Bali in March, a good time to visit? Because of Balinese Silent Day, it could be either the best or the worst time to visit, depending on your point of view. If you want a unique cultural experience, Balinese Silent Day would be the best time to visit. However, if you don’t want to be stuck in your hotel for 24 hours, Balinese Silent Day could be the worst time to visit. And that would be especially true if you will only be there for a few days. The weather is rainy, but it’s off season. So many hotels and guest house will offer discounts.
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Bali Weather in March
So how is the weather in Bali in March? First of all, Bali is hot all year. And there is little variation in temperature from month to month. In fact, the average highs and lows vary by just a couple of degrees.
So what is the weather like in Bali in March like? In fact, the average high temperature is 34 degrees Celsius, or 92 degrees Fahrenheit. And the average low is 24 Celsius, or 75 Fahrenheit.
Because it sits in the tropics, Bali has two distinct seasons: wet and dry. And March is one of the four wettest months of the yea. In fact, there is an average of 15 rainy days in March!
But keep in mind, it doesn’t always rain all day. In fact, a heavy downpour can be followed by sunny skies. As for the humidity, it hovers at around 80%. And this can make it a bit uncomfortable at times.
Regarding hotel rooms, March is relatively quiet. So many hotels will offer discounts on hotel rooms. This is especially true of smaller hotels and guest houses.
My honest opinion is that March is a great time to visit Bali. And the primary reason is the chance to experience Balinese Silent Day. I loved roaming the streets watching the preparations in the lead up. And the ogah ogah parades on New Year’s Eve were amazing. Moreover, Silent Day itself – when the entire island shut down – was a very moving experience.
On the flip side, I’ve heard some tourists complain that there wasn’t much to do on Silent Day. And this can be especially disappointing if you were not aware of the holiday in advance. And you didn’t know you wouldn’t be able to leave your hotel for 24 hours.
| Ave. High | Ave. Low | Ave. Rainfall | Rainy Days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canggu | 34 C / 92 F | 24 C / 75 F | 9.2 inches | 15 |
| Denpasar | 34 C / 92 F | 24 C / 75 F | 9.2 inches | 15 |
| Kuta | 34 C / 92 F | 24 C / 75 F | 9.2 inches | 15 |
| Sanur | 34 C / 92 F | 24 C / 75 F | 9.2 inches | 15 |
| Seminyak | 32 C / 91 F | 24 C / 75 F | 9.2 inches | 15 |
| Ubud | 30 C / 86 F | 21 C / 71 F | 8,3 inches | 14 |
If you would like to know what Bali is like in other months, check out the …
Things to Do in Bali in March
Because the Balinese New Year almost always falls in March, the preparations for the holiday can be a feast for the eyes!
Balinese Silent Day – 11 March 2024
The Nyepi Day of Silence, a.k.a. Balinese New Year, is either the best or the worst time to visit Bali. In fact, it depend on the purpose of your visit.
While some visitors think the experience is inspirational, others complain there is nothing to do.
If you want a spiritual experience, exposure to an exotic culture, and a chance to reconnect with your inner self, Nyepi is the best possible time to visit the Island of the Gods.
However, if you were hoping to go sightseeing, surfing, or shopping until you drop, Balinese New Year is the worst possible time to visit.
Lights across Bali are turned off at 6 am on the Balinese Day of Silence. Subsequently, the island remains dark (and quiet) for 24 hours.
That includes street lamps, traffic signals, and all exterior lighting. Television and radio stations don’t broadcast. Even the airport shuts down!
The majority of people in Bali are Hindu. According to traditional Hindu beliefs, evil spirits return to earth on the Balinese New Year.
Therefore, everyone is expected to stay indoors. That is to say, they are trying to mislead the visiting spirits into thinking they have abandoned Bali. As a result, they will leave the island alone in the coming year.
However, there are a couple of exemptions. For example, hospitals and hotels can continue to operate. But they must extinguish exterior lighting.
In the same vein, pregnant women, accident victims, and the seriously ill can seek medical treatment. As a result, ambulances are allowed to take them to the hospital.
Day of Reflection
For the Balinese, the Nyepi Day of Silence is a day of meditation, reflection, and silence. Not only that, fires cannot be lit. Consequently, there can be no cooking. And some Balinese do, in fact, fast on Silent Day.
But non-Hindus are expected to respect many of the customs, as well. For example, they must remain at home or within the confines of their hotel.
For hotels, this presents a dilemma because many visiting tourists book trips to the island unaware that they will be confined to their hotels during a 24 hour period on the Day of Silence.
The Nyepi Day of Silence falls between 7 and 31 March on the Gregorian Calendar. Often called Silent Day or the Day of Silence in English, Nyepi begins at 6 am on the first day and continues until 6 am the following day.
New Year’s Eve
10 March 2024
Giant ogoh-ogoh are paraded through the streets of Denpasar and Kuta as well as in villages and towns across the island to purify the environment and scare off evil spirits. You won’t want to miss this! It is a spectacle to behold!
New Year’s Day
11 March 2024
Everyone is expected to remain indoors on the Nyepi Day of Silence. However, hotels usually organize activities to keep guests occupied.
In addition to attending yoga classes or experiencing guided meditation, guests are usually allowed to wonder about the grounds, lie by the pool, or go swimming. But noise should be kept to a minimum.
In addition, most hotels catering to tourists organize special activities for children.
However, hotel guests are not allowed on the beach or to leave the hotel grounds. Hotel rooms usually have black-out curtains, which should be kept shut after dark.
Nyepi falls on the first day of the tenth month, or sasih kedasa, one day after the ninth new moon. While this day usually appears in March in the Gregorian calendar, it occasionally occurs in April.
Future Nyepi Dates
- 2025 – 29 March
- 2026 – 19 March
- 2027 – 8 March
- 2028 – 26 March
Ngembak Geni – 12 March 2024
Ngembak Geni, which means “relighting the fire” in Balinese, is the day after Nyepi. It represents a return to life as usual.
Expect large crowds at beaches and parks as families and friends gather to seek forgiveness and perform religious rituals.
Omed Omedan – 12 March 2024
Concurrent with Ngembak Geni is Omed Omedan. On this day, crowds of unmarried young people gather for a massive kiss-in.
First, the men and women stand opposite each other. Then, the two groups reach out and start embracing and kissing each other. While cheering them on, onlookers douse them with water.
Foreign tourists are welcome to watch. However, they should refrain from taking part.
Is Balinese New Year a Good Time to Visit?
I once planned a visit to Bali in March. But I only became aware of the Balinese Day of Silence after my arrival.
The general manager of the hotel I was staying at brought the issue up over breakfast. In fact, he asked when I was returning to Hong Kong.
When I told him I was leaving a couple of days before the festival, he suggested I extend my trip by a few days.
“I really want you to experience it,” he said.
“If you can change your ticket home, I’ll put you up at either this hotel or – if we are fully booked – at one of our sister properties.”
A Very Special Experience
I must say, the Balinese New Year was a very special experience. I was taken into Kuta on New Year’s Eve to view the ogoh-ogoh being carried through the streets.
On New Year’s Day, I was confined to the hotel premises, where I took a session of guided meditation, watched a movie, which turned out to be a very emotional experience, and enjoyed three meals on the roof.
Dinner was served in total darkness. And the number of stars visible in the skies overhead was spectacular.
I can understand the disappointment someone might have if they had booked a short trip to Bali not knowing of Balinese Silent Day.
I would, in fact, recommend planning your trip around the Day of Silence. Just make sure you book a room at a hotel that offers something for you to do – or bring a good book!
Other March Holidays in Bali in March
A lot more is happening in March than Balinese Silent Dayl Here is a short look.
Good Friday – 29 March 2024
Easter is celebrated primarily at churches and homes. However, many hotels and restaurants have special menus catering to tourists on Easter weekend.
- 2025 – 18 April
- 2026 – 3 April
- 2027 – 26 March
- 2028 – 14 April
Easter Sunday – 31 March 2024
Easter is celebrated primarily at churches and homes. However, many hotels and restaurants have special menus catering to tourists on Easter weekend
- 2025 – 18 April
- 2026 – 3 April
- 2027 – 28 March
- 2028 – 16 April
.
Bali Rockin Blues Festival – 2024 Date Pending
Rock and blues takes centre stage at the Bali Rockin Blues Festival in Denpasar, and island’s capital and largest city.
If You Are Visiting Bali
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