Should You Visit Bali?

Are you thinking about visiting Bali, Indonesia? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.


Is Bali worth visiting?

Bali is worth visiting for five to seven days so that you can explore everything that the island has to offer. Bali is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023. Bali is one of the most famous islands in Indonesia. It is a diverse island that has many religious temples, beautiful beaches, inland rainforest, and party towns. The island attracts backpackers, remote workers, and all kinds of vacationers.

Ubud, Bali Ubud, Bali

Reasons to Visit Bali

Food
The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Nightlife
The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Resorts
The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Beaches
The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Hiking
Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Shopping
A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Bali might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Bali here or see if Bali is expensive here.




Is Bali worth visiting in the Summer?

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (81°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

The low season for travel in Bali is during the summer. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.

With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Bali looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, go hiking, and enjoy the amenities of a resort. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar and take in the beautiful scenery.


Summer Weather in Bali
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
July 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
August 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
September 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)

Is Bali worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Bali. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (81°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Bali looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, discover the nearby hiking trails, and lounge on the beach. Also, you can check out the luxurious resorts.


Autumn Weather in Bali
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
October 27°C (81°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
November 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
December 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)

Is Bali worth visiting in the Winter?

The high season for travel in Bali is the winter, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 26°C (79°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Bali looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and the beaches. Also, you'll be able to relax at a resort, take in the beautiful scenery, and get out into nature.


Winter Weather in Bali
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
January 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
February 26°C (79°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
March 27°C (81°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)

Is Bali worth visiting in the Spring?

The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (81°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Bali, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Explore the island scenery to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. With the warmer weather, the beach is very popular this time of year. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your visit. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to Bali looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, admire the wonderful scenery, and take advantage of the local nightlife. Also, you can experience the beaches, the beautiful resorts, and the hiking.


Spring Weather in Bali
Avg Temp
(°C/°F)
Avg Rain
(mm/inches)
April 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
June 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)

Things to Consider Before Visiting Bali

Lots of Tourists
Bali sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.

Related

What is Bali most famous for?

Bali is most famous for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. The island is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. It's also known for hiking and shopping. It is often described as spiritual, cultural, stunning, tropical, lush, and frequented.

What is the most famous sight in Bali?

The most popular sight in Bali is Pura Lempuyang. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Bali on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Pura Lempuyang and other attractions here.

How touristy is Bali? Is it a popular island to visit?

Bali is a very touristy island that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

  • Bali Instagram Private Tour (All-Inclusive): $99
  • Half-Day Electric Fat Bike Tour of Ubud: $32
  • Private Bali Customized Tours: $65
  • Private Customised Ubud Tour: $70
  • Bali ATV Quad Bike Adventure and Snorkeling Tour: $99
  • Dirt Bike Tours with fully trained Guides - full day tours with relax time frame: $141
  • Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $19
  • Bali Best Of Ubud Tour Private and All Inclusive: $127

How long should I spend in Bali?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Bali is at least five or as many as seven days. Since Bali has a variety of activities such as scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, dining, and nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bali?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bali?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bali?.