Bali
Terraced rice paddies, temple incense, and sunsets that stop conversationsThe Island of the Gods, and It Earns the Name
Bali has been one of the world’s most visited destinations for decades, and it hasn’t lost its ability to genuinely surprise you. The Hindu culture that permeates the island — visible in the daily flower offerings on doorsteps, the sound of gamelan drifting from temple courtyards, and the elaborate cremation ceremonies that double as public celebrations — gives Bali a spiritual texture unlike any other beach destination on earth. Yes, Seminyak and Kuta are crowded and touristy, but step twenty minutes inland to Ubud or further east to Amed and you’ll find a Bali that feels entirely untouched.
What makes Bali work so well for so many different types of travellers is its flexibility. You can blow your budget at a clifftop villa in Uluwatu or stretch $50 a day comfortably in a guesthouse in Canggu. You can surf every morning, do yoga every afternoon, and eat extraordinary food every night — all without feeling like you’re ticking boxes. The island rewards slowing down. The best days in Bali are the ones with nothing planned before noon and nowhere to be by sunset.
Bali Weather Month by Month
| Month | Temp °C / °F | Conditions | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C / 81°F | Wet season, heavy daily rain | Poor |
| February | 27°C / 81°F | Wettest month, flooding possible | Poor |
| March | 28°C / 82°F | Rain easing, still humid | Mixed |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | Transition month, shorter showers | Mixed |
| May | 27°C / 81°F | Dry season starts, lovely skies | Best |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | Cool and dry, perfect beach weather | Best |
| July | 25°C / 77°F | Peak dry season, busy but glorious | Best |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | Dry, breezy, top surfing conditions | Best |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | Dry season end, still excellent | Best |
| October | 27°C / 81°F | First rains return, fewer crowds | Good |
| November | 28°C / 82°F | Wet season building, warm | Mixed |
| December | 27°C / 81°F | Rainy, holiday crowds, festive | Poor |
6 Things You Have to Do in Bali
Watch Sunrise at Mount Batur
The active volcano in Kintamani is one of Bali’s most rewarding treks — a 2-hour predawn climb that rewards you with a sea of clouds below and a sunrise over the caldera lake that looks genuinely unreal. Most tours depart at 2am and include breakfast cooked on volcanic steam vents at the summit.
Explore the Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Bali’s iconic stepped rice paddies north of Ubud are genuinely beautiful, especially in the early morning before the selfie poles go up. The subak irrigation system that created these terraces is a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape. Walk the paths between the paddies and stop at a warung for a coconut overlooking the valley.
Visit Tanah Lot at Sunset
The sea temple on a rocky outcrop is Bali’s most photographed sight, and the sunset behind it is genuinely worth the crowd. Go 90 minutes before sunset to explore the tide pools and surrounding temples when it’s quieter, then secure a spot on the viewing cliff as the light turns golden.
Take a Cooking Class in Ubud
Balinese food is distinct from the rest of Indonesian cuisine, and a morning cooking class that starts with a market visit is one of the best cultural experiences on the island. You’ll learn to make a proper bumbu (spice paste) from scratch, and the techniques you take home are genuinely useful back in your own kitchen.
Surf Uluwatu’s Breaks
The Bukit Peninsula on Bali’s southern tip has world-class left-hand reef breaks that attract serious surfers from every continent. Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Bingin are the main spots. Non-surfers should still make the trip to Uluwatu’s clifftop Kecak fire dance at sunset — one of Bali’s most atmospheric experiences.
Spend a Day in the Sidemen Valley
If Ubud feels too touristy, the Sidemen Valley in eastern Bali offers equally gorgeous rice terraces, views of Gunung Agung, and almost no crowds. Stay at one of the small guesthouses overlooking the valley, walk the paths between villages in the morning, and experience Bali as it was before Instagram found it.
Travel Guides for Bali
5 Travel Tips for Bali
Dress Respectfully at Temples
Every Hindu temple in Bali requires covered shoulders and a sarong below the waist. Most temples lend or sell sarongs at the entrance, but carrying your own lightweight one saves time. If you’re menstruating, many temples ask that you don’t enter — signs at the gate will indicate this.
Haggle at Markets, Don’t Haggle at Warungs
Negotiating at art markets in Ubud and Seminyak is expected and part of the culture — start at about 40% of the asking price. But at local warungs (food stalls) the prices are already fair. Trying to negotiate a $1.50 nasi goreng makes you look bad and doesn’t save meaningful money.
Rent a Scooter Only If You’re Confident
Scooters are the primary way locals and many tourists get around, and rental is cheap (~$5-8/day). But Bali’s roads can be chaotic, especially in Kuta and Seminyak. If you’ve never ridden a scooter before, hire a driver for the day instead — they’re affordable and navigate far better than GPS apps do.
Don’t Touch the Flower Offerings
The small canang sari — woven palm leaf trays with flowers and incense — placed on doorsteps and at roadsides are daily offerings to the gods. Stepping on them or moving them is genuinely offensive to Balinese people, not just impolite. Watch your step in temple areas and village streets.
Book Villas with a Private Pool in Advance for Peak Season
July and August see Bali at maximum capacity. The best private pool villas in Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud book out 3-4 months ahead for those months. If you’re flexible on dates, May, June, and September offer identical weather with 20-30% lower prices and far fewer crowds at popular spots.