The best time to visit Bali

From its beautiful beaches and soul-stirring temples, Bali is a diverse and richly rewarding destination for all kinds of travellers. But in order to make the most of your trip, you’ll want to wise-up on the best travel tips for Bali, and decide when to go. On that subject, read on to find out when's the best time to visit Bali, courtesy of our overview of the island’s seasonal shifts, and run-down of what to expect during different months of the year.

Best time to visit Bali at a glance

• Best time to visit Bali is May to October (with July and August as peak season) when temperatures hover around 27°C to 28°C. Dry, sunny days ideal for beach and outdoor activities.
• Avoid December to March, when heavy rains can disrupt travel plans and outdoor activities.
• For the best views of rice fields, visit from April to June, when fields are lush and green after the rainy season, perfect for photography.

When's the best time to visit Bali?

The best time to travel to Bali is May to October, with July and August being the busiest months. And although you can visit Bali all year round,  the dry season is logically more fun to travel than the rainy season. The rainy season runs from November to April, with January being the wettest month.

Tropical Bali has fairly constant year-round temperatures. These average 27°C in Bali’s coastal areas and the hills around Ubud, and 22C in the central volcanoes like Agung and Batur.  

When considering that all-important question — what's the best time to visit Bali? — bear in mind that Bali experiences an annual monsoon season. This brings rain, wind and intense humidity from November through to April. 

If you’re coming to Bali to enjoy adventure activities, note that mountain-climbing is unrewarding and dangerous during monsoon time. You’ll also be unable to access volcano hikes. 

What are the tourist seasons in Bali?

When pondering when’s the best time to visit Bali, you should also be aware of the different tourist seasons. Resorts and guest houses become packed to the brim between mid-June and mid-September, over the Christmas–New Year period, and lso at Idul Fitry (Eid al-Fitri, usually May–June). 

• Dry season (May to October): The dry season is considered the best time to travel to Bali. April to October are the best months to travel here, especially April, May and September as that is when most of the holidays are over.
• High season (July & August): July and August are the busiest months in Bali. You notice that in everything. Not only in terms of crowds at sights in Bali, but also in terms of prices. Airline ticket prices are shockingly high and accommodation is also more expensive.
• Low season (November to April): Low season is actually not the right word as it is never really quiet in Bali. The months of November to March are the rainy season, which means there are fewer travelers. Advantage: cheaper and quieter!

Travel tip: want to avoid well-walked paths and sky-high prices? Arrange an itinerary during the shoulder months of May, June and September for largely-clear days that are lighter on rain, and your pocket.

You might also want to read up on incredible places in Indonesia beyond the Bali tourist trail.

When is high season in Bali?

In general, Bali's high season peak falls between June and August, coinciding with the super-sunny, sunny, super-warm, super-dry (you’ve guessed it...) dry season.  

Given that Bali — along with Lombok, and the gorgeous Gili Islands — is an Indonesian tourist hotspot at this time of year, you’ll want to weigh up the pros and cons of visiting Bali during peak season. 

• Opportunities for livelier socialising with more fellow travellers.
• Maximum access to tours and trips.
• Better conditions for hiking, diving, surfing and sun-lounging.  
• Higher prices.
• Needing to book further in advance. 
• Bigger crowds might spoil your idea of an idyllic island break.

Need help planning your trip? Find inspiration in our guide to the best Bali tours, or contact our local experts.

When is the rainy season in Bali?

Bali’s wet monsoon season typically lasts from November to March. At this time, you can expect high humidity and heavy rainfall, particularly in December and January. 

As a result, it’s easy to find good deals when visiting Bali — and Indonesia more generally — in the rainy season.  

For example, from October to March/April, you can travel with little advance booking and low prices.  

While you can expect frequent, heavy downpours, temperatures remain around 30 degrees. 

While it’s not wise to visit Bail in the rainy season if you want to hike, or spend a lot of time chilling out on the beach, it could be an option if you’re planning to focus on visiting temples, for example.

Already planning your trip to Bali? Read up on Bali visas.

Bali month-by-month

Don't know yet when exactly you will visit Bali? Make sure to check our month-to-month breakdown of the best time to visit Bali.

January

January is one of the wettest months in Bali, and brings heavy rainfall and high humidity.  

As a result, outdoor activities like trekking and volcano hikes are difficult. That said, experienced surfers and rafters might relish the extra thrills of wilder waves and waters. 

In addition, visiting Bali in January means you could experience Chinese New Year celebrations, though this sometimes falls in February.

February

Though February is still rainy season in Bali, it sees, on average, less rain than January.

As a result of the wind and waves, south-west destinations like Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu can be great for experienced surfers and paragliders. 

March

Come March, rainfall decreases more noticeably, and Bali's weather becomes more moderate, though temperatures remain warm, with average highs of 30 degrees Celsius.  

However, the weather can still be unpredictable, so expect occasional showers. 

March is a great time for culture vultures to visit Bali, with Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, kicking off at the end of March or in early April.

Ready to explore Bali? Plan your transportation with our in-depth guide.

April

All change! As Bali transitions between the wet and dry seasons, April sees the island experience around a third of the rainfall as March.

This makes April a great time to visit Bali to appreciate the island’s natural attractions at their lushest. 

While Easter sees an influx of travellers, April remains a quieter month to visit than the upcoming summer peak.

May

May marks the end of the wet season in Bali. While temperatures can rise during this period — especially in urban areas — humidity levels are usually lower than those you’ll experience in the rainy season.  

May is an ideal time to dive in Bali, and also great for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

June

Though Bali’s peak high season is beckoning, it’s not fully in swing in June. As for the weather, expect little rain, clear skies, and super-sunny days. That's why this is the best time to visit Bali.

With consistent surf, June is also the ideal time for water-sports’ lovers to visit Bali. 

If that wasn’t enough temptation, Bali Arts Festival runs from June to mid-July.

Rough Guide tip: The journey only begins when you reach your destination. Find out how to get to Indonesia.

July

With consistently warm, sunny weather, July heralds Bali’s peak high season. 

Along with soaring visitor numbers (and prices!), be aware that temperatures can also soar in July, especially in urban areas. 

If you’ve come to party, though, July might be the best month for you to visit Bali. This month also sees the opening of the Bali Kite Festival. 

Love diving? Between July and October, the waters around Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida offer the best chance most people will ever have of spotting a mola mola (oceanic sunfish), one of the world's most elusive and startling underwater creatures.

August

Certainly the busiest month to visit Bali, August sees beach party action ramp up further, and a flurry of festivals.

These include Indonesia’s independence day, which is celebrated on 17th August.  

Love exploring rural locations and local culture? August kicks off clove harvest season, so you might get to see death-defying pickers on rickety ladders plucking buds before they flower.

September

September is one of the best months to visit Bali. Post peak-season bustle, but still largely dry and sunny, there’s arguably no better time to enjoy Bali’s beautiful outdoors. 

September also sees Bali host the Taman Ujung Festival, and the Lovina Festival.

October

Though the start of the rainy season, October offers cheaper accommodation and sees fewer crowds, while being outside peak downpour time.

Just be prepared to have back-up ideas for your beach day plans.  

October also sees Bali host a number of festivals, among them the Nusa Penida Festival, Uluwatu Festival and Nusa Dua Festival.

November

As Bali truly transitions between the dry and wet seasons, November brings increased rainfall, cooler temperatures, and volcano trekking is likely to be off the table. 

As a result, November is a good time to visit Bali to relax, visit museums and enjoy rock bottom room rates. 

With Tumpek Wayan celebrated in November, it’s also a top time to take-in the island’s culture. This scared Hindu festival sees puppeteers come to together to perform purification rites.

In addition, the Pemuteran Bay festival is due to be held on 11th-13th November 2023.

December

At once rainy season, and a mini high season, December sees Bali visited by torrents of rain and visitors.  

As for some of the big events held in December, the week-long Pandawa Beach Festival is usually held in Kutuh Village in mid-December.

Meanwhile, New Year’s Eve sees remarkable firework displays all over the island.

Note that poor visibility sees dive centres wind down activities from December to March.

Rough Guides tip: To have a chance to explore everything that you are interested in in Bali also read our guide on how many days are best to spend here.

Best time to visit rice fields

Bali is known for its beautiful rice fields, and you probably want to see them when they are at their best.

The best time to see rice fields is at the end of the rainy season around February and March.

In the dry season, the rice fields are not always green, and they are also harvested then.

However, the time when rice fields can only be seen in one season is over. The rice fields are a huge attraction, so there is always a green rice field to be found, even if you don't travel in the ideal months.

The best rice fields are found in and around:

• Sidemen
• Pererenan
• Jatiluwih
• Tegallalang
• Rendang

Consdering exploring beyond Bali? Read up on the best time to go to Indonesia, and browse our customisable itineraries for inspiration.

From basking in the beauty of Bail and Gili's beaches, to island-hopping Indonesia, they'll give you plenty of food for thought.

If you're already planning your trip, get The Rough Guide to Bali and Lombok to enhance every step of your journey.