Best Time to Travel to Bali, Indonesia (2026 to 2027): Month by Month Guide 

Quick Answer 

The best time to travel to Bali, Indonesia is April to October. This is the dry season. If you want sun and smaller crowds, go in April, May, June or September. July and August are dry as well, but hotels and flights cost the most then. 

For a cheaper trip, look at February, March or November. You will get more rain. Also keep Monday, March 8, 2027 free of travel. That is Nyepi, and the whole island, airport included, closes for 24 hours. 

Bali Travel at a Glance 

If you want	Go in
Sunny beach days	May to September
Good weather with fewer people	April, May, June, September
Low prices	February, March, November
Green rice fields and full waterfalls	February to April
Surfing on the west coast	April to October
Festivals	March (Nyepi), January and August (Galungan), mid June to mid July (Bali Arts Festival)
Least good for beaches	December to February

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Bali? 

To find the best time to travel to Bali Indonesia, look at its two seasons. It stays warm all year, so the real choice is how much rain you can live with. 

Dry Season: April to October 

Most people pick these months. Skies are clear, the air is less sticky, and the sea is calm enough for boat trips. Days are usually 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F). 

April, May, June and September have the same good weather as peak season but with fewer people. July and August are the busiest months, so prices go up. 

Wet Season: November to March 

Rain mostly comes as strong showers in the afternoon or evening. It rarely rains all day, and mornings are often dry. January and February get the most rain. 

On the plus side, rooms are cheaper, sites are quieter and the rice fields turn bright green. On the down side, seas get rough, trails get muddy and you may lose a beach day or two. Boats to Nusa Penida are sometimes cancelled on rough days. 

Weather Changes by Area 

Bali island travel feels different from one area to the next: 

• South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur): hot and humid beach weather. 

• Uluwatu and the Nusa islands: the driest part of Bali, even in the wet season. 

• Ubud: a bit cooler, with more rain in the wet months. 

• Hills and the north (Kintamani, Munduk): cool nights and more rain. Take a jacket for the Mount Batur sunrise trek. 

Bali Weather Month by Month 

Month	Weather	Crowds and prices	Good for
January	Most rain of the year	Busy first week, then quiet	Ubud, spas, rice fields, post-New Year deals
February	Wet and humid	Quiet, lowest prices	Budget trips, green views
March	Rain eases late in the month	Quiet, but busy near Nyepi and Eid	Nyepi and the Ogoh-Ogoh parade
April	Dry season starts	Medium	Sightseeing and beaches
May	Dry and sunny	Medium	One of the best months
June	Dry, cooler evenings	Busier from late June	Surfing, diving, Bali Arts Festival
July	Dry and sunny	Peak season	Beach clubs, island trips (book early)
August	Dry and breezy	Peak season	Festivals, Independence Day on August 17
September	Dry and sunny	Fewer people	Waterfalls, treks, quieter beaches
October	Hot, a few showers late in the month	Medium	Good weather at lower rates
November	Rain starts	Quiet and cheaper	Thanksgiving trips, slow holidays
December	Wet	Very busy and costly from Christmas to New Year	Holiday trips, Ubud

Best months: May and September. For most families, the best time to travel to Bali Indonesia is one of these in-between months. Busiest: July, August and late December. Cheapest: February and November, outside holiday weeks. 

Best Time to Visit Bali for Indian Families in the USA 

Most of our readers plan Bali travel trips around US school and work breaks. Here is how each break matches Bali’s weather. 

• Summer break (June to August): Dry and sunny, good for kids and beaches. It is also peak season, so book early. 

• Thanksgiving (November 26, 2026): Rain is just starting. Expect afternoon showers and lower hotel rates. 

• Christmas and New Year: Rainy and the most costly time to be in Bali. Book months ahead. 

• Spring break (March): Cheaper, but check your dates against Nyepi (March 8, 2027) and Indonesia’s long holiday from March 6 to 15, 2027, when local travel is heavy. 

• Diwali break (October or November): A good fit. October is still mostly dry and early November is quiet. 

For honeymooners: April to June and September give sunny days and quieter resorts. See our list of romantic tours for couples for more ideas. 

Bali Festivals and Holidays in 2027 

Bali uses its own Balinese calendar, so festival dates move each year. Here are the 2027 dates. 

Festival	2027 date	What it means for you
Galungan	January 13 and August 11	Tall bamboo poles (penjor) line the streets. Some shops close.
Kuningan	January 23 and August 21	Ends the Galungan period
Ogoh-Ogoh parade	Sunday, March 7	Giant demon figures carried through streets at night
Nyepi (Day of Silence)	Monday, March 8	Island closed for 24 hours. Airport shut. Stay inside your hotel.
Eid al-Fitr	March 10 and 11	Heavy domestic travel in Indonesia
Saraswati	May 29	Day for the goddess of knowledge
Bali Arts Festival	Mid June to mid July	Dance, music and parades in Denpasar
Independence Day	August 17	Flag ceremonies and local games
Nyepi Segara	September 15	Nusa Penida only. No boats or sea activity.

About the Nyepi date: Some websites show March 9, 2027. Indonesia’s official 2027 holiday list gives Monday, March 8, 2027. Do not book a flight into or out of Bali that day. 

On Nyepi, nobody goes out on the streets, lights stay low and flights stop for 24 hours. Your hotel will still serve meals inside. Many visitors like the quiet night and clear stars. Just land by March 6 or earlier. 

Best Places to Visit in Bali by Season 

These are the best places to visit in Bali, matched to the months they suit best. 

Dry Season Picks (April to October) 

• Nusa Penida: Kelingking Beach and Diamond Beach. Calm seas make the boat ride easier. 

• Uluwatu: Cliff temple, the Kecak fire dance at sunset, and surf beaches. 

• Mount Batur: Sunrise trek with a local guide. Clear skies mean better views. 

• Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven): Get there early, as the photo queue gets long. 

• Amed and Tulamben: Snorkelling and diving, including the USAT Liberty shipwreck. 

Wet Season Picks (November to March) 

• Ubud: Sacred Monkey Forest, art markets, yoga and cafes. 

• Tegallalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces: Greenest at this time. Jatiluwih is a UNESCO World Heritage area. 

• Tirta Empul: Temple with holy spring water where visitors can join the bathing ritual. 

• Tanah Lot: Temple on a rock in the sea, best at sunset. 

• Tibumana and Tegenungan waterfalls: Full and strong, but paths get slippery. Skip them after heavy rain. 

These Bali Indonesia tourist attractions are open all year. The season only changes how comfortable your visit feels. 

Top Things to Do in Bali 

These are the things to do in Bali that most visitors put on their list: 

1. Watch the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple at sunset. 

2. Take a day trip to Nusa Penida. 

3. Climb Mount Batur for sunrise (start time is around 3 to 4 a.m.). 

4. Walk the Tegallalang rice terraces and try the Bali swing. 

5. Visit Tirta Empul and Besakih, the largest temple complex on the island. 

6. Snorkel with manta rays near Nusa Penida with a licensed boat operator. 

7. Join a Balinese cooking class in Ubud. 

8. Spend an afternoon at a beach club in Seminyak or Canggu. 

9. Get a Balinese massage. It costs far less than in the US. 

10. Shop for crafts at Ubud Art Market and Sukawati Market. 

For Indian travellers: Most people in Bali are Hindu, so the temples, flower offerings and daily prayers will feel close to home. Carry a sarong, or wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, when you visit a temple. 

Getting Around Bali: Cabs, Drivers and Scooters 

Bali has no metro or easy public bus network for tourists. Traffic in the south is slow, so a 20 km trip can take an hour. Here are your main options. 

Option	Best for	Cost and tips
Private car with driver	Families, day trips, temple and waterfall tours	About IDR 600,000 to 1,000,000 per car for a full day (10 to 12 hours). Fuel is included. Entry tickets and meals are not.
Grab and Gojek (apps)	Short trips, dinners, beach hopping	Fixed price shown in the app. Some areas, like parts of Ubud and Canggu, limit app pickups, so walk to a main road.
Blue Bird taxi	Short city trips	Metered. Check for the Blue Bird logo, as copy taxis exist.
Airport taxi	Arrival with lots of bags	Book at the official counter inside the arrivals hall or pre-book through your hotel.
Scooter	Couples and solo riders with riding experience	You need an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle class, plus a helmet. Police run checks often.
Fast boat	Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Gili Islands	Leaves from Sanur. Check the weather and life jackets before boarding.

Our advice for families: Hire a driver for sightseeing days and use Grab or Gojek for short trips. It is safer than renting scooters, and one driver can fit 4 to 6 people. A small tip of IDR 50,000 to 100,000 a day is welcome but not required. 

What to Eat in Bali 

Balinese food is spicy, fresh and cheap at local warungs (small family restaurants). Popular dishes: 

• Nasi goreng and mie goreng: fried rice and fried noodles, sold everywhere. 

• Nasi campur: rice with small portions of several dishes. 

• Sate lilit: minced fish or meat wrapped on lemongrass sticks. 

• Bebek betutu: slow-cooked spiced duck, a Balinese favourite. 

• Babi guling: roast pork. Famous, but skip it if you avoid pork. 

• Gado-gado: vegetables with peanut sauce. Vegetarian. 

• Tempeh and tahu (tofu) dishes: good protein for vegetarians. 

Vegetarian and Indian food: Bali is easy for vegetarians, especially Ubud, which has many plant-based cafes. Indian restaurants are found in Ubud, Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua. Jain travellers should ask about onion and garlic, as most Balinese sauces use both. 

Food safety: Drink only sealed bottled water. Avoid ice at small roadside stalls. Many travellers get “Bali belly” (an upset stomach) from tap water or unwashed salad. 

Where to Stay: Best Areas and Resort Types 

Pick your area by the kind of trip you want. 

Area	Best for	Type of stay
Nusa Dua	Families with kids, first-time visitors	Large beach resorts with calm water and kids’ clubs
Ubud	Couples, culture, yoga, rice fields	Jungle villas and resorts with valley views
Seminyak	Couples and friends, shopping, beach clubs	Private pool villas and boutique hotels
Uluwatu	Honeymoons, sunsets, surfers	Cliff-top resorts and villas
Sanur	Older parents and families wanting a quiet stay	Mid-range beach hotels, easy boat access to Nusa islands
Canggu	Young travellers, cafes, surfing	Guesthouses and small villas
Jimbaran	Seafood dinners on the beach, quick airport access	Beach resorts

Tip: Split your stay. Spend 2 or 3 nights near the beach and 3 nights in Ubud. A private pool villa often costs less in Bali than a standard hotel room in a big US city, especially in the wet season. 

How Many Days Do You Need in Bali? 

Six or seven nights is the right length for a first visit: 

• 2 nights in South Bali (Seminyak, Nusa Dua or Uluwatu): beaches, Tanah Lot sunset, Kecak dance. 

• 3 nights in Ubud: rice terraces, temples, waterfalls, Mount Batur. 

• 1 day trip to Nusa Penida (or stay one night there in the dry season). 

• 1 spare day for shopping, a spa, or rain. 

Coming from the USA? Add a day or two for jet lag. Bali is 12 to 15 hours ahead of US time zones. Our tips on sleeping well on long-haul flights can help. 

Bali Entry Rules in 2026 for Indian and US Passport Holders 

Both Indian and US passport holders need a visa. Indians living in the USA follow the same rules as travellers from India. 

Requirement	Details
Visa on Arrival (VoA)	IDR 500,000 per person (about US$30). Valid 30 days. Can be extended once.
e-VoA	The same visa, applied for online before you fly. Shorter airport queue.
Passport	At least 6 months valid from arrival, with 2 blank pages
Return ticket	Keep proof of a return or onward flight
All Indonesia arrival card	Free. Fill it online or in the app within 72 hours before landing. Show the QR code at the airport.
Bali tourist levy	IDR 150,000 per person (about US$9 to 10). Separate from the visa. Pay before you fly.

Pay the levy on the official Love Bali website. For visa steps, the arrival card and safety advice for Americans, see the U.S. State Department’s Indonesia page. Indonesia is at Level 2, “exercise increased caution.” 

Rules worth knowing: 

• Staying past your visa costs IDR 1,000,000 per day and can lead to detention. 

• CBD, cannabis and some ADHD medicines (such as Adderall) are illegal in Indonesia. Bring prescriptions in their original packs with a doctor’s letter, and declare them on the arrival card. 

• A US or Indian driving licence alone is not enough to ride or drive. 

• If you live in the USA on a work visa or green card, carry the papers you need to return. 

How to Reach Bali 

From the USA: There are no nonstop flights. Most routes stop once in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong or Doha. Door-to-door, plan on 17 to 30 hours. West Coast travellers usually get the shortest trips through Tokyo or Seoul. Before booking, read our tips to find cheap flights and how to avoid extra airline fees. 

From India: Nonstop flights run from Delhi (Air India), Mumbai and Bengaluru (IndiGo). Flying time is about 6 to 8 hours. Schedules change by season, so check before you book. If you are already visiting family in India, Bali is an easy add-on. 

Bali’s airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar. 

Before You Book: Quick Tips 

• Book July, August and December trips early, as these weeks fill up first. 

• Choose April, May, June or September for the best mix of weather and price. 

• Pack light. Our packing checklist for long trips helps, and add a light rain jacket for November to March. 

• Follow volcano and sea warnings. Treks and boats may be cancelled for safety. 

• Buy travel insurance with medical cover. Most US health plans do not pay for treatment abroad. 

Plan Your Bali Trip with GoGo Trips 

Bali works in any month if you plan around the rain, holidays and Nyepi. For most Indian families and couples, April to June or September gives the best weather for the money. 

Comparing other Asian beach trips? See our guides to places to visit in Vietnam for Indians in the USA and the best overwater villas in the Maldives. 

Need flights from the USA, a hotel or a full Bali plan? Book your trip or talk to our travel team at +1 (229) 329-1796. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the best month to visit Bali? 

May and September. Both are dry and sunny, with fewer tourists and lower prices than July and August. 

What is the worst time to visit Bali? 

December to February is the least good time for a beach trip, as it is the rainiest part of the year. Late December is also the most costly. 

When is the cheapest time to travel to Bali? 

February, March and November are usually the cheapest, except around Christmas, Nyepi and Indonesian holidays. 

Is it worth visiting Bali in the rainy season? 

Yes, if you want lower prices and fewer people. Rain usually comes in short afternoon showers, so mornings are good for sightseeing. Boat trips may be rough. 

When is Nyepi in 2027? 

Monday, March 8, 2027. The airport, roads and shops close for 24 hours, and visitors stay inside their hotels. 

Do Indians need a visa for Bali? 

Yes. Indian passport holders can get a Visa on Arrival or e-VoA for IDR 500,000, valid for 30 days. The IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy is extra. 

Do US citizens need a visa for Bali? 

Yes. US citizens can apply for an e-VoA online or buy a Visa on Arrival at the airport. It costs IDR 500,000 and allows 30 days. 

What is the best way to get around Bali? 

A private car with a driver is the easiest choice for families, at about IDR 600,000 to 1,000,000 per day. Use Grab or Gojek for short trips. 

Can tourists ride scooters in Bali? 

Yes, but you need an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle class and must wear a helmet. Without it, police can fine you and travel insurance may not cover accidents. 

Is vegetarian food easy to find in Bali? 

Yes. Ubud has many vegetarian cafes, local dishes like gado-gado and tempeh are meat-free, and Indian restaurants are found in Ubud, Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua. 

Where should families stay in Bali? 

Nusa Dua and Sanur are best for families, with calm beaches and resort kids’ clubs. Add a few nights in Ubud for culture and nature. 

How many days are enough for Bali? 

Six to seven nights covers South Bali, Ubud and a day trip to Nusa Penida. Add one or two days if you fly from the USA. 

Is there a direct flight from the USA to Bali? 

No. Every flight from the USA needs at least one stop, usually in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong or Doha.