Best time to visit Bali: weather month by month, rainy season and crowds (2026)
Bali is warm all year, but rain, sunshine and crowds change a lot from month to month. When to go for dry weather, what the rainy season is really like, and how November and December compare.
Best time to visit Bali: the short answer
For the driest weather, visit Bali between April and October, when southern Bali gets under 100 mm of rain a month and around 8 to 10 hours of sunshine a day. For the best balance of weather and crowds, choose the shoulder months: April to June, or September and October.
The wet season, from November to March, is greener, quieter outside the holidays and still warm, with average temperatures around 28°C. It suits travellers who do not mind a daily shower, and it is a good time for a longer, slower stay.
Dry season: April to October
The dry season brings the most sunshine and the coolest nights of the year. In southern Bali, July, August and September each have only three or four rainy days on average, and August is the driest month, with about 15 mm of rain.
From June to September, the south-east trade winds bring slightly cooler air, and the average temperature drops to about 26.5 to 27°C. This is also when Bali is busiest.
Wet season: November to March
The rainy season runs from November to March, with the most rain from December to February. January is the wettest month, with about 350 mm of rain over around 19 days in Denpasar, and February and December are not far behind.
Rain in Bali often comes in heavy tropical showers rather than all-day drizzle, and even the wettest months average six to seven hours of sunshine a day. The rice fields are at their greenest, and outside Christmas and New Year the island is noticeably quieter.
Bali weather in November and December
November is the start of the rainy season and one of the warmest months of the year, with an average temperature of about 28°C, around 150 mm of rain and about 10 rainy days in southern Bali. It is a good month for value, with fewer visitors.
December is wetter, with about 290 mm of rain over 16 days, and from mid-December to early January Bali is in high season for Christmas and New Year. Book accommodation and restaurant tables early for those weeks.
Crowds, holidays and Nyepi
High season runs in July and August and from mid-December to early January, when the best villas book out weeks ahead. The rainy months outside the holidays bring the most choice. Monthly and yearly rental rates move far less with the seasons than nightly ones: the season mostly changes what is available.
Plan around Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, when the whole island stops for 24 hours and the airport closes. In 2027 it is expected on 8 March, from 06:00 until 06:00 the next morning. Check the official date before you book flights.
Why the rainy season suits a longer stay
In the wet season, where you stay matters more. A villa pool is less fun in a downpour, while a residence with indoor facilities keeps your days easy. At The Umalas Signature in Umalas, guests have the Infinitus rooftop gym with a sauna and ice baths, co-working and meeting rooms, a private cinema and a rooftop pool for the sunny spells.
The rainy months are also a good time for a monthly stay. A furnished 1BR Suite is Rp 22 million a month. A 2BR Residence is Rp 40 million a month. Water, 300 Mbps fibre, weekly housekeeping and the clubhouse are included.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Bali?
For dry weather, April to October. For the best balance of dry weather and fewer crowds, April to June or September and October. The wet season, November to March, is greener and quieter outside the holidays.
When is the rainy season in Bali?
From November to March, with the most rain from December to February. January is the wettest month, with about 350 mm of rain in southern Bali.
Is November a good time to visit Bali?
Yes, if you do not mind some rain. November is the start of the rainy season, with about 150 mm of rain and around 10 rainy days in southern Bali, warm weather and fewer visitors than the high season.
What is Bali like in December?
Wet and busy. December has about 290 mm of rain over 16 days, and from mid-December to early January Bali is in high season for Christmas and New Year, so book early.
Is it worth visiting Bali in the rainy season?
Yes. Rain often comes in heavy showers, even the wettest months average six to seven hours of sunshine a day, the island is greener and quieter outside the holidays, and it is a good time for a longer stay in a residence with indoor facilities.
