Scenic lakes, beaches, beyond stunning natural beauties, historical temples, flower gardens, and rice fields Bali has become one of the busiest tourist attractions. Although some people will say Bali is a click destination right now, there are multiple valid reasons why Bali is one of Indonesia’s most popular and most visited places, so tons of tourists every day searching for the best time to visit Bali.
One of the things that keep attracting people from all over the globe is that the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re searching for adventure, relaxation or for a place where you’ll dig into your inner world and spirituality, Bali won’t disappoint you.
What is the best travel time for Bali?
With so many historic temples, amazing beaches and waterfalls, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the planning of your ideal trip. You’re probably wondering where to go, what to do, and one of the most important questions – when to visit Bali? Although Bali is busy during the whole year, there are periods and parts of years that are more recommendable than others.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best time to visit Bali, according to the type of trip you’re searching for.
Good Weather to Visit Bali
The climate of Indonesia is mostly tropical, so the seasons could be split into two main ones – wet and dry season. If you’re looking for as much sunny beach time as possible, you should consider best time to visit Bali during the dry season – from May to September. As the temperatures are warm without too much rainfall during this period, it’s also ideal for outdoor activities.
One of the negative sides of visiting Bali during the high season (July and especially during August when the high season reaches its peak), is that you can expect the prices to be higher compared to the rest of the year.
The same goes for late December. Although there is a significant chance of rain during December, it’s still one of the busiest months of the year due to Christmas and New Years’ holidays.
Travel tip #1 – Indonesia Independence Day is on August 17. If you’re there during that time, don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate with locals.
Travel tip #2 – if you’re planning to visit Bali during the high season, make sure to book your accommodation on time.
The Seasons of Bali
As mentioned, Bali has two seasons; the dry season and the rainy season. The best travel time for Bali is of course in the dry season, but you still have the high season. So you actually have three seasons.
Dry Season: April to October
The dry season is seen as the best travel time for Bali. April to October is called the dry season, and it’s the best months to travel here, especially April, May and September because most vacations are over.
Peak Season: July to August
July and August are called the peak sessions in Bali. This time Bali becomes one of the busiest places in the world. Not only in terms of crowds at places of interest in Bali but also at the prices of all things. Prices for airline tickets are shockingly high and accommodation is also more expensive.
Low Season: November to March
Low season is actually not the right word since it is never really quiet in Bali. The months of November to March are the rainy season, which means there are mineral travelers. Surprisingly Bali has becoming crowd with tourists at this time also. One of the best reasons is because in this period all things price is going to decrease.
Best Time for Surfing
Bali has become a popular place for surfers. If you’re planning to spend most of your time on surfing, you should visit Bali during the dry season. This is when the waves are the best. July has been admitted the best month to surf in Bali and it’s also the most crowded period.
The Bali surf season on the West Coast is best in the period between May and September and on the East costs, between November and early March.
Best Time for Hiking
Bali is perhaps best known for its beaches, but the island also has great trails for hiking for those who are looking for a more adventurous vacation. The best time to hike is in the period from May to September, as it will give you the best chance to hike through non-slippery trails.
You can also expect to have a clear view of the nature around you which will make you appreciate your hike even more!
Best Time to Visit Rice Fields
Bali is known for its beautiful rice fields and you naturally want to see them when they are at their best. The rice fields are not always as green in the dry season and moreover they are harvested.
However, the time that rice fields can only be seen in one season is astonishing. The rice fields are a huge draw so there is always a green rice field to be found, even if you do not travel in the ideal months.
Best Time to Save Money
If you want to keep your costs as low as possible, you should consider visiting Bali in the period from February to early June and in the period from late September to early December. You can expect to get better deals and discounts for hotels and flights in this part of the year, but when it comes to the prices of transportation and food, they don’t drop down significantly during the low season.
Although the weather can be quite unpredictable, especially during January and February the wettest months, you don’t need to worry about being stuck in your hotel all the time. There are plenty of things to do in Bali even during the wet season.
Cooking classes, massages, spa treatments will keep you entertained (and relaxed!) so you will be able to finally enjoy some quiet time for yourself. The wet season is also a great opportunity to visit some of the waterfalls which look amazing during this time!
Wrap-Up!
Another “must-do” thing while in Bali is to experience its spiritual side of the island. Visit the historic Tanah Lot Temple and Pura Titra Empul (Holy Water Temple) where you can get the opportunity to experience a purification ritual. So let’s pack your bag for Bali as your next travel destination, It’s called that Bali never broke the heart.
