Best time to visit Bali

Bali sits about 8 degrees south of the equator, so temperatures stay close to 26-32C year round and the practical difference between seasons is rainfall and humidity rather than heat.

Dry season (April to October) brings lower humidity, more reliable sunshine and the cleanest surf on the west coast. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, overlapping with European summer and Australian school holidays.

Wet season (November to March) is hotter and more humid, with rain that usually arrives as heavy afternoon downpours rather than all-day drizzle. Accommodation is cheaper and beaches are quieter, but some west-coast beaches collect seasonal debris.

Shoulder months - April, May, June and September - are the most balanced choice for value and weather.

For Australians, fares typically peak around the December-January and July school holidays. If your dates are flexible, moving a trip a week either side of a school holiday period usually has a larger effect on price than the season itself.