Bali is warm all year round, with temperatures in the high twenties to low thirties Celsius on the coast and cooler air in the hills around Ubud. What changes through the year is the rain, the crowds and the festival calendar. Here is how to choose your moment.

April to October: the dry season

This is Bali’s most popular time, and for good reason. Days are sunny, humidity is lower and the sea is at its calmest on the east and south coasts — ideal for snorkelling, diving and day trips to the Nusa islands.

  • April to June is the sweet spot: dry weather, lush landscapes after the rains and fewer visitors than high summer.
  • July and August are peak season. Expect higher hotel rates and busier beaches and temples; book well ahead.
  • September and October stay mostly dry, and the crowds thin again — a favourite for honeymooners.

November to March: the green season

The wet season brings heavy tropical downpours, usually in the afternoon or overnight, followed by sunshine. Rice terraces are at their most vivid, waterfalls are full and hotel prices drop outside the Christmas and New Year peak. It is a good time for spa retreats, yoga and culture in Ubud — just keep your plans flexible and expect rougher seas for boat trips.

Festivals worth planning around

  • Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence (usually in March), is unique: the entire island — including the airport — shuts down for 24 hours. Visitors must stay in their hotels. It is a remarkable experience if you plan for it, and a frustrating one if you do not, so check the date before you book flights.
  • Galungan and Kuningan take place twice a year on the Balinese calendar, when villages are decorated with tall bamboo penjor poles and temples fill with offerings.

Where to stay, whatever the month

  • Seminyak and Canggu for beach clubs, restaurants and sunsets.
  • Ubud for rice terraces, temples, art and wellness.
  • Nusa Dua and Sanur for calm water and family-friendly resorts.
  • Uluwatu for clifftop views and the Kecak fire dance at sunset.
Our pick? Late April to June, or September. You get dry-season weather, a greener island and noticeably fewer people.

Good to know

Dress modestly at temples — a sarong and sash are required, and are usually available to borrow at the entrance. Drink bottled or filtered water, and allow plenty of time for travel: Bali’s roads are busy, and a short distance on the map can take an hour by car.