Straddling the equator, the Indonesian archipelago experiences a dual climate: both tropical and equatorial. However, the climate varies from island to island. In the equatorial region, which includes the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi, the climate tends to be humid with short dry seasons. As for the tropical portion of the archipelago, encompassing the islands of Java, Bali, and all the Lesser Sunda Islands, there is a clear alternation between rainy and dry seasons.

Throughout the entire archipelago, annual temperature variations are minimal. They average between 24 and 26 °C. It is rare for temperatures to drop below 20 °C, except perhaps in mountainous regions where early mornings can see temperatures fall below 10°. You might say that in general, the weather remains pleasant year-round, as even during the rainy season, days tend to be sunny. Rain typically falls only in early afternoon or evening and continues through the night.

Regarding seasons, in general, the dry season begins in April and ends in October. The rest of the year is the rainy season. However, in recent years, the humid season has been arriving later and later. For example, in 2015, the first heavy rains did not arrive until mid-December.

When to Visit Indonésie?

Overall, the most favorable time to visit the archipelago is during the dry season, that is, between April and October. Whether you're planning beach holidays or a mountain retreat, this is the ideal period to enjoy pleasant weather. However, this season corresponds to peak tourist season in Indonésie, so be prepared to encounter large crowds, both at tourist attractions and in public transportation.