In terms of island count, Indonesia is made up of a staggering 17,508 islands, although some estimates put it at 20,000. There are at least 300 distinct ethnic groups speaking 742 languages and dialects spread out over 5,000 kilometers of mostly under touristed territory straddling the equator.

Famous as the Dutch East Indies in 18th century, Indonesia attracts travelers today in the same way it beckoned merchant ships braving the open ocean in search of valuable spices. Although there are clear favorites that leave travelers yearning for more, there are legions of islands and remote corners that beg exploration. Not surprisingly, Indonesia is often depicted as the last frontier of adventure and discovery, overloading the senses with the sublime and mundane, and every little thing in between.

Indonesia makes it easy for the traveler to decide when to visit the country. As an equatorial destination, it has only wet and dry seasons. Rains start coming down in October and increase in intensity through April, while the weather turns nicer and hotter starting May and becomes relentlessly hot until September.

There are regional variations in these two seasons: Some parts of Indonesia are only hotter during the summer and less so during the rainy season, whereas others experience marked difference in dry and wet by the occurrences of drought and flooding, respectively.

The wet season in Indonesia should not deter an eager traveler, but they should be advised that rains can fall non-stop during this period, and this makes back roads impassable if not altogether flooded. Airline and ferry schedules are often subject to cancellations or postponement during the wet season, so flexibility is key when traveling to Indonesia during the rainy months.