Indonesia
"17,000 islands and a different world on each one"
Indonesia at a glance
- Best time to go
- Indonesia's dry season, roughly April or May to September or October, is generally the easiest time to visit most of the archipelago, and it's also the peak tourist season. The wet season, roughly November to March or April, brings afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain in most places, with January often the wettest month nationally. Some regions run on the opposite pattern, so check the specific island you're headed to.
- How long to stay
- We'd suggest ten days to two weeks for two or three regions, since Indonesia is a vast archipelago and island-hopping takes real time, mostly by domestic flights.
- Who it's for
- Adventurous travellers who like temples, volcanoes, diving and jungle in one trip, and who don't mind some logistics between islands.
- Might not be for you if
- You want one simple weather rule for the whole country. Sumatra and parts of Sulawesi run on a different seasonal calendar from Java, Bali and the eastern islands.
Indonesia stretches across three time zones: Javanese temples, Balinese rice terraces, Komodo dragons, Sumatran jungle and some of the best diving on earth. It is cheap, chaotic in the best way, and impossible to finish.
Best Time to Visit
May to September (dry season)
May – Sep (Dry)
Clear volcano sunrises, best diving visibility, peak in July–August.
Oct – Nov
Shoulder months with short afternoon storms and lower prices.
Dec – Mar (Wet)
Heavy rain in Java and Bali, some Komodo boats stop running.
Apr
Drying out, green landscapes and quiet beaches.
Getting Around
Flights link the big islands; ferries, scooters and Grab handle everything local.
✈️ Domestic Flights
Garuda, Lion Air and Citilink connect Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bali and Labuan Bajo cheaply.
🛵 Scooter Rental
The default way to get around Bali, Lombok and the Gilis. Bring an international licence.
⛴️ Ferries & Fast Boats
Bali to the Gilis and Lombok, plus liveaboards to Komodo.
🚗 Grab / Gojek
App-based cars and motorbike taxis in every city — far cheaper than hotel transfers.
💡 Java's trains are excellent and scenic — Jakarta to Yogyakarta by executive class beats flying.
Suggested Itineraries
Arrive Yogyakarta
Settle in, evening street food on Malioboro.
Temples
Borobudur at sunrise, Prambanan at sunset.
To Mount Bromo
Train or drive east, night in Cemoro Lawang.
Bromo Sunrise
Pre-dawn jeep to the viewpoint, crater walk, afternoon flight to Bali.
Ubud
Rice terraces, Monkey Forest, Balinese dance performance.
Bali Temples
Tirta Empul water temple, Tegallalang, sunset at Tanah Lot.
Beach & Departure
Morning in Canggu or Seminyak, fly home from Denpasar.
☕ Too much? Totally allowed to swap a monument for a long lunch. The place isn't going anywhere, and neither is your curiosity.
Highlights
Must See
- Borobudur & Prambanan
- Mount Bromo
- Komodo Islands
- Raja Ampat
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Domestic flights are the practical way between islands — but leave long connection buffers, delays are routine.
Indonesia travel questions, answered
When is the best time to visit Indonesia?
For most of the archipelago, including Java, Bali and the eastern islands (Lombok, Flores, Komodo), roughly April or May to September or October is the dry season and the easiest time to travel. The wet season, roughly November to March, brings afternoon or evening downpours rather than constant rain in most places, and January is often the wettest month. North Sumatra and parts of northern Sulawesi run on a reversed or different pattern, so check the specific region.
How many days do you need in Indonesia?
Given the size of the archipelago, we'd suggest ten days to two weeks for two or three regions, for example Bali plus Java, or Bali plus Komodo National Park. Trying to cover more than that in one trip usually means a lot of time in transit.
Do you need a permit to visit Komodo National Park?
Yes. Entry is through a paid park permit and usually a guide, since independent hiking isn't allowed on the islands where the Komodo dragons live, for safety reasons. Most visitors join a boat trip from Labuan Bajo that includes the permit, so check what's included before booking.
Do you need a visa for Indonesia?
Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or apply for an e-VOA before travelling, commonly valid for a set period and extendable once, and some nationalities get visa-free entry. Rules and validity periods vary and change, so check the official Indonesian immigration e-visa portal for your passport before booking.
Details last checked 22 September 2026.