Stay in Yogyakarta in November
86 hotels in the Trip.com pool for Yogyakarta, from US$8 a night.
Opens Trip.com on Fri 6 Nov to Sun 8 Nov 2026; change the dates there.
November is Yogyakarta's wettest month, and that one fact shapes everything else about a trip here. Afternoon downpours arrive most days between 1pm and 5pm. They turn Jalan Malioboro into a sheet of brown water and wash the view of Mount Merapi out of the sky by mid-morning. Daytime highs sit around 30°C (86°F), nights drop to about 23°C (74°F), and the humidity stays high enough that a cotton shirt is still damp at breakfast.
The month has its upside, though. The mornings from 6am to 11am are usually dry, and the rice fields of Sleman and Bantul are at their greenest. International arrivals thin out after the October shoulder season, so a 6am slot at Prambanan might put you among a few dozen people. Hotels in Prawirotaman and Sosrowijayan drop their rates too.
Yogyakarta works in November only if you plan every day around the rain. Do the temples at dawn, spend the afternoons in the museums around Kotagede and Kaliurang, and treat the evenings in Alun-Alun Kidul as a bonus if the sky clears. For Merapi sunrises, the Pindul cave river, or beach days at Parangtritis, come between July and September.
Why visit in November
- Hotel rates in Prawirotaman and around Tugu Yogyakarta run 20–30% below the July and August peak, and upgrades are easier to negotiate on weekdays.
- Prambanan, Plaosan, and Sewu see far fewer international tour groups than in August, so a dawn visit often means empty courtyards until about 8am.
- Ngayogjazz and the Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival both fall in the second half of the month and deliver evening culture that doesn't depend on the weather.
- Rambutan and mangosteen start arriving at Pasar Beringharjo in November, and the first Javanese durian appears at roadside stalls near Kaliurang by late in the month.
Worth knowing
- Rainfall hits the highest total of the year, with rain on most days, so outdoor plans after 1pm fall apart.
- Cave tours at Goa Pindul and Goa Jomblang in Gunungkidul cancel at short notice when heavy rain muddies the water or makes the ropes unsafe.
- Merapi is hidden behind cloud by 9am most days, so the Kaliurang jeep tours and the Borobudur sunrise platforms rarely deliver the view people come for.
- Street flooding around Jalan Malioboro and Jalan Parangtritis slows Grab and Gojek rides, and fares climb during every afternoon storm.
Best for
Think twice if
The 5-year Open-Meteo average puts November at 395mm (15.6 in) of rain across 28 rainy days, the highest total of any month and nearly double October's 215mm. Highs average 30.2°C (86°F) and lows 23.1°C (74°F), with humidity near 86%. Mornings usually start clear or hazy. By about 1pm, clouds build over Merapi and storms roll south across the city, often with thunder loud enough to rattle the windows in Sosrowijayan. Most storms last one to three hours, and evenings after 7pm are typically dry and noticeably cooler. July, by comparison, gets 54mm.
Seasonal caution
- Heavy monsoon rainfall runs well above 200mm (7.9 in) for the month. Afternoon storms bring lightning, and exposed spots like the Ratu Boko plateau and the upper terraces at Prambanan are no place to wait one out.
- Flash floods in the Gunungkidul karst can shut Goa Pindul and Goa Jomblang with little warning. Operators may cancel on the morning of the tour.
- Dengue cases in Yogyakarta province typically climb from November as standing water accumulates, so use repellent at dusk and dawn.
- Volcanic activity at Merapi is monitored continuously by Indonesia's BPPTKG geological agency. Check the current alert level before any trip up the Kaliurang slopes. Heavy rain can also send cold lahar mudflows down the river valleys below the volcano.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29 | 23 | 302 |
| Feb | 30 | 23 | 359 |
| Mar | 30 | 23 | 288 |
| Apr | 30 | 23 | 257 |
| May | 31 | 23 | 196 |
| Jun | 31 | 23 | 168 |
| Jul | 30 | 21 | 54 |
| Aug | 31 | 21 | 65 |
| Sep | 31 | 22 | 117 |
| Oct | 31 | 23 | 215 |
| Nov | 30 | 23 | 395 |
| Dec | 30 | 23 | 281 |
Best things to do in November
Dawn visit to Prambanan and the Plaosan temples
cultureArrive at Prambanan Temple, built around 850, at opening, then take a 10-minute ride north to Plaosan and Sewu before the tour buses from the city reach the area.
November mornings are the only reliably dry window, and low international arrivals mean the central courtyard is often close to empty before 8am.Booking tipBuy entry at the gate, then leave Prambanan by 10:30am. Storms often build over the complex by early afternoon.
Ramayana Ballet at the Trimurti indoor stage
performanceA Javanese dance-drama of the Ramayana epic with a full gamelan orchestra, performed near Prambanan in the evening.
In the rainy season, performances move from the open-air stage to the covered Trimurti theatre, so a storm will not cancel the night.Booking tipConfirm the schedule a few days ahead, since the rainy-season program can run on fewer nights than the dry-season one.
Ullen Sentalu Museum in Kaliurang
museumA guided museum on Javanese royal culture, batik and court portraits, set in stone galleries on the forested slopes of Merapi.
It fills a rainy afternoon in cool air around 700 m (2,300 ft) up, and the moss-covered walls look greenest in the wet months.Booking tipTours run in groups and photography is not permitted inside. Arrive before 2pm to get a slot before closing.
Batik workshop in Tirtodipuran or Prawirotaman
craftA half-day course in drawing wax designs with a canting tool and dyeing your own cloth.
At three to four hours and entirely indoors, it fits neatly into a November afternoon storm.Booking tipBook a morning or day-before slot. In the rainy season cloth takes longer to dry, so ask whether the studio can finish and deliver your piece the following day.
Silver workshops of Kotagede
craftWalk the lanes of the old Mataram capital southeast of the center and watch silversmiths working filigree in family workshops.
The workshops are covered, and the narrow lanes around the old market drain faster than the main roads during a downpour.Booking tipGo mid-morning on a weekday, when the smiths are at their benches.
Sri Gethuk waterfall in Gunungkidul
natureA waterfall that drops into the Oya River gorge, reached by a short raft ride upstream.
The falls run at full volume in November, and the karst hills around them are at their greenest after months of dry-season brown.Booking tipLeave the city by 7am and turn back by 12:30pm. The rafts stop running when the river turns muddy after heavy rain.
What to eat in November
In season: fruit
Rambutan
Javanese rambutan season opens around November. The piles at Pasar Beringharjo are at their best in the morning, before the midday heat softens the fruit.
Manggis (mangosteen)
Mangosteen starts arriving from growers in Central Java in late November. The purple rind stains your fingers, and the white segments are sharp and cool.
Durian
The first local durian usually shows up at roadside stalls on Jalan Kaliurang late in the month. The smell carries across the whole road, and the bigger flush comes in December and January.
Street food peaks
Bakmi Jawa
Charcoal-cooked Javanese noodles, a staple at night stalls across Kotagede and Pakualaman. The steam and smoke off the clay stoves are especially welcome after an evening storm.
What to drink
Wedang ronde
Hot ginger broth with glutinous rice balls stuffed with crushed peanuts. Carts around Alun-Alun Kidul sell far more of it on rain-cooled November nights.
Wedang uwuh
A spiced drink from Imogiri, south of the city, brewed with secang wood, clove and ginger. It turns deep red, and locals reach for it when the rain brings on a chill.
Regular events in November
Hari Pahlawan (Heroes' Day)Free
A national commemoration of the 1945 Battle of Surabaya. Yogyakarta marks it with morning flag ceremonies and wreath-laying at its heroes' cemeteries. It is not a public holiday, so shops and museums stay open.
10 NovemberNgayogjazzFree
An open-air jazz festival held in a different village in Sleman or Bantul each year. Stages go up in rice-field yards, and villagers sell food from their front porches.
Usually a Saturday in mid-to-late NovemberBorobudur Marathon
A full marathon, half marathon and 10K course through the villages and rice paddies around Borobudur in Magelang, about 40 km (25 miles) northwest of the city.
Late November or early December, depending on the yearJogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF)
Yogyakarta's big Asian cinema festival, with premieres, director Q&As and competition screenings that draw filmmakers from across the region.
Last days of November into early DecemberBest places this November
Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat
palaceThe Sultan's palace, founded in 1756. Its covered pavilions and gamelan halls make it one of the few big sights that holds up in a downpour.
KratonFort Vredeburg Museum
museumA Dutch fort turned into a history museum in 1987. Its indoor dioramas on the independence struggle fit naturally into the week of Heroes' Day.
MalioboroPasar Beringharjo
marketThe city's main market. The ground floor is best for rambutan and mangosteen, and the covered upper floors sell batik, so the whole place works on a wet day.
MalioboroUllen Sentalu Museum
museumA museum of Javanese court culture on the cool, misty slopes of Merapi.
KaliurangAlun-Alun Kidul
squareThe south square behind the palace. After rain, wedang ronde carts and LED-lit pedal cars crowd the space, and visitors try the blindfolded walk between the twin banyan trees.
KratonRatu Boko
archaeological siteA hilltop archaeological site 3 km (2 miles) south of Prambanan. In November it earns a morning visit: the plateau is green and mist rises off the rice fields below.
PrambananAffandi Museum
museumThe home and gallery of expressionist painter Affandi, on the bank of the Gajah Wong river. It makes a solid indoor stop when a storm breaks on the east side of the city.
Jalan SoloHutan Pinus Mangunan
forestA pine forest in Bantul's Dlingo hills, where low cloud drifts through the trunks on November mornings.
Dlingo
Your packing checklist
Tick items off as you pack. Your progress saves in this browser.
All packed — have a great trip.
Insider tips
Book your ride back to Prawirotaman before 1pm. Once the first thunder rolls over Malioboro, Grab and Gojek fares rise and waits can stretch past 30 minutes.
The best wedang ronde is sold on the east side of Alun-Alun Kidul around 8pm, after the rain has cleared the square and the carts restock their ginger.
The upper floors of Pasar Beringharjo sell batik at far lower starting prices than the shopfronts on Jalan Malioboro, and in the quiet November weeks the vendors are more willing to bargain.
Ask Gunungkidul cave operators to confirm by WhatsApp at 6am on the day of the tour. A night of rain in the hills can close Goa Pindul even when the city woke up dry.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking a Borobudur or Prambanan tour that starts at noon. By the time you reach the upper terraces the November storms have moved in; go at opening instead.
- Paying for a Merapi sunrise jeep tour without checking the forecast. In the wet season, cloud hides the summit on most mornings, and the lava tour trails turn to mud.
- Plan a beach afternoon at Parangtritis. The surf intensifies in the wet months, and swimming is dangerous in any season.
- Riding a rented scooter through flooded underpasses near Tugu Yogyakarta means gambling with water-hidden potholes and an invisible curb edge.
Practical tips for November
Plan every outdoor sight for 6am to 11:30am and keep afternoons for indoor venues. The Kraton usually closes by early afternoon and shuts on certain ceremonial days, so check before you go; it also requires covered shoulders and knees. Prambanan hands out batik sarongs at the entrance. From about 20 November, book rooms and Borobudur-area transport early: Borobudur Marathon runners and the start of the December holidays push up demand. Tipping is not expected, but rounding up a Grab fare during a storm is appreciated. Carry cash for Pasar Beringharjo and the night stalls, since most vendors don't take cards. Trains from Yogyakarta's Tugu station fill up on late-November weekends, so reserve through the KAI Access app a week ahead.
FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Yogyakarta?
November ranks last of the twelve months for most visitors: it is Yogyakarta's wettest month. It still suits budget travelers and museum lovers who visit the temples at dawn and save indoor sights like the Kraton and Ullen Sentalu for the afternoons. For reliable weather, July to September is the better window.
What is the weather like in Yogyakarta in November?
Expect highs near 30°C (86°F), lows near 23°C (74°F), and humidity around 86%. Mornings are typically dry, then storms build over Merapi by about 1pm and move south across the city for one to three hours. Nights after 7pm are warm and often clear once the rain passes.
Is Yogyakarta crowded in November?
International crowds in Yogyakarta stay low through November, and weekday mornings at Prambanan and the Kraton are calm. Weekends still bring domestic visitors from Jakarta and Semarang. The last week of the month picks up with Borobudur Marathon runners and early December holidaymakers.
Can I still see Borobudur and Prambanan in the rainy season?
Borobudur and Prambanan are both workable in November if you arrive at opening, since early visits generally stay dry. Afternoon visits risk lightning and slippery andesite steps. Both sites stay open in the rain, but staff can clear the upper terraces during thunderstorms.
Should I book a Gunungkidul cave tour for November?
Book one only if your schedule can bend. Goa Pindul's tubing trip follows an underground river, and Goa Jomblang's 60 m (200 ft) rope descent needs a dry lip at the top of the shaft, so both run on some November days and not others. Keep the day after your booking free, and the operator can move you to it if the first date falls through.
Things to Do in Yogyakarta in November
Free cancellation Borobudur Sunrise from setumbu Hill , Merapi Volcano & Prambanan Full Day Tour
Day trip: 12 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Borobudur Temple Climb To The Top & Prambanan Temple - 1 day tour
Day trip: 8 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Yogyakarta: Borobudur Top Access & Prambanan Temple Private Tour
Day trip: free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation From Surabaya / Malang : Mt Bromo Sunrise - Ijen Blue Fire 2D1N
Outdoor experience: 2 days, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Jogja Hidden Gems - Cycling Tour
Outdoor experience: 3 hours, free cancellation.
via Viator
Free cancellation Selogriyo Temple and Trekking Java Rice Terraces, hidden waterfall -Nature Java
Outdoor experience: 10 hours, free cancellation.
via ViatorLast verified by automated review (v1.7.2) on . What is automated review?