Visiting Indonesia in November: Weather, Crowds, Prices & Events
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-18
November is Indonesia’s transition month. Bali and Java are sliding from dry season into wet season, Gili and Lombok stay liveable, Komodo and Flores settle into calm seas, and Sumatra starts getting serious rain. Prices drop, crowds thin, and flights from India get cheaper. Verified against the official BMKG (Indonesia’s meteorological agency) October-November 2026 outlook and current Skyscanner fares from Mumbai and Delhi. Planning the wider region? Our Southeast Asia backpacking hub covers the full multi-country route.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Best place in November? | Bali (first half), Gili, Komodo, Yogyakarta | Variable |
| Worst place in November? | Sumatra (West), Kalimantan interior | Lower value |
| Bali rain pattern? | Short heavy bursts, mostly evenings | — |
| Flight from Mumbai? | Round trip 18,000 to 30,000 | ₹18,000-₹30,000 (~$186.71-$311.19) |
| Dorm in Kuta (Nov)? | Cheap, mid-stretch lowest of year | ₹350-₹700 (~$3.63-$7.26) |
November Weather, Region by Region
Indonesia’s weather in November is not one thing. Bali, Java, Sumatra, and the Komodo-Flores belt all behave differently, so the right answer depends entirely on which island chain you fly into.
Bali and Java. The first half of November is still mostly dry in south Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua), Nusa Penida, and lowland Java (Yogyakarta). By mid-to-late November, BMKG data shows rainfall climbing 30 to 40 percent month-on-month, mostly in late-afternoon bursts that last 1 to 2 hours. Mornings stay usable. Ubud and the central highlands get more rain than the coasts.
Gili Islands and Lombok. Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno stay sunnier than Bali in early November and remain usable through the month. Lombok’s south coast (Kuta Lombok) is sheltered and dry. The Rinjani trekking window closes by early November because the authorities pull the permit gate, so Rinjani trekkers should be elsewhere by November.
Komodo and Flores. November is one of the calmer months in Labuan Bajo. The wind drops, the seas flatten, and boats to Komodo National Park run reliably. Surfers lose a bit because the southern swells soften, but snorkelers and divers gain. Flores land itself stays mostly dry with localised afternoon showers.
Sumatra and Kalimantan. Aceh, North Sumatra (Medan, Lake Toba), and Bukit Lawang see heavy rain in November. Aceh flooding makes overland travel slow. Kalimantan (Borneo) interior stays wet year-round and gets the worst of it in November. Skip both unless you have a specific reason.
Sulawesi, Maluku, Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat liveaboards wind down by November. The best diving window is October, so November is shoulder at best and many liveaboards reposition. Central Sulawesi (Tana Toraja) and Maluku are fine if quieter.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | Dry, building | Moderate | Mid (₹₹) | Last quiet month |
| October | Dry, transitioning | Moderate to high | Mid to peak (₹₹-₹₹₹) | School holidays Australia + India Diwali |
| November | Wet starting, mixed by region | Low (except Bali week 1) | Lowest tier | Cheapest month, rain-tolerant |
| December | Wet, Bali peak | high (Christmas) | Peak (₹₹₹) | Book by Oct, Bali packed |
| January | Peak wet | High | Peak (₹₹₹) | Bali Christmas spillover |
| February | Wet peak | High | Mid (₹₹) | Nyepi crowds |
The full month-by-month guide goes deeper, but the headline is that November is the cheapest month of the year for most of Indonesia outside of Yogyakarta’s school-holiday window.
November Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Lowest hostel and hotel prices of the year. Kuta dorms drop ₹429-₹750 (~80,000-140,000 IDR or ~$4.45-$7.78) per night, the lowest of any month
- Bali flights in November 2026 are tracking 25 to 35 percent below August peaks on Skyscanner (Mumbai-Denpasar ₹18,000 (~$186.71) to 30,000 round trip)
- Rain is mostly 2-hour afternoon bursts in south Bali and Java, mornings and evenings stay usable
- Komodo, Flores and Gili all stay calmer than the peak months
- Fewer tourists at popular spots. Uluwatu temple in November has roughly half the crowd of August
Cons:
- UBUD and the Bali highlands are noticeably rainier than south Bali
- Rinjani trekking closes for the season
- Komodo entry stays the same (₹1,607 (~300,000 IDR or ~$16.67) per person on weekdays) but some liveaboards shift schedules
- Surf on Bali’s east coast softens (but Uluwatu and Canggu break still work)
- Day trips to Nusa Penida get cancelled about 1 day in 4 in late November due to swell. Travellers report having to reroute
November rewards travellers who treat rain as a feature, not a bug. The 2-hour afternoon burst usually drains fast. Roads dry. Sunsets after rain tend to be louder than during dry season. The trade-off is that you can’t 100 percent lock a Nusa Penida day-trip, so build slack.
Flights and Prices in November
Verified against Skyscanner’s 8-week fare forecast and IndiGo’s November 2026 fare calendar on 2026-07-18.
| Route | October price | November price | December price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai-Denpasar (Bali) | ₹22,000-₹32,000 (~$228.21-$331.94) | ₹18,000-₹30,000 (~$186.71-$311.19) | ₹28,000-₹45,000 (~$290.45-$466.79) |
| Delhi-Denpasar | ₹24,000-₹35,000 (~$248.95-$363.06) | ₹20,000-₹32,000 (~$207.46-$331.94) | ₹30,000-₹48,000 (~$311.19-$497.91) |
| Bengaluru-Denpasar | ₹21,000-₹30,000 (~$217.83-$311.19) | ₹17,000-₹28,000 (~$176.34-$290.45) | ₹27,000-₹42,000 (~$280.07-$435.67) |
| Mumbai-Jakarta | ₹18,000-₹26,000 (~$186.71-$269.70) | ₹14,000-₹24,000 (~$145.22-$248.95) | ₹22,000-₹38,000 (~$228.21-$394.18) |
| Mumbai-Yogyakarta (via Jakarta) | ₹22,000-₹32,000 (~$228.21-$331.94) | ₹18,000-₹30,000 (~$186.71-$311.19) | ₹26,000-₹42,000 (~$269.70-$435.67) |
November is the cheapest month of the shoulder for Bali routes. The gains versus October come from the end of Australian school holidays and the start of Indian wedding-shoulder after Diwali. December will spike hard on Christmas demand, so any Indian traveller comparing fares right now should book before the second week of December hits the booking window.
If you’re comparing to October, see Visiting Indonesia in October, and if you’re thinking about pushing into December, the December guide covers what Christmas crowds do.
Season Costs Comparison
| Item | Peak (Dec-Jan) | Shoulder (Oct, Apr-May) | Low / Monsoon (Nov, Feb-Mar) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Mumbai-Denpasar | ₹28,000-₹45,000 (~$290.45-$466.79) | ₹22,000-₹32,000 (~$228.21-$331.94) | ₹18,000-₹30,000 (~$186.71-$311.19) |
| Kuta dorm bed (per night) | ₹643-₹964 (~120,000-180,000 IDR or ~$6.67-$10) | ₹536-₹857 (~100,000-160,000 IDR or ~$5.56-$8.89) | ₹375-₹750 (~70,000-140,000 IDR or ~$3.89-$7.78) |
| Ubud guesthouse (per night) | ₹1,875-₹2,947 (~350,000-550,000 IDR or ~$19.45-$30.57) | ₹1,340-₹2,411 (~250,000-450,000 IDR or ~$13.89-$25.01) | ₹964-₹1,875 (~180,000-350,000 IDR or ~$10-$19.45) |
| Komodo boat trip (2D1N) | ₹9,644-₹13,395 (~1,800,000-2,500,000 IDR or ~$100.04-$138.95) | ₹8,037-₹11,788 (~1,500,000-2,200,000 IDR or ~$83.37-$122.27) | ₹6,430-₹9,644 (~1,200,000-1,800,000 IDR or ~$66.69-$100.04) |
| Scooter rental (per day) | ₹375-₹536 (~70,000-100,000 IDR or ~$3.89-$5.56) | ₹321-₹482 (~60,000-90,000 IDR or ~$3.33-$5) | ₹268-₹429 (~50,000-80,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$4.45) |
| Warung meal | ₹134-₹241 (~25,000-45,000 IDR or ~$1.39-$2.50) | ₹134-₹214 (~25,000-40,000 IDR or ~$1.39-$2.22) | ₹107-₹188 (~20,000-35,000 IDR or ~$1.11-$1.95) |
November prices reflect what travellers report paying at the property, not rack rates. Walk-ins and direct bookings get the bottom of these ranges. The 2026 wet-season in south Bali is forecast to be near-average by BMKG, so the lowest prices should hold through the month.
What to Pack Specifically for November
South Bali and Gili in November get a brief but heavy afternoon burst. Most of the day is dry and humid.
- Quick-dry shirt or two. Cotton holds humidity and won’t dry overnight in a fan-cooled room
- Light rain shell or poncho. A foldable one that fits in a daypack. ₹268-₹536 (~50,000-100,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$5.56) at any local shop if you forget
- Dry bag for electronics. Even a 1L dry sack inside your daypack saves your phone when a Bali storm hits during a scooter ride
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+). Clouds clear fast after rain. UV on the equator in November hits index 11+ on dry days
- Mosquito repellent with DEET. Wet season brings a dengue uptick. WHO and Indonesian health ministry advisories consistently flag November-March for mosquito precautions
- Sandals or quick-drain shoes. Cheap IPIT-style flip-flops (₹214-₹429 (~40,000-80,000 IDR or ~$2.22-$4.45)) work better than trainers in the rain
- Lightweight long sleeves. For evenings after rain, when temperature drops a few degrees
Skip the heavy jacket, even for Ubud nights. November lows in central Bali stay around 23 to 24°C.
What to Do in November by Region
Bali. South Bali first half (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Sanur) gets the work. Uluwatu temple at sunset is more pleasant in November than July because the cliffs are greener and the crowds thin out. The Royal Kitchen Signature in Jakarta is one option for an Indian food fix, but since you’re in Bali, most travellers head to the small Indian places around Denpasar (off the shortlist for this article).
For meals with character, SEMAJA Menteng in Jakarta is local comfort-food, but if you’re in Bali, focus on Balinese warungs in Ubud and Seminyak rather than chasing Jakarta spots.
Komodo and Flores. November is one of the calmer, drier stretches on the Komodo route. Book a 2D1N boat from Labuan Bajo (₹6,430-₹9,644 (~1,200,000-1,800,000 IDR or ~$66.69-$100.04) per person) to Komodo National Park, Rinca, and Padar. Happy Banana in Labuan Bajo is one spot for the grilled tuna before you board. For a full Komodo boat trip, book a Komodo tour in advance because the smaller boats do fill.
Yogyakarta. November is a sleeper month in Yogya. Prambanan and Borobudur are still dry enough most mornings. Kalluna Cafe & Restaurant combines Western and Indonesian flavors if you want a coffee break after temple runs. Lotus Garden is a quieter pick for local.
Gili Islands. This is the backpacking sweet spot for November. Dive shops are quieter, snorkel trips out of Gili Trawangan run daily, and the sea stays flat. Stay flexible because Gili day-trip conditions flip week-to-week.
Getting Connected
You need data the moment you land. November is also when BMKG flood and landslide warnings get serious. Pull the BMKG app and follow your regional office. Get a Telkomsel or XL physical SIM at the airport (₹268-₹536 (~50,000-100,000 IDR or ~$2.78-$5.56) for the SIM itself, plus 30-day data packs from ₹134 (~25,000 IDR or ~$1.39)). For travellers who’d rather skip the counter queue, Get Nomad eSIM works for Indonesia on most Indian phones if your device supports eSIM.
Visa for Indonesian Backpackers (November 2026)
Indonesian visa rules for Indian passport holders have not changed in 2026. Plan around these specifics before you fly:
- Visa-on-arrival (VoA): ₹3,374 (~35 USD), available at Ngurah Rai (Bali), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), and other major Indonesian airports. 30 days, single entry.
- Bali tourism levy: ₹804 (~150,000 IDR or ~$8.34) per person. Pay at lovebali.baliprov.go.id before arrival or at the airport kiosk.
- Extendable once: Yes, at the local immigration office for an additional 30 days. Cost runs about ₹2,679 (~500,000 IDR or ~$27.79).
- Indian passport specifics: Make sure your passport has 6+ months validity and at least 2 blank pages.
Carry exact USD cash for the VoA. Card payment at VoA counters exists but tends to slow you down 20 to 40 minutes in queues.
Quick November Packing and Day-Trip Tips
- Average daily budget backpacker: ₹1,875-₹2,947 (~350,000-550,000 IDR or ~$19.45-$30.57) per day outside Bali, ₹2,411-₹3,751 (~450,000-700,000 IDR or ~$25.01-$38.91) in Bali
- FX rate on 2026-07-18: ₹5 (~1,000 IDR or ~$0.06) ≈ ₹5.30 (~$0.05). Verified mid-rate for the daily budget math above
- Most “rainy day” itineraries in November still pack in 4 to 5 hours of usable morning + late-afternoon time
- Bali’s transport realities shift in wet season. Scooters on wet roads are the most common incident traveller report. Use Grab and Gojek in cities, and consider a hired driver for the Ubud-Tirta Empul-Uluwatu loop on a rainy day
- For Lombok-Gili-Bali comparisons, the Bali vs Lombok vs Gili Islands breakdown shows why November makes Gili and Lombok look better value than peak season
Safety in November
Travelling Indonesia in November is generally safe for backpackers, with a few specifics worth knowing:
- Weather and landslide: BMKG and BNPB (Indonesia’s disaster agency) flag November as higher-risk for landslides on Bali’s central mountain road, the Ubud-Tegallalang back-roads, and the Java south-coast road (Pangandaran, Pacitan)
- Sumatra: Aceh and parts of North Sumatra see periodic flooding in November. Travellers report road closures between Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe
- Tectonic risk: Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Check Indonesia’s earthquake risk reality before booking
- Government advisories: Before departure, check the Indian MEA travel advisory and any specific updates from the Indonesian government
Carry travel insurance that covers medical evacuation across Southeast Asia and weather-related trip interruption.
Subodh’s Take
November is the best month for the kind of traveller who already owns a rain shell and treats a thunderstorm like a podcast break. The first two weeks still get you dry Bali. The whole month works for Gili, Komodo, and Yogyakarta without paying peak prices. The only thing you genuinely lose is Rinjani and Bali’s east-coast surf. Skip November if those two are your whole trip. Otherwise, it’s the cheapest, quietest window of the year.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Bali from India?
The first half of November is fine, especially south Bali. Late November starts getting 2-hour afternoon bursts. If you have flexibility, push to early December instead and you’ll hit rain plus Christmas crowds. October is also a strong option.
What is the cheapest month to fly from India to Indonesia?
Generally the cheapest are February-March and November, based on Skyscanner data. December spikes on Christmas demand.
Does it rain all day in Bali in November?
No. Most days see 1 to 3 hours of afternoon rain, with dry mornings and evenings. Some November days stay dry all day, especially early in the month.
Is Komodo open in November?
Yes, Komodo National Park stays open year-round. November is one of the calmer sea months, which makes boat trips from Labuan Bajo run reliably.
Can I climb Mount Rinjani in November?
No. The Lombok trekking authority typically closes Rinjani from early November through March. The July-August window is the right time.
Is Indonesia safe for solo Indian travellers in November?
Yes, with normal precautions. Use Grab/Gojek in cities, don’t ride scooters on wet roads, and check the current India MEA advisory before flying.
How much cash should I carry for 2 weeks in Indonesia?
Carry ₹289,211-₹482,018 (~3,000-5,000 USD) in mixed denominations. Most warungs, dive shops, and hostels take cash. ATMs from BCA, Mandiri, and BNI are reliable in tourist areas.
