Year-round sunny beaches, lush jungles, sumptuous Indonesian cuisine, a spiritual haven with a fascinating culture: Bali is a magical combination for tourists of all ages. Located just eight degrees south of the equator, it’s a given the climate is always hot and humid. However as with most tropical destinations there are two very distinctive seasons; dry and rainy. Generally, it’s said the dry season – and the best time to visit Bali for fine weather – runs from April to September.
The remaining months of the year, October to March, are then regarded as the rainy or wet season. While the rainfall comes down heavily, it does usually clear up pretty swiftly. As they say, it’s just Mother Nature’s way of cooling down the island and reducing the humidity. But weather aside, there are a number of other key factors you may wish to consider when planning a trip to Bali, including your budget, preferred vibe, activities (or lack of them!) and the Balinese cultural festivals.
The best time for the beach
If you’re not restricted by the school holidays, May, June and September are a superb time to explore Bali. The weather is the most settled, with gloriously sunny and dry conditions. Perfect for lazy beach days at the famous resorts of Kuta, Sanur and Seminyak. It’s also a time with fewer tourists and consequently the hotels and flights generally offer the best value options.
October is another good period for families travelling with preschoolers. Although it’s technically the rainy season, it can also be known as the changing season as the precipitation is low by comparison to the other ‘wet’ months, and the island is less crowded.
August can claim the sunniest, coolest and driest weather of the year, with an average temperature of 27°C. However you need to factor in the high density of tourists and steeper prices because of the school holidays. If you like a busy vibe this could be the time for you.
You can expect the highest temperatures in November, with an average daily maximum of 32°C and an average low of 25°C. Flights are also cheapest at this time, however it is the wet season so expect some tropical downpours.
Despite the wetter conditions, December is highly popular with tourists because of the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Who wouldn’t like to spend the festive period on a warm beach? It’s a really fun time to come but the flights are the most expensive at this time. It’s useful to be well-organised and book your activities in advance to avoid any disappointment too.
The best time for sight-seeing and activities
It will come as no surprise to learn the dry season is generally best for sight-seeing. The Tanoh Lot and Uluwatu Temples are usually at the top of tourists’ to-do list, along with the picturesque rice terraces of Munduk, Jatiluwih and Tegallalang, and the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in the wonderful Ubud jungle. Due to its chilled Balinese philosophy, the island is a haven for keen yogis and meditators, with some of the best spiritual retreats in the world located here.
In March/April each year, the Bali Spirit Festival in central Ubud is a huge gathering of like-minded people. The event hosts a variety of classes for all ages and levels of ability, plus there is music, dance, and health and well-being workshops. There are spectacular mountain biking and hiking opportunities at Mount Agung, the highest point on the island at 3000m above sea level. If you’re feeling enthusiastic you can join tourists on a 2.30am start to hike to the top of the volcano to watch the sun rise. However this is not recommended in the wet months, in particular November to January as conditions can be very slippy.
Diving enthusiasts wanting to enjoy the optimum Bali waters are encouraged to visit in May and June when the sea visibility is at its best. The protected dive spots of West Bali National Park and Menjangan are incredible.
The same goes for surfers looking for the best waves. Keramas, Green Bowl beach, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Serangan are popular tourist spots. That’s not to say the wet season is a no-go, it’s just that you need to prepare for rain and poorer visibility.
Prominent Bali festivals which you may wish to enjoy
The Saka New Year – or Nyepi ‘Day of Silence’ – falls around March or April, according to the Hindu caka calendar, and offers one of the most unique experiences for holidaymakers. For 24-hours the entire island closes down for the purification festival, which is said to annually clean out any bad spirits and start afresh. No restaurants, bars, nightclubs or activities are open. Lights are switched off and the television stations cease broadcasting. No transportation is allowed and it’s highly likely you’ll be sent back to your accommodation if you are seen out walking. No flights even operate in or out of Bali; in fact it is the only international airport in the world to shut down completely for a full day every year.
Holidaymakers are simply encouraged to stock up on food and immerse themselves in a day of peace, resting by a pool, reading or perhaps meditating. With no air pollution for 24 hours it’s also a great time to try star-gazing as the sky will be the clearest you’ll ever get to witness. Guests are confined to their hotels but usually the high-end resorts continue to run activities for little ones and their satellite TV stations are usually still operating. On Nyepi Eve tourists can watch colourful parades, featuring 6m-tall paper-mâché demons and loud music and torches across the country. The most popular ones are held in the capital of Denpasar or Ubud and Kuta.
In August, the International Kite Festival in Sanur offers another spectacular and iconic sight you won’t want to miss, featuring the traditional Balinese kite. Foodies will enjoy the Ubud food festival which runs annually in mid-April, and sees locals share their rich Indonesian cuisine to the world
The 10-day Galungan festival, which is held every 210 days, sees locals celebrate the victory of Dharma (Good) over Adharma (Evil). The Balinese tradition sees households decorate poles at the entrance of their homes with fruits, flowers and coconut leaves. People also dress up in traditional clothes to visit temples, and schools are shut.
From mid-June to mid-July the Bali Arts Festival, which is also known as Pesta Kesenian Bali, takes place in Denpasar. Lavish parades line the streets and there are daily performances and exhibitions throughout the month-long celebration. Feeling physical? The Bali marathon is held yearly in August in East Bali and will see you running the 26.2miles in intense conditions.
What to pack for a holiday to Bali
Your suitcase contents will be similar to what you would take on any summer holiday but there may be some extra things worth remembering:
- Mosquito repellent (and net if you want to be extra cautious)
- Quick dry clothes, if you are visiting during rainy season
- Long trousers, if exploring the jungle
- Walking boots
- Binoculars
- Layers for full coverage when visiting the temples
- First aid kit
- Underwater camera for diving
- Wetsuit
Before you travel make sure you…
- Check your passport is well in date.
- Apply for a visa if your trip is more than 30 days long.
- Check the current Covid-19 travel requirements.
- Check in for your fight.
Practical tips for visiting Bali
- Stay hydrated. The weather can be very warm, so always keep a water bottle handy.
- The food situation has much improved in recent years but pick street vendors with caution and avoid local liquor arak.
- Dress modestly when visiting temples. You will need to keep your shoulders and knees covered when visiting holy sites.
- Be cautious of the animals. There are many wild and stray cats and dogs that might look cute, but be careful as rabies is a serious risk. There are also monkeys living in the wild who may swipe your possessions
- Learn some basic lingo. Om suastiastu (hello), selamat Pagi (good morning), Tolong (please) and terima kasih (thank you) will go down well.
Other useful information
Bali only has one international airport; Ngurah Rai, which lies about 8 miles south of the capital Denpasar.
The average flight price per person from the UK to Bali, return is £507.
December is the most popular time to fly, with flights on average 2% more expensive. November is the best time to beat the crowds, with flights on average 3% less expensive. You can find flights for Bali and also set up a price alert here:
