This is an article about the season in Bali for those who dream of flying to the island, just as I once dreamed. It is charged to ensure that you are sure to be on the island and feel the ✨Balinese vibe✨. In the meantime, I will answer all popular questions: when and how to fly, in which area to live, and most importantly, when is the best time to go on vacation in Bali.
And yet … it would be boring to simply list the values on the thermometer at one time or another of the year, so I tried to fit into this text my recommendations, from which the map of the island on your phone will be decorated with new marks.
Bali for Russians : Can I go?
Is it possible to go to Bali now? Here I have good news for you! Now, to get to the resort, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance (an unpleasant legacy of the pandemic).
In 2022, Indonesia opened its island to 75 countries that can obtain a visa on arrival. More recently, Russia and the CIS countries have been included in this list.
Visais put in the passport upon arrival and is designed for 30 days + allows one extension for another 30 days. The cost of a visa is 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (about 2,000 rubles) or $35. You pay directly at the airport to the border guard, you can in dollars. If you have a foreign bank card, you can try to pay with it. Unfortunately, cards from Russian banks will not work.
- Extending a tourist visa will cost another 800,000 idr (3,000 rubles). After an additional 30 days, you must leave Indonesia. It is impossible to make a new visa inside the country.
An independent trip to Bali for a long time, for example, for wintering, requires a long-term visa, which allows you to stay on the island for up to 6 months. Its cost is from $200. Such a visa is made in advance, before departure to Indonesia. Terms of execution – 7-10 business days.
We did a long-term visa through trusted agents. They have an interesting tariff: visa + bank account for $260, which is super convenient for those who plan to stay longer in Bali. Since the cards of Russian banks do not work here, the Indonesian card comes in handy. What I like about Bali is that here I can pay with a card almost everywhere, even in the most nondescript shop. Let me know in the comments if you need contacts.
Flights to Bali in 2022
It is now possible to get to Bali only with a transfer, and most often with more than one. After the island reopened after a long lockdown during the pandemic, prices in Bali have risen in 2022, especially for accommodation and tickets.
There are a lot of ticket options. The lower the cost, the more transfers await you. For example, the price of a flight for one person on the Moscow-Bali route at the end of January starts from 70,000 rubles, while there will be 3-4 transfers. With one transfer, most often it falls on the UAE, a ticket can be found for 85,000 rubles for one.
If you still don’t know the exact dates when to fly to Bali, then I would monitor tickets for at least a week – there may be sales from airlines (and then the price for an adequate flight in terms of connections may drop to 60 thousand). But the closer to the departure date you buy tickets, the more expensive.
- I always look for tickets on Aviasales. I also used Skyscanner before, but it closed the search for tickets from Russia.
Many of my friends traveled with transfers. They were tired, but at the same time so happy that they were finally in Bali. So don't let the long flight scare you if your ultimate goal is to see the island.
From the latest news: we may have to resume direct flights between Russia and Indonesia. The question is when… If this happens, then getting to Bali will be as easy as flying from any city to Moscow.
Howtrip life hack:This winter we are also flying to Bali. We did not like the current price order, and we decided to save money like this: we bought a ticket to Manila (Philippines) with a transfer in the UAE for 24,000 rubles per person and then added a Manila-Bali flight for 5,000 rubles. Let's see a new country on the way to the island!
Basic entry requirements to Indonesia (and Bali):
1. Vaccination certificate required from 18 years of age. The satellite is coming.
My personal recommendation: take a photo of the certificate on your phone so that it is always at hand. There are no quarantine and strict requirements in Bali, everyone goes without masks, but at the entrance to some public places, like shopping centers, they ask you to show information about vaccination and wear a mask.
2. Booking a return ticket no later than 60 days from the date of arrival in the country.
3. Insurance for the entire stay on the island.
When is the best time to relax in Bali – the high season and the rainy season
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“Tanya, when is the best time to go to Bali?” – I have been hearing for half a year, since I moved here from Thailand. You can relax on the island all year round. There is no better time for me to visit Bali. Or worse.
But I don't think that answer will suit you. Therefore, let's figure out what time the season starts in Bali, when is it better to go and what kind of weather awaits us by months.
High season
It is believed that the tourist season lasts from April to October. During this period, it is winter in Bali – that is, the dry season: a lot of sun, little rain and not so stuffy. As you can see, the best months in Bali are at odds with the season in Thailand or Vietnam.
For those who fly in to catch the beach season for a holiday in Bali, it is better to choose the period from May to September: sunny, warm, comfortable ocean water temperature.
Rainy season
The rainy season in Bali lasts from November to March. It's Bali summer. At this time, the number of cloudy days is greater, due to heavy rainfall, the humidity rises and it becomes hotter.
This period is considered the low season, but in fact, I would not say so. Despite the rainy season, December and January is the most popular time to visit the island among those who want to escape the cold to warmer climes. It is in winter that a large number of tourists come.
- The low season, according to the Balinese themselves, is February, March and April, when there are not so many guests of the island, as they affectionately call us.
- The ocean becomes very active and restless, not every beach can swim.
- It rains often. There are weeks when it pours daily. I would say that a durable raincoat in Bali in winter is much more relevant than a swimsuit 🙂
- Despite the dense layers of clouds, the sun “burns” through them. Once burned in a matter of minutes on the bike, I now don't leave the house without SPF50 even when it's cloudy.
- The most unpleasant thing is when a downpour catches you by surprise while riding a bike. Therefore, one of the first purchases in Bali, if you find yourself on the island from November to April, should be a raincoat.
- Melasti Beach< /strong>. Very well-groomed territory, beautiful water, many places for photo shoots. Payment upon entry – 20,000 idr ($1.3). A sunbed costs from 50,000 idr ($3).
- Nusa Dua Beach. Wide and large beach, fine sand, blue ocean. The entrance is free. You pay only parking from 2000 to 5000 idr ($0.1–$0.3). Sunbeds from 50,000 idr ($3).
- Bias Tugel Beach. The beach in the bay, turquoise water and sand with black particles of volcanic lava that shimmer like diamonds in the sun. Admission is free, but parking costs 2000 idr ($0.1). Sunbed – 50,000 idr ($3).
- And if you dream of a photo shoot on the beach with incredible shiny black sand, then my recommendation is the deserted Keramas Beach.
- find and book accommodation in advance, while still in Russia,
- 100% guarantee that you will be expected and accepted,
- only a Russian bank card is available,
- Kuta/Legian/Seminyak/Canggu
- Ubud
- Bukit Peninsula: Nusa Dua, Uluwatu
- Daily Baguette Sanur is my favorite breakfast spot in Sanur. Pastries and coffee.
- Lilla Pantai is a cozy cafe on the waterfront. I love coming over for dinner and sitting at a table outside, facing the ocean. Good positions are absolutely everything, but my heart was stolen by Lilla Cordon Bleu (79,000 IDR or $5). Just give it a try.
- Oomba Beach House – near Lilla Pantai. Wonderful atmosphere and great food. There is pizza, Mexican tacos and my favorite falafel.
< /ul>
Should I go during the rainy season?Of course yes, if your goal is not only to swim and sunbathe on the beach. It is very difficult (I would say impossible) to predict what the weather will be like in Bali. But if you believe the reviews of people, as well as my friends who have lived in Bali for many years, it is rare that rain can charge for the whole day. Most often it is 2-3 hours, sometimes a little longer, and then the sun comes out.
Editorial experience:We also agree that there is no time when you should not go to Bali. Although, wait. There was such a period! The period of the Agung volcano eruption in December-January 2017–2018 fell just in time for our first trip to Bali. Many people fled the island, canceled international flights, but in the end everything worked out.
Surf season in Bali
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Bali has good waves and a huge number of spots for both beginners and experienced surfers.
When is the best time to surf in Bali? Surfers prefer to come during the dry period, when the local winter is on the island: from June to October. This is the best season for a holiday in Bali with surfers.
If you have never tried surfing, then it is better to take an instructor, at least for the first lessons. There are a lot of surf schools on the island. You can view the list of verified schools here. On average, one lesson costs from $ 35, the price includes a transfer, a board and surf clothes and insurance, which is very important, since medicine in Bali is expensive. The water temperature allows you to surf without a wetsuit.
You can surf in Kuta and Canggu. The most popular spots for experienced surfers are on the Bukit Peninsula and in Uluwatu. However, this is a topic for a separate article.
I love to come to the beach and just look at the surfers. This is a work of art – how they are picked up by the wave, and how they deftly conquer it. By the way, it is very interesting to watch how the masters fall or dive into the wave if they do not have time to catch it (because they have their own safety rules).
Weather in Bali by months
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I will make a small visual guide to the temperature in different months. Looking at this table, we can safely say that the climate in Bali and warm weather make it possible to live here all year round.
Weather in Bali by months, °С:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| day | +29 | +29 | +30 | +30 | +30 | +28 | +27 | +29 | +29 | +28 | +30 | |
| night | + 23 | +22 | +23 | +23 | +23 | +22 | +21 | +22 | +22 | +22 | +23 | +23 |
| water | +29 | +28 | +29 | +30 | +30 | +30 | +29 | +28.5 | +28 | +29 | +29.5< /td> | +29.3 |
| beach. season |
< /td> | 🏖 | 🏖 | 🏖 | 🏖 | 🏖 | 🏖 |
Bali in Winter
When the calendar winter begins in Bali, strange as it may seem, summer comes. And with it comes the hot season of tropical downpours. It's getting humid and the temperature is rising. In December and January, the most difficult days are – the sun heats up to + 34 ° C.
In the evening it becomes a little cooler, the temperature drops to + 25 ° C. But due to the humidity, it is felt lower. Therefore, I recommend taking a warm jacket with you for the trip, so as not to freeze in anticipation of a beautiful Balinese sunset on the beach, and not to chatter your teeth, getting home on a bike at night. Tested on myself.
But still, winter is the most popular time for a trip among tourists. They are easy to understand, who does not dream of exchanging snow or slush for the ocean and the sun? Well, to celebrate the New Year in Bali or spend the Christmas holidays is another reason why the demand for air tickets does not decrease throughout December and January. In February, the excitement subsides, there are fewer people, while the weather is still hot.
Bali in the spring
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The beginning of the calendar spring in Bali continues the rainy season. The street is still humid, hot, stuffy, sticky. The weather in March can be safely equated with the winter months.
In April, the weather begins to change: there is less rain, the temperature is more comfortable, and the humidity is lower. This month I would call a transition from the Bali summer with its tropical rains to the Bali winter.
There is no clear mark when the high season begins – depending on the weather this year, it may be delayed or come earlier. But usually in May there is practically no rain. The beach season is coming to Bali. The temperature of the water in the ocean is comfortable, like stepping into a warm bath. Finally you can swim without fear of waves, reverse currents and other underwater surprises.
Bali in summer
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Bali in the summer is a continuation of the beach season. It is also the best time for excursions (after all, most of the island's attractions are natural, and heavy rain along with slippery roads interferes with plans).
In June, July and August, + 30 ° C reigns on the street, no more, no less, blue-blue high skies and light winds that only refresh. I think this is the perfect combination for a comfortable stay.
Among the summer months, August is considered the best month in Bali – the cherry of the season, when everything is in moderation: warm, but not hot, always sunny, while high temperatures are easily tolerated.< /p>
Where else, if not in the section about the best season on the island, to list my favorite beaches in Bali – with turquoise water and white fine sand?
Bali in autumn
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Bali is preparing for the end of the beach season and the return of the rains in autumn. You can still catch dry roads and pleasant weather in September – it's sunny, clear, the beaches are full of tourists and locals.
In October, it starts to rain a little. This year, just like clockwork – exactly on October 1 – the first solid downpour came. Therefore, I would, of course, also classify this month as a wet low season.
We can say the same about the weather in November as it was mentioned in the first part of this text about the winter months. It's time to look for entertainment in hiding – go to spas and massages more often, take yoga classes in lovely studios under the sound of drumming rain, hang out in co-working spaces or just cozy cafes.
Again, this does not mean that when the rainy season begins, the island is empty. Tourists are here all year round. And since the moment when Indonesia reopened its island after the pandemic, the flow of people has not stopped at all.
My review and advice on Bali
As the saying goes, ask your fellow Muscovite millennials remotely about their plans for the winter, and they will answer – of course, Bali. This is how a false image of the island is created: as if in winter it is hot, cloudless and cool here. There is no doubt about the latter, but Bali is still not Thailand.
In which month it is better to fly in is up to you. If you have a couple of weeks left and you are in favor of a beach holiday, choose the summer months. If you want to wait out the harsh winter somewhere, fly in January-February. And let the snow change to rain, but on the street it's thirty with a plus sign, not a minus! And the island of Bali is so diverse that there is something to do here in any season.
Where to book accommodation?
You may have heard this belief: if in the first days on the island an unpleasant situation happens to you – you lost something, scratched your knee or snatched the phone out of your hands (I scare you, but be on your guard) – this means that ✨the island has accepted you✨
Today I would rephrase it: if you, with broken bank cards and a blocked account on Airbnb, overcame the difficulties of finding housing, the island has already accepted you 🙂
What to do? If three conditions are important to you:
…then you need to dive into the database of hotels and villas on the service < strong>Island. This is now our “Booking” – to search for housing both within the Russian Federation and abroad. And yes, even in Bali.
Try your luck with Airbnb(international service for finding private housing) can only be holders of foreign cards (except Turkish ones). The Balinese don’t really want to agree in a personal about payment on the spot, as is now common in Turkey, for example, why, if there is a person with a normal account for your dates tomorrow.
groups can also help in Telegram, forbidden and communication with the hotel you like through the website (write to them on WhatsApp, for example). Ask to book a room for the desired period and agree on payment on the spot. A couple of times it worked for me when all our cards stopped working, and we simply could not physically pay for our hotel.
If you are flying for a long time, then I recommend booking for a short time on the same Island, and already looking for accommodation on the spot. Why not book now? Imagine, you paid for a villa for a month or even for 2-3 at once, you arrive, and it is dead, it doesn’t look like in the photo, it smells of dampness, mold, etc. This happens often, photos should not be blindly trusted. Therefore, I find an ad, arrange a viewing, and only then, if everything suits me, I pay for it.
Where is it better to stay?
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Where is the best place to stay if you are in Bali for the first time? Choose primarily based on what kind of vacation you prefer. To make it easier to navigate, I will briefly describe the areas of Bali.
These are the busiest beaches of the same name on the island. Places where all your acquaintances Muscovites-winterers hang out (if they are not fans of yoga and retreats and are not looking for enlightenment in the depths of the island). The areas are ideal for meeting sunsets, shopping, partying, surfing. Large shopping centers, supermarkets for any degree of healthy and not very lifestyle, surf schools on every corner, alcohol by the river, beach clubs, new acquaintances. At the same time, there is quite active traffic, often traffic jams.
I often go to these places for breakfast and coffee:
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— Porncakes (Legian) — amazing breakfasts. Be sure to try the pancakes here, I have never eaten anything like this in my life: this is not a dough, but an airy soufflé that just melts in your mouth.
— Starbucks Reserve Dewata(Seminyak) – even if you are not a Starbucks fan, this one is definitely worth a visit, because it is in the top 10 most beautiful Starbucks in the world! Plus, it's a great place to work on your laptop, meet up with friends, and relax. Lots of different areas, especially the rooftop area where you can watch the sunset.
– Crate Cafe (Canggu) is my favorite place for breakfast. Each dish is like a work of art. I love avocado toast and fruit granola.
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Ubud is a completely different Bali, a place for creative people. People come here to enjoy the atmosphere of tranquility and nature. Sign up for yoga with a view of the volcanoes, meditate and practice sound-healing, stand on nails, look at Balinese temples, see waterfalls and rice terraces. It's all about Ubud. Here, on one side of the road, rice fields are earing, and on the other, a volcano puffs (sometimes, most of its time it just stands still). Incredible feeling. And in Ubud, the number of vegan, vegetarian and just wonderfully atmospheric cafes with delicious food is off scale.
If you find yourself in Ubud, I recommend these favorites to you:
— Milk & Madu Ubud is something. Grab any breakfast, plus veggie lasagne and pumpkin salad.
– Anomali Coffe Ubud – great coffee and pastries.
– Mushroom Espresso Ubud – croissants and the most successful combination in a salad of avocado and sweet yellow mango.
— Usha Cafe & Bakery— for those who miss Russian food in Bali. I love their syrniki and handmade desserts.
— Ubud Cinnamon — I have to share this treasure. Here are the most delicious cinnamon desserts on the island. It's so delicious that I even left a review on Googlemaps, which I never usually do 😅
– ParQ Ubud is a cozy and stylish co-working space plus a cafe. The most popular place among all the remoters of the island. You come, order yourself breakfast, coffee, choose a place and sit down to work. Here is one of the largest Russian community.
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Quiet and peaceful areas with incredible nature. Uluwatu is a favorite place for surfers. There are many spots, but most of them are suitable only for professionals. I love to come to the local sunsets and for the sake of the famous rocks, they are breathtaking. Nusa Dua has very beautiful beaches with turquoise water and white sand. This area is often chosen by families with children and those who want to take a break from the bustle of the city.
But still.
If we talk about where it is still better to stay in first time, then I want to share my experience and warn you against my mistakes.
1. When you first arrive in Bali, choose areas closer to the ocean: Kuta, Bukit, Seminyak, Sanur, Canggu. There are areas on the island where it rains a lot even in the dry season. This is the north of the island – in particular, my favorite Ubud.
2. When we arrived in Bali, we settled in Ubud for several months at once. I fell in love with this place with all my heart, but often suffered from one big “but”. In the high season in Bali – in June-July – it rained every day! There were a lot more cloudy days compared to areas on the coast. I had to warm up in local showrooms. We even had our own joke in the chat with friends: we exchanged weather photos at the same time, and most often we lost: we have shots of cloudy Ubud, friends have photos of sun-drenched beaches and clear skies.
< p>3. If you love the ocean and beaches, choose the coast. From Ubud to the ocean to get at least 1.5 hours one way. It's great to come to Ubud for 3-5 days to see its beauty, and then back to the ocean!
For these reasons, because of my love for big water and shopping centers, I prefer to live in other areas of Bali, where it is dry, warm and sunny. For example, now I live in Sanur and I really like it.
When and where is the best time to go to Bali with children?
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If you are faced with the question of when and where it is better to go with children to Bali, then the Sanur area would be a good option. Calm ocean without waves, fine sand – ideal for families. There is not as much traffic here as in Canggu or Kut, there are practically no traffic jams, there are many cafes and hotels along the beach.
The best time for families with children is from April to September. From October it starts to rain, the humidity rises and it is more difficult for children to endure stuffiness.
Sanur also has a promenade, which is very cool to ride bicycles. Rent for 30,000 idr ($2) for three hours and enjoy.
Here are some nice places to eat in Sanur:
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What I want to say to every reader: do I recommend visiting Bali at least once? Yes, yes, and yes again. This is an incredible feeling when you see the ocean, its power and strength, which is transmitted to you, as if through the air. Colors of green that the eyes eagerly absorb. Smiling and kind Balinese who will teach everyone to smile and enjoy every day. And what sunsets here are just in the heart.