The Banyumala twin waterfalls in Bali. edi alif/Shutterstock
With awe-inspiring scenery, enthralling culture, plenty of sun, surf and sand, and balmy temperatures year-round, Bali is irresistible to adventurers, sun-seekers and travelers who seek to immerse themselves in the countries they visit. Whatever your travel tastes, you'll find rewarding things to see and do in Bali at any time of the year.
The dry season, from April to September, is the most enjoyable period for outdoor activities, including basking on beaches, hiking, surfing, sailing, diving and canyoning. Visit during the wet season (November to March) and you'll unsurprisingly experience frequent downpours, but there's good surf on the east coast and you can still enjoy the outdoors, especially in drier areas in the east and north of the island.
Temperatures in Bali don’t vary much from season to season, hovering between 28°C and 32°C (82°F to 90°F) year-round, though it's often cooler in mountain areas. Whatever you're searching for, this is how to choose the best time to visit Bali.
July, August and December are the best times for festivals and partying
Weather in Bali in summer and December: July and August are packed with warm, sunny days with an average temperature of around 28°C (82°F). December has similar temperatures but rain showers are more common. Luckily, they tend to pass quickly and it isn't long before blue skies return.
Bali’s July-August dry season overlaps with European and North American summer holiday breaks, as well as extended breaks in July given to students in Australia and New Zealand. The increase in long-distance travelers makes it one of the busiest times of the year. If you’re looking to avoid crowds or expensive flights, these are the months to avoid. That said, there are plenty of reasons why people come to Bali during this time of year.
It's the height of the dry season and the peak time for surfing on the west coast at the breaks around Canggu and Seminyak. Bali's original beach hub, Kuta, can be mobbed at this time of year, as many travelers come here specifically for the party season.
Another reason Bali is inundated with visitors in summer is due to the wealth of colorful festivals. Indonesia celebrates its independence from colonial powers on August 17 with plenty of pomp and fanfare. Expect entertaining parades and street parties in the bigger towns. The Penglipuran Village Festival also draws big crowds and is highly entertaining, and the Ubud Village Jazz Festival is an international affair.
The period around Christmas and New Year also sees a large influx of travelers seeking a reprieve from cold northern winters. Many hotels, restaurants and other venues organize special dinners and entertainment to mark the festive season. New Year’s Eve is particularly memorable, with spectacular fireworks at midnight to help you rock in the new year in style. Key events to look out for are the Pemuteran Bay Festival and, of course, New Year’s Eve celebrations.
High season means high prices and pressing hordes in tightly packed tourist areas. For a quieter experience, look to more remote places like Nusa Penida and Pemuteran.
April to June and September to October are best for adventurous travelers
Weather in Bali during shoulder season: Rain showers are more frequent that during high season but they pass quickly and there'll still be plenty of sunshine to tempt visitors into the great outdoors.
The shoulder season in Bali falls at either end of the dry season, when the weather is either improving after the rains or getting slowly wetter after the dry months. Things are quieter without the summertime crowds, and the weather is normally still dry enough for outdoor activities. However, the two-week Easter spring break can get very busy in tourist areas such as Kuta and Legian.
May marks the surfing season in full swing on the west and south coasts, and rafting, trekking and spelunking beckon adventure sports fans.
As rain showers in October are more frequent than in the dry summer months, plan to spend some time indoors visiting temples, museums and cultural institutions in Ubud, Denpasar, and other centers for Balinese culture. October is also when the ever-popular Ubud Writers and Readers Festival happens.
January to March and November are best for budget travelers
Weather in Bali during low season: The rainy season lives up to its name and the weather is tough to predict, but the heavy showers don't tend to last all day.
Bali’s low season is made up of its wetter months, and this can be an unpredictable time for outdoor activities. The rain tends to scare most crowds back home, and the island has a more relaxed vibe. But if you’re hoping to catch good waves, there's still decent surf on the east coast at legendary locations such as Padang Padang, and the weather is still warm.
Of course, this makes the low season the cheapest time to visit Bali. Rainfall can get heavy at times, but Bali’s tropical rain usually doesn’t last all day. And though there’s always the risk of tropical cyclones reaching the island, Bali’s close enough to the equator to keep most fully formed cyclones away. As long as you don’t mind occasional rainfall and smaller crowds, the low season can be a good season to enjoy calmer vibes in Bali.
Even during low season, Bali keeps busy with community festivals and activities. At the end of January or the start of February, Chinese New Year celebrations feature typical Balinese elements such as traditional percussion bands and dancers dressed as the mythological lion-like creature Barong. The festival of Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, moves with the lunar calendar but frequently falls in March. This is a culturally fascinating time to visit Bali, but after the colorful parades of ogoh-ogoh puppets the night before the festival, the Day of Silence itself can be a tricky time for visitors as everything closes, transport ceases, and nobody is allowed out on the streets.
Understanding the Balinese calendar
Note that religious festivals such as Galungan and Kuningan are scheduled according to the Balinese 210-day pawukon calendar. This means they happen roughly every seven months, according to the Western calendar. Dates for village festivals are not always set in stone either, and the timing of the Nyepi festival is dictated by the lunar saka calendar, meaning the date changes every year. If you’re planning a trip around a festival or event, check the precise dates before you book your flights.
