So you’re trying to figure out the best time to visit Bali? Fair warning, there isn’t one perfect answer, because Bali doesn’t really run on four seasons like a lot of places do. It has two: dry and wet. But within those two seasons, every month still has its own personality. Some months bring big festivals. Some are dead quiet and cheap. Others are packed with families on school holidays.
This breakdown walks through Bali’s weather by month, plus what each month is actually good for, so you’re not just staring at a rainfall chart wondering what it means for your trip. We’ve also linked our full write-up for every month below, in case you want the deeper dive on food, places to visit, and local events.
If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Bali is, in one sentence: April through October is your safest bet for sun. That’s true whether you’re checking flights, planning a honeymoon, or just want the best time to visit Bali Indonesia has to offer without overthinking it. But plenty of people love the quieter, greener months just as much, and for good reason.
Best Time to Visit Bali: Quick Answer
The dry season runs roughly from April to October. This is the stretch most guidebooks call the best time of year to visit Bali: less rain, easier travel, and more sunshine for beach days and hikes. It’s also when the island gets busiest and pricier, especially July and August.
Wet season runs November to March. It doesn’t rain all day, every day; showers tend to come in short, heavy bursts, often in the afternoon, then clear up. Hotels are cheaper, crowds are smaller, and the rice terraces look incredible this time of year.
Bali Weather Month by Month, at a Glance
| Month | Season | Avg Temp | Rainfall | Crowds | Good For |
| January | Wet | 23–31°C | Heaviest of the year | Low | Cheap trips, quiet Ubud |
| February | Wet | 23–31°C | High | Low | Romance, Nyepi prep begins |
| March | Wet, tapering off | 24–32°C | Medium-high | Low-medium | Nyepi, Ogoh-Ogoh parades |
| April | Turning dry | 24–32°C | Medium | Medium | Shoulder season, decent value |
| May | Dry | 23–31°C | Low-medium | Medium | Good weather, smaller crowds |
| June | Dry | 22–30°C | Low | Medium-high | Surfing, cooler evenings |
| July | Dry, peak season | 22–29°C | Low | High | Families, Bali Arts Festival |
| August | Dry, driest month | 22–29°C | Lowest all year | High | Reliable sun, Independence Day |
| September | Dry | 23–30°C | Low | Medium | Sun without the July crowd |
| October | Turning wet | 24–31°C | Low-medium | Medium | Warm, still fairly dry |
| November | Wet begins | 24–31°C | Medium-high | Low-medium | Green scenery, fewer tourists |
| December | Wet | 23–31°C | High | High | Christmas and New Year buzz |
Keep in mind these are long-term averages, not a promise. Bali’s weather shifts a bit year to year, so check a short-range forecast once your trip gets close.
Two Seasons, Not Four
Here’s the thing about Bali’s climate: it doesn’t swing wildly. You’re not choosing between snow and heatwaves. You’re choosing between “sunny most days” and “sunny most days, but with rain showers mixed in“.
- Dry season (April–October) is when roads are easiest to get around on, waterfalls and beaches are simplest to reach, and outdoor plans rarely get rained out. The tradeoff is that everyone else knows this too, so July and August fill up fast with families travelling during school holidays.
- Wet season (November–March) gets an unfair reputation. Yes, it rains, but usually in short bursts rather than all day long. In exchange, you get lower prices, thinner crowds, and landscapes that look almost too green to be real. A lot of long-time Bali visitors actually prefer this half of the year.
Month by Month: What to Expect?
January
The wettest month on the island, though “wet” here means warm rain between sunny stretches, not constant grey skies. Tourism slows down, so this is one of the best months for a budget trip. Locals kick off the year with beach parties in Kuta and Seminyak, and villages like Suwat hold their own water festival with old traditions built in.
Full January in Bali guide
February
Warm, a little wet, and noticeably quieter than peak months. Resorts lean into Valentine’s Day with candlelit dinners on the sand, so it’s a popular pick for couples. Behind the scenes, villages are already starting to build the giant Ogoh-Ogoh statues for March’s Nyepi celebrations.
Full February in Bali guide
March
This one’s different from every other month, because of Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence. For 24 hours, the entire island goes quiet. No flights, no traffic, no lights after dark. The days before are the opposite of quiet, with Ogoh-Ogoh parades and beachside Melasti purification rituals. If you want to see Bali’s culture up close, March is hard to beat.
Full March in Bali guide
April
The rain starts easing off, the sun starts showing up more often, and prices haven’t caught up to peak season yet. It’s a solid pick if you want dry-season weather without dry-season crowds.
Full April in Bali guide
May
By now the dry season has settled in properly. Humidity drops a little, skies stay mostly clear, and you can plan a beach day or a temple visit without much worry about getting rained out. Still ahead of the summer rush, too.
Full May in Bali guide
June
Cooler air rolls in with the southeast monsoon winds, which sounds odd for a tropical island, but it just means slightly milder evenings. Surfers start showing up in bigger numbers as waves pick up along the west coast.
Full June in Bali guide
July
Peak season, no way around it. School holidays across the world send families flooding in, and the Bali Arts Festival adds another reason to visit. The weather is about as reliable as it gets, sunny and dry, but book your stay early, or you’ll be picking from whatever’s left.
Full July in Bali guide
August
Officially the driest month on record. Combine that with Indonesian Independence Day on the 17th, and you get the busiest, most expensive stretch of the year. If sunshine is your only priority, though, this is as good as it gets.
Full August in Bali guide
September
Same dry-season weather as July and August, minus most of the crowd. Prices ease up a little too. Honestly, a lot of regular visitors quietly consider this one of the best months on the calendar.
Full September in Bali guide
October
Sits right between the two seasons. Rain is still fairly light, days are warm, and the island isn’t overcrowded. Not flashy, but a genuinely good all-rounder.
Full October in Bali guide
November
Wet season creeps back in. Rain gets more frequent, everything turns a deeper shade of green, and the mid-year crowds have mostly gone home. Good month if lower prices matter more to you than guaranteed sunshine.
Full November in Bali guide
December
Rain is back in full force, but so is the island’s festive energy. Christmas and New Year bring beach clubs, resorts, and restaurants out in full swing, and plenty of travellers show up despite the forecast. It’s proof that “wet season” doesn’t mean “empty island“.
Full December in Bali guide
Picking Your Month Based on What You Actually Want
There isn’t one single answer here; the best times to visit Bali really depend on what you’re after. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Tight Budget: January, February, November
- Guaranteed Sun: June through September
- Surfing: June to September
- Culture and Festivals: March for Nyepi, July for the Arts Festival
- Avoiding Crowds: January, February, September, November
- Travelling With Family: July or August, since that’s when school holidays line up
- A Yoga Retreat or Teacher Training: Honestly, any month works. Studios and covered retreat spaces run year-round regardless of rain. A lot of people actually pick the quieter wet-season months so they can combine a retreat with cheaper flights and accommodation. If that sounds like your kind of trip, have a look at our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bali or Yoga Retreat in Bali programmes.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
At the end of the day, there’s no single best time to visit Bali, and no one-size-fits-all answer for when to visit Bali, just the best time for you. If you want guaranteed sun and don’t mind the crowds, aim for the dry season. If you’d rather skip the queues, save some money, and watch the rice terraces turn a deeper green, the wet season won’t let you down either way. That’s really the beauty of this island: even its “off months” have something worth showing up for.
Whichever month you pick, take a little time to look past the weather chart too. Bali’s festivals, food, and daily rhythms change all year round, and half the fun is timing your trip around something you actually care about, whether that’s Nyepi’s silence, surf season, or just finding the cheapest flights you can.
And if your trip to Bali is about more than sightseeing, we’d love to have you with us. Come deepen your practice on the mat, slow down, and see why so many travellers say their time here changed more than just their tan line. Explore our Yoga Teacher Training programs or Yoga Retreats in Bali, and let’s plan a Bali trip that actually fits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Bali?
Most people point to April through October since that’s the dry season, with low rain, sunny days, and easy travel. If you’d rather save money and skip the crowds, November through March works well too; just pack a light raincoat.
When is the best time to visit Bali for the driest weather?
June to September, with August usually the driest month of all.
Is Bali worth visiting during the rainy season?
Yes, and more people should give it a chance. Rain tends to fall in short bursts rather than all day, and you get greener scenery, thinner crowds, and lower prices in return.
What’s the cheapest month to visit Bali?
January, February, and November are usually your best bet for lower hotel and flight prices.
Do I need a visa to visit Bali?
Most international travellers need a visa on arrival or e-VOA, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended once. Make sure your passport has at least six months left on it.
Is Bali safe year-round?
Generally, yes. Basic common sense applies in every month: watch your belongings, respect local customs, and keep an eye on safety notices near beaches or volcanic areas.
