The short answer: April to October, the dry season. Days are mostly sunny, humidity is lower, the waterfalls are swimmable and the Mount Batur sunrise is most likely to be clear. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. If you prefer fewer crowds, April–June and September–October give you most of the benefit; and the rainy season, from roughly November to March, is lush and quieter, with rain usually falling in heavy afternoon showers rather than all day.
The two seasons
Dry season — April to October
Best weather, busiest in July–August
Sunny days, cooler nights and lower humidity. Ubud, in the hills, is a few degrees cooler than the coast. Waterfalls are calmer and clearer, trails are dry and volcano views are best. July and August bring school holidays and peak prices; book hotels and popular tours well ahead.
Rainy season — November to March
Green, quieter and cheaper, with afternoon storms
Rain often comes as heavy downpours in the afternoon or evening, with sunshine in between. Rice fields are at their greenest, crowds thinner (except at Christmas and New Year) and prices lower. Waterfalls are powerful and often brown, swimming may be closed, and Mount Batur is more likely to be cloudy. December to February are usually the wettest months.
Ubud month by month
Typical conditions in Ubud; the coast is warmer, the Batur highlands cooler. Rainfall varies from year to year.
| Month | Avg high | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ~30 °C | Very high | Wettest stretch. Lush, quiet after New Year, frequent storms. |
| February | ~30 °C | Very high | Still wet. Low prices; plan indoor options for afternoons. |
| March | ~30 °C | High | Rains easing. Nyepi often falls this month — the island shuts for a day. |
| April | ~30 °C | Moderate | Dry season begins. Green landscapes, fewer visitors. Excellent. |
| May | ~30 °C | Low | One of the best months: dry, green and not yet busy. |
| June | ~29 °C | Low | Dry and pleasant. Crowds build towards the end of the month. |
| July | ~28 °C | Low | Peak season. Cool nights, sunny days, busy and pricey. |
| August | ~28 °C | Low | Peak season continues. Book everything early. |
| September | ~29 °C | Low | Dry, and the crowds thin out. A great month. |
| October | ~30 °C | Moderate | Mostly dry, warmer, fewer visitors. Writers festival in town. |
| November | ~30 °C | High | Rains return. Green and quiet; good value. |
| December | ~30 °C | Very high | Wet, with a busy, expensive Christmas and New Year. |
Festivals and holidays worth knowing
- Nyepi (Day of Silence), usually March — the Balinese New Year. On the eve, villages parade giant ogoh-ogoh monster effigies through the streets; on the day itself the entire island, including the airport, shuts down for 24 hours and everyone stays indoors. A unique experience if you plan for it.
- Galungan and Kuningan — every 210 days — among the most important Balinese festivals, celebrating the victory of good over evil. Streets are lined with tall, curving bamboo penjor poles, families visit temples and many businesses close for a day or two. Dates change every year.
- Odalan (temple anniversaries), throughout the year — every temple celebrates its anniversary with offerings, music and dance. In Ubud there is almost always one happening somewhere.
- Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, usually October — a well-known literary festival bringing authors and events to venues around town. Check the festival’s own website for dates.
Quick recommendations
- Best overall: May, June and September.
- For the Mount Batur sunrise: the dry season, April to October.
- For waterfalls: the dry season — calmer, clearer water.
- For lower prices: the rainy season, outside Christmas and New Year.
- For culture: around Galungan, or the night before Nyepi.
