When Is the Best Time to Visit Bali? A 2026 Guide to Weather, Rainy Season, Crowds & Visas

Planning a trip to Bali and wondering when to go? We've lived in Bali for three years, experienced the rainy and dry seasons, travelled all over the island, watched prices change, and learned that the answer isn't simply "come during dry season."

Yes, Bali generally has a dry season from April to October and a wetter season from November to March, but tropical weather doesn't follow a perfect calendar. Even the official Indonesian tourism information notes that changing climate patterns have made the seasons less predictable. (Indonesia Travel)

So instead of telling you there is one "perfect" month to visit Bali, we're going to help you figure out which time is best for the kind of Bali you actually want.

And because you're probably also wondering about visas, ceremonies, crowds, prices and whether rainy season will ruin your holiday, we're covering those too.

Let's get into it.

So, when is the best time to visit Bali?

If you want the simplest answer, we'd say:

April to October is generally your best bet for drier weather and outdoor activities.

But that doesn't mean November to March is a terrible time to visit.

We've had gorgeous sunny days during rainy season, and we've absolutely been caught in rain during dry season.

That's Bali.

The official tourism guidance puts Bali's dry season around April to October and wet season around November to March, while also warning that the seasons are becoming less predictable. (Indonesia Travel)

So don't plan your entire holiday around one weather app.

You might wake up to a dramatic tropical downpour, decide your day is ruined, order another coffee... and two hours later the sky is completely blue.

We've been there.

More than once. 😂

April & May: Our favourite balance

If you asked us to pick a period for a first trip to Bali, April and May would be very high on our list.

You're moving out of the wetter period, the island is incredibly green, and you can start getting those beautiful sunny Bali days without necessarily dealing with the peak of the July and August crowds.

It's a really nice middle ground.

You can have beach days, explore waterfalls, visit temples, drive through rice fields, spend time outdoors and still have flexibility if the weather decides to do its own thing.

Why we like it

The island is lush, outdoor activities are easier to plan and you're not necessarily dealing with the absolute peak of the tourist season.

The downside

It is still tropical weather, so don't expect a guarantee of blue skies every single day.

Our POV

If you want a first Bali trip with a good balance between weather, greenery and crowds, we'd seriously consider April or May.

June to August: The classic Bali season

This is when Bali really gets busy.

The weather is generally drier, which makes it a fantastic time for beaches, surfing, hiking, island trips, waterfalls and basically anything that requires you to be outside.

Sounds perfect, right?

It can be.

But there's one little problem.

Everyone else knows it too.

July and August are particularly popular, so the famous places you've been saving on Instagram can be busy, accommodation can be more expensive and traffic can become... an experience.

Especially if you're staying in popular areas like Canggu, Uluwatu or central Ubud.

Why visit?

If weather is your number-one priority, this is one of the strongest periods to consider.

The downside

More tourists, higher demand and more traffic.

And if you're trying to recreate that "empty Bali road with nobody around" video you saw online, remember that the creator probably didn't show you the other 50 people standing behind the camera. 😂

Our POV

Great weather? Usually.

Peace and quiet? You might need to work a little harder for it.

September & October: Don't overlook them

We think September is one of the more underrated times to visit Bali.

You can still get plenty of the dry-season experience while potentially avoiding some of the peak summer crowds.

October is a little more unpredictable as you get closer to the wetter period, but that doesn't mean you should automatically cross it off your list.

If you're flexible and want to find a balance between weather and crowds, these months are worth considering.

Our POV

September would be one of our choices if we wanted good weather without deliberately picking the busiest part of the year.

Is Bali rainy season really that bad?

This is probably the question we get the most.

And honestly?

No.

But you need to understand what you're signing up for.

Rainy season doesn't necessarily mean waking up to rain, eating breakfast in the rain, spending lunch in the rain and going to bed while it's still raining.

Sometimes it does. 😂

But tropical rain can also arrive very suddenly and disappear just as quickly.

The wetter period generally runs from November to March, with rainfall patterns varying across the island. (Indonesia Travel)

And there is actually something beautiful about Bali during this period.

Everything is incredibly green.

The jungle feels alive.

Rice fields can look unreal.

Waterfalls can be spectacular.

And some places can feel much more relaxed outside the busiest travel periods.

The catch?

You need flexibility.

If your itinerary is:

Monday — beach

Tuesday — boat trip

Wednesday — waterfall

Thursday — sunrise hike

Friday — another island

...and every activity depends on perfect weather, rainy season might test your patience.

But if your itinerary is:

"Let's see what happens today."

You're going to a much better time.

Rainy season can actually be beautiful

There's a version of Bali that you mostly see during wetter periods.

Deep green rice fields.

Mist around the mountains.

Huge tropical clouds.

Waterfalls with much more water.

And that incredibly lush jungle feeling.

If your dream Bali is more Ubud, Sidemen, waterfalls, wellness and nature than beach clubs every afternoon, don't automatically reject rainy season.

Sometimes the weather is actually part of what makes the place beautiful.

What if your dream Bali is mostly beaches?

Then we'd lean toward the drier months.

If you want to spend your days swimming, surfing, island-hopping, exploring beaches and watching sunsets, more predictable weather makes planning easier.

But remember that Bali isn't one tiny beach.

Different parts of the island can have different conditions, and once you start adding places like the Gili Islands, Nusa Penida or Lombok, you're also introducing boat journeys and sea conditions into your plans.

So if island-hopping is important to you, give yourself some flexibility.

A cancelled boat is annoying.

A cancelled boat when you have a flight home that same afternoon is very annoying.

Give yourself a buffer.

Trust us.

What if you're coming to Bali to surf?

Don't just search "best time to visit Bali."

Search for the specific surf area you're interested in.

Bali's different coasts can have different conditions, and what's perfect for an experienced surfer might be absolutely terrifying if you're a beginner.

So don't copy someone's surf itinerary just because their video looked cool.

Research the specific beach, conditions and your experience level.

And if you're a beginner, tell the instructor you're a beginner.

Your ego will recover.

Your body may not. 😂

Is Bali cheaper during rainy season?

It can be.

But don't assume the island suddenly becomes cheap because November arrives.

Accommodation prices depend heavily on the area, demand and dates.

And there's one particularly important thing to remember:

Christmas and New Year.

Yes, technically you're travelling during the wetter season.

But Bali is still extremely popular around the holidays.

So don't arrive thinking:

"Rainy season = empty and cheap."

You could find yourself surrounded by holiday crowds and paying peak-season prices while also carrying an umbrella.

That's not exactly the Bali bargain you imagined. 😂

What about Christmas and New Year in Bali?

If you love the atmosphere, parties and celebrations, this can actually be a really fun time to visit.

You'll find special dinners, events, beach clubs, parties and plenty of travellers spending the holidays here.

But if your dream is a completely empty beach and a tiny villa in the middle of nowhere, don't assume December will give you that.

And remember that December falls within the wetter period, so you're combining holiday demand with less predictable weather.

Our advice?

If you're coming over Christmas and New Year, plan ahead.

Especially for popular areas and accommodation.

Don't forget Bali's ceremonies when choosing your dates

This is something we really want first-time visitors to understand.

Bali isn't a theme park.

People actually live here.

Religious ceremonies happen throughout the year, offerings are part of everyday life and sometimes an entire area can feel completely different because of a ceremony.

And honestly, that's one of the beautiful things about Bali.

But please don't treat someone's religion as an Instagram prop.

If you see a ceremony, watch respectfully.

Dress appropriately when entering temples.

Don't walk over offerings.

Don't touch things just because they look interesting.

And please don't become one of those tourists who thinks "I'm on holiday, so I can do whatever I want."

Freedom doesn't mean disturbing everyone around you.

We've seen behaviour from tourists here that honestly makes us cringe.

Driving around half-naked, behaving disrespectfully in public or treating sacred places like a playground isn't "being free."

It's just being disrespectful.

You're a guest. Act like one.

And you'll find that Bali gives you so much more in return.

Nyepi: Bali's Day of Silence

If you're travelling around March or April, you absolutely need to check whether your trip overlaps with Nyepi.

Nyepi is the Balinese Day of Silence and marks the Balinese Saka New Year.

For around 24 hours, the island essentially stops.

And Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport closes during the observance. (Indonesia Travel)

This isn't simply a fun cultural event for tourists to watch.

It's a deeply important religious observance.

So if you're staying in Bali during Nyepi, you need to respect the rules, including staying inside your accommodation.

The night before Nyepi is very different, with Ogoh-Ogoh processions and celebrations taking place.

So if your dates line up, it can be a fascinating cultural experience — just make sure you're actually learning about it rather than treating it as another content opportunity.

For the exact date each year, check before booking because Nyepi follows the Balinese calendar and the Gregorian date changes. (Indonesia Travel)

What if you're coming to Bali for the photos?

Let's be honest.

We get it.

We create travel content too.

You want the villa. You want the jungle. You want the sunset. You want that beautiful beach shot. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But here's what we'd tell you after three years here:

Don't let the content become the holiday.

Because you can spend half a day driving across Bali for one viral location, wait for your turn to take the exact same photo as everyone else and then spend the rest of the day rushing to the next location.

And suddenly you've "seen" Bali without actually experiencing it.

Some of our favourite memories here aren't even the places that performed best on Instagram.

They're the random days. A little restaurant we weren't planning to visit. A road we took because it looked beautiful.

A coffee that turned into three hours of talking. A sunset we watched without filming it.

Leave some space in your itinerary for nothing.

Nothing is underrated.

And please don't judge Bali by Instagram

This deserves its own section.

Because if you're planning your first trip, social media can make Bali feel incredibly overwhelming.

You see:

Canggu. Ubud. Uluwatu. Amed. Sidemen. Nusa Penida. Gili. Lombok. Waterfalls. Rice fields. Beach clubs. Temples. Yoga. Surfing.

And suddenly your 10-day holiday has 46 activities.

Please stop. 😂

You don't need to do everything.

The person whose Bali trip looked perfect on Instagram might have completely different priorities from you.

Maybe they love nightlife. Maybe you don't drink. Maybe they love hiking. Maybe you hate hiking. Maybe they want to take 500 photos. Maybe you want to swim and read a book.

There is no correct Bali.

There's only the Bali that fits your trip.

What visa do you need for Bali in 2026?

Now for the boring but very important part.

And we're putting this in this guide because visa rules and immigration procedures in Indonesia have been changing, so please don't rely on something a random traveller told you five years ago.

If you're coming for a normal holiday, many eligible nationalities can use Indonesia's Visa on Arrival (VOA).

The current B1 VOA allows an initial stay of up to 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days, with the listed fee currently IDR 500,000. It is intended for permitted visitor activities such as tourism. (MOLINA)

But here's where we really want you to pay attention.

Don't assume a VOA is the right visa for you just because everyone else uses one.

If you're coming for two weeks on holiday, that's one situation.

But if you're thinking:

"I'm going to stay for six months."

"I'm moving to Bali."

"I'm going to work remotely."

"I'm going to work with Indonesian businesses."

"I'm going to start a business."

That's a completely different conversation.

Indonesia has different visa and stay-permit categories for different purposes. There are also specific options for certain remote-work and employment situations. The official immigration system currently lists, for example, a remote-worker category allowing eligible applicants to carry out assignments for an overseas company, while employment visas cover permitted employment activities. (MOLINA)

And the conditions matter.

For example, the official remote-worker visa information specifically states that the holder cannot receive compensation from individuals or companies in Indonesia and cannot sell goods or services there. (MOLINA)

So if you're planning to work while you're here:

Please research your visa before you land.

Don't copy your friend's visa.

Don't copy a TikToker's visa.

And definitely don't listen to:

"Don't worry, everyone does it."

Maybe they do.

That doesn't mean it's legal for you.

Bali immigration rules are not something to gamble with

This is especially important if you're planning to stay longer or work.

Indonesia has been increasing immigration enforcement, and violating visa conditions, overstaying or engaging in activities that aren't permitted under your stay permit can lead to fines, deportation and potentially further legal consequences. (MOLINA)

We are not immigration lawyers, so we're not going to tell you which visa you personally need.

That's your responsibility to check based on your nationality and plans.

Use the official Indonesian immigration website and check the rules close to your travel date.

Because the rules can change.

And we'd much rather have you spend an extra hour researching your visa at home than spend a very stressful afternoon trying to fix an immigration problem in Bali.

Don't forget the All Indonesia arrival declaration

There is also a newer arrival requirement you need to know about.

Since October 1, 2025, international arrivals have been required to complete the All Indonesia arrival declaration, including arrivals through Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport. The system combines immigration, customs, health and quarantine declarations into one process. (Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi)

You can complete it up to three days before arrival, and the declaration itself is free. (Bengkalis Immigration)

So before you fly, don't just check:

"Did I pack my passport?"

Also check:

"Did I complete my arrival declaration?"

Future-you at immigration will be very grateful.

So, when should you actually visit Bali?

Here's our simple shortcut.

| ☀️ Drier weather | April–October |

| 🌿 Lush green landscapes | Wet season / around the wetter months |

| 🏖️ Beach-heavy holiday | Dry season |

| 🏄 Outdoor adventures | Dry season generally gives you more predictable conditions |

| 🌴 Good balance of weather & crowds | April–May or September |

| 🥳 Busy nightlife & events | July–August or holiday periods |

| 💰 Potentially quieter travel | Outside peak periods |

| 🎄 Christmas & New Year | December, but book ahead |

| 🌧️ You don't mind rain | November–March can still be great |

| 🛕 Cultural experiences | Check the ceremonial calendar before booking |

Remember, these are guidelines, not guarantees.

Bali's weather doesn't read our blog before deciding what it's going to do. 😂

Our honest answer after three years in Bali

If you ask us:

"What is the absolute best month to visit Bali?"

We're not going to give you one.

Because it depends on you.

If you want beaches every day, we'd plan differently than if you want jungle and culture.

If you hate crowds, we'd plan differently than if you're coming specifically for Bali's nightlife.

If you're coming for content, we'd plan differently than if you're coming to completely disconnect.

And if you're planning to stay for months or work remotely, we'd start with the visa, not the villa.

That's the shortcut we want to give you.

We've lived here for three years, explored way too many places, changed plans because of weather, sat in traffic, found incredible hidden spots, paid tourist prices and learned the hard way that sometimes the place with 500,000 views isn't actually worth your afternoon.

You don't have to repeat all our mistakes.

Before you book your flight, do this

Don't just Google:

"Best time to visit Bali."

Instead, search for the Bali you actually want.

Look at recent videos.

Check official sources.

Look at the map.

Think about your budget.

Think about what you actually enjoy.

Then make your decision.

Because what works for us doesn't necessarily work for you.

And that's okay.

We're not here to tell you how to travel.

We're here to give you the shortcut.

If you're still confused about when to come, where to stay or how to build your Bali itinerary, come find us on Instagram or YouTube at Soulmates on the Move and send us a message.

We've been living here for three years and we're always happy to share what we've learned.

And if you're planning your trip right now, save this guide and send it to the person you're travelling with — especially the one who has already saved 87 Bali locations on Instagram. 😂

Because you don't need to see all of Bali.

You just need to experience the Bali that's right for you. ❤️

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