Being in a tropical climate area close to the equator, Bali is a destination that can be visited almost all year round. The temperature is constant between 24°C and 30°C, but the climate can be humid and rainy.
From a tourist point of view, the best time to visit Bali varies not only depending on the weather and seasons, but also on the Balinese festivities. We talk about it in the post Bali festivities and ceremonies.
As a matter of fact Bali is also known as the Island of the Gods, due to its numerous religious and spiritual holidays, as well as multi-day festivities in the various districts of the island. You can read more in our article Bali ceremonies, culture and festivals.
WHEN TO VISIT BALI?
For these reasons, in this article we talk about the best times to travel to Bali, along with the pros and cons of the different seasons.
Let’s see the climate in Bali month by month.
Remember to get a visa before leaving for Indonesia! You can apply for a visa online for Indonesia and skip the queues at Bali Denpasar Airport.
DRY SEASON IN BALI
Following the weather of the two great seasons in Bali and Indonesia, the dry season and the wet or rainy season, we start from the first dry months of the year.
During the dry season in Bali the sun shines and heats up quickly, but the air is not muggy. Perfect weather for getting around by scooter and enjoying the shade among forests and temples in the interior of the island, or for visiting the beaches on the coasts of Bali.
APRIL AND MAY
The dry season in Bali begins in April, as the rains become less frequent, with an average of 8-9 days of rain. The months of April and May are our favourite time to come to the Island of the Gods. Ideal for visiting around, because the temperatures are pleasant and there are fewer tourists.
Be aware, when we say fewer tourists we mean that the island isn’t as busy as in August, but the famous places are still full of visitors.
In addition to the perennial advice to visit the attractions early in the morning to avoid queues, read our Ubud 5-day itinerary and guide to North East Bali to learn about the less visited places on the island.
WHERE TO GO IN BALI IN APRIL – MAY:
- Ubud, lush and greener than ever after the rainy season, the waterfalls are amazing. Rice is harvested multiple times a year in Bali, and in alternate periods from field to field. So you can see green rice paddies at any time on the island!
- Uluwatu: in the southern Bukit peninsula, the cliffs and long waves offer breathtaking landscapes.
JUNE, JULY, AUGUST
The summer months are unfortunately the most chaotic, even here in Bali. European and American tourists have their summer holidays, especially Italians, Spanish and French are very numerous in July and August. Not to mention the Chinese, Koreans and Asian neighbours in general, omnipresent.
Personally we’ve always avoided visiting Bali in July and August, from hearsay it’s a time to avoid in high season. For those who necessarily come in August, we recommend getting off the beaten track as much as possible, avoiding visits during rush hour, when traffic becomes truly unbearable.
In particular, the refreshing waterfalls and islands can be taken by storm in the dry season, for obvious reasons. Having said that, the weather is excellent in Bali between June and August. It rains on average 3-4 days a month, the days are hot and sunny.
If Bali is too crowded during your visit, you may want to escape for a few days to Labuan Bajo, Flores, and see the legendary Komodo Dragons.
WHERE TO GO IN BALI IN JUNE – JULY – AUGUST:
- Lovina and Amed: A good time to escape the hustle and bustle, towards the coasts in the north east of the island.
- Ubud: Cooler than the south, you can travel from Ubud to the hills and lakes around Bedugul and Batur Volcano.
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER
The shoulder season in September and October is a great time to visit Bali. The first few weeks of September still see the last of the summer tourists, after which the chaos gradually calms down.
October in particular is ideal, as it falls exactly halfway between the summer and the Christmas peaks. Some rain may interrupt your visits, but it can also cool down the days that are starting to get more humid.
WHERE TO GO IN BALI IN SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER:
- Gili Islands and Nusa Penida: Beach destinations and islands near Bali are more liveable after the summer, especially in October.
- Beaches in Bali: The coastal areas are very diverse, from the cliffs of Uluwatu in the south, to the black volcanic sand beaches in the north.
RAINY SEASON IN BALI
November is the start of the rainy season in Bali, the time of the year when the number of rainy days exceeds dry days.
It can rain very often, even daily in the most humid places in the center-north of the island. For instance the towns of Ubud and Amed, close to the volcanoes that influence the weather in Bali, receive lots of rainfall.
That said, the rains concentrate late in the afternoon and at night, and it’s possible to visit Bali even during the rainy season with the right preparation.
NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, JANUARY
November can be a good month, relatively uncrowded, with a bit of luck you can even avoid too much rain.
Tourist numbers start to rise again in December, with Europeans and North Americans escaping the winter, and Australians invading the island for their summer and school holidays. December and January are Bali’s second high season, with higher than average prices and lots of tourists.
If you visit Kuta, Uluwatu, Seminyak or Canggu in the south of Bali, you’ll quickly realise you’re surrounded by loud Aussies. Young group of friends, families, plus temporary expats. Many restaurants and businesses are Australian-owned, with foreign staff employed full-time to run them.
Let’s not forget that we are in the middle of the rainy season, with an average of over 20 days of rain per month. It should be noted that thunderstorms are often in the evening and at night, when the humidity accumulated during the day spills over Bali.
If you happen to be in Bali during this time, the south and southeast of the island are further from the mountains in the north. These areas tend to be spared from the downpours that hit Ubud almost daily in December and January, however they will be very crowded.
WHERE TO GO IN BALI IN NOVEMBER – DECEMBER – JANUARY:
- East coast of Bali: To try and escape the Aussies to the south and the rains that come from the north, the towns of Sanur and Candidasa on the east coast could be a good compromise.
- Ubud, although rainy, offers various cultural activities not necessarily related to the weather, such as cooking classes (we recommend Paon cooking class), yoga and workshops of various kinds.
AUSTRALIANS IN BALI
A few lines about Australians in Bali. We lived in Australia for 3 years and we love our Aussie friends, but when you travel to Bali you want to feel like you’re in Indonesia, rightly so, and not in Bondi Beach!
Given the geographical proximity, for many Australians going on holiday to Bali is a bit like for Europeans going to Ibiza, for a holiday full of partying and fun. With the added advantage of a favourable exchange rate, some young Australians feel like they own the place and are sometimes disrespectful.
In the worst cases, in the clubs by the beach in Kuta or Seminyak, the parties end up in fights and obscene behaviour, scooter accidents and drunkenness, in stark contrast to the culture of the Balinese, accustomed to respect and spirituality. Keep your eyes peeled especially around nightclubs!
Also be mindful in January, even though Christmas holidays are over, Aussie holidays continue until the end of the month, when schools start again in Australia and the south of Bali begins to empty.
FEBRUARY AND MARCH
February and March are still technically part of the rainy season in Bali. However, with climate change disrupting season patterns all over the world, it’s not a time to rule out for a trip.
When we were recently in Bali in March, it rained a lot at night in Ubud, but the days were pleasant and dry, especially going towards the south of the island. In any case, it’s always good to have a rain jacket on hand.
March is also the time of the yearly Nyepi Festival, which lasts 6 days. This unique festivity includes a day of complete silence, where businesses in Bali are closed and everyone must stay indoors for the entire day (even the airport is closed!). We talk in detail about Nyepi and Bali’s holidays here.
Be aware of sea crossings to the Gili Islands and Nusa Penida during this time of the year. The sea is rougher in wet season, ferries can be postponed or cancelled with waves above 1.5 metres.
WHERE TO GO IN BALI IN FEBRUARY – MARCH:
- South Bali: After the Aussies exodus, this is one of the least crowded times to visit the south, especially Uluwatu and Ungasan on the Bukit Peninsula, or touristy Seminyak and Canggu.
- Gili Islands: If you can’t resist the call of the sea, the Gili Islands are drier than Bali or Nusa Penida, although there may be occasional showers.
Here ends our guide to the best seasons and months to visit Bali. Find more information and destinations in our Bali itinerary and in the links below.
Thanks for reading!
ALSO READ:
Where to stay in Bali: hotels and best areas
What to eat in Bali, 10 typical Indonesian dishes
Islands near Bali: Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands
Bali online visa costs and how to get it
Hiking to Wae Rebo village: tips and guide
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