Tag: best time to visit bali

A Guide to Bali’s Seasons, Weather & Crowds

Planning a trip to Bali and wondering when to go? Whether you’re chasing surf, sunshine, or fewer crowds, picking the right time of year is key. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Bali twice, once in September 2015 and once in May last year. Bali has a tropical climate with just two seasons — rainy and dry — so the best time to visit depends on your travel goals and budget.

At a glance:

• Bali’s dry season is May to September — it’s sunnier and less humid, but prices can be higher
• The wet season is October to April — it will rain, but often be cheaper
• The busiest months are usually the dry season months, and school holidays including Easter and Christmas
• The best months for backpacking (in my opinion): May/June or September/October – keep reading for why.

Bali weather month by month

Here is a month by month breakdown of rainy and dry seasons in Bali – I’ve greenlit my favourite months for travelling Bali:

Remember, Indonesia is a tropical country so the climate is hot, humid, and even in dry season it can rain. The good news is that the rain showers tend not to last long, so I wouldn’t let it put you off your trip if you can only go in shoulder season (the months where the seasons are turning) like April or October.

I spent a month in Bali in September in 2015, and a month in Bali in May last year, and to be honest I had perfect weather on both trips. As it turns out, given that the rainy season runs from September to May, I unwittingly picked great time of year for both!

Why not July and August?

Bali is an international tourist hotspot, so like many other destinations it can get very busy during July/August. If you want to avoid the extra crowded months in school holidays, I personally wouldn’t suggest them.

Should You Avoid Bali During Rainy Season?

Not necessarily! While December to March sees the most rainfall, some travellers actually prefer to travel in the midst of rainy season as less crowds can often also result in cheaper accommodation and activities, so if you’re travelling on a shoestring it could be the way to go. However, Bali is now so popular that I doubt you will find an actually quiet time of year to go, and in particular it’s as busy as ever over Christmas and New Year’s Eve. And bear in mind if it’s super rainy some of the outdoor activities may not be going ahead, so if you’re there for adventure it might not be ideal.

Best time for backpackers in Bali

No matter which month you’ll have a great time – there’s never a terrible time to be in Bali! Having said that, in my opinion if you want good weather and fewer crowds (there will still be crowds, this is Bali after all), go in May/June or September/October.

Additionally, if this is not a standalone trip I would align your Bali visit with your broader itinerary – that way you can stay in the summer months for your whole trip! For example:

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Heading to Europe or the US after? Visit in May/June.

Going to South East Asia or Australia next? Visit Bali in September/October.

To work out when is best for your trip, ask yourself these questions:

Traveling in shoulder season (or even rainy season) can cut costs for hostels, activities, and even flights. If you don’t mind occasional rain, it’s a great option.

***September 2025 Update Bali***

By now I’m sure you’ve seen news of the horrendous flooding in Bali this September, an absolute tragedy to see and my heart goes out to everyone affected by it. This is unusual activity for September time in Bali, and weather seems to get more unpredictable year by year. If you are planning a trip soon check on the situation with your accommodation, and make sure you get travel insurance in case you have to cancel any flights/hotel stays. It may be best to divert your plans to one of the surrounding islands in Indonesia like Lombok or Java at this time.

Explore Bali travel guides…

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