Do you know when the best time to travel to Bali is? The main factor, although not the only one, that you must take into account is the weather. The weather in Bali is characterized by the typical tropical monsoon climate, hot and humid throughout the year and with two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season.
Below I will tell you the particularities of the climate in Bali and help you determine which the best time to visit is. Read on!
Best Time To Visit Bali
Climate in Bali
On the island of Bali, the climate is tropical monsoon. The peculiarities of this climate make Bali warm throughout the year. This is also due to its proximity to the equator. It seems to live in an eternal summer, since the average is around 30 degrees throughout the year. The hottest hours of the day correspond to noon hours, and the lowest is at night.
In Bali, there are two seasons, the dry and the rainy season. The latter corresponds to the monsoon, so common in Southeast Asia.
Rainy season: October- April
If you are asking yourself when is the rainy season in Bali, it begins at the end of October and usually ends in the month of April. The good thing about it is that the rains are not usually torrential. Also, these do not last for hours and hours. They are usually sudden, and you will see how they form quickly. Maybe after a couple of hours of rain or three, the sun comes out again.
Another characteristic, in addition to the rains, are the high temperatures during this time of year. So, if you have decided to go during this time of year, do not forget to pack clothes that are light, and also breathable. If it is possible that it dries quickly, despite the humidity, that will not be a problem.
Forget about umbrellas. When it rains like this, it is better to have a raincoat or find a place to go to wait for it to clear. And due to the state of the sewers, the streets are often flooded. It is best to wear flip flops, and if it is possible that they are the kind that are tied.
The good thing about this time of year is that there is hardly any tourism, and accommodation prices tend to drop a lot.
Another thing that you should always keep in mind, but especially at this time of year, is the presence of mosquitoes. During the monsoon season, due to the rains and the heat, the population of this annoying insect increases. So do not forget to bring an extra-strong repellent. As an extra tip, during the early hours of the morning and at dusk, try to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, as these are the hours of greatest mosquito sucking activity.
Dry season: April – September
Of course, the best time to travel to Bali is the dry season. This runs from April to September. Temperatures are quite stable. So at this time, it is hot, and as there is little rain, the humidity also drops.
During this season, the beaches and waters are generally clean, it is a good time to go diving, as there is more visibility, and Bali shows its beautiful side. Keep in mind that during the months of June, and above all, July and August (largely due to the summer holidays in Europe), the island is full of tourists. Many come as part of a trip to Indonesia, but many also come who combine their trip to other Southeast Asian countries with Bali.
It is undoubtedly the best time to visit Bali, but as you can imagine, the prices of everything go up. Be proactive and reserve your accommodation as far in advance as you can.
The best time to visit Bali
Without a doubt, the best time to visit Bali is the dry season. There will be sun, little rain and the beaches will be great. Of all the months, August is undoubtedly the most recommended as the one with the least rainfall on average. July follows closely, although with a little more rain.
However, July and August are also the months in which you will find more tourists in Bali. It is the usual vacation time in Australia, Europe, the United States and Canada, which are the main tourists on the island.
Many people prefer to go in June or September, where the weather is also good and enjoy the island in a more solitary way.
There are also those who prefer the wet season in months like November, January or February. During the monsoon, it rains every day, but unlike other places in Asia, it doesn’t usually rain all day. Normally there are big clouds that discharge for an hour or two, and then you can have another three or four hours of sun.
For people who have tighter budgets and want a more authentic experience, the monsoon becomes the best time to visit Bali.
Personally, I have to say that I highly recommend going in the high season because there are a number of activities that are much more complicated to do during winter. For example, in the rainy season, the water on the beach is quite dirty, and diving is not recommended. It should also be noted that Bali does not have good sewage service, so large areas are flooded.
However, if what interests you is more the Balinese cultural aspect, the rainy season can be a good opportunity to get to know it. Especially in March, when the Balinese New Year is celebrated, one of the most incredible holidays that you can know in the whole world.
With a good raincoat, rain boots and willing to relax contemplating the exuberant nature of the island, any time of year is good to enjoy one of the last remaining paradises.
Best time to go to Bali: Month by month
1. January: Christmas and typhoon season
The first days of January are quite a in demand, as many people decide to celebrate the New Year on the Indonesian island. However, January is the rainiest month of the year, so after the holidays there are hardly any visitors. It is also one of the hottest months. The average temperature oscillates between 33 and 24 degrees, and the rain reaches 345 mm.
2. February: For a very special Valentine
There are couples who want to enjoy Valentine’s trip to Bali, and if what they are looking for is a romantic getaway, you can enjoy it in February. It is still raining a lot, somewhat less than in January, and the temperatures are high. It is also the time of year when fewer people decide to travel to the island.
The average temperature ranges again between 33 and 24 degrees. Of course, the raindrops to 274 mm, the third-highest figure of the year.
3. March: Balinese New Year
In March, we again have average temperatures in Bali between 33 and 24 degrees. However, the celebration of the Balinese New Year, also known as Nyepi or Day of Silence, makes many tourists come to contemplate the festival, characterized by recollection, completely paralyzing the activity.
4. April: Easter in Bali brings the dry season
Easter usually falls in April, so there are quite a few tourists who dare to travel on this date. With 88 mm on average, we are at the beginning of the dry season, although there are years in which the rains can extend to the beginning of the month.
The humidity also drops from about 90% to 65%, so the feeling of overwhelming heat will be mitigated. Outside of Easter, the number of tourists is quite low, so it is one of the best options if you want to know the island without large crowds. The average temperature in Bali ranges between 34 and 25 degrees.
5. May: The weather starts to be fantastic
May is also a good month to get to know Bali. With an average temperature of between 33 and 24 degrees and humidity similar to April, you are facing an ideal month to go to the beach, go scuba diving or go trekking in the mountains.
Compared to April, when the beaches still do not have to be completely clean from the remains of the monsoon, in May, we already made sure that they will be much more presentable, especially at the end. Regarding the amount of rain, they are at 93 mm, so it can still rain from time to time.
6. June: The arrival of summer
In June, the rains are already halved than in May, so with the arrival of summer, you are facing one of the best times to go to Bali.
Temperatures range between 31 and 22 degrees, dropping a bit from the previous month. The rain remains at 51 mm, so we will have mainly sunny weather during our stay.
7. July: High season begins
July is the peak season in Bali and one of the best months in which you can go to see this beautiful island in the Pacific.
With a maximum of 30 degrees, it is the least hot month next to August, although the minimums are still slightly higher than the following month. Rainfall remains similar to June or September, with 55 mm on average.
8. August: Lots of tourists and unbeatable weather
I told you before, the best time to visit Bali is the month of August. As it is the best month, it is also the one with the most visitors. However, I think it’s worth it. The beaches are beautiful, the sun stays high, the humidity reaches its minimum levels, and you can do any excursion that you want without worrying about the weather.
Can it rain? Yes. But the 25 mm of rain on average is very low from the rest of the months on the island. The temperature also reaches its lowest levels, between 30 and 22 degrees, which is a pleasant time both day and night.
9. September: The best month to avoid the crowds and have good weather
Many people recommend travelling to Bali in September to avoid the big crowds in July and August. However, the truth is that there is already little difference with July, and there are also quite a few people touring the island. As I said in August, nothing happens. It is an ideal date to enjoy the beaches and cities, and you will not feel overwhelmed at all. Temperatures range between 31 and 23 degrees, and it is the second month of the year that rains the least, with an average of 47 mm.
10. October: A month of transition
October is a transitional month between the dry season and the monsoon. Travelling at the beginning of the month can be a good idea, as the trade winds from Australia arrive and prevent major rains. However, as the month goes by, the storms begin to arrive, and by the end of it, you can feel completely inside the monsoon.
On average, it rains 63 mm, mainly in the first weeks, and the temperature ranges between 33 and 24 degrees. The first weeks of October, as long as the wet season does not get ahead, are a great option to enjoy Bali.
11. November: The best month to have Bali just for you
If you want to avoid crowds, November is next to February, the best month to get to know Bali. With temperatures between 32 and 23 degrees and 179 mm of rain on average, there is much less precipitation than during December and the three winter months, and there are also much fewer visitors.
In November, you may even have a few full days of sunshine, although the usual thing is that there is a mixture of strong storms and totally sunny hours.
12. December: Christmas in Bali, rain, tourists and very different holidays
Christmas is quite busy in Bali, despite being in the middle of the wet season. If you are looking for an atmosphere, it is a good time to enjoy the island. Of course, you will have to endure 85% humidity and the second rainiest month of the year with 276 mm on average. As for temperatures, they are between 33 and 23 degrees.
Anyway, a Christmas in Bali is an unforgettable experience, which cloudy days and rain will not be able to overshadow.