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From relaxing on the soothing sands of its famous white sand beaches to hiking its volcanic landscapes or delving deep into its aquatic environments, Bali is an island paradise that promises a tropical climate of year-round warm temperatures.
While most tourists to the island tend to visit during the peak summer months of its dry season, I have found that visiting during the off-season or shoulder months does have benefits that cater to different experiences.
Let’s take a closer look at these three distinct tourist seasons to determine the best time to visit Bali for your next vacation.
When to Go:
Is Bali Safe in 2023 (Safety Concerns)
Where to Stay:
What to Do:
When is the Best Time to Visit Bali?
The best time to visit Bali is in May, June, or September. During these shoulder months, the island receives near-optimal weather conditions with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures while maintaining far fewer crowds than during the peak summer months.
When to Go to Bali for Good Weather
Boasting a tropical climate, Bali’s annual weather patterns are classified into two seasons, a wet and a dry season. The dry season runs from April to October, with the best weather conditions peaking in August.
Unfortunately, these optimal weather conditions are also accompanied by heavier crowds and inflated hotel rates during the peak months of July and August. Luckily, June and September shoulder months still promise fantastic weather conditions with lighter crowding.
When to Go to Bali for Cheap Prices
If you are looking to visit Bali for as cheap as possible, then visiting during the region’s off-season or the shoulder months is your best bet. Except for the holiday traffic in December, Bali experiences far fewer tourists between November and March than at other times of the year.
While the island also boasts its lowest nightly rates for popular hotels and resorts during this time, they are often accompanied by frequent rainfalls and intense humidity, making an off-season vacation fairly unbearable.
Alternatively, while not as cheap as during the rainy season, traveling during the shoulder months of April to June and September to October can still reward discounted prices for the budget traveler while not compromising the experience with bad weather.
When to Go to Bali for Families
While there are plenty of ways to escape the crowds throughout the dry season to enjoy a family holiday in Bali, the best time to visit with your little ones is from April to June and August.
By traveling during this time, you avoid the heavy traffic and partying crowds of the peak tourism months while still enjoying fantastic weather conditions for a quiet and enjoyable vacation the whole family can enjoy.
When to Go to Bali for Nightlife & Parties
Alternatively, if parties and festivals are what you are looking for, then visiting Bali during its peak tourism months of July and August is exactly what you need.
During this time, visitors from around the world flock to the island’s tourism hub of Kuta and Seminyak, where they enjoy a vibrant nightlife with numerous social clubs, beach bars, and celebratory festivities.
When to Go to Bali for Cultural Festivals
Bali hosts many cultural and religious festivals throughout the year, and there is always something going on to explore the island’s cultural side regardless of when you are visiting. Additionally, Bali’s most important Hindu festival, Galungan, is held every 210 days, meaning visitors typically enjoy the celebration at two different times every year.
While the Gulungan festivity dates vary from year to year, July is generally one of the best months to visit Bali for cultural festivals, as visitors can explore both the Bali Arts Festival and the Bali Kite Festival.
When to Go to Bali for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities amongst international tourists to Bali, with several fantastic dive sites scattered throughout the island’s surrounding waters. While the region’s aquatic habitats can be explored throughout the year, the best swimming conditions and visibility are typically enjoyed between May and November.
However, those looking for an even more memorable diving experience should plan their visit to the island in April and May, when Manta Rays migrate through the region, or from August to October to swim with the famous Giant Sunfish.
When to Go to Bali for Hiking
The best time to visit Bali for those looking to explore the island along some serious hikes is during the region’s dry season, which runs from April to October. While short hikes can be had throughout other times of the year, the weather during the monsoon season can often be unpredictable and can leave visiting trekkers disappointed.
Least Busy Time to Visit Bali
Introverted travelers looking to visit the island during periods of less crowding should plan their Bali holiday during the off-season or shoulder months. The island experiences a lull in international traffic from November to April and typically hosts the fewest tourists in January and February.
However, these months are during the unpredictable weather conditions of the island’s rainy season. Instead, visitors looking to escape the tourist crowds while enjoying the island’s more amicable weather conditions should plan their vacation during the shoulder months of April to May or September to October.
Worst Time to Visit Bali
The worst time to visit Bali is during the island’s rainy season, which occurs from November to March. During this time, the island experiences most of its precipitation, particularly in January, which hosts approximately 27 days of rainfall.
Pro Tip: Beyond its cloudy skies and water droplets ruining your beach holiday and hikes, Bali’s wet season can also be unbearably humid, further adding to the discomfort.
Bali Travel Seasons (Month by Month)
Dry Season (April to October)
The dry season is easily the best time to travel to Bali. From April to October, the island boasts plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures, and comfortable weather conditions for exploring the region’s white sand beaches and volcanic landscapes.
However, the island’s dry season is also its high season, with Bali experiencing the brunt of its tourism traffic throughout these ideal months. The island’s crowding peaks in July and August, during which millions of international visitors flock to Bali every year for their summer holidays.
This increase in international traffic is reflected in the nightly rates of popular hotels and resorts, which inflate their prices to accommodate the increased demand. So, while the dry season is the best time to visit Bali for pristine weather conditions, it is not the best time to travel to the island while maintaining a budget.
Rainy Season (November – April)
Bali’s rainy season runs from November to April, during which time the island experiences far less traffic and lower travel expenses than at other times of the year.
However, this rainy season is also met with much more unpredictable weather conditions, and an off-season holiday in Bali can often be met with heavy rainfalls and high humidity levels that result in an overall disappointing experience.
Still, those willing to venture to the island prepared to face these less-than-ideal weather conditions are rewarded with a virtually crowd-free exploration of the island while enjoying budget-friendly discounts on nightly stays.
While Bali is generally less touristed during the rainy season, the island does experience a brief surge in traffic towards the end of December, when the island’s festivities come alive for the holiday season.
Shoulder Season (April-June and September-October)
While Bali’s meteorological year is divided into a dry and rainy season, the island does boast a third tourism season that combines the pristine weather conditions of the peak season with the low-traffic and discounted prices of the off-season.
These shoulder seasons run from April to June and September to October, during which the monsoon season is either unwinding or picking up, leaving plenty of room for sunshine and beach days between brief rainfalls.
Additionally, while prices aren’t as low as at the height of the rainy season, nightly rates at popular hotels and resorts are still much more affordable than at the peak tourism season in July and August. Overall, these shoulder seasons are the best time to visit Bali for a wide array of activities, including quiet beach days and intrepid hikes.
Bali Weather and Climate by Region
As a relatively small island, Bali’s climate is relatively uniform throughout its various regions. Still, there are some slight differences in weather patterns throughout the year worth mentioning.
Bali’s Southern Coast
Boasting a tropical climate, Bali’s southern coast boasts year-round warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. It is defined by a hot and humid wet season and a warm dry season with minimal precipitation. Annual temperatures range from the high 80s Fahrenheit in August to the low 70s in January.
While the two seasons boast vastly different weather patterns, Bali’s southern coast promises plenty of sunshine throughout the year, ranging from 10.4 hours in January to 12.4 hours in November.
Bali’s Northern Coast
Being located in the southern hemisphere, Bali’s northern coast is located slightly closer to the equator than the island’s southern regions. As such, while it still shares the same tropical climate, weather patterns in the island’s northern destinations are slightly more consistent throughout the year, with a mildly less distinct difference between its wet and dry seasons.
This means that rainfall is slightly less on Bali’s northern coast, particularly during the dry season, with August averaging only a single day of rain every year. Bali’s northern coasts also maintain slightly warmer temperatures, rarely dipping below 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.
Central Bali
The high elevations of central Bali cause the biggest variation from Bali’s otherwise consistent regional weather patterns. Reaching from its coastline up 9,888 feet to its highest point atop Mount Agung, Bali’s central destinations are cooler the higher above sea level they are.
The most popular interior regions of the island include Ubud, Sidemen, and Batukaru, which are all situated between 1,970 and 2,950 feet above sea level. As such, they boast slightly cooler temperatures, between 75- and 85 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.
For this reason, staying within the central regions of Bali can often prove to be much more comfortable than Bali’s coastal hot spots, particularly during the region’s hot and humid rainy season.
Tips for Visiting Bali
Tip #1 – Avoid the Rainy Season
While the discounted prices may be enticing, they are not worth the inconvenient rainfalls and unbearable humidities of Bali’s off-season. Instead, plan your vacation during the shoulder months of April, June, September, and October for a discounted vacation while enjoying comfortable weather conditions.
Tip #2 – Be Prepared to Haggle
Bargaining is very prevalent in Bali, and you can often haggle your way to souvenirs and services much cheaper than their initial pricing. It is important to remember to remain respectful when negotiating and to keep things friendly throughout the process.
Tip #3 – our Hiking Shoes
Bali is world-famous for its idyllic beaches and coastal getaways. Still, its volcanic interior landscapes are equally as beautiful, and you won’t want to be caught visiting the island with just a pair of sandals. The island is home to several fantastic hikes that require more rugged attire, so be sure to pack accordingly.
Tip #4 – Tour a Religious Temple
Another must-do activity when visiting Bali is touring one of the 10,000 religious temples scattered throughout the island. Some of Bali’s most popular religious attractions include the Tanah Lot, the Ulun Danu Beratan, and the Uluwatu Temples.
Tip #5 – Brush Up on the Local Language
While English is widespread throughout Bali, learning some basic terms in the local Balinese or Indonesian languages is always a good idea before visiting the island. Saying a simple please (tolong) and thank you (matur suksma) will go a long way in making a good impression with the locals.
Tip #6 – Familiarize Yourself with the Local Customs
Bali is a deeply religious and cultural island, and it is critical to familiarize yourself with the local customs in order to remain respectful throughout your stay on the island. For example, dress appropriately when visiting a temple or religious event, and never shake hands, eat, or hand anything to somebody with your left hand.
Tip #7 – Explore Beyond the Tourist Hot Spots
While Kuta and Seminyak have long been tourist hot spots on the island, one of the best ways to immerse in the local culture is by getting off this beaten path and exploring Bali’s lesser-known corners. Instead, try avoiding these tourist traps in the less-visited communities of Lovina, Sidemen, and Batukaru.
Tip #8 – Don’t Walk Alone at Night
While Bali is generally safe for travelers, it isn’t without its crime. Kuta and Seminyak, in particular, are known for petty crime during its peak tourism season, and I knew more than a couple of people who were robbed while I was there. Practicing caution and staying with a group when walking at night is always a good idea.
