to visit in August?
Yes, August is one of the best months, with a score of 6.8 out of 10. It has only 14.9 rain days and 67 mm of rain, the driest month of the year. Sun hours reach 11.4, among the highest of the year, so it's a good time for outdoor plans.
What is the best time to visit Indonesia?
July and June score highest, at 7.0 and 6.9 out of 10. July has 127 mm of rain over 21 rain days and 10.3 sun hours. June is similar, with 146 mm of rain and 9.9 sun hours. Both sit in the drier, sunnier stretch from June to September.
Is Indonesia rainy in January?
Yes, January is one of the wetter months, scoring only 4.9. It averages 216 mm of rain spread over 21.9 rain days, and sun hours are low at 8.9. Temperatures stay warm though, with a high of 28.1°C and a low of 22.2°C.
How hot does it get in Indonesia?
Daytime highs stay between 25.8°C and 29.5°C all year, so it's warm year-round. The hottest month is November at 29.5°C, and the coolest is July at 25.8°C. Lows barely change either, ranging from 20.8°C to 22.2°C across the year.
Is October a good time to visit Indonesia?
October scores 4.6, which counts as just ok rather than ideal. Rain picks up slightly to 72 mm over 14 rain days compared to the dry peak in August and September, and sun hours drop a little to 11.2. It still gets more sun than the January to March months.
What is Indonesia's climate like overall?
Indonesia stays warm and humid all year, with highs between 25.8°C and 29.5°C. Rain is heaviest from November to April, peaking in March at 311 mm over 26.5 rain days. The driest, sunniest stretch runs from June to September, with August at just 67 mm of rain and 11.4 sun hours.
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