We Visited Bali in December: Here's What We Thought

If you're thinking of visiting Bali in December, you're in the right place! After spending several Decembers in Indonesia, we've put together this guide with our first-hand experience and some advice to make the most of your trip.

P.S. every photo in this article was taken during December - see our full gallery at the end.

Quick Summary

Is December a Good Month To Visit Bali?

By December, wet season is usually well underway, so it's not the best month to visit Bali. That being said, we frequently return to escape from the cold winters back home.

Starting with the positives, Bali is a year-round tourist destination, so all hotels and top things to do remain open as usual. The beginning of the month is usually fairly quiet, so the traffic isn't too chaotic, and you can get some great deals on flights and hotels. We've stayed in 5-star hotels for a third less than the dry season rate.

The downside of visiting Bali in December is the weather. The wet season brings a higher chance of rain and tropical storms.

For the most part, the showers aren’t too bad. Downpours don't last too long, so you can duck into a cafe for an hour or so, then continue enjoying your day in the sun when it clears. With a tropical climate, it's still hot even when it's raining.

But if you're unlucky, you could end up experiencing more significant rainfall. In late December last year, a short period of intense rain caused flooding and road closures across the island. This didn't happen in either of the two previous years when we also visited in December... so it’s a bit of a gamble.

For us, planning around the rain never impacts our adventures too much; that's why we've always had a good time visiting in December and will continue to do so.

But if this is your once-in-a-lifetime trip or your only annual vacation, we recommend visiting during the dry season to avoid the risk of getting caught in bad weather. Our favourite months to visit Bali are May, June, September, and October, when there's the best balance of weather, crowds, and pricing.

While most of December is quiet, the period around Christmas and New Year is one of the busiest times to visit Bali. Tourists from all over the world flock to the island to celebrate the holidays.

It's great for people who love to party, with huge NYE events attracting world-class artists and DJs, but the traffic gets particularly bad, and beaches can be crowded. Accommodation prices are also much higher at this time.

What’s the Weather Like?

For context, Bali has a tropical climate with just two seasons: dry season (May to October) and wet season (November to April).

The weather can be very unpredictable, especially during the wet season, with some years being much wetter than others. In 2023, the rainstorms were short, with some days completely dry. However, last year, the wet season was worse than ever (according to locals) with intense showers and some days of non-stop rain. It's difficult to predict.

Heat & Humidity

Temperatures in Bali remain similar year-round, with just a few degrees difference, according to the official stats:

But in reality, December feels much warmer and stuffier as humidity can reach up to 85%, so the "feels like" temperature in the afternoons is more like 33°C (91°F). The increased humidity also brings more mosquito activity, so bug spray is an essential on your packing list.

Temperatures are much cooler in the highlands, such as Munduk, Bedugul, and Kintamani. In the wet season, we recommend taking day trips to these areas rather than staying overnight, as the chance of rain is much higher and it gets pretty chilly in the evenings. If you do decide to stay in the highlands, make sure you pack an extra layer!

Rainfall

According to the stats, December typically brings rainfall on 16 out of 31 days in coastal areas and slightly more inland. Total rainfall is 210mm, making it the third wettest month after January and February. This is compared to just 17mm in August (the driest month).

Despite the weather, you can still have an awesome time in December by following our tips for wet season in Bali. Our main advice is to remain flexible with your plans, keep a raincoat on hand, and have some indoor activities up your sleeve.

What Are the Crowds Like?

Being the off-season, the first half of December is still pretty quiet in Bali. Tourist attractions aren't too busy, and flight and accommodation prices tend to be a bit lower too. We've stayed in some amazing places for a fraction of what you'd normally pay during peak tourist season.

However, the second half of the month is a different story. The island becomes noticeably busier due to the festive season and Australians taking their summer vacation. The crowds start to ramp up just before Christmas and continue until mid-January.

Towards the end of December, flight prices increase significantly, and hotels become fully booked. For most of the year, you can book accommodation last-minute, but for this period, we recommend booking at least a few months ahead.

Tourist hotspots can become very busy in late December, especially the beaches and beach clubs in South Bali. Many of the big venues, such as Atlas, FINNS, and Savaya, host huge New Year's Eve events, featuring some of the world's biggest DJs. Tickets go on sale as early as January and often sell out weeks ahead.

It's not just international travellers who flock to Bali for New Year. Many domestic tourists from across Indonesia also head over to the island to celebrate.

Those travelling from the neighbouring island of Java often bring their cars too. This increases the amount of traffic on Bali’s roads and causes chaos in Canggu, Seminyak and around the airport. If you travel by scooter, it's still manageable, but if you'll be using a private driver with a car, expect journeys to take twice as long.

What’s On in December?

Here are some of the cultural celebrations, events, and festivals in Bali in December:

Christmas in Bali

Being a predominantly Hindu island within a Muslim country, Balinese and Indonesian people generally do not celebrate Christmas.

However, Bali is famous for its inclusivity, and given the number of Western expats and tourists on the island, you will find plenty of Christmas decorations and celebrations during December, especially in the big tourist resort areas of the south.

We've celebrated Christmas in Bali for the last couple of years, and we managed to find restaurants serving roast dinners and mulled wine, as well as plenty of Christmas shops and even festive markets.

Photos From December in Bali

If you're still on the fence about visiting Bali in December, here are some photos from our Bali travels during December over the past few years.