Bali Rainy Season: When is The Best Time To Visit?

Dreaming of Bali? Us too! If you’re wondering when is the best time to travel to Bali and when is Bali rainy season, this is the guide for you. Whether you want to search for waterfalls in Ubud or experience luxury in Uluwatu, Bali is an epic destination for your honeymoon, solo trip, or girls trip. It’s always a good idea and you won’t spend a fortune either! I love Balinese food, diving in Komodo and the Gili islands, and watching colorful sunsets on the beach while sipping on cold coconut water – even during the rainy season. 

In this Bali guide, we’ll cover: 

1. When is Bali Rainy Season?
2. Activities to Do When it Rains  
3. Bali Rainy Season: How to Pack 
4. Where to Stay in Bali 

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When is Rainy Season in Bali?

Here’s the scoop. Bali is a great place to visit year-round. It’s a tropical, humid climate, and there is a wet season and a dry season. 

• If you want to travel during the dry season, the best times of year to visit Bali are March and September. 
• May to August is also great because it’s a bit cooler in the mornings and evenings. 
• Rainy Season starts in November and typically ends in March. January is one of the wettest months to visit. Keep in mind that just because you visit during the wet monsoon season doesn’t mean you’re going to get drenched every day. 

Wet Season in Bali 

I’ve visited Bali several times during different times of the year including Christmas and New Year’s and would honestly return any time of year. There have been times when there has been such a massive downpour you don’t even want to go outside. We had to take shelter in a restaurant for several hours once because the street flooded, and it was too wet to ride the scooter. There are also days when it rains nonstop, and you wonder when it’s going to let up. 

Water sports like scuba diving can also get canceled if there is too much rain. So if you’ve only got a few days in Gili T, make sure you check the weather before you go so that you can enjoy as many dives as possible. It’s so amazing, you’ll love diving here! 

Visiting during the rainy season in Bali can also mean a few occasional showers at night and plenty of sunny tropical beach days. It’s always a good idea to pack a rain jacket or a rain poncho in your bag or space under your scooter seat, that you can easily slip so you don’t get wet. 

The good news is that everything looks so lush and vibrant after a downpour. You’re also avoiding peak season – which means Bali is less crowded so look out for deals on places to stay. If you’re planning on renting a scooter (which you will need one if you’re in Bali), it can be a bit overwhelming learning to navigate the roads if you’ve never been on a scooter before. During the rainy season, there are fewer people on the streets. 

What to do during Bali Rainy Season 

1. Take a Yoga class – Bali has incredible Yoga studios in Ubud, Canggu, and Uluwatu. Desa Seni is a village resort, with a beautiful venue to practice yoga in nature. It’s one of my favorites and a go-to have if you need to escape the noise and find balance. 

2. Pamper Yourself – Treat yourself to an all-day spa day without spending your budget for the week! From world-class Balinese massages to wraps, and scrubs, Bali does self-care right. Get pampered at Espace Spa Bali and get the body mask wrap or find a local massage place for a $10 massage. 

3. Treat Yourself to Lunch at Your Favorite Cafe – Bali food is phenomenal, and when it’s raining all day, you still gotta eat. Crate Cafe, Kynd Community, and Milk & Madu are always delicious options. While the cafes in Bali are always good, don’t skip the local food. Some of my favorite dishes are Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, Sate, and Tempe. 

4. Write about your travels or jot down your thoughts in a journal. One of the best things about being in Bali is that you can slow down from the hustle and bustle and escape routine. Luxury villas are affordable to rent and often come with a pool where you can unwind. While you may or may not want to jump in if it’s pouring, you can always take advantage of the free time to rest and plan the rest of your trip. 

5. Step into digital nomad mode and start working.  If you’re in Bali long-term, chances are you’re doing some type of work online to make money. When it’s raining, get to it! Let your creative juices flow and get ahead of schedule. If you’ve got a passion project or a blog you’ve been thinking about starting, create a content strategy or business plan when you’re stuck inside. The rain will eventually let up, and how good will it be when you finally tick off major to-do’s from your list? 

• Powerful Blogging Resources and Tools – Start Strong Before You Launch
• Best Side Hustles in 2020: Ideas to Make Extra Money From Home

Bali Rainy Season: What to Wear 

Bali has a tropical climate, and it can get hot and humid. Stick to flowy and breathable fabrics like sundresses, linen clothing, and hats. During the rainy season, add a waterproof and quick-dry jacket to your list. You don’t need to go to extremes, but you’ll want to have at least a poncho or something you can slip on when it starts raining, and you’re riding your scooter. 

How to Prepare for Rainy Day Travel 

Rain jacket or Poncho – Stay dry by being prepared with a jacket. Avoid anything too thick, because it will still be hot and you don’t want anything sticking to your skin.

Waterproof Backpack – While I would highly recommend having a dry bag to protect your most valuable possessions from soaking, it’s also not a bad idea to invest in a rain cover for your bag for when the heavens decide to open up. 

Mosquito Repellent – While you can buy mosquito repellent wherever you go, this natural mosquito repellent is made without nasty chemicals. Avoid becoming a target for those pesky bugs with this soothing blend of organic butter and essential oils known for their anti-bacterial and insect repelling properties. 

What to Pack for Bali – Women’s Clothing 

Linen– Beat the heat in anything linen. It’s a lightweight fabric that is perfect for sipping cocktails at La Brisa and watching the sunset. 

Flowy dresses – They are versatile, breathable, and can be worn day or night with your favorite slides. 

Maxi Dresses – Here’s another stunner! This Salty Crush boho maxi dress is a lightweight and perfect addition to your must-have Bali wardrobe. 

Hats – While it’s smart to wear your helmet at all times while scooting around Seminyak and Canggu, a sun hat is a great way to protect your face from the sun’s rays. Check out:  

Activewear – For Yoga and Sound Healing Meditations

Bathing Suits – Can you ever have too many? Yeah, we didn’t think so. 

Where to Stay in Bali 

There are so many options for hotels, villas, and lot of opinions on what are the best places to stay in Bali. The question is, where do you want to travel?  

Canggu – Mayana Villas 9.4 Rating 

Seminyak – Montigo Resorts Seminyak 9.1 Rating 

Ubud – The Udaya Resorts and Spa 9.4 Rating 

Uluwatu – The Ungasan Clifftop Resort 9.4 Rating 

Places to Stay Outside of Bali – Nearby Islands

If you love scuba diving, off the beaten path adventures, and want to experience a different side of Indonesia, add these islands to your bucket list!

Komodo Islands – Labuan Bajo – Puri Sari Beach Hotel 9.1 Rating 

Nusa Penida – The Mesare Resort 9.0 Rating

Gili T – Pearl of Trawangan 9.2 Rating

Lombok – Novotel Lombok Resort & Villas 8.6 Rating

Conclusion – Bali Rainy Season

Just because your trip might fall during Bali rainy season, don’t rush to change your plans. There is still plenty of time for scuba diving adventures, and exploring beaches, rice fields, and waterfalls. Thanks for checking out our rainy season Bali Travel Guide. Let us know how your trip goes!  

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Related:

• 7 Amazing Things To Do in Uluwatu, Bali
• Things To Do In Ubud, Bali: Swings, Waterfalls, and Temples