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Indonesia

Indonesia travel guide

A country of 1,904,569 km² that rewards slow, well-planned trips, best in June and July

Best: Jun, Jul

Photo: Kanenori / Pixabay

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 independent travellers with time who like to travel slowly and plan their own route. Its places range from the capital, Jakarta, to Ubud, an inland town. The best months to go are June and July. The honest limitation is size. The country covers 1,904,569 km², and its clocks run from UTC+07:00 to UTC+09:00. Moving between regions takes planning. On a short trip, pick one area and save the rest for another visit.

  • Go in June or July

    Our data picks June and July as the best months to visit Indonesia. If you have fixed holiday dates, plan around these 2 months. Outside them, check local conditions before you book.

  • Ubud for an inland base

    Ubud is one of the places travellers use as a base in Indonesia. It is inland, not on the coast, so it suits you if you want a change from beach towns. Plan a separate trip if the sea is your main goal.

  • A country that spans time zones

    Indonesia covers 1904569 km² and stretches across time zones from UTC+07:00 to UTC+09:00. You will not see it all in one trip. Pick 1 area, or leave time for flights between islands.

  • Easy practical basics

    Indonesia uses type C and F plugs, the same as much of Europe, though voltage can be 230 V or 127 V. The emergency number is 112. Traffic drives on the left, so take care if you rent a scooter or car.

  • Jakarta, rupiah and one language

    Jakarta is the capital and a common entry point. You pay in Indonesian rupiah, and Indonesian is the official language across the country. Learning a few basic words makes markets and transport easier.

Is Indonesia right for you?

Great for

  • Sun seekers: daytime highs stay between 25.8°C and 29.5°C in every month
  • Dry-season trips in August and September, with about 12 to 15 rain days and 60 to 67 mm of rain
  • Long, slow trips across a country of 1904569 km² that spans 3 time zones
  • Travellers who want long sunny days, with 11 or more sun hours from August to October
  • Drivers used to driving on the left

Less ideal for

  • Travellers who hate rain: March brings 26.5 rain days and 311 mm
  • Anyone wanting cool weather, since lows stay between 20.8°C and 22.2°C all year
  • Short trips that try to cover a lot, as the country spans 3 time zones
  • Drivers used to the right, because traffic drives on the left

Indonesia right now: September

6.7/10
Avg high
28°C
Avg low
21°C
Rain days
12

Averages for Indonesia.

Weather by month

The chart shows 2015–2024 data for Indonesia as a whole, not one city, and June and July score best because highs drop to about 26°C with around 10 hours of sun a day, while August and September are driest at 60–67 mm. No month is truly bad, but November scores lowest and March is wettest, with 311 mm of rain on 26.5 days.

Average highs and lows in Indonesia by month January: high 28°C, low 22°C , 22 rain days . February: high 28°C, low 22°C , 23 rain days . March: high 28°C, low 22°C , 27 rain days . April: high 28°C, low 22°C , 25 rain days . May: high 27°C, low 22°C , 25 rain days . June: high 26°C, low 21°C , 23 rain days . July: high 26°C, low 21°C , 21 rain days . August: high 27°C, low 21°C , 15 rain days . September: high 28°C, low 21°C , 12 rain days . October: high 29°C, low 22°C , 14 rain days . November: high 30°C, low 22°C , 20 rain days . December: high 29°C, low 22°C , 24 rain days . 28°C 22°C JAN 22d 28°C 22°C FEB 23d 28°C 22°C MAR 27d 28°C 22°C APR 25d 27°C 22°C MAY 25d 26°C 21°C JUN 23d 26°C 21°C JUL 21d 27°C 21°C AUG 15d 28°C 21°C SEP 12d 29°C 22°C OCT 14d 30°C 22°C NOV 20d 29°C 22°C DEC 24d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Indonesia (country average) · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Indonesia: month-by-month weather →

Food to try in Indonesia

Rendang

Beef slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices until almost dry. It comes from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. You can find it in Padang-style restaurants across the country.

Nasi goreng

Fried rice seasoned with sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), often topped with a fried egg. People eat it at any time of day, from street carts to hotel breakfast buffets.

Sate

Small skewers of grilled meat, often chicken served with peanut sauce. Street vendors grill it over charcoal, and it is easy to find at night markets.

Gado-gado

A salad of boiled vegetables, tofu, tempeh and egg, covered in peanut sauce. It is a common lunch at warungs (small local eateries) and is a good choice for vegetarians.

Soto

A spiced soup with many regional versions. Soto ayam, made with chicken, is the most common. Warungs often serve it for breakfast or lunch.

Kopi tubruk

Strong coffee made by pouring hot water over coarse grounds, usually with sugar. Let the grounds settle before drinking. It is served in simple warungs and roadside coffee stalls.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Indonesia uses plug types C and F. Voltage is listed as 230 V / 127 V. Check the label on your charger or device before plugging in. Bring an adapter if your plugs are a different type.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the left in Indonesia. If you come from a country that drives on the right, take extra care at junctions and when you cross the road.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number in Indonesia is 112. Save it in your phone before you arrive, so you do not need to search for it in a stressful moment.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Indonesian rupiah. Check the current exchange rate before you travel, so you can judge prices and spot a bad rate when you change money.
  • Language: The official language is Indonesian. Learning a few basic words, like greetings and thank you, is polite and can help in shops, markets and on transport.
  • Time zones: Indonesia spans several time zones: UTC+07:00, UTC+08:00 and UTC+09:00. Check the local time when you fly between islands, as it can change your connections and bookings.
  • Calling code: The country calling code is +62. Use it when you give your hotel or tour operator a local number, or when friends at home need to call an Indonesian number.

Indonesia: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Indonesia?

July and June are the best months to visit Indonesia. July has the highest score of the year (7) and June is close behind (6.9). In July, highs are 25.8°C, rain is 127 mm over 21 days and you get 10.3 sun hours a day. These are national averages for 2015–2024. Indonesia covers 1,904,569 km², so the weather in the place you visit may differ.

Is Indonesia good in August?

Yes, August is a good month for Indonesia, with a score of 6.8. Rain drops sharply to 67 mm over 14.9 days. You get 11.4 sun hours a day and highs of 26.5°C. September is even drier, with 60 mm of rain over 11.6 days, and it is also rated good.

Should I avoid Indonesia in November?

November is the weakest month, but it is still rated ok, not bad. Its score of 4.3 is the lowest of the year. Rain rises to 170 mm over 20 days. It is also the hottest month, with highs of 29.5°C. If your dates are flexible, June to September is a better choice.

Which month has the most rain in Indonesia?

March is the wettest month, with 311 mm of rain over 26.5 days. February (260 mm), December (241 mm) and January (216 mm) are also wet. Expect rain on most days in these months. You still get about 9 sun hours a day on average, so you will have dry spells between the showers.

Is Indonesia hot all year round?

Yes, Indonesia is warm in every month. Average highs only range from 25.8°C in July to 29.5°C in November. Lows stay between 20.8°C and 22.2°C all year. There is no cold season, so the choice of month depends on rain, not temperature.

What plugs, voltage and emergency number does Indonesia use?

Indonesia uses plug types C and F. The voltage is listed as 230 V / 127 V, so check that your devices accept both. The emergency number is 112. Traffic drives on the left. The currency is the Indonesian rupiah. The country has 3 time zones, from UTC+07:00 to UTC+09:00.

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