Like most travel destinations, Bali experiences high and low seasons when it comes to tourism. While it's a great place to visit all year round, some months may give you a better experience than others. To ensure you have the best Bali trip possible, it's important to know when to visit the island. So to help you decide when you should book your flight to Bali, we've made a guide explaining just that below.
Visit During the Dry Season
Like other tropical destinations, Bali experiences two seasons: dry and rainy. To make the most of your holiday, the best time to visit Bali is during the dry season from April to October. These months present the best conditions for you to explore the island and enjoy its waters. The rainy season, on the other hand, runs from November to March and can bring quite a downpour across the island.
April to October
During the dry months, Bali gets very minimal rainfall and has less humidity making it more comfortable for holiday-goers. However, this time also tends to be the high season where overall prices for accommodations can climb. The peak tourist season happens during July and August, around Easter, and during the Christmas and New Year holidays. These months are when Bali is the busiest and when hotel prices are the highest.
However, you can save some money on your Bali trip if you visit just before and after the peak holiday seasons in April, May, June, and September. These months are the best time to visit Bali as it'll still be the dry season and accommodation rates tend to be slightly cheaper than the peak season, up to 30-50%.
November to March
The months from November to March bring a lot of rain to the island. You can see rain most days, but they're rarely heavy downpours. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time at the beach or doing activities like surfing, diving, or going on boat trips, you may find the experience less enjoyable.
That being said, many travelers like to have their Bali trip during this low season. Besides getting better deals at hotels and resorts, there'll be fewer tourists at popular spots. So you won't need to face large crowds at locations such as Ubud and Uluwatu.
There's also less traffic congestion during these months which leads to generally cleaner air on the island. Additionally, the wet season brings good waves to the eastern side of the island. So if you stay at resorts like Club Med at Nusa Dua, you'll have the best breaks on your doorstep.
Festivals in Bali
Some of the best times to visit Bali is during one of its many festivals. If you want to experience Bali during its many celebrations, take a look at the list of festivals and when they're held below:
Galungan and Kuningan - Galungan and Kuningan is a major Hindu festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Celebrated over 10 days, it's a time to welcome deities and deceased ancestors on earth. With how the Balinese Hindu Calendar is structured, Galungan and Kuningan are often celebrated twice in the conventional Solar calendar.
Nyepi - Nyepi, also known as The Day of Silence, is when the whole island closes down for 24 hours. Everybody stays indoors and keeps activities and light to a minimum. Even Denpasar Airport is closed for the day. On Nyepi Eve, the locals take part in exciting Ngrupuk parades throughout the whole island, which involve music and fireworks. Nyepi usually falls in March.
Bali Arts Festival - The Bali Arts Festival showcases the best Balinese art and culture through events, activities, and competitions related to music, dance, literature, fashion, and so much more. Held from June to July, this is the best time to visit Bali if you want to experience all the art the island has to offer.
Other Festivals -
Bali Blues Festival (July)
Ubud Food Festival (April)
Bali Kite Festival (June, July, or August)
Nusa Dua Light Festival (July)
Now you know when is the best time to visit Bali, we hope you'll have a better time at planning your holiday. If you're looking for a hassle-free holiday on the island, do check out Club Med Bali. Besides great facilities and a stunning location by the beach at Nusa Dua, we have so much more to offer including all-day dining and various fun activities.
