Holidays to Indonesia

INDONESIA TRAVEL GUIDE

• Indonesia weather

  Indonesia sits snugly on the equator, which means no awkward spring or fall transitions, no winter jackets, and no pumpkin spice season (sorry, latte lovers). It’s warm all year long—think 26–32°C.
  

  Instead of four seasons, Indonesia grooves to just two main rhythms:
  
  Dry Season (May to October)
  
  The sweet spot. Sunny days, gentle breezes, and lovely sunsets. Bali, Java, Lombok - everyone’s out surfing, hiking volcanoes, or getting lost in rice paddies. If weather were a dating profile, this is when Indonesia is looking its hottest (figuratively and literally).
  
  Rainy Season (November to April)
  
  Cue dramatic skies and epic thunderstorms. The rains usually roll in like clockwork in the afternoon or evening, then vanish by morning. Think lush jungles, fewer tourists, and a reason to dive into spicy street food under a warung roof.

• When is the best time to visit Indonesia?

  Indonesia’s location, right on the equator and spanning two of the hottest continents, Asia and Oceania, means temperatures are pretty hot and humid all year round. Honestly? There’s no bad time to go - just different kinds of good.

  The dry season (May to September) is peak holiday mode: think blue skies, calm seas, and all the snorkelling, surfing, and volcano hiking your heart desires. Perfect for exploring Bali, Lombok, or the Gili Islands without turning into a soggy rice dumpling.

  That said, the wet season (October to April) brings its own charm. The rains are usually short, intense bursts - followed by sunshine and lush, jungle-green landscapes. It’s quieter, cheaper, and deeply atmospheric. Just bring a poncho, and you’ll be reet.

• Bali

  Yes, it’s popular. Yes, it’s worth it.
  
  Set within the Coral Triangle, its beaches are dreamy, its jungles are steamy, and its volcanoes broodingly majestic. Everywhere you go, you'll spot delicate canang sari offerings on pavements, temples perched in rice paddies, and ceremonies stopping traffic (literally - bring patience, not a tight schedule). Each area has its own personality:
  
  Ubud is the cultural and spiritual heart. Think: yoga studios, monkey-filled forests, rice terraces, and art galleries.
  
  Seminyak is trendy, upscale, and beachy. Boutique shops, world-class restaurants, and beach clubs where Champagne flows like rain in the wet season.

• Java

  Indonesia's main stage. It’s the most populated island not just in Indonesia but in the entire world. This is where the country makes most of its big decisions, both politically and culturally.
  
  Jakarta is the chaotic capital, where skyscrapers rise above kampungs (villages), and traffic jams are a sport. It’s business central, a melting pot, and the place where every Indonesian dreamer ends up at some point.
  
  Yogyakarta is Java’s soul. Think batik, shadow puppets, and ancient temples. It’s also your gateway to Borobudur and Prambanan, two of Southeast Asia’s most jaw-dropping ancient sites.
  
  Bandung & Surabaya are two urban hubs with totally different vibes: Bandung is artsy and cool-climate; Surabaya is gritty, industrious, and full of wartime history.
  
  Oh, and Java is also Volcano HQ. Mount Bromo and Ijen Crater offer some of the most surreal landscapes you’ll ever see.

• The Nusa Tenggara Islands

  East of Bali, these islands offer jaw-dropping beauty without the crowds.
  
  Lombok is Bali’s quieter sister, with Mount Rinjani and pink beaches.
  
  Flores is home of the Komodo dragons, the last living dinosaurs. Also: stunning volcanic lakes at Kelimutu, and traditional villages tucked in the hills.
  
  Sumba is part surreal megalithic culture, part untouched surf, and part luxury eco-resorts.

• Indonesia attractions

  Buckle up, because this country doesn't really do “one-size-fits-all.” Indonesia holidays are more of a greatest hits album of Earth’s coolest features.

  Komodo National Park

  Home to real-life dragons (sort of) and coral gardens that will ruin other dive spots for you. Tucked between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa in eastern Indonesia, Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of over 29 volcanic islands, both big and small - and home to the world’s largest living lizard, the Komodo dragon. But there’s more to Komodo than just dragons. This park is a paradise for divers, trekkers, and those of us prone to gasping loudly at breathtaking nature. Above the waterline: sun-bleached hills, pink sand beaches, and hiking trails that lead to panoramic, soul-stirring views. Below it: coral reefs, manta rays, sea turtles, and psychedelic schools of fish doing synchronized swimming routines just for you.

  Borobudur & Prambanan Temples

  Ancient, mystical, and very photogenic. Imagine a giant stone mandala rising from the mist at sunrise, a puzzle of lava rock, symmetry, and serenity. That’s Borobudur. Located in Central Java, just outside the charming town of Magelang, it's the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and one of the most spellbinding religious monuments on Earth. Now, drive about 40 km east of Borobudur, and you'll time-travel to an entirely different universe - Prambanan, a towering cluster of stone spires dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), and Shiva (destroyer). Go early and dress respectfully.

  Mount Bromo & Mount Rinjani

  Volcanoes that make you work for your sunrise. Mount Bromo isn’t Indonesia’s tallest volcano, but it’s arguably the most famous - thanks to its otherworldly setting. The landscape is insane: imagine standing on the edge of a vast volcanic sand sea, with Bromo’s smouldering crater rising in the middle like a dragon’s breath, surrounded by taller siblings like Mount Semeru puffing away in the distance. Mount Rinjani, on the other hand, is Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, towering at 3,726 meters. Smack dab in Lombok’s north, east of Bali, its massive caldera has the jaw-dropping Segara Anak crater lake inside it, and in the middle of the lake? A baby volcano, Gunung Barujari, casually growing like a tiny villain plotting world domination.

  Ubud & the rice terraces

  Tucked into the jungle-covered hills of central Bali, Ubud is the opposite of beach clubs and Bintangs. It’s Bali’s cultural capital, home to traditional dance, crafts, temples, and a thriving artist community. Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, an ancient jungle temple complex that just happens to be full of cheeky macaques, stroll the Campuhan Ridge Walk at sunrise (green hills, birdsong, and zero stress), and catch a Kecak fire dance performance at Uluwatu. Bali’s landscape is full of rice terraces, but the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, just north of Ubud, are the headliners - the terraces ripple down the hills like green amphitheatres, changing colour and mood with the light. You can walk the narrow ridges, swing over the paddies (on the famous “Bali Swing” if you dare), or just sip kopi luwak in a cliffside café while admiring the view.

• Top 5 things to do in Indonesia

  Snorkel or dive in Raja Ampat

  Where the ocean shows off. This is marine life like you’ve never seen it. Raja Ampat means “Four Kings,” a reference to the four main islands: Waigeo, Misool, Salawati, and Batanta. It sits waaaay out in West Papua, Indonesia’s easternmost province. It's remote, wild, and completely untouched by Starbucks or traffic lights. You don’t accidentally end up in Raja Ampat - you go because you want to. And you’re rewarded richly for the effort. It has the highest marine biodiversity on Earth. Coral health here is off the charts. Unlike many parts of the world, the reefs in Raja Ampat are thriving - bright, lush, and basically underwater rainforests.

  Watch sunrise over Mount Bromo

  Wear layers. Bring coffee. Cry a little at the beauty. Mount Penanjankan is the classic viewing point, whilst King Kong Hill is higher and less crowded. Seruni Point is easier to reach on foot if you’re skipping the Jeep.

  Wander the cultural heart of Ubud

  Art, temples, rice paddies, and healing vibes galore. Located in the uplands of Bali, about 1.5 hours north of Denpasar Airport (depending on the whims of Bali traffic and scooter gods), Central Ubud is the main hub of the greater Ubud area. It's walkable, vibrant, and full of character - a place where you’ll find ancient temples, cool cafés, monkey encounters, markets, and massages. Check out Ubud Palace, Ubud Art Market, and the Agung Rai Museum of Art.

  Island-hop through the Gilis

  The Gili Islands - three little dots in the turquoise seas off the coast of Lombok. Each island has its own vibe, like members of a very chill band that only plays beachside acoustic sets and doesn't believe in shoes. Car-free and surrounded by coral reefs and gin-clear water, they’re close enough together to visit all three in a day. Gili T is the biggest, most developed, and heaviest on the nightlife. Gili Meno is the honeymooner’s hideaway with minimal nightlife and maximum tranquillity. Gili Air is Goldilocks, with a perfect balance between the other two. Just remember: Gili T for party, Gili Meno for romance, and Gili Air for chill. Choose your fighter.

  Eat your way through a night market

  Nasi goreng, satay, spicy sambal, and mysterious grilled things on sticks. Once the sun dips below the horizon and the call to prayer echoes softly in the background, the night markets come to life. Part social hub, part snack heaven, part open-air carnival. Every island, city, and village has its own version - some tiny and charmingly homespun, others full-blown street food festivals. Try Gianyar Night Market in Bali, about 15 mins from Ubud, Bintaro Modern Market in Jakarta, and Sengigi Night Market in Lombok. Bring cash, go hungry, and follow your nose.

• Food and drink in Indonesia

  Oh, food. Sweet, spicy, smoky Indonesian food that wraps you in a hug of chili and coconut. You’ve gotta try:

  Nasi Goreng, the national dish. Fried rice, but way cooler.

  Rendang, a slow-cooked, spiced beef curry sent from the flavor gods.

  Satay skewers of grilled meat + peanut sauce = yes please.

  Bakso, a savoury meatball soup that even Obama couldn’t resist.

  Tempeh is a vegan’s dream, born here, and ten times better than its Western counterpart.

  Es Campur and Teh Botol, because sometimes your drink needs jelly bits and your tea needs to come in a bottle.

• Lifestyle and culture in Indonesia

  An archipelago of over 17,000 islands, home to more than 700 languages and over 1,300 ethnic groups, Indonesia is so rich in culture, tradition, and contradictions that trying to sum it up is like trying to hold onto coconut milk with your bare hands. Spirituality is woven into daily life here – you’ll see Balinese canang sari (tiny, flower-filled offerings) placed on doorsteps and dashboards, calls to prayer echoing five times a day across Jakarta, and rituals for planting rice, building a house, or even starting a fishing trip.

  Families are tightknit, elders are deeply respected, children are adored. Someone will always be asking you if you’ve eaten. You’ll find a calm sense of flow her - time bends a little, things move at island pace, and "jam karet" (rubber time) is very real. And yet, in Jakarta or Surabaya, there’s a buzz of innovation and modern hustle that pulses through neon lights and café culture.

  Expect traditional dance, shadow puppets, gamelan music, batik art, and ceremonies that make everyday life feel like a festival. But also expect Instagrammable brunches and rooftop bars. Indonesia is deeply rooted, wildly diverse, and always full of surprises.

• Indonesia events: What's on when?

  January

  Cap Go Meh: Celebrated 15 days after Chinese New Year, this festival is known for dragon dances, fireworks, and the jaw-dropping Tatung ritual (think trances, piercings, and walking barefoot on blades). Chinese-Indonesian culture in full, vibrant swing.

  Soundrenaline Festival: One of Southeast Asia’s biggest music festivals, with rock, pop, and indie acts in a beautiful Bali setting. Dates can vary each year, so double check.

  February

  Bau Nyale Festival: In Lombok, locals gather on the beach to collect colourful sea worms believed to be the reincarnation of Princess Mandalika. It’s mythology meets marine life, with traditional dances, boat races, and all-night beach camping.

  March

  Nyepi: The Balinese Day of Silence, the entire island goes dark and silent - no cars, no lights, and no flights. The night before, don’t miss the Ogoh-Ogoh parade: towering demon effigies paraded through towns and then ritually burned. Nyepi dates change yearly (usually in March, sometimes April). Check the Balinese calendar.

  April

  Galungan and Kuningan: A 10-day Hindu festival celebrating the victory of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). Expect penjor - bamboo poles decorated with coconut leaves - lining the streets and locals dressed in full ceremonial attire.

  May

  Waisak: In Central Java at Borobudar, Waisak celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. Thousands of monks and devotees gather at Borobudur, releasing sky lanterns into the night.

  June

  Bali Arts Festival: A month-long celebration of traditional dance, music, and crafts from across the island. Think legong dances, shadow puppetry, and costume parades.

  July

  We The Fest: In Jakarta, this is a massive pop culture, fashion, and music festival featuring international headliners and Indonesian acts. Coachella meets Indo hustle.

  August

  Independence Day: Get ready for red and white flags, street competitions, school parades, and fierce tug-of-war games. If you're lucky, you’ll see a panjat pinang contest, where people climb greased poles to win prizes. Hilarious. Dangerous. Very Indonesian.

  December

  Wonderland Ubud Festival: Yoga, sound healing, forest raves, and ecstatic dance. Spiritual meets festival, but in a very Bali way.