The Best Time to Visit Bali, and the Worst

Bali experiences amazing weather throughout the year and each season bring out something special for travelers. If you are a rafting enthusiast then February through March are the best time to visit, but if you want to enjoy all the major beach festivals and explore the various beaches around Bali then July to September are the best times to visit the tourist destination. January through March are also great if you are looking for a budget-friendly vacation.

Before you book your tickets to Bali, it is best to know when is the best time to visit Bali and when is the worst:

Best time to visit Bali (April to October): Bali becomes a peak tourism capital from the start of the summer season until just before the rainy or wet season starts. This makes it the best time to visit Bali. Most of the beaches and hiking trails are accessible during this season.

1. April to June: Right at the end of the rainy season, April to June is the time when Bali opens up to tourists as the weather is cold and less humid. These are also the months when the tourist crowd does not catch up to the travel fever in Bali, and you can enjoy quieter beaches and markets. April to June are good months for hiking; although, although there can still be some rainy spells. You can still enjoy many other activities like visiting museums and Bali’s many amazing temples. May and June are also great months to surf in Bali. If you want to enjoy Bali but want to avoid the enormous crowd, April to June is definitely the period when it is the best time to visit Bali.

Pros: Less crowd, Tariff rates at hotels are slightly cheaper than between July to September

Cons: Uncertain spells of rain, some hiking trails may be closed.

2. July to September: The period between July to September is undeniably the best time to visit Bali. The entire island just lights up during this period and has something to offer to every kind of tourist. In terms of weather, Bali experiences a dry summer season between July to September, which means that it is an amazing time to try all kinds of water sports and go for life-changing treks without worrying about being stuck due to the rain. Also, most of the festivals in Bali happen around this time. The Bali Arts Festival is held at the end of June or July. The Bali Blues festival happens in July. Odalan, a Balinese village festival, is held in August, Bali Kites Festival happens in July, and Soundraline, the annual Balinese rock music festival, is held around September. July and August are the best times to visit the beach and do all sorts of outdoor activities, so this period attracts most tourists to Bali.

Pros: Lost of festivals, the best time for outdoor activities on beaches, the best time to trek the famous volcanic mountains of Bali.

Cons: Expensive tariffs at hotels, huge crowds.

3. October: If you make it to Bali in October, you can still enjoy the last dregs of the dry summer season. October is when the rainy season starts; however, it is not in full power yet so this month can still be counted as the best time to visit Bali. In many ways, October may be like the early days of April, so you are advised to visit around the early weeks. While some hiking and beach activities may stop (you can still visit the beaches). It is a great time to visit museums and temples. Ubud is the best place to stay in October. You can attend the Jazz festival or the writers and readers festival in Ubud. The Nusa Dua Fiesta also continues until October.

Pros: Cheaper room rates in hotels compared to April-September, less crowd compared to April to September.

Cons: Start of the rainy season, some hiking trails may close, and major festivals are over.

The worst (not-so-best) time to visit Bali (November to March): Let’s be clear about one thing– there’s never the worst time to visit Bali, just slightly inconvenient. November to March is what they call the wet season in Bali because this is the time it rains the most on the island. By some, it is considered not the best time to visit Bali, but, interestingly, despite the rains, December still attracts a crowd because of Christmas and New Year celebrations. Also, while hiking may be closed, there’s still some respite for water sports like rafting and surfing.

November to December: November is the time when the crowd fizzles and December is when the crowd gathers once again. The rainy season officially starts in November, which put a dampener on your plans to trek or enjoy the beach or many underwater activities. November is best to visit temples or engage in other relaxing activities like yoga, taking a nature walk, etc. While it is the best time to visit Bali, given that it is an off-season, if you are the relaxing type, you can also book a luxurious resort in Bali and enjoy many hotel-curated activities.

Pros: Less crowd

Cons: Uncertain rain spells; trekking is almost closed.

January to March: January through March are the rainiest months in Bali. And, yes, it also gets humid. Trekking is an absolute no, but you can still go out for nature walks in the rice paddy fields and visit some of the best temples in Bali in January. It is a good time for river rafting as the flow of water in the rivers is at its maximum. Rafting is especially popular in March. In fact, March is the best time to visit Bali if you like river rafting. February and March are also great festival months with the Chinese New Year ushering in many street parades. If you want to spend most of the time outside, it would be best to avoid Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, where everyone must remain indoors. Nyepi usually happens in March, but checking the tickets before booking your flight tickets is better.

Pros: Less crowded, affordable rooms make for a budget-friendly vacation.

Cons: Rainiest time in Bali; trekking is closed at most places.