The weather in Indonesia is tropical across most of the archipelago. It’s hot and humid all year, although noticeably cooler at higher elevations and in mountain areas. If you’re an expat moving to Indonesia from a cooler climate, the heat and humidity can take some getting used to.
The country doesn’t experience your usual four distinct seasons, and temperatures are quite constant throughout the year. Coastal regions average around 82°F (28°C), inland areas around 79°F (26°C), and higher mountain regions are closer to 73°F (23°C).
The wet season sweeps across most of the country between October and March, although exact timing varies by island. Indonesia is rarely in the direct path of tropical cyclones, but intense thunderstorms and heavy downpours during the wet season can catch newcomers off guard. There is sometimes localised flooding. The dry season runs from roughly April to September in much of the country and is widely considered the most comfortable time of year.
Weather patterns vary considerably across the archipelago. Java and Bali tend to have the most pronounced dry and wet seasons, while western Sumatra and much of Kalimantan are drenched around the year with no truly dry spell. The eastern islands towards Nusa Tenggara grow progressively drier – a world apart from the rainforests further west.