Indonesia
Best Time to Visit Bali
Bali offers warm weather year-round, but timing matters significantly for rainfall, crowds, and costs. The dry season (April–October) delivers the most reliable weather and attracts peak tourism, whilst the wet season (November–March) brings discounts and fewer tourists at the cost of heavy afternoon downpours and occasional flooding.
✦ Visit May–June or September for the optimal balance of clear weather, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices; avoid July–August unless school holidays align with your dates.
✅ Best months
May–June and September. May offers the tail end of dry weather with manageable crowds before the July–August surge; June maintains sunny days whilst prices remain below peak. September provides excellent conditions with fewer tourists as the summer exodus ends.
🔥 Peak season
July–August: Australian and European school holidays drive international tourism. Hotel rates double or triple; popular restaurants and attractions become congested. Ubud and Seminyak reach saturation. December also spikes due to Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations, with prices inflated across accommodation and dining.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
April–May and September–October. April sees the transition from wet to dry with clearing skies and substantially lower rates. October maintains dry conditions whilst crowds thin post-summer. Both periods offer 20–40% discounts on accommodation compared to peak months.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
November–March. Rooms drop 30–50% in price; restaurants and temples are noticeably quieter. The trade-off is significant: November–February experiences heavy monsoonal rainfall (typically 3–4 p.m. downpours), occasional flooding in low-lying areas, and rougher ocean conditions that close some beaches. March is drier but still wet.
Bali season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: 21–32°C; transition from wet to dry; March remains wet with afternoon rains, April–May increasingly clear
Crowds: low to medium
March offers budget rates but wet conditions; April–May ideal for cost-conscious travellers seeking reliable weather
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: 20–29°C; consistently dry and sunny; lowest rainfall months
Crowds: high
Peak season for a reason—perfect weather—but expect crowded temples, booked restaurants, and premium pricing
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: 22–31°C; September dry, October mostly dry, November increasingly wet with scattered showers
Crowds: low to medium
September offers dry-season weather with post-summer calm; November discounts appear but rain returns
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: 23–32°C; wet season peaks December–January with daily afternoon storms; February slightly drier
Crowds: high in Dec–Jan, low in Feb
December–January combines rain with Christmas/New Year crowds and inflated prices; February is quietest with residual wet weather
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
Nyepi (Balinese New Year, typically March): island-wide shutdown where locals observe silent reflection; tourists cannot travel, restaurants close—timing a trip around it requires flexibility but offers authentic cultural insight. Sanur Beach Festival (October): local food, music, and water sports celebration with moderate crowds.
🧳 What to pack
Always carry a compact umbrella or waterproof bag: even during the dry season, late-afternoon tropical showers occur, and the wet season demands protection for daily downpours lasting 1–2 hours.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Bali hotel.
Researched & reviewed by the TripSage editorial team · Updated July 2026.