Bali is a paradise on Earth year-round – constant sunshine, stunning beaches, world-class hotels and dining, alongside the most unique culture. You get the picture, it is a one-of-a-kind tourist destination.
January weather may not be the best of the year, but you can enjoy fewer crowds, really warm tropical rains, and still enough sun to hop around the island and explore its best attractions.
What to expect from Bali weather in January and how to plan your trip better, in this complete guide to Bali weather.
Summary: Bali Weather In January
January is considered the hottest and rainiest month of the year. However, you will still get about 6 hours of sunshine every day, enough to explore and have fun.
This month is a great time for exploring Balinese cuisine and culture, but we don’t recommend planning outdoor activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, hiking, island hopping, or surfing during this time.
You will get better deals, lower costs, and smaller crowds once the New Year frenzy passes and you can fully enjoy the off-season in Bali.
What Is January Weather Like In Bali
The rainy season in Bali starts around November and ends in March or April.
January is right in the middle of the rainy season, so it gets “the best” of it with tropical storms.
Maximum Temperatures
The average temperatures in Bali in January are 25-30°C (77-86°F). However, the maximum temperatures, which it actually feels like, can reach 34°C or even 40 °C easily in our experience.
Expect humid days (85% humidity), sometimes it may feel muggy, especially before a big storm.
Rain
You can expect afternoon showers, morning drizzle, and night storms – the weather can be quite unpredictable.
Experts say January can have up to 27 rainy days (oops!), so visitor numbers drop significantly as everyone is worried. The truth is – rains are short and they are much rarer in the South and Bukit, where you have blue skies most days. Early January will have slightly more rain than the end of the month.
The average rainfall is almost 30-35 cm (vs 4-5 in the dry season, July or August), and lately, with a lack of urban development and waste management, some parts of Denpasar or Ubud see flooding, but tourist areas are generally fine.
Good news, no matter how much it rained, it dries up quickly and makes rice fields even greener and prettier!
Sea Conditions
Amazing warm waters with average temperatures of 28–29°C!
However, rough seas are the real struggle in January, so we don’t recommend planning any island hopping, diving, or travelling by ferry during this time.
Although water is warm, after heavy storms, some West Coast areas suffer from trash on the shore, and the water gets murky. Several initiatives clean up beaches every single day, though.
What To Wear In Bali In January
Pack breathable clothes that dry quickly and aren’t too fancy (in case food stains them or laundry loses them).
Bring swimsuits, but not many, as the water can be too rough or dirty to get in. Pools will be your saving grace.
Good shoes that are ideally waterproof and a pair of thongs (although you can buy these in Bali) will be enough for you for your stay.
Although January isn’t great for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, we still recommend bringing one nicer outfit to go out to a fine-dining restaurant. There are plenty of Michelin-worthy places on the island, from Aperitif in Ubud to Kayuputi in Nusa Dua.
Where To Go On A Bali Trip In January
Nusa Dua & East Coastal Areas
Bali’s East coast will have the cleanest beaches during the rainy season and the quietest areas, from Nusa Dua to Candidasa and Amed.
Rainfall makes January less great for diving or snorkelling, but on a dry day, the waters can still be calm enough for a swim.
Plenty of waterfalls, temples, and palaces to visit, too.
Ubud
With average temperatures of 22-26°C and frequent afternoon showers, Ubud is still super pleasant in January.
Lots of things to do in the town and around, even on a rainy day. As there is not much to do by the ocean during the rainy season, we really love Ubud at that time of the year.
If you love rain, you can even venture further North, where you will likely see heavy rain every day. Highlands like Munduk will have even lower temperatures and more mist and tropical downpours.
Uluwatu
Bukit Peninsula will see less rain than any other areas, and thanks to the landscape and limestone cliffs, water drains and dries faster.
Not much surfing happening, but views are great and you can enjoy yoga, walking, visit Uluwatu Temple, GWK park, and hit those spas!
Canggu
Overall, the best place to be in Bali year-round – great weather with less rain and most activities to do even when it is raining.
You can spend the whole day at FINNS beach club, check out restaurants, workshops, comedy shows, and party hard!
What To Do In Bali In January
Enjoy Food & Cooking Classes
Abundant rain means fertile soil and great fresh ingredients.
January is a great time to attend cooking classes in Ubud or Canggu, try local delicacies, both Balinese and Javanese, and take a tour to a local farmer’s market early in the morning.
One of the best markets is further away from tourist areas, where locals actually go! In Bedugul, there is Bedugul Traditional Market with colourful veggies and fruits that aren’t available in the South!
Celebrate New Year’s Day
New Year’s Eve celebration is HUGE in Bali with places like FINNS beach club organising the biggest party of the year every season, bringing top world DJs and entertainment.
But the New Year’s day is full of excitement, too – resorts have special promos for stays, host festive brunches and BBQs, shopping malls continue to have sales, and there will still be holiday activities.
Chinese New Year
Indonesia, and Bali, in particular, has a big Chinese population and some years the celebration falls at the end of January.
Most festivities happen in Denpasar, Benoa, and Singaraja, where you will see streets decorated with lanterns, ceremonies at Satya Dharma Temple and Klenteng Caow Eng Boi Temple.
Suwat Water Festival
Water Festival in Suwat Village in Gianyar usually falls at the end of December and the first few days of January.
Splashing each other with buckets of water, locals welcome the New Year laughing and hanging out all together.
Visit Temples And Learn About Balinese Culture
January is probably the best time when you can really dive deep into exploring Balinese culture without feeling like you’re missing out on good weather.
Temples. Some temples date back to the 11th century, like Uluwatu or Tanah Lot and are instrumental in spreading Hinduism in Bali. Apart from being stunning, they often come with a bonus, like an art and craft market at Tanah Lot or a fantastic Kecak Fire Dance performance at Uluwatu Temple.
For a more spiritual experience, Besakih Temple and Tirta Empul are the highlights. The first is the main Hindu temple complex on the island, housing 20+ temples, and the latter is the most iconic place for a water purification ritual you can join.
Museums. Although Bali doesn’t have many museums, you can find political museums (dedicated to their presidents), art museums (Pasifika Museum in Musa Dua), and museums dedicated to some part of daily life or traditions like Ogoh Ogoh museums in Uluwatu or Mengwi, Lontar Museums, and so on.
Royal Palaces. Once upon a time, Bali was split into 11 kingdoms, and a few palaces are still standing, offering a glimpse into the traditional architecture, history, and tragedy of Dutch colonial times. Klungkung Royal Palace and Tirta Ganga Water Palace are true gems.
White Water Rafting
If you time it right, January can be the best time to do some rafting. Bali has so many rivers and rapids of different levels of difficulty, so you can have an adventure of a lifetime with stops to visit Bali’s secret waterfalls, enjoy canyoning, and have lunch in a local cafe.
To plan it, contact a few tour operators in advance to get advice on the best itineraries and the time to go rafting.
FINNS Beach Club
Most parties that are worth visiting happen in one place – at FINNS Beach Club in Canggu.
The property stretches along Canggu Beach, has 7 kitchens serving you delicious (and affordable) international cuisines, numerous free-entry party zones, swim-up pool bars, and an amazing crowd.
Where Is It? Jl. Pantai Berawa No.99, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Waterfalls
After storms, waterfalls are most epic to visit (as long as it is safe), and if you don’t mind getting wet, you need to visit Bali’s northern highlands like Munduk, where some of the biggest and most impressive waterfalls of Bali are located, like Twin Waterfalls or Sekumpul.
Plus, there are smaller waterfalls around Ubud and Gianyar, all picture-worthy and popular among tourists. Check out Tukad Cepung, Kanto Lampo, or Goa Rajo Waterfall.
Jatiluwih & Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Thanks to the rainfall, lush rice terraces look their best in January. Endless rice fields as far as the eye can reach, and you can leisurely stroll through them early in the morning.
Tegalalang rice terraces are close to Ubud, so more tourists go there, while the UNESCO-protected Jatiluwih are just as beautiful, much bigger, and have fewer crowds.
Plan Indoor Activities For Rainy Days
Kuta, Denpasar, and Sanur have massive malls, like Beachwalk, ICON, and Living World, to name a few, where you can eat, shop, and watch movies.
There are two big indoor theme parks where families with kids can enjoy a rainy day, too: AeroXSpace Adventure near Sanur and Nusa Dua, and Transmart Studio (with a mall) in Denpasar.
Besides that, Bali has hundreds of workshops like pottery, painting, candle or perfume making, or more cultural like learning and making traditional offerings, dance moves, or wood carvings.
Last, but not least, a rainy day is perfect for a spa! Book a luxury treatment for yourself with Balinese massage, flower bath, Balinese scrubs, and cream bath for your hair – you will feel rejuvenated!
Travel Tips For Visiting Bali In January
- Mosquitoes are ruthless during the wet season, so make sure to bring or buy mosquito spray and always carry it with you. Dengue fever is tricky and, unfortunately, deadly for some people.
- The West Coast can have more crowds, especially the first week of January, as people are still celebrating the New Year, and it is the end of the school break.
- The rainy season in general is not ideal for hiking Mount Batur, Mount Agung or any other mountains in Bali.
- When visiting temples, dress respectfully, with your knees and shoulders covered. Sarong helps with it.
- Wear breathable fabrics and don’t overpack. You can buy a rain poncho on the side of the road in Bali and donate it before you leave.
- Be flexible. Plans will get changed, deliveries and drivers will be late, areas can get flooded… Arrange a private driver on stand-by and don’t make any reservations that require a non-refundable deposit.
- Do not drive a bike if you don’t have a proper license and aren’t skilled in driving in Asia in high season and in the rain. Accidents are very frequent, and medical bills are very high.
FAQs
Is It A Good Time To Go To Bali In January?
January is a good month to go to Bali as long as you can handle more rainy days than usual and is not a type A planner.
Most visitors leave after Christmas, so you can have the island to yourself. If you love cultural attractions and nature, January weather is a great time to enjoy the lush scenery, but if you love water sports and hiking, consider visiting Bali in the dry season.
Book early to get the best prices on accommodation and flights (3 months in advance is good).
What Is The Wettest Month In Bali?
January is the wettest month in Bali, with maximum temperatures around 30 °C, high humidity, and hot weather.
The wettest month doesn’t mean that rain is all you see. You can have plenty of sunny days, and even if it rains, it is usually just for a few hours.
What Are The Best And Worst Months To Go To Bali?
Saying one month is best or worst is very subjective. The peak season with the best weather is June to August, but it is also the busiest time.
Some may say December or January are worse because of the rainy season or high prices around Christmas, but some people enjoy the off-season the most.
For travellers on a budget, families, and anyone who is allergic to crowds, shoulder seasons (April, May, September and October) will offer the best value for money.
Final Thoughts On Bali Weather In January
Unless you are an avid hiker or surfer, January is still a great time to visit Bali and enjoy the food, culture, and people here.
It does rain a lot, but not forever, so you will be able to enjoy sunshine, beaches, and a tropical paradise!
