Best time to Visit Bali: Travel Tips and Top Seasonal Festivals

Bali is a tropical wonderland that boasts warm and sunny weather most months of the year, making it an ideal escape from colder regions of the globe. For a fun-filled vacation, solo experience, or a business trip, below is a guide to help you plan your trip around the best time of year to visit. Let’s take a closer look at considerations to make when planning an epic vacation to the island.

Annual Weather in Bali

Boasting a tropical climate that is ideal for countless outdoor activities, Bali is considered a treasure of the south seas. Unlike with many other popular vacation destinations that experience warm summer months and frigid winter months, this Indonesian island is almost always pleasantly warm. Bali has a wet season that lasts from November to March where you are likely to encounter a lot of rain. The temperature during the wet season hovers around 90°F, but there is also substantial humidity in the air. During the rainy season, the island can see up to several inches of rain each month. The dry season lasts from April to October and temperatures range from the mid-80s to the low-90s.

For travelers who are looking for the best weather conditions, plan to visit during the dry season since travelers can make the most of their visit and explore all of the iconic landmarks, beaches, jungles, and attractions comfortably. During the dry season, travelers are not likely to see any rainfall and can take part in many activities and festivals that are on schedule for this time of year. July and August are the peak tourism months, so take this into consideration when making travel plans.

Packing for a Bali vacation

Packing for an action-filled vacation in Bali is easy! The temperatures stay in the mid-80s to low-90s most days of the year, so be sure to pack plenty of light and airy shirts, shorts, and sunscreen. A light jacket should be packed for evening adventures as the temperatures cool down a little once the sun goes down. Umbrellas and raincoats are not necessary unless you are traveling to Bali during the rainy season months.

Annual Festivals and Events in Bali

Known as the “Island of the Gods,” Bali is an island that knows how to celebrate its rich heritage as well as its pop-culture. With over 3,000 years of history and an up and coming contemporary urban center, there are many annual events and festivals that visitors can join in on, rain or shine. You just may want to plan your entire trip around a fun-filled event you wish to attend. Here is a look at some of the most notable annual events in Bali.

Bali Arts Festival

Considered to be one of the most popular annual events, Bali Arts Festival is a much-anticipated celebration of art and culture of the past and present. This festival occurs mid-June through mid-July in the Denpasar neighborhood on the south end of the island. At Bali Arts Festival, guests will be welcomed with a whole host of live cultural shows like an opening procession, traditional village dancing, costume performances, and tribal drum music. Guests can also visit Taman Werdhi Budaya Arts Center to check out cultural exhibits, sculptures, paintings, and other fascinating art pieces.

Nyepi (Day of Silence)

For those who really want to immerse themselves in the culture of Bali, make it a point to be on the island for Nyepi (Day of Silence). This annual event happens in March and offers the perfect excuse for travelers to do absolutely nothing for an entire day! Nyepi (Day of Silence) changes each year and is based on the Balinese calendar, so be sure to check before making travel plans if you wish to participate. It is a Hindu tradition that is meant to trick evil spirits into thinking that no one is on the island so that the spirits leave. Nyepi (Day of Silence) is observed as a day of self-reflection and meditation and locals refrain from working, eating, and talking for 24 hours. On Nyepi (Day of Silence) visitors are welcome to do what they want to in their hotel rooms, but must follow the customary traditions of the holiday in public.

Bali Kite Festival

Head down to Sanur Beach in July and watch as the sky transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors for the annual Bali Kite Festival. It is a tradition in Bali, and is quite the sight to take in. At Bali Kite Festival visitors can watch as competitive teams fly giant traditional kites in the sky with the challenge of keeping them airborne. At the festival, visitors will see plenty of traditional leaf shaped, bird shaped, and fished shaped kites, as well as smaller kites flown by kids and hobbyists. While enjoying all of the festivities, do some shopping or sample local cuisine at the independent businesses sprinkled around the boardwalk.

Bali Spirit Festival

An annual festival that celebrates health and wellness, the Bali Spirit Festival is a week-long event that happens in late-March into early-April. This lively event features large group yoga sessions, music, dancing, healthy food and beverages, meditation, and colorful decorations that will awaken the spirit. Bali Spirit Festival welcomes guests from around the world to take part and discover something new about themselves. The festival can be found at the Purnati Center in Ubud and tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance to the event center. Visitors can attend seminars, retreats, concerts, family-friendly activities, and community offerings that all center around personal health and wellbeing.

Kuta Karnival

A fun and relaxing event for those who want to experience all of the carnival rides, games, and food they enjoyed as a kid, the Kuta Karnival is a must-do event! Kuta Karnival can be found near the shoreline of Kuta Beach and is full of festive activities that appropriate for visitors of all ages. At the Kuta Karnival, guests can hop on rides, join in on sporting events, fly kites, sample local and international cuisine, take part in traditional cultural events, play games, and enjoy getting to know the residents of the area. This exciting event is in full swing during the month of September.

Ubud Food Festival

The perfect event for those who love food and experiencing the tastes and smells of exotic places, Ubud Food Festival is the place to be. Ubud Food Festival occurs during the end of April and is a celebration where guests from all over the world can eat, mingle, and learn about the culture of Bali. This is a three-day event where chefs, food producers, food journalists, guests, and food photographers join forces to invent new recipes and food trends for the future as well as showcase their best dishes for Bali to enjoy. Visitors will get to sample traditional and new-age Balinese food, learn about the ingredients used in the dishes, and discover its relevance in the culture of the island.

Travel to Bali with Money Savings in Mind

While Bali is one of the renowned vacation destinations of the world that caters to the rich and famous, it is also a place where guests can have an extraordinary time on any budget. Bali offers an excellent exchange rate so guests from many regions of the world will find the island an extremely affordable vacation destination. Depending on when you travel to the island, you could receive generous discounts on your travel arrangements. Plan ahead and take advantage of savings on hotel rooms, attraction tickets, airline tickets, and more.

Travel to Bali During the Off-Peak Tourism Months

For guests who have flexible schedules, the best time to visit Bali is during the off-peak travel months of September through March. By this time, all of the summer vacation visitors have left for the year and there is less of a demand for hotel rooms, airline tickets, restaurant reservations, and attraction tickets. Guests traveling at any time of the year will get to experience the warm weather that this region is known for, but may have to deal with rain that comes during the wet season. Bali is an island that caters to tourists all year long and welcomes the chance to entertain visitors who are up to braving the sometimes wet weather. There are plenty of indoor activities to check out while on the island including:

• Bali Cultural Centre – An ornate castle-like indoor and outdoor center where visitors can learn about the history and traditions of the Balinese people. This mesmerizing center offers galleries, outdoor sculptures, live entertainment shows, and interactive exhibits.
• Kendra Gallery of Contemporary Art – An expansive urban gallery that features modern artwork from artists from around the world. It features a minimalist vibe and showcases abstract and other contemporary art that evokes thought and encourages guests to dig deep to discover its meaning.
• Discovery Shopping Mall – Located right next to the beach, Discovery Shopping Mall is a premier destination for anyone who wishes to shop until they drop. This mall is home to over 150 stores and restaurants, and boasts an impressive courtyard where even more action happens daily!
• Turtle Island Cookery School – A place where guests can learn how to cook like the Balinese, Turtle Island Cookery School offers several classes that visitors are welcome to join. Instructors teach guests about the traditions and health benefits of ingredients used in the cuisine and how to prepare it appropriately. This is the ideal activity for foodies!

Finding a Budget-Friendly Hotel in Bali

The best time to visit Bali and save the most money on hotel rooms is during the spring and fall seasons. Hotels offer good discounts to those who travel to the island in March, April, September, and October. During these months, the weather is still pleasant and dry, and visitors will not have to wait in long lines or navigate through busy streets that buzz with tourism activity during the summer months. Consider checking into one of these hotels or private villas to enjoy an extraordinary stay for a low price:

• Peaceful and Private Pool Villa in Ubud – For as low as IDR 1,000,000 per night, visitors can enjoy a private villa that comes with a swimming pool and two spacious bedrooms. Amenities included at this villa include complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a doorman.
• Hilton Bali Resort – Located right on the waterfront, a room at Hilton Bali Resort can be booked for less than IDR 1,300,000 per night. Guests at this scenic hotel are treated to amenities like ocean view rooms, modern decor, a swimming pool, a spa, a hot tub, airport transport, and complimentary breakfast.
• Askara Canggu Townhouse – An exceptional deal starting at IDR 316,000 per night, travelers will get to enjoy spacious rooms that are all adorned in modern furnishings. Amenities included with room reservations include free airport transport, breakfast, quick beach access, a swimming pool, complimentary Wi-Fi, room service, and daily housekeeping.
• Kuta Paradiso Hotel – A relaxing oasis that boasts beautiful views and a tropical Balinese ambiance, Kuta Paradiso Hotel offers guests a restful place to relax and unwind for less than 798,000 per night. Guests at Kuta Paradiso Hotel will enjoy an abundance of amenities and activities such as a kid’s playroom, close proximity to the beach, free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, airport transport, a spa, on site restaurant, a fitness center, and a spacious outdoor swimming pool.

Saving Money on Airfare to Bali

For those who are looking to save money on airfare, the best time to board a flight to Bali is during the middle of the week when airline tickets are less in demand. Explore the island during the workweek and enjoy shorter lines and less crowds than during weekend days. Travelers can save even more money by flying to Bali in the middle of the night on a red-eye flight. The cheapest months to fly to the island are in May, September, and October when tourism is down and the summer vacation season is over.

Other Bali Travel Considerations

No matter what time of year it is, getting to Bali is thanks to its dedicated airport, Ngurah Rai International Airport. A valid passport is needed to enter onto the island and it must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay and contain at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. A tourism visa is not needed for stays that are less than 30 days in length.

Bali is considered to be a safe travel destination for travelers, including solo travelers and females. Visitors should practice basic safety precautions as you would traveling to other vacation destinations. Pickpocketing can be an issue for tourists, so it is recommended that you keep your purse and wallet close to your body and do not wander about in public with flashy valuables that could attract attention to yourself. When exchanging currency, be sure to use the currency exchange centers at the airport or in the city, or go to a local bank.

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