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Indonesia boasts a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. However, due to the diversity of its landforms and vast expanse, the climate can vary slightly from place to place. Coastal areas tend to be hot and humid, while inland regions and mountainous areas experience cooler temperatures. The wet season typically occurs from November to April, while the dry season lasts from May to October.
Having said that, it's recommended to research the specific region you'll be visiting to get a more accurate picture of the climate there.
But here's a general guide or travel packing list for the dry season which is the most ideal to visit.
Large backpack /Carry-on
A large backpack is preferable if you are a solo traveler or if you are someone who'd prefer public/shared transport and local accommodation to really explore the place over private taxis and private transfers. Its just easier to carry it on your back and wont need to be dragged around through various modes of transport.
We had a mix of both - a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, along with a foldable bag that we may have needed for unplanned shopping.
Let's face it, lugging around a giant suitcase can be a total drag, especially when we have Airbnbs that are a little interior from the main roads. But the stay made up for the trouble. Backpacks are definitely more convenient, but have less space.
Packaging Cubes
Packing cubes are a lifesaver no matter where you go. They really help organize your clothes and outfits based on utility or day-wise.
I would recommend organizing underwear/swimwear/dresses/top wear/bottom wear/makeup/toiletries separately and carrying an additional 1-2 cubes for laundry.
Carry on backpack/Day bag/Beach Bag
Day packs, beach bags, and carry-on backpacks come in handy during your day outs whether its shopping, just wandering around or on a beach day.
Go for an anti-theft carry-on backpack along with a fanny pack if you're a solo traveler. Stuff them with your wallet, phone, snacks, water, cap, sunglasses, scarf, sunscreen, passport, and whatever else you need for a day out exploring. If there are two of you, like we were, one carries the backpack and the other carries a smaller sling bag.
Beach Bags: Perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling, these bags are basically beach-ready BFFs. Toss in your towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and you're good to go.
What to wear ?
Plan what you wear in Indonesia based on your travel itinerary, number of days, and the activities you will be participating in. Most places in Indonesia offer very economical laundry services which include wash/dry and press, so if you don't mind repeating your outfit, you can really pack light.
Our itinerary included volcanoes, beaches, island hopping on a cruise, and the hilly northlands of Bali, so we packed a variety of outfits and actually planned each day according to the itinerary.
Here's a summary of what we packed. The number of items depends on whether you want to repeat outfits or not. As a general rule of thumb, opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics as the place is mostly warm and humid.
Shorts and Skirts : Perfect for the warm weather. Wrap around skirts and sarongs can also be bought in most places in the beach areas.
Light T-shirts and tank tops: Tank Tops are a saviour. We packed a variety of colours that went well with trousers, shorts and skirts!
Dresses: Flowy dresses are ideal for non-beach, non-adventurous days when you just want to walk around and soak in the vibe.
Swimwear: Bali boasts stunning beaches, so don't forget your swimsuit if you want to go for a swim , snorkel, dive or just get a tan.
Cover-ups/Sarong: For when you're not in the water.
Comfortable footwear : Pack a pair of comfortable shoes (that you have already broken into and are sure you are comfortable in) and flip flops based on what's planned for the day. If you are short of space, just pick up the lace up shoes by CROCS, they are so versatile , they can be used anywhere! Beach, hike, walk, run, anywhere!
Hat/Cap and sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun.
Light jacket or sweater: For the cooler hilly regions of Bali, Flores etc. You will need heavier jackets if you plan to do the Bromo/Ijen tour, but carrying it all the way there would be unnecessary weight, as they are available for rent at a nominal price. Also they are required only for a few hours , just before the sunrise.
Quick dry pants: Pants are essential for hikes like Bromo/Ijen/ Mount Rinjani and the likes. They are light and can be washed and dried in very little time attributing to the warm weather in Indonesia.
PJs/Shorts/T-shirts : For the nights. If Bali is on your list as they have beautiful light beachy outfits that can be used as PJ's , and also carried back home as souvenirs.
Underwear and Socks: Do not compromise on these! 3-4 pairs of socks depending on how quickly you wear them out in long walks are a must. Also a minimum of 6-7 pairs of underwear, assuming you may not be able to wash/dry them.
Tip: Army roll all your clothes and pack them in cubes to really save space.
Electronic Gadgets
Packing the right electronic gadgets can make your trip more enjoyable and convenient.
Some Must-haves:
Universal adapter: Indonesian plug points, unlike US pins, support twin round pins similar to EU pins. Universal adapters will be essential to charge your phones, camera, power banks, and any other gadgets that require charging. Here are a few options that you can choose from. You can also pick up at any international airport.
Power Banks: These are must haves considering you may be out all day with no time to charge and the phones drain out quickly as you'll be using maps and other travel apps.
Chargers : Smartphones are default part of the gadget list, so dont forget to take their charging cables and chargers for any other gadgets you may be carrying like a power banks, tablet or laptop
Headphones or earbuds: Enjoy your favorite music, podcasts, or movies without disturbing others.
Camera/Drone (optional): If you are into photography or videography.
Additional phone or Wi-Fi dongle (Optional) : if you want to keep you current sim and use an Indonesian SIM for data/calls.
Toiletries
When packing for a trip, it's important to select toiletries that are both effective and travel-friendly. Invest in good travel friendly containers to really save up on space.
Must-Haves:
Toothbrush and toothpaste: Maintain good oral hygiene.
Shampoo and conditioner: Being a curly girl , i had to carry my whole routine of leave-in, curl cream, gel etc. The travel containers were a life-saver!
Body wash: Carry at least a 300ml bottle of your choice. Liquid washes are more convenient when compared to soaps.
Deodorant or antiperspirant: Trust me you need it!
Face wash, Moisturizer, Sunscreen : Preferable carry the sunscreen in your day bag and reapply every few hours to avoid the peeling tan.
Hairbrush/comb/crunchies: Tidy up your hair.
Razor and shaving cream: If you need to shave
Basic Makeup for all ya women :)
Documents
When traveling, it's crucial to have the necessary documents in order to avoid any unexpected issues.
Valid Passport : Doubly ensure that your passport is valid for 6months until after your day of exit from the country.
Travel Insurance : It not only protects you against unexpected events like lost luggage, medical emergencies, or trip cancellations, but also is one of the documents the immigration office might ask you for before issuing you visa at the port of entry.
Currency: Carrying US dollars or Euros is the best option. These can be exchanges at many points all around Indonesia for the Rupiah. I recommend avoiding exchange at the airport as the margins are quite high.
Cash and credit cards : Apply for travel cards like "Niyos" with almost no overhead charges. However, if you dont have a travel card, carry any internationally accepted card for emergencies.
Hotel Reservation : Soft copy for reference.
Other Essentials
Apart from the list above, here's a miscellaneous list of things that are good to have:
Beach towel
Face towel
Water bottle
Lock
Garbage bag - More like a dry bag or just a bag to collect any waste you generate that s better carried and discarded responsibly.
First Aid Kit - Medicines
Here's a Complete Guide to Travelling Indonesia.
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