Is Bali a good place to visit in December? If you’re asking that then we can only guess that you’re planning a jaunt to the mythical Isle of the Gods. We’ll just say this – it’s a fantastic, enthralling, once-in-a-lifetime sort of place no matter the season you choose to visit! From the emerald rice paddies of Ubud to the world-class waves of Uluwatu, there’s so much to see here that you’re sure to be wowed.
That said, there are some pretty hefty seasonal changes in Bali that you’ll need to think about when you start planning that island adventure. Some parts of the year see soaring rainfall, others have wilder seas. So, it’s always a good idea to think about when you’re going to touch down between the Hindu stupas and smoking volcanos.
This guide can help with that. It will focus in on the month of December in particular, taking a look at the sort of weather you can expect in Bali during the last month of the year, all the pros and cons of hitting the island in the run up to New Year, and plenty more besides. Ready? Let’s go…
Is it wet season or dry season in Bali in December?
Officially, December falls within the wet season in Bali. Also known as the monsoon, it’s a period that lasts roughly from October to April, with the months of December, January, and February seen as the very peak. The monsoon isn’t unique to just Bali. It also affects the other popular vacation islands of Central Indonesia – from Lombok to the Gilis – and lots of other tropical destinations south of the Equator this time of the year.
As the name implies, there’s more rain in the wet season than in the dry season – quite a bit more, in fact. We’ll take a closer look at the ins and outs of the weather you can expect in Bali in December below, but suffice to say that the month can sometimes see five times the amount of rain as July, which is the driest time of all. And because there’s no rain without cloud, you should also expect murkier skies throughout.
What’s the weather like in Bali in December?
Now we’ve established that December in Bali is around about the peak of the wet season, let’s take a closer look at the exact sort of weather you can expect on the ground…
Truth be told, it’s not all that bad. Yes, there’s almost 295mm of rain on average during the month. Yes, the island can go weeks on end without seeing clear skies and sunshine. But that’s pretty rare. For the most part, the wet season in Bali is characterized by hot, cloudy mornings and then sudden downpours in the afternoon or early evening. A lot of the time, the rains will actually be limited to the nighttime, so should hardly have an impact on what you have planned during the day.
There’s one other thing to consider here, though: The humidity. That’s the real kicker when it comes to the weather during the Balinese rainy season, and December is probably the most humid month of the 12. Gauges can read a whopping 85% on certain days in the run up to Christmas. That makes for pretty close and sticky conditions, which is why (as you’ll see later on) the wet season probably doesn’t lend itself to hiking and adventure sports. It’s more pool-lazing and beach-chilling territory.
The pros of visiting Bali in December
There are some definite upsides to choosing December to visit the mystical Isle of the Gods. Okay, so there’s not a travel agent or tour company out there who could pretend it’s the best time of year to come. It’s not. But we can think of a few select reasons it could be a doozy…
- It’s cheap – Although December won’t be quite as cheap as January or February because there’s a small uptick in the cost of hotels and tours due to Christmas, it’s still firmly the low season in these parts. That means you can score some epic deals on villas and resorts, to the tune of 50% off in some cases. You might also find that flights to Denpasar airport are cheaper overall as there’s a dip in demand.
- It’s not so crowded – The prospect of rainy days keeps the crowds away. Sun seekers and beach lovers will often prefer to stay north of the Equator in destinations like Thailand and Vietnam while the monsoon is to the south. For a place like Bali, that can herald a very welcome break in the crowds.
- Some things are better – The rainy season can be a great time to see the rice paddies of Sidemen or Ubud at their greenest, plus the waterfalls (and there are like a bazillion waterfalls) will be in full flow.
- Hidden surf breaks – We’ll dig deeper into what the surf in Bali in December is like below. For now, let’s just say that it’s NOT the time to come on a pilgrimage to the legendary waves of Ulus and Bingin. But there are other, less-well-known spots to case out when the swell switches so it’s not all doom and gloom
The cons of visiting Bali in December
The obvious downside to planning a trip through Bali in December is going to be the weather. No one can really predict how much rain you’ll have, but there will definitely be rain. Sometimes it can be pouring day in, day out for 30 days straight. Other times it’s short, sharp showers that come and go. If you’re not deterred by the climate conditions, then also consider these negatives of midwinter trips…
- The humidity – The rain is one thing but the humidity is a whole other challenge. When it hits 85-90%, the air can feel stiflingly hot. Expect to get sweaty fast. Air conditioning and a swimming pool at the hotel are probably musts.
- The ocean isn’t the cleanest – The wet-season ocean water of Bali is notoriously dirty. It’s as if someone switches on a tap and lets all the plastic pollution out sometime around the middle of November. There’s also lots of muddy run-off from the mountains that turns the shore waters a brownish grey. This is a phenomenon that’s unique to the Bali south coast and the Bukit Peninsula.
- Bad surf – Look, there’s NEVER bad surf in Bali, but December is smack dab in the middle of the low season for waves. High winds from the north can mess with good breaks like Uluwatu and Padang Padang, while the swell also changes direction to reduce reliability of key spots (more on that below).
- Not great for hiking – If you’re coming to Bali to conquer the heights of Mount Agung or Batur then think again. The mountains are not at their best in the wet-season months and trails can often be closed because of adverse conditions. You also risk not having a view because of clouds at the summit. Not good.
The surf in Bali in December
Is Bali a good place to visit in December for surf? Let’s take a look…
It’s hardly a secret that one of the top draws of this iconic island is the surf. Before we get into the details of what you can expect in Bali, a caveat: There’s surf ALL YEAR ROUND in Bali. There’s basically never a flat spell that lasts more than a day or two and you should always be able to find a wave that’s working, regardless of the season.
What is worth knowing is that the wet season is considered the low season for surfing. The main reason for that is a switch in the dominant swell direction (from SW to SE). That takes the action off the famous breaks of the Bukit Peninsula, meaning spots like Uluwatu won’t work to their best.
That said, the change in swell can also bring better conditions to certain breaks on the east coast of Bali. They include Keramas and the barreling reefs of Nusa Dua, along with certain spots on the Gili Islands.
Bali for Christmas and New Year
Choosing Bali for Christmas promises to be a unique experience. You’ll swap the sub-zero temperatures of Europe and North America for a balmy tropical island that sees highs of 33 C (91 F). That means forgoing the cozy days by the fireside in favor of sunbathing sessions on the sands. It means trading big roast dinners for Balinese babi guling (spit-fired pig) and fresh-caught seafood. Perhaps the best play here would be to pick one of the classy hotel resorts in a region like Nusa Dua. They often have Christmas spreads and special events laid on for the festive period.
When it comes to New Year, the focus really switches to the party meccas of Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu. You can rest assured that every single one of the world-famous beach bars in those places – from Finns to Old Man’s to Potato Head – will plan a big shindig. We’d seriously recommend booking a ticket ASAP if you want to mark the changing of the calendar like that, though, since spaces sell out very fast indeed.
So, is Bali a good place to visit in December?
Is Bali a good place to visit in December? Let’s put it this way – Bali is never a bad place to visit! Okay, so we’re a bit biased here because we simply adore the Isle of the Gods. For balance, we’ll add that December is the peak of the wet season. There can be lots of rain throughout the month and humidity levels are at their highest. That means December isn’t the best for hiking adventures or trekking, while a change in the swell direction also means it’s not the best for surfing.
But there are also plenty of reasons to come to Bali in December. For one, prices tend to dip as crowds dip away. You can often get great deals on sleek villas and hotel resorts close to the beaches. On top of that, there’s just a fraction of the tourist numbers seen in July or August, so look forward to exploring sights like the Uluwatu Temple and Ubud Market without so many people around.
