Bali is warm all year — around 28–32°C on the coast, cooler in Ubud and the mountains — so the real differences are rain, crowds and prices. This guide explains each season, with patterns from Lonely Planet.
Bali by month
| Month | Season | Crowds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Wet | Low (busy at New Year) | Cheapest weeks after New Year |
| February | Wet | Low | Chinese New Year festivities |
| March | Wet, drying | Low | Nyepi usually falls this month |
| April | Dry starts | Medium (Easter) | Green landscapes, good value |
| May | Dry | Medium | One of the best months |
| June | Dry | Medium–high | Great weather, rising prices |
| July | Dry | Very high | Peak season; best west-coast surf |
| August | Dry | Very high | Independence Day (17 August) |
| September | Dry | Medium | Excellent — dry with fewer crowds |
| October | Transition | Medium | Ubud Writers & Readers Festival |
| November | Wet starts | Low | Low prices |
| December | Wet | Very high at Christmas | Book early for the holidays |
Dry season (April–September)
Sunny, less humid days, calm seas on the east coast and clear mornings for the Mount Batur sunrise trek. It’s also the best time for diving and Nusa Penida’s manta rays. July and August are the busiest months, with high villa prices — book 2–3 months ahead.
Wet season (November–March)
Rain usually comes in heavy afternoon or evening bursts rather than all day, and the island is lush and green. Prices drop and there are fewer tourists, except over Christmas and New Year. Some hikes and boat trips may be cancelled after heavy rain, and the sea can be rough.
Festivals and holidays
- Nyepi (Balinese New Year) — usually in March; the night before, huge ogoh-ogoh statues parade through villages. On Nyepi itself, everything closes, no one may go outside, and the airport shuts for 24 hours. Hotels stay open for guests.
- Galungan and Kuningan — every 210 days; villages decorate streets with bamboo penjor.
- 17 August — Indonesian Independence Day.
Best time for…
| If you want… | Go in |
|---|---|
| Best weather | May–September |
| Best value and fewer crowds | April–June, September |
| Lowest prices | November, January–March (outside holidays) |
| Surf on the west coast (Canggu, Uluwatu) | April–October |
| Diving and manta rays | April–October |
Tips for any season
- Book villas early for July–August and Christmas — see where to stay in Bali or compare Bali hotels for your dates.
- Check the Nyepi date before booking flights in March.
- Pack a light rain jacket in the wet season and layers for Ubud and the mountains.
- Get your entry documents ready — e-VOA and tourist levy.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen.
More Bali guides
- Bali itinerary
- Best things to do in Bali
- Where to stay in Bali
- Bali tourist levy
- Bali visa on arrival (e-VOA)
- Bali airport transfers
- Mount Batur sunrise trek
- Bali travel guide
FAQ: Best time to visit Bali
What is the best month to visit Bali?
May, June and September: dry weather with fewer crowds than July–August.
When is the rainy season in Bali?
Roughly November to March, with short, heavy downpours.
What is the cheapest time to go to Bali?
November and January–March, outside Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
What is Nyepi?
Bali’s Day of Silence (Balinese New Year), usually in March, when the whole island and the airport shut down for 24 hours.
Is Bali good in December?
It’s wet and the holidays are very busy and expensive; early December is quieter.
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