Last updated August 29, 2026 · Editorial policy
Best time to visit Bali: at a glance
Short answer: April to October — the dry season.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | Jul–Aug, Dec | Dry, sunny, holidays; busiest |
| Shoulder (best value) | Apr–Jun, Sep | Dry, fewer crowds, lower rates |
| Low | Nov–Mar | Wet monsoon; lush, cheapest |
Best Time to Visit Bali: Month-by-Month Guide
Quick take: Bali has a clear sweet spot — But the ‘wrong’ months aren’t always wrong. It depends on what you’re after.
Knowing the best time to visit Bali can transform your trip — saving you hundreds on flights and hotels while putting you in better weather with fewer crowds. This guide breaks down each season, key events, and what to expect month by month so you can pick the right travel dates.
| Season | Months | What to Expect |
|---|
Festivals & Events in Bali
Nyepi is the one window to plan around: on March 19 in 2026 Ngurah Rai airport closes for 24 hours from 6am and you stay inside your accommodation. Book flights and rooms months ahead, and arrive by March 18 for the Ogoh-Ogoh parades.
- Nyepi (Day of Silence) & Ogoh-Ogoh (Mar)
- Galungan & Kuningan (varies (every 210 days))
- Bali Arts Festival (Jun-Jul)
- Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (late Oct)
- Bali Kite Festival (Jul)
When to Visit by Travel Goal
- Fewest crowds: February and early March are the emptiest, though wet. For thin crowds with dry skies, late April into early June is the sweet spot, along with the second half of September, after the northern summer holidays finish.
- Festivals & culture: The marquee dates are Nyepi and the Ogoh-Ogoh parades the evening before, typically in March, plus the month-long Bali Arts Festival in Denpasar across June and July. The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in late October is the third big draw.
- Budget travelers: The cheapest stretch is the wet season, roughly November to March, with January the wettest and quietest. For dry weather on a budget, target late April to early June or the first half of October, before the year-end surge.
What to Avoid
- Major holidays: Christmas and New Year is the biggest squeeze, followed by Indonesian Independence Day on August 17 and the Idul Fitri (Lebaran) week, which moves earlier each year and falls around March in 2026. Nyepi in March closes the island outright.
- Closures: Little closes seasonally in Bali, but Nyepi shuts the whole island for 24 hours, airport included, typically in March. In the wet months of January and February, expect Nusa Penida and Gili fast-boat crossings to be cancelled on rough days.
Booking Tips
- Bali’s peak is July-August plus the Christmas-New Year stretch, and long-haul seats to Denpasar sell out early. Aim to book roughly five to six months ahead for those windows, and around two to three months for the April-June and September shoulder, when fares typically soften.
- The real shoulder weeks are late April to early June and all of September, with the first half of October close behind. They trade a slightly higher chance of an afternoon shower for dry-season sun at well below July-August rates and far shorter temple queues.
- The school calendars that actually move Bali are Australian, Malaysian and Singaporean. Australia’s late June to mid-July and mid-December to late January breaks drive the biggest spikes, with Malaysian and Singaporean mid-year holidays and Indian May-June school breaks adding to the crush.
- Insurance here should cover monsoon disruption and volcanic activity. Wet-season storms between November and March delay boats and flights, and ash from Mount Agung or East Java’s volcanoes has closed Ngurah Rai airport in past years. Scooter accidents are the other common claim, so check two-wheeler exclusions.
When To Actually Go: The Shoulder-Season Sweet Spot and the One Date To Dodge
The grid above says April to October is dry, and that holds, but the genuine sweet spot is narrower. Skip the July-August and December peak, when school holidays push prices and beaches to their busiest, and aim instead for May, June, or September. These three deliver the dry season at its best without the crush: daytime highs around 30-31C, humidity easing to roughly 75-80 percent against the stickier wet-season levels, and about eight to ten hours of sun a day. June and September in particular pair clear skies with calmer water and far thinner crowds than midsummer.
What each window actually gives you:
- May, June, September: reliable sun, comfortable warmth, shorter queues at Ubud and the south-coast temples.
- July-August: identical weather but peak rates and packed beach clubs.
- January: the month to avoid, and the wettest, with around 340mm of rain across 20-plus wet days and humidity near 82-85 percent.
One firm date to plan around: Nyepi, the Day of Silence, falls on March 19 in 2026. Ngurah Rai airport shuts completely for 24 hours from 6am that day, and you stay confined to your accommodation. The payoff is the Ogoh-Ogoh parades the evening before, on March 18, worth timing a trip to catch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there major festivals in Bali?
Yes — Bali hosts notable events including: Nyepi (Day of Silence) & Ogoh-Ogoh (Mar), Galungan & Kuningan (varies (every 210 days)), Bali Arts Festival (Jun-Jul), Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (late Oct), Bali Kite Festival (Jul). Major festivals can spike hotel prices 50-200% — book 3-6 months ahead if attending.
What should I pack for Bali?
Pack for the season you’re visiting and the climate zone. Summer in Bali: lightweight breathable clothes, sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes. Winter: layers, waterproof jacket, warm accessories. Check the 10-day forecast 1-2 weeks before departure and adjust.
Related Bali Travel Guides
- Best Things to Do in Bali
- Where to Stay in Bali
- Best Food in Bali
- How Much Does a Trip to Bali Cost?
- Bali Itinerary Guide
Want the full month-by-month breakdown? See our Bali weather by month (temperatures, rainfall & crowds).
Sorting your trip? See our Bali visa requirements guide — Visa on Arrival, e-VOA and the B211 explained.
Honeymooning? See our Bali honeymoon guide — where to stay and the most romantic things to do.
Timing your trip? See our data study: Best Time to Travel the World 2026 — the best (and worst) months to travel, from 26 top destinations.
Bali weather & climate by month
Best months to visit: July, May, June. Bali’s warmest month is December (avg 30°C / 85°F), the coolest is August (low 23°C / 73°F). The wettest is January (292 mm) and the driest is July.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°C / 84°F | 24°C / 75°F | 292 mm | 28 |
| February | 29°C / 84°F | 24°C / 75°F | 253 mm | 26 |
| March | 29°C / 85°F | 24°C / 75°F | 237 mm | 27 |
| April | 29°C / 84°F | 24°C / 75°F | 152 mm | 22 |
| May | 29°C / 84°F | 24°C / 76°F | 112 mm | 19 |
| June | 28°C / 83°F | 24°C / 74°F | 99 mm | 19 |
| July | 27°C / 81°F | 23°C / 74°F | 82 mm | 18 |
| August | 27°C / 81°F | 23°C / 73°F | 65 mm | 21 |
| September | 28°C / 82°F | 23°C / 73°F | 73 mm | 20 |
| October | 29°C / 84°F | 23°C / 74°F | 103 mm | 19 |
| November | 30°C / 85°F | 24°C / 75°F | 166 mm | 24 |
| December | 30°C / 85°F | 24°C / 75°F | 230 mm | 26 |
Climate source: Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis (2019–2023). Compare destinations in the Best Time to Visit Index.
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Written by
Founder of Packzup. Independent travel writer covering offbeat destinations across six continents since 2018. Every guide is independently researched and self-funded — no press trips, never sponsored.
