01Dry season (April–October)
This is the classic postcard version of Bali: long sunny stretches, lower humidity, and the most reliable surf on the southern coasts. It's also, unsurprisingly, when most people visit — July, August and the run-up to New Year are the busiest and most expensive windows, with villa prices and flight costs climbing accordingly.
Shoulder months — April, May, June and September — tend to offer close to the same weather with noticeably thinner crowds and better rates.
02Wet season (November–March)
"Wet season" doesn't mean constant rain — it usually means short, heavy downpours, often in the late afternoon, with plenty of sun either side. Landscapes are at their most lush and green, rice terraces look their best, and accommodation is noticeably cheaper.
January and February can bring longer stretches of grey weather and rougher seas on the west coast, which is worth factoring in if diving or boat trips are a priority.
03It varies by region
Bali is small but climatically uneven. The east and north coasts (Amed, Lovina) are generally drier than the south year-round. Ubud and the central highlands run a few degrees cooler and see more rain thanks to the elevation. If one region's weather isn't cooperating, another part of the island often is.
04Building a trip around events
Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, falls in March and effectively shuts the entire island down for 24 hours — no flights, no lights, everyone indoors. It's a remarkable thing to experience once, but plan around it rather than being caught out by it. See our culture & history section for the full calendar of ceremonies and festivals.