Best time to visit · Yogyakarta · Indonesia
The best time to visit Yogyakarta
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Pinerineks, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Yogyakarta is the dry season from May to September, when sunrise at Borobudur is most likely to be clear and the Ramayana Ballet is performed on its open-air stage. July and August are the busiest months. The wet season from November to March brings heavy afternoon rain but quieter temples and lower prices; sightseeing in the mornings still works well.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April and October
- Warmest month
- September (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 30°C (86°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~20 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Seasons
Yogyakarta is tropical and warm all year, with highs around 30–32°C. The dry season from about May to September brings clear mornings and cooler nights; the wet season from about November to March has heavy afternoon downpours.
May–September
Dry season
Clear mornings, cool nights and the open-air Ramayana Ballet; peak crowds in July and August.
October–December
Early wet season
Hot October, then afternoon storms from November; year-end holidays bring domestic visitors.
January–February
Peak wet season
Heavy daily downpours and humidity, but green rice fields, quiet temples and low prices.
March–April
Late wet season
Rain eases gradually; a good-value time before the dry-season rush.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°C | 23°C | 20 | 12.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 30°C | 23°C | 19 | 12.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 31°C | 23°C | 18 | 12.2 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 31°C | 23°C | 13 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 31°C | 22°C | 8 | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 31°C | 21°C | 5 | 11.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 30°C | 20°C | 3 | 11.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 31°C | 20°C | 2 | 11.9 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 32°C | 21°C | 3 | 12.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 32°C | 22°C | 9 | 12.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 31°C | 23°C | 17 | 12.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 30°C | 23°C | 19 | 12.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Chinese New Year celebrations at Ketandan Chinatown (late January or February) |
| March | Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr — dates follow the Islamic calendar and move about 11 days earlier each year |
| May | Vesak — Buddhist procession from Mendut to Borobudur (usually May or June) |
| June | ArtJog contemporary art festival (usually June to August); School holidays (usually late June to mid-July) |
| July | Ramayana Ballet open-air season (usually dry-season months) |
| August | Independence Day celebrations (17 August); Dieng Culture Festival on the Dieng Plateau (usually July or August) |
| December | Year-end holiday crowds (late December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and November, and the sights are quietest in January–March and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Dry season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Early wet season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Peak wet season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Late wet season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Yogyakarta?
The best time to visit Yogyakarta is the dry season from May to September, when sunrise at Borobudur is most likely to be clear and the Ramayana Ballet is performed on its open-air stage. July and August are the busiest months. The wet season from November to March brings heavy afternoon rain but quieter temples and lower prices; sightseeing in the mornings still works well.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Yogyakarta?
Usually in January–March and November. Wet season peak with heavy afternoon storms; temples are quieter, so visit in the mornings.
+What is the rainiest month in Yogyakarta?
January, with about 20 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Yogyakarta get?
The warmest month, September, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).