Indonesia
Jakarta in May
🌦️ Shoulder (showers)Hot, humid and some showers. Watch for hazy air.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics · N95 mask for hazy days
Why May scores 6.6What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.7
- !Hot (33°C highs / 26°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 24.8°C)
- !Wet: ~103 mm rain, ~2 heavy-rain days
- Air quality2.4
- !Unhealthy (PM2.5 ~78 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.5
- ·Increased caution
| May | Aug | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 6.6 Good | 6.9 Good |
| Season | 🌦️ Shoulder (showers) | 🔥 Hot dry season |
| High / low | 33° / 26° | 33° / 25° |
| Rain | 103 mm | 52 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 25° | dew pt 23° |
| PM2.5 | 78 µg/m³ | 91 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Jakarta weather-station normals. Rainfall: Jakarta weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Holiday weekA long local holiday falls this month. Expect crowds at sights, fuller trains and flights, and higher hotel prices on those dates. Book ahead.
- Eid al-Adha 15–20 May · 6 days off in a row
Other public holidays: International Labor Day (1 May) · Ascension Day (6 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore JakartaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyIndonesia's sprawling capital on Java's north coast, a business hub with Dutch colonial history, national monuments, malls and diverse food.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Jakarta Anniversary and Jakarta FairDate variesCity anniversary 22 June; the fair usually runs from June into July
The city celebrates its founding with a large fair of exhibitions, food and concerts.
Why go: Expect heavy traffic around Kemayoran.
Where: Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran
Independence DayEvery year17 August every year
Marks Indonesia's 1945 declaration of independence, with flag ceremonies and neighbourhood games.
Why go: Streets are decorated in red and white; some roads close.
Where: Citywide, with ceremonies at the Presidential Palace
Rainy seasonDate variesUsually November to March
Heavy rain can cause flooding and severe traffic.
Why go: Allow extra travel time, especially to the airport.
Where: Citywide
Kota Tua
The old Dutch colonial core around Fatahillah Square, with the Jakarta History Museum.
💡 Weekends are busy with local visitors.
National Monument (Monas)
A tall obelisk in Merdeka Square with an observation deck and history museum at its base.
Istiqlal Mosque
The largest mosque in Southeast Asia, open to visitors outside prayer times.
💡 Dress modestly; robes are provided.
Jakarta Cathedral
A neo-Gothic Catholic cathedral facing Istiqlal Mosque.
Sunda Kelapa harbour
An old port where traditional wooden pinisi schooners still load cargo.
Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu)
A chain of small islands north of the city reached by boat, used for snorkelling and weekend escapes.
Kerak telor
A Betawi omelette of glutinous rice, egg and coconut, cooked over charcoal.
💡 Street vendors and fairs
Soto Betawi
A beef soup in a coconut milk and milk broth.
Nasi uduk
Rice cooked in coconut milk, served with fried chicken, tempeh and sambal.
Gado-gado
Vegetables, tofu and egg with peanut sauce.
Satay
Grilled skewers with peanut or soy sauce.
💡 Street stalls
Batik
Hand-drawn or stamped batik fabrics and clothing from across Java.
💡 Pasar Tanah Abang, Thamrin City and batik shops
Indonesian coffee
Beans from regions such as Sumatra, Java and Toraja.
Wayang puppets
Leather or wooden puppets from Javanese shadow and puppet theatre.