Season guide · Bali · Indonesia
Bali in the peak holidays
July–August and late December: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: LukeTriton, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
European, Australian and domestic holidays fill hotels and roads; book villas, drivers and popular restaurants early. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F), with about 22 rainy days across July–August and late December.
Key facts
- Months
- July–August and late December
- Temperatures
- 23°C (73°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 22
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 29°C (84°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in the peak holidays
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 | 11.7 h | 5/5 |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 | 11.8 h | 5/5 |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 15 | 12.6 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 31°C (88°F), and 22 of the year's roughly 109 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in the peak holidays
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- July: Bali Kite Festival at Padang Galak beach near Sanur (usually July or August)
- August: Indonesian Independence Day celebrations and village games (17 August)
- December: Christmas and New Year's Eve parties in Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta (late December)
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Ubud
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Go at 7–8am for soft light and few people; the terraces are greenest a few weeks before harvest.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Ubud
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
On the edge of central Ubud, this forest of giant banyan trees and moss-covered temples is home to several hundred long-tailed macaques.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Religious site · Karangasem
Lempuyang Temple
Arrive at dawn to beat the photo queue, which can last hours, and to see Mount Agung before clouds form.
- Time needed
- 2–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Active
- History
Nature · Kintamani
Mount Batur sunrise trek
An active volcano of 1,717 metres, Mount Batur rises over the crater lake of Batur.
- Time needed
- 6–8 hours including transfers
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Religious site · Karangasem
Besakih Temple
Use the official ticket office and an official guide if wanted; decline unofficial guides who approach at the car park.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Day trips in the peak holidays
- Nusa Lembongan (About 30–40 minutes by fast boat) — A smaller, calmer island with a laid-back village, mangrove kayaking, snorkelling and the Devil's Tear rock blowhole; a suspension bridge links it to Nusa Ceningan.
- Munduk and Sekumpul waterfalls (About 2.5–3 hours by car) — Bali's northern highlands have some of its finest waterfalls, including Sekumpul's group of falls in a jungle valley and the walks around Munduk's clove and coffee plantations.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is the peak holidays a good time to visit Bali?
It is a trade-off: European, Australian and domestic holidays fill hotels and roads; book villas, drivers and popular restaurants early. The best months overall are April–June and September–October.
+What is the weather like in Bali in the peak holidays?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F), with about 22 rainy days over the season.