Indonesia Travel Information

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When to Go to Indonesia

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate

Split by the equator, the Indonesian archipelago is almost entirely tropical in climate with height dictating the predominating temperature and climate in any given area. The coastal plains average 28°C, the inland and mountain areas averaging 26°C, and the higher mountain regions, 23°C, but this is an average with day time temperatures higher and night time temperatures lower.

The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather between May and October, while the western monsoon brings the main rains between December and March, however rainstorms occur all year.

Seasonality

In general, the best time to visit Indonesia is during the dry season between May and October. Though travel in most parts of Indonesia is possible during the wet season it can be a deterrent to some activities and travel on mud-clogged roads in less developed areas can be difficult.

The main Indonesian holiday periods are the end of Ramadan, when resorts become busy and prices escalate; Christmas; and from mid-June to mid-July, when graduating high-school students travel to various tourist attractions, mainly in Java and Bali.
 

National Holidays

Date	Description
30 Jul 08	Lailat al Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
17 Aug 08	Indonesian Independence Day
02 Oct 08	Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
09 Dec 08	Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
25 Dec 08	Christmas Day
26 Dec 08	Boxing Day
29 Dec 08	Islamic New Year
01 Jan 09	New Year's Day.
20 Jan 09	Muharram (Islamic New Year).
26 Jan 09	Chinese New Year.
01 Mar 09	Nyepi (Hindu New Year). * Date to be confirmed.
09 Mar 09	Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
10 Apr 09	Good Friday
01 May 09	Waisak Day (Buddha's Birthday). * Date to be confirmed.
21 May 09	Ascension

National Events

Event	Occurs	Description
Bali Arts Festival	14 June - 12 July 2008	Just 10km from the popular Kuta beach area, thousands come to see the most accomplished musicians and dancers perform at the Bali Arts Festival. The spectacular opening procession usually features seven types of complex and vibrant Balinese music ensembles, dance, traditional costume, floats and giant ogoh-ogoh dolls.
Galungan	20 - 30 August 2008	Galungan is the major festival of the Balinese pawukon calendar, and celebrates the triumph of virtue (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). All the Balinese gods are thought to descend to earth for the festivities, which centre on the mysterious Barong dance.
Kasada Festival	December 2008	The Kasada Festival is held at the volcano Mount Bromo, one of Java's most revered sites. Ritual prayers and traditional performances are held before the crowds make their way across a naturally-formed sand sea to the crater.