Cycling in Indonesia travel guide

From volcanoes to rainforest, idyllic beaches with swaying coconut palms to hot springs, marine reserves where sea turtles swim and beautiful valleys lined with rice terraces, the islands of Bali and Java are simply paradise for cyclists, as our Indonesia cycling holidays guide explores. Read on to discover more and find out the best time to go cycling in Indonesia, too.

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Cycling in Indonesia travel guide

It’s surprising that Indonesia is not already renowned as a destination for cycling holidays. What’s so striking about cycling around the islands of Bali and Java is the incredible diversity of scenery you’ll be riding through. Every day promises different terrain: lush rainforest where waterfalls can be heard between the trees; volcanic lava fields; vast terraces of rice paddies and plantations of cacao, oranges, coffee and rubber.

Beyond the satisfaction of physical exertion, what most recommends cycling holidays in Indonesia is the opportunity to escape the well-worn tourist route for landscapes under-explored.

Well-planned routes present a mix of challenge and free-wheeling fun, dipping into the islands’ mountainous interiors then descending again to idyllic beaches, hot springs and secluded fishing villages. You’ll come away marvelling at why Indonesia isn’t already swarming with cyclists, and tickled pink that it’s not.

Find out more in our Indonesia cycling holidays guide.

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Best time to go cycling in Indonesia

Cycling in Indonesia, you’ll experience coolness in the mountains, the heat of the rainforest, and the sunshine of the coast, where a dip in the ocean is always on the agenda.

Straddling the equator, the Indonesian archipelago enjoys a fairly stable and warm climate all year round, with daytime temperatures steady around 30°C and relatively high humidity. The best time to go cycling in Indonesia tends to be the shoulder months either side of the rainy season when the weather may be unpredictable, but the skies are often overcast making it significantly easier going heat-wise. Given you can expect downpours mainly in the afternoons, you may be tempted to risk a holiday in the rainy season, but at the peak of it, between December and February, getting around in rural areas is going to be pretty tough.

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Cycling in Indonesia, month by month

Indonesia is a year-round destination, but for cycling there are definitely some months to consider, and some that are best avoided. December, January and February are the peak rainy season. Bali and Java fares a lot better than some parts of the archipelago, but you should still be aware that it can be tough going in more remote areas, and some routes may be closed entirely. By March and April the weather is clearing up a little, and although it can still be unpredictable, showers should be light. Overcast skies mean the temperature is cooler. The greens of the famous rice terraces in Tegallalang and Jatiluwih are stunning at this time of year. May heralds the onset of the dry season in Indonesia, and this month, as well as June, is a good time to visit. The weather is good for a cycling holiday, and you’ll also avoid the main European school holidays when destinations such as Bali get very busy and prices go up. The coolest months of the year – even though temperatures vary very little all year round – are July and August, with August also the driest month. Late July often coincides with the Muslim Lebaran Festival, which results in chaotic transport on main roads and cities such as Ubud can be gridlocked, but on a typical cycling holiday you’ll be on back roads that see far less traffic, so you should be relatively unaffected. September is probably the best time for a cycling holiday in Indonesia, before the rainy season. You can expect the odd shower, but generally it will be fairly mild – perfect riding conditions. The rains begin again from October. Downpours are typically restricted to the afternoons and last only a short time. Most rain falls in the inner highlands, but in coastal areas including Lovina, with its black sand beaches and calm waters, you can usually count on it being sunny most of the time. Precipitation increases in November which is also the start of the Antipodean holiday season, with many travellers now arriving from New Zealand and Australia.

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