Bali Travel Basics
When is the best time to visit Bali? It depends on several factors. To save money, visit during the low season. If you hate flies, avoid Mango Season. Are there any events or festivals you would like to attend (or avoid)? Finally, consider the weather. Do you prefer sunshine or rain?
In This Post
Bali Weather
Eight degrees south of the Equator, Bali has a tropical climate. Consequently, there are basically two seasons: wet and dry.
To clarify, there isn’t a significant change in temperature from month to month. So it’s more about the amount of rainfall and the level of humidity.
The rainy season runs from mid-October through mid-April. The dry season runs from late April through early October. Keep in mind that even during rainy season, it doesn’t necessarily rain all day. But downpours are common.
The heaviest rains take place between December and February. However, there can be cool breezes between June and August.
Mango Season – Not the Best Time to Visit Bali
Travel guides rarely mention something called “Mango Season”. It usually runs about one month. And it is definitely not the best time to visit Bali.
Mango Season is when the mangoes ripen, which causes a proliferation of flies. This is not pleasant given Bali’s outdoor lifestyle.
Needless to say, hotels and resorts do their best to mitigate against the problem.
I stumbled across mango season on the final days of one of my trips. Unfortunately, we were unable to enjoy breakfast outdoors. And by the time we had taken breakfast to our villa, our food was cold.
In fact, we had to remain inside of our villa – or the swimming pool. But we couldn’t even lie in the sun by the pool because of the flies! They were EVERYWHERE!!!
Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing for sure which month Mango Season will fall. While it usually falls in either September, October, or November, it’s hard to know in advance.
Best Time to Visit Bali for Bargain-hunters
If you want to save money, the best time to visit Bali is during low travel seasons.
First of all, Bali attracts a lot of travelers at Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Easter. In addition, July and August are popular. Therefore, you can expect to pay a premium at hotels and resorts during these periods.
On the other hand, January through April is the slow season. The same goes for October and November. Therefore, you can expect fewer people during these periods. Moreover, the chances of bargains are higher.
Key Events in Bali
Many celebrations, festivals, and events take place throughout the year These are some of the events visitors like most…
- Balinese Silent Day -a.k.a. Nyepi, Balinese Silent Day is the Balinese New Year. And for 24 hours, the entire island goes dark and quiet. Click here to find out why: Balinese New Year De-mystified, or Why I’m Extending My Stay – Accidental Travel Writer>>
- Ubud Village Jazz Festival – Jazz takes centre stage at select venues in Ubud in July.
- Ubud Food Festival – Food is in the spotlight in late June and early July in Uqbud.
- Bali Arts Festival -There is a celebration of Balinese and Indonesian culture throughout the island ifrom id-June to mid-July. There are daily performances, exhibitions, and other activities.
- Bali Kite Festival – Villagers in Sanur try to ensure abundant crops by flying colourful kites on the beach in July.
- Bali International Film Festival – Great films from Indonesia and around he world are shown for several days in June.
- Ubud Writers and Readers Festival – Artists, writers, and literature buffs from around the world gather to celebrate the world of literature in October. There are book launches, lectures, and poetry readings.
- Nusa Dua Festival – A week of cultural events and performances is held each October. There is a new theme each year.
Continue Reading
- Return to Bali Travel Basics Table of Contents>>
- Read about the Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Indonesian Hotel Indstry>>
The post contains affiliate links. If you book something through one of these links, I might receive a small commission – at no extra cost to you. This will help cover the post of maintaining this blog.