Decision guide · reviewed on 8 October 2026
Best time to visit Bali: dry season, rains and areas.
BMKG in Bali does not treat the island as one calendar: there are 20 season zones. As a rule, the dry season runs from April to September; October and November are a transition; the rains run from November to March, peaking December to March. Showers do not necessarily last all day — but in a storm, a dawn transfer or a day on the cliffs gets harder.
| Window | What to expect | Area |
|---|---|---|
| April to September (as a rule) | Dry season in most zones, with variation. | The south coast and Nusa Dua are simpler for the beach. |
| October and November | Transition: rains often start; the date varies by zone. | Ubud and Uluwatu need flexibility. |
| December to March | Peak of the wet season. | Beach still possible, with heavy showers and a plan B for cliff days. |
| Ubud vs coast | Inland is not the beach. | Mix the two only with enough nights. |
Who each season and area is for
April to September is for anyone who wants a beach with less rain. Nusa Dua is the planned, calmer resort area; Seminyak has more nightlife. Ubud is still inland — rice terraces and temples, no sea. Uluwatu is cliffs and surf. December to March changes the pace: the island does not disappear, but the programme needs slack.
Do not mix four areas in a week. Eight nights in July on one coast, with a day in Ubud, are enough for many people. In November, the same shape with a spare day if it rains. The dry season does not start on the same day in all 20 BMKG zones.
Planning example (not a package): eight nights in July on one coast, with one day in Ubud. In November, the same mix with a spare day if it rains.
What should appear in the proposal
- Month: dry season, as a rule, April to September; October and November are a transition; rains November to March.
- Area (Ubud has no beach; Nusa Dua simplifies the resort).
- Transfers between bases and from Denpasar.
- Exclusions and whether you mix inland and coast.
- Whether the beach is non-negotiable.
Frequently asked questions
Does the wet season make Bali unworkable?
Not automatically. It changes the pace. Leave slack in the programme and confirm the area.
Does Ubud have a beach?
No. It is inland. If the sea is non-negotiable, the base is elsewhere.
When is Bali’s dry season?
As a rule, April to September. October and November are a transition; rains run from November to March, peaking December to March. There are 20 season zones: it does not start on the same day in Ubud and on the south coast.
Is December in Bali a bad idea?
It is the peak of the rains. The beach is still possible, with heavy showers. Leave slack and a plan B for cliff days.
Nusa Dua or Seminyak?
Nusa Dua is the planned, calmer resort area. Seminyak has more nightlife and dinners you can walk to. Each beach still needs checking; so does the traffic.
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Sources: BMKG Bali, Indonesia Travel. Travel advice: check your own government (for example the UK FCDO or the US State Department; Portuguese citizens can use the Portal das Comunidades).