A new piece of luggage is a great gift for the traveler in your life. You may not know where and when they will set off in 2024, but a new suitcase will certainly help them get there.
29.11.2023 - 08:13 / lonelyplanet.com
In the good old days, Indonesia had only two uncomplicated seasons: wet and dry. But then climate change teamed up with El Nino and La Niña to turn the weather upside down.
These days, with unpredictable weather conditions, it can be a little trickier to say exactly where to go for perfect weather, but we think there's never a bad time to visit Indonesia.
Of course, there are more factors in play than just the weather. Many travelers are more interested in the best time to catch a perfect wave, climb a volcano, or hang out with orangutans and whale sharks. And for some, it's all about beach parties and colorful festivals or avoiding the crowds. There’s a lot to consider, but don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Whether you're here for the surf or the sand, the jungles, or fabulous festivals, here’s our guide on the best times to visit Indonesia.
Peak season in Indonesia falls during the sweet spot of July and August when perfect sunny weather coincides with the European summer holidays and the Australian winter, bringing a surge of tourism across the archipelago. If you don’t mind the crowds, it’s a lively time to visit. Bali and Lombok are especially pumping, with packed beaches and bars. This is also the prime time for trekking, surfing, diving, and outdoor wilderness adventures in most areas, with the exception of West Papua and Maluku, which see heavy rains in July and August.
But with all the fun comes the downside of crowded surf breaks, crammed tourist attractions, swarming trails, and nightmarish traffic, not to mention soaring room rates and airfares. To avoid paying the highest rates, you’ll need to pre-book months in advance. The Christmas holidays are another time when you can expect tourism and prices to ramp up, but there's more rain and humidity.
With its winning combo of superb weather, reduced tourist numbers, and lower prices, the shoulder season periods at either end of the peak season are our favorite times to visit Indonesia. Though you may get some rain (especially towards March and November), you’re more likely to see nothing but glorious sunshine.
Everything seems to click at this time. The waves are pumping, orangutans are out feeding in the jungles of Sumatra and Kalimantan and divers head out in search of big-name visitors such as whale sharks and mola mola (sunfish), which gather from June to September. The shoulder seasons are also great times for scaling Indonesia’s volcanoes, bringing optional trekking conditions without the throngs of tourists.
So what are the downsides of shoulder season? Well, occasionally you’ll get some smoke haze pollution from farmers burning off fields and areas of cleared forest in Sumatra and Kalimantan from September to November. If you have any
A new piece of luggage is a great gift for the traveler in your life. You may not know where and when they will set off in 2024, but a new suitcase will certainly help them get there.
With a lush tropical climate and more miles of coastline than any other country on earth (except Canada), Indonesia is the world’s ultimate beach destination. The beaches that line the shores of this enormous archipelago are famed for their black and golden sands, epic surf breaks, prismatic coral reefs and wild seaside parties. Indeed, there's a stretch of sand here for every type of traveler.
Few destinations can beat Indonesia in terms of variety.
Bali–Lombok–Gili Islands may be the classic Indonesian "tour," but there is so much more to Indonesia. With more than 13,000 islands to choose from, the world’s biggest island nation offers an entire playground of adventure.
When shopping for travel and outdoor clothing, keep this golden rule in mind: An article of clothing, be it a shirt, pant, or jacket, must combine four important attributes to make it worthy of a spot in your suitcase or backpack: Versatility, packability, performance/function, and appearance.
A huge tropical archipelago sitting on the ring of fire, Indonesia promises a complete adventure, and exploring the country in your own vehicle will give you that full-on memorable experience. You will possess all the freedom to grasp the country’s charm, from the magical volcanos and lush rainforests to the pristine beaches and remote traditional villages.
If you’re looking for culture, activities, wildlife or sheer adventure, Indonesia is one of the richest countries in the world. With an estimated 13,466 islands, it's a whopper too. But Indonesia beyond Bali and Lombok (and the Gili Islands) remains largely unknown to many travelers. To pick just one example, Sumatra (80 times the size of Bali) is almost a world in itself. And yet people ask the question: “Is Indonesia worth visiting?”
Panama is the perfect vacation destination for adventure lovers, culture and history buffs, and, naturally, beach bums – its biodiversity, rich coastlines and unfathomable islands have to be seen to be believed.
Being tasked with choosing the best places to visit in Australia is no easy assignment.
With 60,000km (37,282 miles) of coastline, picking a favorite amongst Australia’s roughly 12,000 beaches is an almost impossible task.
With a million rupiah currently equal to around US$65, you’ll be transformed into a millionaire the moment you touch down in Indonesia.
A diverse crop of new ships will set sail in 2024, including intimate yacht-style vessels to never-before-seen mega ships from luxury players like Silversea and Cunard. There will be plenty of bells and whistles expected of these brands, including restaurants from top chefs, but also a few features new to the industry (think glass domes on the hull). Some are sister ships to those already on the waters, but with enough points of difference to feel like something entirely new—including the soon-to-be-sailing largest ship in the world, from Royal Caribbean, of course.