Indonesia straddles the Equator and therefore has a tropical climate. The temperatures do not fluctuate much from island to island, and the big difference in the climate is found in the rainy seasons and the amount of rain. Humidity is generally high throughout the year, but typically drops quite a bit the higher up in the mountains you go.

Indonesia does not have four seasons as we do in Europe, but two seasons instead: the dry season and the rainy season. However, the months these seasons extend over differ depending on the island you are on.

Bali (Munduk – Lovina – Ubud – Sanur)

Bali is a very green, lush island. It is usually dry during the day, with the rain typically falling as brief, torrential showers in the evening or at night. So, there are always many hours of sunshine – even during the rainy season.

The dry season is from April to September.

The rainy season is from October to March.

Java (Yogyakarta – Bromo – Kalibaru – Banyuwangi)

The dry season is from May to September. During this period, the days are hot, dry and sunny.

The rainy season is from October to April. Less rain falls in eastern Java than in the western regions. During this period, the rain falls in the late afternoon in the form of heavy showers, which typically last a couple of hours.

Sumatra (Medan – Bukit Lawang – Berastagi – Samosir – Lake Toba)

Sumatra is Indonesia’s third largest island, split by the equator, and the two seasons therefore also differ, depending on whether you’re in the north or south of the island. Despite the two seasons, the temperature is very constant, with the possibility of rain all year round.

The dry season is from May to September. In the northern part of the island and in the jungle areas of the north, temperatures are generally slightly lower than in the southern part, but they are still higher in the dry season than in the rainy season.

The rainy season is from October to April. In northern Sumatra, most rain falls from early October to January, while in the south, most rain falls from early November to late February.

Komodo National Park (the island of Flores, Komodo Island and Rinca Island)

The Komodo Islands are a national park made up of many different islands. The two best known are Komodo Island and Rinca Island, and then there is the slightly larger island of Flores, where most hotels and resorts are located. As in the rest of Indonesia, Komodo National Park has two seasons:

The dry season is from April to October, and during that period, it can get so dry that water restrictions are imposed to preserve the area. Humidity in the period is also incredibly low.

The rainy season is from November to March, with most rain falling in January and February. Throughout the period, it typically rains for a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours late afternoon, while the sun only shines for a few hours during the day.

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is located east of Bali and is part of the Gili Islands archipelago. While the seasons on the Gili Islands are the same as in Bali, it can easily be rainy and overcast in Bali but sunny with cloudless skies on Gili Trawangan.

The dry season is from April to October, with August being the driest month. The conditions for snorkelling and diving are particularly good during this season, as visibility in the water is at least 30 metres.

The rainy season is from the end of October to March, with January being the wettest month. The season usually offers rain in the afternoon and clear skies the rest of the day.

You should be aware that the Lombok Strait, which you will be passing through when sailing between Bali and Gili Trawangan, may be choppy in January/February and June/July. If the weather is unsuitable for sailing, the ferry will be cancelled for safety reasons. This generally happens once or twice a year and usually lasts for about one to two days at a time.

Lombok (Senggigi)

Lombok is situated east of Bali and is a neighbour to the Gili Islands, and the seasons are largely the same. Temperatures are stable all year round, but when you visit the highlands, it may be cooler in the evening and night all year as well.

The dry season is from April to October, and the best time to visit the island is from June to September. During this season, there are tons of hours of sunshine, the heat is not too intense, and a pleasant breeze blows from the sea.

The rainy season is from November to March, and the wettest month is January. You can expect rain showers in the morning followed by sunshine and a shower or two again in the late afternoon. The temperatures remain stable, and humidity is relatively high in this period.

As a British citizen, you must be in possession of a valid British passport. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive in Indonesia.

As a British citizen, you will need to obtain a visa to visit Indonesia. There are two ways to apply for a visa: either on arrival in Indonesia or online.

If you choose to obtain a visa upon your arrival in Indonesia, you will need to show your passport and plane ticket. The price is IDR 500,000 per person and is paid in either local currency or in USD. You can also pay by Visa or Mastercard.

If you wish to apply for a visa online, use the official page for application at The Official e-Visa Website for Indonesia. This should be done no earlier than 14 days and no later than 48 hours before departure. Once you’ve opened the page, choose the visa named ”B1 – Tourist (Visa On Arrival)” 30 days, as our tours do not exceed 30 days. This type of visa is also called e-VOA (electronic visa on arrival). Next, you must upload a picture of the biodata page of your passport and input some personal data as well as information about your arrival and your stay in Indonesia. The price for e-VOA is IDR 500,000 per person, and payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard. After completing the payment, your e-VOA will be available. We recommend that you print and bring a copy on your tour. Note that your visa will be valid for 90 days from the date it is issued.

Click here to check the visa regulations on Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

You are also required to complete an electronic customs declaration form called an e-CD, which you can do here. This should be done 3 days before departure. After completing the form, please download or take a screenshot of the QR code for scanning when you go through immigration upon arrival in Indonesia.

Health form

As of August 27th, 2024, you must complete an electronic health form called SATUSEHAT. This can be completed from 2 days before your departure to Indonesia, but no later than before you board your flight. You can fill out the form here by providing a range of personal information, flight details, and any possible symptoms of illness. Once completed, you receive a barcode containing your health and travel information. It is essential to save a copy of this barcode, as it will be scanned upon arrival. Upon arrival, body temperature checks will be conducted in addition to the Health Pass. If your temperature exceeds 37.5 degrees Celsius, you will be subject to further health screening.

Mandatory tourist tax in Bali

From 14 February 2024, Bali will be introducing a mandatory tourism tax applicable to all non-Indonesian nationals. The fee is IDR 150,000 per person. The tourism tax can be paid on arrival or online. If you choose to pay on your arrival in Bali, the payment must be made at one of the five Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) payment desks located before you go through immigration, where you can pay by credit card. To avoid queues and long waits, we recommend that you pay online via the “Love Bali” system by clicking on the link here before your arrival in Bali. Once the payment has gone through, you will receive a receipt, which you should print out and bring with you on your holiday, as this will be scanned on your arrival in Bali.

Prior to your departure, you can download our App here to find your travel documents and the contact details for TourCompass and our local partners.

If your tour involves domestic flights or speedboat transfers, it is our partner who books and issues the tickets, which your guide will give you at the destination.

We recommend that you download the WhatsApp app to your smartphone and add the phone numbers of our business partners. You can send messages and call them for free using the app when you have a Wi-Fi connection.

We recommend that you contact a medical specialist, your GP or an authorised vaccination clinic for information about vaccinations. You can also read more about the rules regarding travel vaccinations here.

Please be aware of the rules about yellow fever – especially if you are entering via another country where yellow fever is present. Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry. Your vaccination certificate should therefore always be carried with you in your hand luggage when you travel.

You’re always very welcome to contact us if you have any questions about this.

Please read our general travel terms and conditions carefully, as these are part of the agreement terms for tours purchased at TourCompass. Tours purchased from us are covered under the “Package Travel Act”.

Click here to read our travel terms and conditions.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it.
Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate click here.

We always advise you to obtain comprehensive travel insurance when heading off on your dream holiday. It is also highly recommended to acquire cancellation insurance for extra protection. 

Click here to proceed to our page on insurance, where you can read more about our recommendations.

The Indonesian currency is called the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The current exchange rate for the Indonesian Rupiah can be found here.

Visa and Mastercard can be used at hotels, most restaurants and shops, but not at small local markets. In all major towns and cities, there are also cash machines where you can withdraw cash.

Obtain an idea of the price level in Indonesia here.

Tips are appreciated, but it is up to you whether or not to tip. You can give as much or as little as you want. The following is an indicative guide:

• Porters: At least 15,000 Rp per item of luggage
• Maids: At least 20,000 Rp per room per day
• Drivers: At least 20,000 Rp per person per day depending on the service provided
• Guides: At least 40,000 Rp per person per day depending on the service provided
• Restaurants: At international restaurants, tipping is often included in the price, and in that case a “10% service charge” will appear on the bill. If this is the case, there is no need to add more. If the tip is not included in the price, you can add 5-10%, if the service and food have been good. Tips are not expected at local restaurants and street kitchens, but you can leave a few small coins on the table when you go.

At the vast majority of our destinations, we are able to take allergies, as well as allergens or preferences into account when it comes to food, however it is important that you inform us of this when you book the tour.

Telephones & Wi-Fi:

It’s expensive to use data and roaming abroad if it’s not already included in your mobile subscription. Contact your mobile company to find out what services are included in your subscription and what prices apply to you when travelling abroad.

If data and roaming are not included in your mobile subscription when travelling abroad, we recommend that you use Wi-Fi when you’re at your hotel or restaurants. That way, you can call and write home free of charge via various services such as Facetime, Messenger and WhatsApp. Otherwise, it is also possible to buy a local SIM card including data on your arrival.

Electricity:

The voltage in Indonesia is 230V. It’s important to bring an adapter as Indonesia does not have standardised plugs.

Make sure you pack all your important and indispensable things in your hand luggage. This applies to items such as passports, visas, vaccination cards, travel documents, insurance documents, credit cards, money, computers, mobile phones and cameras, as well as information about your health and vital medicines.

Visiting temples

When visiting temples, there is a strict dress code. Your knees and shoulders must be covered, your clothes must not be see-through, and you must take off your shoes.

Visitors are not permitted to bring plants, seeds, fruit and other plant products into the UK from their travels outside the UK, unless they are accompanied by a plant health (phytosanitary) certificate. These rules also apply to small quantities of plants and plant products.

Read more about the rules here.

Please note that our tours are not generally suitable for people with impaired mobility. Please contact us for information about your options in relation to your specific needs.

Most airlines have electronic tickets (e-tickets).

It is important that you check your name for spelling errors, as the name on the reservation must be exactly as it appears on your passport. If your name needs to be corrected, please contact us as soon as possible. Please note that this may incur a fee from the airline.

The airline will assign you a seat on the plane at check-in. If you have specific wishes regarding where you sit on the plane, you can make a seat reservation yourself on the airline’s website or in their app. Please note that most airlines require payment for a seat reservation.

It varies when airlines open for seat reservations, but as a general rule, you can book seats from the time of booking and up to 48 hours before departure.

We also point out that the airline has complete control over all seats on the plane and that they are therefore entitled to make changes to the reservation at any time.
If you do not make a seat reservation before departure, the airline will assign you a seat at check-in.

Your passport and your booking reference, which appears on your itinerary, are required to check in.

We recommend that you download the airline’s app on your phone. In the app, there is an option for online check-in, which typically opens 24 to 48 hours before departure. The app also allows you to stay informed of any flight changes and other important information about your flight.

Please note that the flight times may have changed in relation to those listed on the travel itinerary you received when you booked your holiday. It is always the flight times in the airline’s app or on the airline’s website that apply.

We recommend that you arrive at the airport to check in at least two hours before departure. It is a good idea to check the airport’s website for the latest updates.

We use many different airlines for our destinations. You can check the exact rules for hand luggage and checked baggage on the airline’s website or in their app.

If your baggage is delayed, please contact the staff in the baggage reclaim area to report your missing baggage.

It is important that you have your baggage receipt when completing your PIR (Property Irregularity Report).

Please note that you must not leave the baggage area at the airport until you have completed the report.

In the event of delayed baggage, we ask you to contact our partner, who will ensure that your guide/driver waits for you.

Should any changes occur in connection with your flight reservation before departure, we will of course contact you to let you know.

Should your flight be delayed after check-in, the airline is responsible for rebooking your flight. They will typically book the next possible flight and arrange any meals and accommodation if necessary.

Our partner checks for any changes in arrival times and will naturally still wait for you, even if your flight is delayed.

If, due to a delay or cancellation, the airline books you on another flight number after you have arrived at the airport, please contact us on TourCompass’ emergency number.

Immigration:

When you arrive at your final destination, you will go through immigration, where your passport and any entry documents and visas are checked. In many places, you will be required to provide fingerprints, and a photo of your face will also be taken for biometric recognition. You may also be asked questions about your travel plans in the country and possibly where you are staying.

Customs:
Once you’ve cleared immigration and picked up your luggage, you will head through customs. If you have nothing to declare, you can go through “nothing to declare”. If, on the other hand, you have something to declare, it is important that you go through “declare”. It’s your own responsibility to check the customs regulations that apply in the country you are travelling to.

On your arrival, you will be met by a guide/driver who will be ready to welcome you with a TourCompass sign.

In the unexpected event that you cannot find your guide/driver, please contact our partner on the emergency number which appears on the travel documents.

Normal check-in is typically from 2 pm, and, therefore, you cannot count on getting your room earlier. If you’d like to check in early, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

When you check in, the receptionist will generally register your credit card and may reserve an amount. This is not an additional fee, but customary at hotels to ensure payment of any consumption from the minibar and the like. When you check out, the amount will be automatically released if you have not made use of this.

It is very normal for hotels to take a copy of your passport. In some places, this is a requirement of the local authorities.

Check-out is normally by 10 am. If you’re not travelling until the afternoon or evening, you can have your luggage stored until it’s time to leave. If you would like a late check-out instead, this can be arranged for a fee when you book the tour.

Our tours to Indonesia are individual tours, however excursions and transfers take place in international groups of 1–14 people and with TourCompass’ own guests only.
Most optional tours take place with TourCompass’ own guests, however some may also take place with people other than TourCompass’ own guests. This will be noted in the description.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, blocked roads or otherwise, it may be necessary to change the order of sightseeing tours and attractions in your itinerary.

Our water transport provider for the individual routes:

Bali-Gili: Blue Water Express (speedboat) or Eka Jaya Fast Ferry (ferry)

Gili-Lembongan: Scoot Fast Cruise (speedboat)

Bali-Lembongan: Glory Fast Boat (speedboat)

Bali-Lombok: Blue Water Express (speedboat)

Lombok-Gili: Private (speedboat)

Java-Bali: Public (ferry)

We have a 24-hour emergency hotline so that you can always get in touch with us should anything unforeseen occur during your tour. You will also be sent the telephone numbers and emergency telephone numbers of our partners at the destination. In some cases, it may be easiest and fastest to contact our partners due to time differences, if, for example, you find yourself in a situation where your pick-up for an excursion or transfer is more than 15 minutes delayed.

We rely on happy travellers, and we would therefore very much like to hear from you after your return home. Send us an email at info@tourcompass.co.uk or call us on tel.: 01279704135.