You should certainly take some public holidays into account.

Indonesia consists of many different people with different beliefs. All the different backgrounds are taken into account and therefore Indonesia has many official holidays. Traveling on a public holiday can be difficult, but it can also be a special experience.

The most important fixed holidays are:

• On January 1, New Year’s Day
• On August 17, Independence Day
• on December 25, Christmas

There are also many public holidays that occur on a different date each year.

In 2025 these holidays are:

Idul Fitri

• On March 31st and the 1st of April 2025 Idul Fitri; the celebration at the end of Ramadan (the Ramadan is 28 February – 30 March 2025)
  Almost everything is closed on Java. Everyone has a day off.
  Read more about the Ramadan >>>

Waisak

• On May 12th 2025 Hari Raya Waisak; the Buddhist new year.
  The Borobudur is closed and the hotels at the Borobudur are quite full and expensive. There are, however, interesting festivities around the Borobudur temples.
  It is also busy at the Bromo.

Idul Adha

• On June 7th, 2025 Hari Raya Idul Adha; the Islamic sacrifice festival. The date of Idul Adha is determined by the position of the moon.
  The kraton (the Royal Palace in Yogyakarta) is closed.

At the Bromo:

• On March 29th, 2025, hari Nyepi;
  The Bromo is closed.

• The Kasada Festival 6 and 7 July 2025
  The local Tengger population sacrifices to the Bromo. This yearly event attracts many tourists.

On Bali:

Nyepi

• On March 28th, 2025, New Year’s Eve in Bali: Ogoh-Ogoh
  Parades and a lot of sound on the streets (with traffic jams).
• On March 29th, 2025, Hari Raya Nyepi; Day of silence and reflection.
  Everyone has to stay inside (tourists as well) with the lights out, everything is closed, even the airport (except for medical emergencies).

Galungan and Kuningan

• Galungan on April 23th and November 19th, 2025
  Almost everything is closed.
• Kuningan on May 3th and November 29th 5th, 2025
  Almost everything is closed.

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2026

Hari Raya Idul Fitri   
20 March and 21 March 2026 (Ramadan 17 February- 19 March 2026)

Hari Raya Waisak   
31 May 2026

Hari Raya Idul Adha       
27 May 2026

Hari Nyepi 
19 March 2026

Kasada Festival     
? July 2026

Galungan             
17 June 2026

Kuningan         
27 June 2026

Every season has its pros and cons:

On Java and Bali the rainy season is between October and April. Most travelers choose to visit Java and Bali during the dry season. Also because of the summer vacation in Europe and North America.

On Bali it is also busy in December and January. At this time Australia have their summer holidays and also tourists from Europe and North America are escaping the cold North.

The advantage of a holiday during the low season (rainy season) is:

• the prices of, for example, airline tickets and hotels are lower,
• it is more quiet at tourist spots,
• nature is greener and more beautiful.

In the rainy season it does not always rain. Often it rains only briefly (but intense) every day.

Java and Bali can also easily be visited during the rainy season.

You can enjoy breakfast close to the Borobudur

It is currently not possible to climb Borobudur before sunrise. The earliest opportunity to climb Borobudur is at 8:30 in the morning.

It is possible to have breakfast on the nearby hill, Dagi Hill, before the sun rises. You will then see the sun rise around 6am. Here you can enjoy the view and the morning sounds from the surrounding villages. The view keeps changing due to the light of the rising sun.

After breakfast you will go to Borobudur for the first session.

Borobudur is an impressive temple full of stories and symbolism. The guide can give you more background information and answer all your questions. You visit Borobudur under the guidance of a guide who works for Borobudur.

Read more about the temple and visitors information>>>

 

Yes traveling is possible, but on Java it is good to consider it, while planning

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This means that they are not allowed to drink, eat or smoke. Most people on Java are Muslims and therefore fasting.
On Bali, most residents are Hindu. Because of this the Ramadan will not influence life on Bali.

Ramadan on Java

The Ramadan lasts approximately one month. Every year Ramadan starts on a different date, because the start is related to the position of the moon. Ramadan is the month of reflection, charity and tolerance. Fasting makes people more aware.

Some restaurants are closed during the day during Ramadan, other restaurants have covered their windows to prevent the people who fast from being confronted with people who are eating.
When you can be seen in public, also try to avoid smoking, eating and drinking yourself.
After sunset (around 18.00h) it gets lively on the streets, with many food stalls where people break the fast together.

Life is also a bit more sober. For example, there are no dance performances in the Kraton during Ramadan.
An advantage of traveling during Ramadan is that there is less local tourism and therefore tourist spots are not that busy and hotels can be cheaper.

When Ramadan is over, there will be a celebration for a number of days (Idul Fitri). Everyone will visit their family and from the big cities many people go to their native villages to be together as a family. You can compare this with celebrating Christmas in Europe.
Therefore at the end of Ramadan it is very busy on the roads.  Trains and airplanes are fully booked. If you travel at the end of the Ramadan it is very important to make your reservations and bookings in time. Prices can be higher than normal. Because a lot of people take some days off, some tourist spots are closed around Idul Fitri.

The Ramadan will start and end:

• in 2024 from 10 March till 9 April
• in 2025 from 28 February till 30 March

More holidays to take into account when travelling in Indonesia>>>

How to rent a rental car in Indonesia?

With your driver you travel in a safe, tidy car.

All cars are air-conditioned, have tinted windows and seat belts. If you are traveling with small children, child seats are available upon request.

Whether you are traveling alone, with your family or in a group (no matter how large) there is always a suitable car, van or bus available.

The cars that are most chosen are the Toyota Avanza, the Toyota Innova, the Elf Short, the Toyota Hiace and the Elf Long, but other cars are also available.

The Toyota Avanza can accommodate up to 2-3 passengers with luggage.

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The Toyota Innova can accommodate up to 2-4 passengers, depending on the amount of luggage.

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The Elf Short is ideal for families and can accommodate up to 6-8 passengers with luggage.

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The Toyota Hiace is extra luxurious and suitable for up to 9 people with luggage.

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The Elf Long can accommodate up to 12 people with luggage.

Of course you can take your medication to Indonesia.

However, it is necessary to make arrangements in advance to prevent problems at customs.

• Make sure you have an European Medical Passport or a medical statement (in English) from your doctor before you leave. Your doctor can arrange this for you. In the Medical passport or statement your doctor will indicate which medication you are using.
• Take your medication (sufficient for your entire trip) with you, in the original packaging (with your name on it).

There are special rules for medicines which fall within the Drugs Act (such as certain sleeping medication, some heavy painkillers, for example, oxazepam or ritalin). You need a special (legalized) medical statement to be able to take this medication with you. If you live in the Netherlands, you can request this statement from the CAK.
Check the website of the nearest Indonesian embassy for the most recent regulations.

If you live in Australia, the embassy in Sydney can help you>>

Medication that contains cannabis is always prohibited in Indonesia, even with a doctor’s statement.

Make sure that you do not take more medication with you, than you need for your journey according to your doctor’s prescription.

Corona in Indonesia

Just like in the rest of the world, Indonesia was also affected by the COVID 19 virus.
How about your vacation? Are there travel restrictions and corona measures you have to take into account?

Indonesia is open for tourists 

Starting June 9th 2024 all corona travel restrictions are cancelled.

So you don’t need to prove you are vaccinated on arrival. Everybody is welcome again!

 

The Bromo can be reached in different ways:

The Bromo from Malang

The most beautiful way to visit the Bromo vulcano is the route from Malang. The travel time between Malang and Bromo is approximately 5 hours by car.

You can make the trip shorter by transferring to a jeep in Tumpang (to be rented separately; your own driver takes your luggage on the paved roads to the Bromo).

The trip by jeep is adventurous and you will experience the special Tengger landscape in all its aspects. You drive over a narrow ridge where the jeeps can hardly pass each other. If you wish, you can take a short walk to a waterfall, then drive through a misty forest and past the villages and fields of the Tengger people. Eventually you will arrive at the desert landscape of the Tengger in which the Bromo is situated.

When you arrive at the end of the day it is relatively quiet on the Bromo. A good time to climb the Bromo.

From Surabaya or Probolinggo

It is a 4-hour drive from Surabaya. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from Probolinggo. With your driver you drive to the Bromo volcano.

From Yogyakarta or Denpasar

It is approximately 11 hours by car from Yogyakarta. It is also about an 11-hour drive from Denpasar in Bali. Most people experience this long journey as very tiring and this can be difficult. So if possible, try to find more room in your travel schedule for a more relaxed visit.

Sunrise

You can spend the night in Cemoro Lawang, a village on the edge of the large old Tengger crater.

Early in the morning you drive in the dark with a jeep (to be rented separately) to a higher view point where you can see the sunrise behind the Bromo. Spectacular views, which almost nobody wants to miss.

It is cold at the Bromo, around 5 to 10 C degrees. So bring along warm clothing.

Entrance fee

For a visit to the national park where the Bromo is located you pay an entrance fee (around 22 euros per person on weekends or public holidays and about 16 euros during the week). In addition, you also pay for renting the jeep (mandatory if you want to drive unto the Bromo.)

Please take notice

On some Hindu holidays the area around the Bromo is prohibited for motorized vehicles. It is still possible to visit the Bromo. The car can be parked at the entrance of the old Tengger caldera and you can admire the Bromo and the old Tengger crater peacefully on foot, by horse or by bike.

During the Hindu holiday hari Nyepi the Bromo is closed.

The Kasada festival takes place on different days every day. These days the local Tengger population offers sacrifices to the Bromo. An impressive event, witnessed by many visitors.

It is best to arrange a good travel and cancellation insurance

Many travel agencies also offer to arrange an insurance for you, but often this is more expensive than arranging an insurance yourself at an insurance company.

Travel insurance

This insurance reimburses the extra costs if an unexpected event would occur. It is also possible, for example, to insure the additional costs that would arise if you needed medical assistance during your return trip. Your luggage is also insured. Consult with your insurance company which policy suits you.

Cancellation insurance

This insurance will reimburse the costs you are faced with if you unexpectedly have to cancel your trip due to urgent circumstances. This insurance is often offered when you book your trip, but also this insurance is usually cheaper if arranged with your own insurance company.

If you organize your trip yourself, it is most practical to have one insurance policy covering all the reservations you make, instead of insuring each booking separately.