Visiting Indonesia in July

This is the start of peak season in Indonesia, with the sun shining across almost the whole country (except Raja Ampat and the central Moluccas) and school holidays underway for family trips, it’s also one of the busiest months of the year. Be prepared to book well ahead, and to share the beaches and popular attractions with more people – the quietest times are at the beginning of the month.

If you want to escape the crowds, be prepared to venture further off the beaten track. In Nusa Tenggara, you could cruise to less accessible coves, or head off to discover the more remote parts of Flores as well as hitting the beach at Maumere. Get a taste of authentic Lombok up in the hills of Tetebatu, or escape to the heights of Mount Rinjani. Crowds or not, the islands are just as tempting as ever this month, from the white sands of Senggigi on Lombok to the gorgeous Gili Islands and the chance to see Komodo dragons.

Bali

It’s busy too on Bali with popular resorts like Sanur, Lovina and Jimbaran, while the water can be choppier along the east coast this month with rising wind, so consider Pemuteran for some calmer seas. You can expect Ubud and Sidemen to be more crowded this month as well. And it’s peak season for diving off Sulawesi, with one of the driest months across the whole island but also one of its busiest.

Java

On Java, the weather makes it an ideal time to climb Mount Bromo, the Ijen Plateau and the Dieng Plateau, although if you’re hoping to see the sunrise, you’ll be sharing the view with more people this month – the same goes for Borobudur at sunset. Escape some of the crowds with a visit to Kalibaru village where you can learn about daily life while walking among the spice plantations.

The beach at Pangandaran is usually popular with domestic visitors, but can sometimes be a quieter option this month – a great option to escape after visiting Bandung – or head up instead of down, with a visit to the remote active Papandayan volcano.
It’s peak season too in Sumatra, but also one of the best months to see the orangutans if you’re exploring the jungle at Bukit Luwang. You can escape some of the heat in the highlands at Berastagi, with the opportunity to climb the Sibayak volcano, or head to one of the lakes – stay on Samosir Island in Lake Toba or Lake Maninjau to learn more about Minangkabau culture.
The weather is also getting more humid in Kalimantan this month, which can make exploring feel more uncomfortable. Consider finding a few welcome breezes on a river cruise to see orangutans in the trees at Bapallas Island, although the chance to see orangutans in the rainforest makes every hot, sticky step worthwhile.

Festivals: The Bali Kite Festival usually takes place this month (or August) in Padang Galak where the strong summer winds are perfect for flying kites. Once a way to thank the Hindu gods for the harvest, the festival now features a string of competitions and attracts visitors from around the world, making it one of Indonesia’s biggest festivals.

Best for: Heading off the beaten track, sunny weather, beaches, wildlife spotting, climbing and trekking