Best Time to Visit Bali in 2026 (Month-by-Month Breakdown)
Weather, crowds, prices, and festivals for every month. When to go and when to avoid based on your priorities.
The Short Answer
April–June and September–October are the best times to visit Bali. You get dry weather, fewer crowds than peak season, and lower prices. But Bali is a year-round destination — even the "wet season" has plenty of sunshine.
Bali's Two Seasons
Dry Season (April–October): Hot, sunny, low humidity. Best for beaches, temples, and outdoor activities. Temperatures: 27–30°C (81–86°F).
Wet Season (November–March): Hot and humid with afternoon rain showers (usually 1–3 hours). Mornings are often clear. Temperatures: 27–33°C (81–91°F). Lush green landscapes make this the most photogenic season for rice terraces.
Month-by-Month Guide
January
Weather: Wettest month. Heavy rain, especially in the afternoon/evening.
Crowds: Post-New Year dip — mostly quiet except the first week.
Prices: Low season rates. Great accommodation deals.
Best for: Budget travelers who don't mind rain. Ubud is gorgeous (green rice terraces). Surfing is good at exposed breaks.
February
Weather: Still very wet with occasional flooding in low-lying areas.
Crowds: Very quiet — one of the least busy months.
Prices: Lowest of the year for accommodation.
Best for: Deep discounts and avoiding tourists entirely. Spa deals are plentiful.
March
Weather: Rain easing up. Starting to dry out.
Crowds: Still low. Nyepi (Balinese New Year) falls in March — the entire island shuts down for 24 hours (no travel, no lights, no internet). Plan around this.
Prices: Low season.
Best for: Experiencing Nyepi (incredible cultural event), off-season deals.
April
Weather: Dry season begins. Sunny with occasional brief showers.
Crowds: Moderate — shoulder season beginning.
Prices: Starting to rise but still reasonable.
Best for: Sweet spot — good weather, moderate crowd, fair prices. Ideal for first-time visitors.
May
Weather: Excellent. Dry, sunny, comfortable humidity.
Crowds: Moderate. Growing toward June with early European holidays.
Prices: Mid-range. Good value before peak season pricing kicks in.
Best for: Best value-for-money month. Everything is open and accessible.
June
Weather: Perfect. Clear skies, cool evenings.
Crowds: Getting busy — Australian school holidays begin mid-June.
Prices: Rising. Book accommodation 2–3 months ahead.
Best for: Outdoor activities, diving (great visibility), and the Bali Arts Festival (month-long cultural event in Denpasar).
July
Weather: Dry and slightly cooler (especially evenings). Best weather of the year.
Crowds: Peak season. European and Australian holidays. Very busy everywhere.
Prices: Highest of the year. Hotels charge premium rates.
Best for: If you don't mind crowds, the weather is unbeatable. Must book accommodation well in advance.
August
Weather: Same as July — dry, sunny, perfect.
Crowds: Peak peak season. The busiest month overall.
Prices: Maximum. Expect 50–100% markups on accommodation vs low season.
Best for: The absolute best weather. Indonesian Independence Day (Aug 17) brings spectacular celebrations.
September
Weather: Still dry and beautiful. Slightly warmer.
Crowds: Dropping off. Schools are back in session.
Prices: Dropping back to shoulder season rates.
Best for: Our #1 recommendation. Perfect weather, thinner crowds, reasonable prices.
October
Weather: Transition month. Mostly dry with occasional rain starting late October.
Crowds: Low-moderate. Great for a relaxed trip.
Prices: Shoulder season — good deals still available.
Best for: Last chance for guaranteed dry weather. Surfing conditions are excellent.
November
Weather: Wet season officially begins. Expect afternoon rain showers 3–5 days/week.
Crowds: Quiet before the Christmas surge.
Prices: Low season rates return.
Best for: Budget travelers, wellness retreats (rain adds to the spa ambiance).
December
Weather: Wet but warm. Rain is usually intense but brief.
Crowds: Christmas/New Year = second peak season. Very busy Dec 20–Jan 5.
Prices: Spike sharply during the holiday period. Book 3+ months ahead.
Best for: Festive atmosphere, New Year's Eve parties in Seminyak, family holidays.
TL;DR Summary
Best overall: September
Best value: April–May
Best weather: July–August
Cheapest: February
Avoid (for crowds): July–August, Dec 20–Jan 5
Avoid (for rain): January–February
Related Guides
🗓️ Ready to plan? Use our 7-day itinerary as your starting point.
💵 See how costs change by season in our price breakdown.
🆕 First visit? Read 25 things to know before going.
🧘 Visiting for wellness? Check our retreat guide.
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