Bali is one amazing place anybody would want to visit. The environment is superb; it is classy with lots of fun activities to do. However, knowing the best time to travel to Bali is important as it would determine how well you spend quality time there and that is exactly what we’ll be looking at in this article, the best time to travel to Bali.
Bali Geography Overview
Bali is a pretty small island situated in Southeast Asia between the Indian and the Pacific oceans. As one of the many islands that make up the nation of Indonesia, Bali is usually the most known and easily the most visited by tourists.
This volcanic island is made up of peaks, some of which are up over 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 ft. high!). And some are still very active.
Actually, recent eruptions in the past years have been known to cause flight delays and cancelations due to ash in the air. Bali’s volcanic nature joined with the mountain peaks that bring rain, add to its lush greens and outstanding fertility.
Rice is the most common crop grown in Bali and you’ll see evidence everywhere you go with terracing rice fields making beautiful backdrops in your photos.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Bali Weather?
Bali makes an ideal place for vacationers year-round; though, each season has its distinctive draws and drawbacks. In this article, we’re going over the pros and cons of each season to help you determine the best time to visit Bali for YOU.
High Season–July to August and December
One of the best times to travel is the High season. The high season matches with the traditional summer vacation season in Europe, America, and Australia in July and August.
And also it’s at the height of the dry season and the high time for surfing on the west coast. Travelers, who come to look at the island flood Bali’s many delights and enjoy some of its most colorful festivals.
Also, The period around Christmas and New Year also sees a lot of influxes of travelers looking for a reprieve from cold northern winters. High season means high prices and pressing hordes in tightly packed tourist areas.
Check Out The Best Dry Season Months to Travel to Bali
Best Places to Visit During the Dry Season in Bali
Amed is the famous diving region on Bali’s east coast and is home to the popular USAT Liberty Shipwreck. It’s Just a 2-hour drive from Denpasar.
An off-the-beaten-track location such as Sideman. It’s a 45-minute drive from Ubud, beautiful laid-back countryside full of rolling hills and rice terraces.
Getaway to the nearby islands such as Nusa Penida, Lombok (which includes the famous Gili Islands), or Flores.
Pros of Visiting Bali During the Dry Season
There’s little or no rain this period
The humidity is tolerable
Mosquitoes/insects won’t be much of a concern
Many festivals and events will happen
Cons of visiting Bali During the Dry Season
Peak tourism season (particularly July/Aug)
Hotel prices will increase in July/Aug
Traffic can get very crazy in Bali (all the time), especially in the major tourist areas such as Kuta and North Kuta during the high season. There will be more tourists on the roads, which means a higher chance for accidents from people driving in the unacquainted territory.
Major tourist attractions such as temples and parks will be very crowded
Learn More About Rainy Season in Bali
Best Places to Visit During the Rainy Season in Bali
‣ Tannah Lot Temple: Endeavor to visit Bali during low tide so you can walk out to the entry of the temple and be blessed with the spring water that flows from the temple and is said to be holy.
‣ Uluwatu Temple: Be very careful here! Pocket pickers are much and are very sneaky. Ensure you have your bags zipped and close to your body at all times.
Put on sunglasses and anything loose inside your bags while here or that money may just try to rob you. If you are holding a phone or camera, ensure you hold it well and close to your body when not in use.
‣ Ubud Monkey Forest: This is one of the most famous attractions in Ubud and is a good place to visit during the low season, mainly if you go while it’s drizzling out.
Pros of visiting Bali During the rainy Season
There’s high humidity/high temps prevent some visitors from visiting during this time, so Bali has a tendency to be less crowded.
Usual tourist attractions such as temples and beaches will be less populated than in the busy season.
During this period, Traffic on the roads won’t be quite as busy as the typical hustle and bustle of high season.
Bali’s weather is still fairly sunny, even during the rainy season you’ll usually see sunny skies for at least part of the day.
Cons of Visiting Bali During the Rainy Season
There’s a high chance of rain, as often as daily in January
High temperatures and high humidity
Mosquitos… eek!
Reduced visibility at dive sites because of weather
Best Months for Hiking in Bali
If you’re planning on spending your days hiking, then visiting between April and October is a perfect time. You can’t really predict the rainy season for daily hikes, especially if you’re trying to cram in serious mileage.
For those who are game to watch the weather, find a sunny morning, and take one short trek, visiting during the rainy season can work.
If on the other hand, you’re traveling to Bali precisely to hike, much like those visiting for the beaches, you’ll want to visit in the dry season.
Equally, if you’d like to rent a motorbike and spend your days zipping around the island, the dry season is also a better fit.
Best Time to Hike Mount Batur
Mount Batur is possibly the most popular Bali hike. Normally, you’ll have to book through a tour firm that will pick you up from your hotel at about 2 a.m. for the 1,717-meter (5,633-foot) trek.
You’ll also summit the active volcano as the sun comes up, and depending on your guide, you could even be treated to eggs boiled in the volcanic steam at the top of Mount Batur.
The two-hour hike to the summit is best done between May and September to ensure dry weather and clear views.
When to Visit Bali to Avoid Crowds
The month of October, January, and February are Bali’s true off-season. All three months is formally the rainy period in Bali (it falls very heavy in January).
This means you won’t find crowds in search of ideal beach weather and likewise diving conditions.
And because you’ll also be escaping the major holiday months (November and December), you’ll find the island to be calm and filled with locals and ex-pats.
Ultimately, October, January, and February offer the best opportunities to see the temples without the tourist throngs, have the beaches to you, and cash in on the best hotel deals in Bali.
Festivals in Bali
Experience some of the world’s most exciting local festivities and celebrations. From traditional Balinese observances to celebrations of food, art, and wellness, there’s a festival to suit every traveler.
Below are some of the exciting festivals you can find in Bali.
‣ Nyepi
Though most nations will celebrate their New Year with loud parties and fireworks, it differs in Bali. New Year follows the Balinese calendar and mostly falls in March.
‣ Bali Spirit Festival
This festival is a seven-day wellness festival that takes place yearly between April and March. Yoga lessons, dance, music, and arts are done together with holistic healing and spirituality workshops, attracting wellness tourists all around the world.
‣ Galungan and Kuningan
This is a traditional Balinese festival to celebrate the defeat of good over evil. The festival follows the 210-day ‘pawukon’ calendar, and can sometimes happen two times a year.
Over the 10 days of Galungan, lesser festivals are been held, and it is believed that the gods and ancestors come down to earth for the celebrations.
On the very last day of the festivities, the Balinese celebrate Kuningan, a day devoted to prayer to honor the ancestors.
Best Time to Travel in Our Opinion
One of the best times to travel to Bali is the month of April, then followed by May, September, and October. These are the months on the shoulder of the high season.
Though during this time the island will still be crowded, it won’t be very busy or even as expensive as the peak tourist season of June, July, and August.
The weather is warm and beautiful during these months, with only occasional rain showers. Also, there are lots of special events.
The festival season in Bali kicks off in April, usually with the Bali Spirit Festival (a celebration of yoga, music, and art) and the Ubud Food Festival, a multi-day event that showcases the best foods and drinks on the island.
After reading this, you’ve possibly made up your mind on the best time to visit Bali that fits your needs, and carefully weighed up all your options.
It doesn’t matter if you plan to lay on Seminyak beach, or by the pool, hike the volcanoes, or take to the ocean on a surfboard, Bali is the type of location that people return to time and time again.
The thriving expatriate and digital nomad community are proof that Bali living is good living.
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