South Sumatra, Indonesia: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to South Sumatra, Indonesia? If you're planning to go to South Sumatra, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to South Sumatra
- Important essentials for South Sumatra
- Activities for South Sumatra
- South Sumatra in January: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in February: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in March: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in April: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in May: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in June: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in July: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in August: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in September: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in October: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in November: weather and what to pack
- South Sumatra in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to South Sumatra, Indonesia
Based on the climate and weather in South Sumatra, the best time to go is August. See below for details.
Important essentials for South Sumatra, Indonesia
Here are some general tips on what to wear in South Sumatra, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
Cases are climbing again, and areas are returning to lockdown. If you or a companion get COVID-19, you may be stuck with no way home -- but travel insurance can protect you. Learn more about COVID-19 and travel insurance
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N95 masks
These N95 masks provide the best level of protection you can have.
-
Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
-
Touchless thermometer
A touchless thermometer is important to have.
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards may get worn. An unreadable vaccination card can cause severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.
-
(U.S. Residents) Telehealth COVID-19 test for entry to U.S.
U.S. residents still need a certified COVID-19 test to return home, but it can now be via Zoom. Learn more
-
Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry plane-friendly product.
-
Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
General health necessities
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Emergency water purifier
Some areas may have unreliable tap water, so it's important to take an emergency water purifier like this one.
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Travel first aid kit
This one is a great choice.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
-
Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in South Sumatra. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some more rural areas you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone.
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Airplane or car necessities
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For families with young children
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types C and F. This one should be sufficient for most locations, but you should check with your hotel.
What to wear/what to pack for South Sumatra, Indonesia by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
Traveling to South Sumatra in January, you will notice that it is extremely hot. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from the sun:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants will be a lifesaver in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things stay dry. We recommend:
February
If you are traveling to South Sumatra in February, you will notice that it is consistently hot. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from UV rays:
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
A rain jacket to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be essential in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things stay dry. We like:
March
If you are traveling to South Sumatra in March, you will notice that it is consistently hot. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite:
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
A rain coat to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a perfect option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases don't get wet. We suggest:
April
If you go to South Sumatra in April, you will notice that it is really hot. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and cool you.
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and guard against skin damage:
-
Bug repellent
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are vital in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases stay dry. We recommend:
May
May here is extremely hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
A rain jacket to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases don't get wet. We like:
June
June is really hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you cool and protect you from UV rays:
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants will be essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings don't get wet. We like:
July
If you are traveling to South Sumatra in July, you will notice that it can be sweltering. Expect it to rain regularly. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from UV rays:
-
A rain jacket to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants will be vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a great choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings remain dry. We recommend:
August
If you go to South Sumatra in August, you will notice that it can be very hot. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Sunglasses
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be vital in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is an excellent one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. We like:
September
If you are traveling to South Sumatra in September, you will notice that it can be sweltering. Expect it to rain a bit less than half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
A rain poncho to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags don't get wet. We recommend:
October
If you are traveling to South Sumatra in October, you will notice that it can be sweltering. Expect it to rain about half of the time. Average temperatures (including nighttime) are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and cool you.
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you cool and protect you from the sun:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
A rain coat to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants are a lifesaver in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We like:
November
November here is really hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains about two thirds of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you cool and protect you from the sun:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We recommend:
December
December for South Sumatra is really hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C), with daytime temperatures significantly higher. It rains about two thirds of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you cool and protect you from UV rays:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and cool you.
-
A rain jacket to layer with another jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These pants can be vital in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We suggest:
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