Best Time to Visit Bali: Your Weather, Crowd & Packing

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By Zora

Best Time to Visit Bali

Find the best time to visit Bali for perfect weather & fewer tourists! I'll share with you timing tips to avoid Bali summer heat, typhoons, and holiday crowds.

Best Time to Visit Bali | Monthly Weather Details

Visit Bali in May, June or September for the ultimate experience.​​ You’ll get all-day sun (29-31°C/84-88°F), lower humidity, and thinner crowds – perfect for beaches or diving. But if you prefer lush landscapes and deals, target April or October.​​ Expect warm temps, fewer heavy showers than peak wet season, and vibrant greenery. Steer clear of July-August.​​ Guaranteed sunshine comes with suffocating crowds, premium prices, and packed beaches.

Shanghai Monthly Weather Guide

January in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡26-29°C (79-84°F)🌧 ≈ 350mm (monsoon mode - daily dumps!)☀️ 4-5 hrs/day

January is the Wettest month as downpours often last hours. Jungle explodes green, beaches empty. Villa deals everywhere. But it's not good for visitors travel outside.

If you decide to come, plan indoor activities (cooking classes, spa days). Rent a scooter. Get serious rain gear.

February in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡️26-29°C (79-84°F)C🌧️≈ 275mm (Stil Drowning)☀️ 5 hours daily

Humidity cranked to 11. Less rain than Jan but still heavy. The good news is there doesn't exist crowds and prices bottom out.

Pack lightweight, quick-dry clothes. Embrace Ubud’s rice terraces – impossibly lush.

March in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
26-29°C (79-84°F)🌧≈ 200mm (starting to ease)☀️ 6-7 hours daily

Mornings often glorious, thunderstorms roll in late afternoon and evening. Heat sticky. Everything still vibrantly green.

Start hikes or surf early. Pack poncho for temple visits. Shoulder season begins – decent balance of weather and crowds.

April in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡27-30°C (81-86°F)🌧≈ 90mm (rainy days halved)☀️ 7-8 hours daily

Finally, sunny days win. Watch for ​​Nyepi​​ (Balinese New Year - silent day). Island shuts down completely (no flights, no lights, stay indoors).

​Book Nyepi ahead​​ if visiting near March end/April start – hotels fill fast. Otherwise, prime shoulder season perkiness.

May in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡27-30°C (81-86°F)🌧≈ 70mm☀️ 8-9 hours daily

Golden Month. Dry season locked in. Warm sunshine, lower humidity, manageable crowds. Beach days = guaranteed.

Just go. Seriously. Best all-round month. Perfect for diving/snorkeling (visibility up).

June in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡27-30°C (81-86°F)🌧≈ 50mm☀️ 9-10 hours daily

Weather perfection. Also, ​​peak crowds & prices start​​. Seminyak/Canggu busy, Ubud hiking trails packed by 8 AM.

Book flights & villas months ahead. Hit beaches at dawn for solitude. Sunscreen and hats mandatory.

July in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡25-28°C (77-82°F) - Ubud/Central slightly cooler🌧️≈ 40mm (bone dry)☀️ 10 hours daily

Driest, sunniest month. Crowd chaos & highest prices. South beaches sardine-can busy. Ubud mornings pleasant (18-20°C).

Avoid South if you hate crowds. Head to Amed or North Bali. Dawn volcano treks ideal. Forget walking into popular restaurants – book.

August in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡25-28°C (77-82°F)🌧≈ 20mm (almost zero)☀️ 10 hours daily

July's twin. Families everywhere. Beaches chaotic, clubs heaving, traffic hell (Canggu to Seminyak = 1hr+). Best sunsets.

If you must go, base yourself outside the South (Lovina, Sidemen). Rent a private pool villa. Patience essential.

September in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡26-29°C (79-84°F)🌧≈ 50mm (minor risk)☀️ 9-10 hours daily

Crowds thin, prices drop slightly. Weather still near-perfect – dry, sunny, warm seas. Prime month for East Coast (swimming/snorkeling).

Sweet spot after August madness. Great for island hopping (Nusa Lembongan/Penida). Last call for guaranteed diving visibility.

October in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡27-30°C (81-86°F)🌧≈ 90mm ☀️ 8-9hours daily

Shoulder season uncertainty. Early Oct = great. Late Oct = humidity rises, quick afternoon storms possible. Prices soften.

Pack a travel umbrella. Good value month. West Coast surf still solid. Green starting to pop again.

November in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡27-30°C (81-86°F)🌧≈ 150mm (tropical downpours)☀️ 6-7 hours daily

Wet season kicks in. Storms frequent but often pass quickly. Humidity high. Surf picks up big time (Padang Padang/Uluwatu).

Plan activities around storms (mornings best). Bali lush and vibrant. Surfers welcome. Bargain prices.

December in Bali

TemperaturePrecipitationSunlight
🌡27-30°C (81-86°F)🌧 ≈ 250mm (consistently wet)☀️5-6 hours daily

Rainy & humid... but festive! ​​Christmas/NYE madness spikes prices & crowds.​​ Jungle & rice fields epic green.

Book Christmas/NYE months ahead. Embrace the wet for epic photos and fewer crowds away from resorts. Great spa month.

✅Get a reliable eSIM data plan - you'll need internet for checking metro routes, schedules, and access to X/ins/YT/Whatsapp, etc in Bali.

🎁Grab cheap flights to Bali and search the best hotels in Bali! Just 1 click to get fast Data in Bali!

Best Time to Visit Bali| Seasonal Weather Info​

Best Time to Visit Bali| Seasonal Weather Info​

(Source from Unsplash)

The best months to visit Bali, I believe, are May, June, and September.​​ The reason is that these offer reliably sunny days (28-31°C / 82-88°F), lower humidity, and comfortable conditions for beaches and activities. Crowds and prices are more reasonable than peak season.

Shoulder Seasons: April & Oct-Nov​
April’s golden light or October’s electric green landscapes.​​ You’ll get warm days perfect for temple-hopping, with hotel prices dropping 20-30%. Heads up – pack a rain shell if coming late November, when those tropical downpours start flexing.

​Peak Season: July-August​
Sun guarantee? July-August delivers.​​ But brace for next-level crowds: Seminyak beach clubs become mosh pits, Ubud monkey forest feels like rush hour, and villas jack up prices. Only go then if you’re cool with elbow-to-elbow sunbathing and booking everything 6 months out.

​Rainy Season: Dec-Mar​
Monsoon months = moody magic.​​ Yes, you’ll dodge daily downpours (think 2-hour biblical bursts around 3pm) and sweat through 90% humidity. BUT... rivers rage, rice terraces glow neon, and Bingin’s barrels get world-class. Surfers swear by Dec-Feb westerly swells – just watch for riptides at Uluwatu!

Best Time to Visit Bali| When to Visit Top Attractions

Best Overall Months: May, June & September​
Sunny days (28-31°C / 82-88°F), lower humidity, minimal rain. Crowds manageable. Good for ​​all regions​​ - beaches, temples, rice fields, diving.

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Uluwatu Temple

May–October

​​Dry season brings clear skies perfect for dramatic sunsets.​​ ​​But be warned:​​ Cliff paths can get treacherously slick during rains (Dec-Mar). ​​For culture seekers:​​ Kecak dance happens nightly at Uluwatu, though monsoon downpours often force cancellations.

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Tanah Lot Temple​

May–September at sunset (low tide)​

​​Dry season rewards visitors with truly breathtaking sunsets.​​ The plunging sun intensifies the silhouettes of cliff-top temples, creating unforgettable photo moments. ​​Time your coastal walks wisely:​​ when tides are out (check local forecasts at sites like Tide-Forecast.com), you can often traverse exposed paths to reach hidden spots like sacred cave springs. ​​But tread carefully during monsoon months (Dec-Feb):​​ powerful surges roll in, fully blocking water access and obscuring those dramatic coastal vistas. If exploring then, pack grippy shoes and keep a safe distance from waves.

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Mount Batur Sunrise Trek

April–October

You can see clear summit views over misty caldera. Monsoon (Dec–Mar) clouds often obscure sunrise. It's cold at dawn (12–15°C)—dry months and less chilly.

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Penida Island

May–September

Flat currents mean glassy blue visibility. Mantas cruise here year-round, gliding past like underwater ballet dancers. But the real unicorn moment?​​ July to October​​ is the good time to surf and dive. Don't forget to bring your wetsuit!

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Where to Stay in Bali?

From now until stock last, you can enjoy up to 8% off hotel deals on Trip.com when you register as a member on desktop or app!

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NO.1
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Jumeirah Bali
Hotel in Bali
Airport pickup service
Sauna
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9.4/1053 reviews
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Hotel in Bali
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Restaurant
NO.3
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The Legian Seminyak, Bali
Hotel in Bali
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🎁Grab cheap flights to Bali and search the best hotels in Bali! Just 1 click to get fast Data in Bali!

Worst Time to Visit Bali

Worst Time to Visit Bali
  • ​​For crowd-haters and budget travelers, you must skip July & August. Bali turns into a giant open-air festival during these months. Seminyak beaches feel like rush hour, Ubud roads jam up before brunch, and sunset spots like Tanah Lot or Uluwatu get impossibly packed. Oh, and your wallet will cry – villas and hotels double their prices. Dinner without a reservation? Forget it.
  • ​If you are sun worshippers and enjoy adventure, you must avoid come in December and January. Imagine daily downpours that last hours, jungle trails turning into muddy slip-'n'-slides, waterfalls looking like chocolate milk, and humidity so thick you’ll never dry your swimsuit. The sun? It’s basically in witness protection. Plan beach days at your own risk.
  • ​For fexibility fanatics, I suggest you avoid Nyepi week, which might be in March or April. Bali’s famous "Day of Silence" isn’t just quiet – it’s a full island shutdown. Everything stops: flights, hotels, streets, even WiFi. You’re stuck indoors for 24 hours with no lights, noise, or outside access. Magical? Absolutely. But if you need freedom to explore, avoid these dates like expired sunscreen.
🎁Grab cheap flights to Bali and search the best hotels in Bali! Just 1 click to get fast Data in Bali!

What to Prepare for a Trip to Bali?

📄 Must-Take

  • ​Passport & Visa:​​ You must be sure your passport got ​​at least 6 months left​​ before expiry after you plan to leave Bali.
  • ​Travel Insurance:​​ ​​I really suggest you get a policy that specifically covers ​​medical emergencies and ​​adventure activities​​ like surfing or diving if you plan to do them.
  • ​Driving:​​ Wanna rent a scooter or car? You ​​legally need​​ an ​​International Driving Permit (IDP)​​ alongside your home license.

​💴Money Stuff Made Simple

  • ​Cash First Day:​​ Grab ​​IDR 2-3 million cash​​ before leaving the airport. You'll need it for taxis, tips, small warung meals, markets, etc.
  • ​Cards:​​ ​​Visa & Mastercard​​ are widely accepted in hotels, bigger restaurants, and some shops.
  • ​Digital Wallets:​​ Download the ​​Grab​​ app (like Uber) before you arrive. Link your card for easy rides and food delivery. ​​Gojek​​ is another great local app for transport/food.
  • ​Small Bills:​​ Break big notes ASAP. Keep plenty of ​​IDR 20k and 50k bills​​ handy for tips (drivers, hotel staff) ans market stalls.

📱 Stay Connected Without Stress

  • ​Plug In:​​ Bali uses ​​Type C & F plugs​​. Bring an adapter if your stuff is different.
  • ​Power Bank:​​ ​Essential for all travel preparation.​ Keep your phone juiced up for maps & ride apps.
  • ​Phone Data:​​ ​You'd better buy a cheap ​​eSIM​​ online before you go, and then grab a local ​​physical SIM at the airport​​ (Telkomsel or XL Axiata are good).
  • ​Must-Have Apps:​​ Grab, Gojek, Google Maps, etc.

🧳Packing Smarts

  • When packing, tote bag is always the best choice, and you can also bring some ziploc bags. Don't forget swimsuits, sandy stuff and sunscreen!​
🎁Grab cheap flights to Bali and search the best hotels in Bali! Just 1 click to get fast Data in Bali!

Must-Have Apps in Bali

​Getting Around

​There are two apps: Grab or Gojek​​ are best go-tos for cheap rides – book a bike or car in seconds right on the app. Gojek’s clutch if you’re lazy: order mie goreng to your villa, book a massage, even send someone to grab groceries. The most important is it's much cheaper than taxis!

💸 ​​Money & Deals​

​​​Wise and Revolut cards save serious cash:​​ top up IDR at the real exchange rate, send money free, and pull cash from ATMs with tiny fees. What a lifesaver!

For last-minute digs: ​​Traveloka​​ or ​​Agoda​​ slash villa/hotel prices (I’ve seen 40% off walk-in rates). Book at 2 AM when prices dip.

📶 ​​Stay Connected

​You'd better buy and download an eSIM before takeoff.​​ If you need a local SIM, ​​Telkomsel​​’s got Bali’s best coverage – grab one at the airport kiosk past baggage claim.

🍜 ​​Food Hacks & Fun​

​​​Gojek delivers warung food anywhere, anytime​​ – even 2 AM martabak runs! Cash-only though. Craving fancy eats? ​​Eatigo​​ hooks 50% off at Seminyak or Canggu spots during 'dead hours' (3-5 PM dinners FTW).

🌴 ​​Surf Intel & Local Secrets​

​If you need to check Surfline or Magicseaweed​​ daily, live cams show if Uluwatu’s firing or totally flat. Tide timings really matter in Bali!

Little Tip: follow ​​Jalan2 Bali​​ on Insta. They post legit local finds – secret waterfall openings, temple ceremonies, pop-up eco markets most tourists miss.

Questions about Visiting Bali

  • Do and don'ts in Bali?

    Don't defile any sacred place in Bali or take nude or indecent photos there. Don't litter in public or in any natural environment. Try not to use single-use plastics. Don't swear or act with disrespect towards any government or local community official or your fellow tourists – this includes activity on social media.
  • Is Bali worth visiting anymore?

    Is Bali Worth Visiting? Bali is a top tourist destination for a reason. Tourists can live luxurious, catered to lives, for a fraction of what it would cost at home. The unique culture and local customs are worth seeing. The island has an endless supply of things to do, Bali is like an adult playground.
  • Which month is best for Bali?

    Many travel experts agree that the best month to visit Bali is during the shoulder season months like May, June, and September, when the weather is still great but the crowds are far more manageable.
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Best Time to Visit Bali