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Bali weather is tropical and attracts tourists year round

Bali is a tropical destination situation just 8 degrees south of the equator. Bali weather is hot and humid with the sun shining most of the year. The average daytime temperature is normally between 27 ºC to 33 ºC all year round. So you could say Bali has only two seasons rather than the usual four. Bali has 7 or so hours per day of full sunlight too.

When is the best time to travel to Bali?

April to September is the dry season in Bali with lower levels of humidity and the best time to experience the sunshine. During the dry season, the southwestern side of the peninsula – Kuta, Seminyak and Uluwatu can be ideal for surfing with waves getting up to 2 metres.

June, July and August are the most pleasant months and are much cooler. The winds pick up and it’s ideal for kite surfing and sailing. Because of the cooler climate, this time of the year is considered the ‘high season’ and when looking for accommodation it’s wise to book early keeping in mind rates will increase.

The wet season starts from October to March, when heavy showers can be daily with a higher level of humidity. March is a great time to come as it’s still in the low season but at the end of the wet season so the showers ease up.

bali-view-of-karma-beach-resort

Rain, rain go away

What’s unique about the climate in Bali is that even in the wet season, it is more likely that the sun will shine on the Bukit Peninsula for a good part of the day. Uluwatu, the southernmost tip of the island may experience heavy winds in the wet season.

On the other hand, central Bali and other mountainous regions like Ubud and Gianyar tend to be overcast most days with the temperature dropping to low 20’s. As you head inland from the coast and up to higher altitudes such as Kintamani and Bedugul, the temperature drops especially after the sun sets and it is advisable to carry warm clothing. You will be surprised just how cool it can get.

During the peak season December to January it’s rare for it to rain continuously for days on end.The tropical downpours come and go throughout the day but when it rains, it pours. The streets become small rivers due to the lack of drainage and the flooding can be quite bad.

Lombok Surfing Beach

The sunsets

The sky changes colour from blue to light shades of pink and purple to deep reds and oranges. The colour depends on the time of month you are in Bali. Once thing to keep in mind though is the different seasons.

Most accommodation in Bali consider mid June to the end of August the high season along with Easter; late December to early January is the peak season and rates can really increase. The low season is everything else in between.

School holidays and religious holidays attract travelers from all over the world to Bali. The accommodation seasons are not based on the weather but on actual holidays. So many be keep this mind when you are booking. The peak season isn’t necessarily the best time to visit Bali but it is the busiest.

Seminyak Sunset

Choosing when to visit

If you’re planning to visit the neighbouring Gili Islands, the weather here is relatively dry and hotter plus it rains less than in Bali. Located to the east of Bali, Lombok it enjoys similar weather conditions with average temperatures ranging from 21 to 32 degree Celsius.

The best time to visit here is in the month of May when it’s the dry season with bright sunshine and beautiful greenery. The climate in Nusa Lembongan is relatively drier than Bali particularly from May to September. Heavy showers can be experienced in January and February.

This still doesn’t stop the onslaught of tourists for Christmas and school holidays. The southwest coast of Bali – Jimbaran, Tabanan, Badung receive the maximum rainfall whereas the north east coast experiences less rain.

Canggu Rice Paddies

What should I pack?

The ideal clothing to pack would include light cottons, shorts, t-shirts, a hat and your sun glasses. Pack some sleeveless clothing if you wish to achieve a golden tan just don’t stay too long in the Bali sun! For those who prefer avoiding a tan, make sure you carry loads of sunscreen with higher SPF. Covered shoes or Crocs would be ideal since you may get your feet wet on the beach or even on the street when it pours. An umbrella should be kept handy when travelling in the wet season.

Also, some warm clothing would be useful if you plan on trekking at higher altitudes. Mosiques spray is also a must have for wet season and make sure it has a high level of DEET. The best time to visit Bali for some people is in the cooler months. This is between April to October. For others it’s when the sun is shining and the humidity is high. There is no right or wrong time to visit Bali as it’s a wonderful location. You’ll never get sick of the stunning sunsets in Bali setting over the ocean.

bali-packing-for-bali

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