Indonesia in January: All You Need to Know
When considering a trip to Indonesia in January it’s best to look to the east of the archipelago. Hundreds of kilometers from the rains affecting Jakarta, January is a great time to explore the unique landscapes and cultures of the Moluccas, Raja Ampat, and even West Papua. Here you can expect good diving visibility and mainly warm, sunny days.
- Reece Harrison-strati
- From England
Indonesia Weather in January
Although islands in the western half of Indonesia, including Java and Sumatra, experience heavy rains in January, the islands of the east have a much more clement climate. There is still some rainfall, but this mainly comes in the form of easy-to-avoid showers. Temperatures generally range between 28°C and 31°C in this part of Indonesia in January. Mountains and valleys tend to be cooler. Islands in the central portions of Indonesia, including Bali, have mixed weather prospects, with heavy downpours interrupting the sun. Neighboring Lombok is a better proposition.
For a seasonal overview, read our travel article on the best time to visit Indonesia.
Weather in Indonesia in January - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 30 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 31 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 86 | 86 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 88 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 81 | 79 | 79 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 98 | 84 | 75 | 84 | 53 | 47 | 31 | 50 | 26 | 50 | 90 | 73 |
| Dec | Jan | Feb | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 31 | 30 | 30 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 26 | 26 | 26 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 88 | 86 | 86 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 79 | 79 | 79 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 73 | 98 | 84 |
Why Visit Indonesia in January
January is a wet season in Indonesia but if you limit your vacation to the east of the country, there are many places to visit and activities to partake in that make for a memorable holiday. Here are some reasons why you should visit Indonesia in January.
Great Rates: Travel and accommodation rates in January are lower than during the peak tourist season. So visitors will get substantially more out of their travel budget if they come to Indonesia in January. Budget travelers should expect to spend less than $50 per day.
Fewer People: Another benefit of traveling to Indonesia in January is the low visitor numbers. You can enjoy the country's popular tourist destinations and activities in a relatively peaceful environment.
Festivities: If you visit Indonesia in December-end, you can be a part of the New Year’s Eve revelry in the country. The new year is rung in with pomp and circumstance. There is also a good chance of Chinese New Year falling in January when the streets of destinations such as Singaraja in Bali descend into a party atmosphere with colors, music, and tasty treats for days.
Where to go and what to do
The better weather conditions in the east mean this is where you should concentrate the most part of your holiday in Indonesia in January. This does not necessarily mean you will miss out on the top things to do in Indonesia. The waters around the Moluccas (also known as the Spice Islands) are calm and their visibility is good, putting both sailing and scuba diving trips on the cards. Other places to visit in Indonesia include Raja Ampat, a naturally stunning area made up of 1,500 islands comprising epic beach escapes. Nearby West Papua shows another side of Indonesia, sharing fascinating cultural ties with New Guinea and a Dutch colonial rule. For nightlife, the west coast of Lombok is a good bet for a great night out. With so much to see and do, you will want to know exactly how many days in spend in Indonesia.
Travel to Indonesia in January and you can take advantage of low season rates and smaller crowds whilst still exploring some of the country’s best attractions as well as least visited gems. Keep your tour activities to the eastern region of the country and you should be spared by rains. This island country has a lot to offer its visitors in terms of both sights and culture in January.
Contact our local travel experts to create a customized Indonesia trip in January or check out our January Indonesia tours.
Other related keyword:
Winter in Indonesia
