Bali in November: Rain, Low Prices and a Greener Island

Is November a good time to visit Bali?

November is a good month for Bali if you value space and price over guaranteed sunshine. It marks the start of the wet season, but the rain usually comes as afternoon or evening storms rather than days of grey drizzle, and mornings are often clear and bright. In return you get some of the lowest rates of the year, roads that move, and an island that turns visibly greener week by week. It is not the month for a week of uninterrupted beach lounging, and serious volcano hikers should accept that summit views are a gamble.

Think of November as the quiet month between two busy ones: the Australian school holidays end in October, and the Christmas rush does not start until around December 20.

The weather: when the rains return

Averages for the airport station near Kuta put November at around 31°C by day and 26°C at night, with roughly 110 mm of rain spread over about 11 wet days. That is more than double October's total but less than half of what January brings. In practice the pattern is familiar to anyone who lives here: a hot, still morning, clouds building over the mountains by early afternoon, then a heavy downpour for an hour or two and a fresh, steamy evening.

The humidity is the thing most visitors notice. With the trade winds fading, November can feel more oppressive than the wetter months that follow, so plan active sightseeing for the morning and keep the afternoon for a pool, a spa or a long lunch. The sea warms to around 28°C, and the UV index stays at extreme levels even under thin cloud.

The rains also shift the surf. As the wind swings around, the west coast from Canggu to Uluwatu becomes more inconsistent, while the east side, from Sanur to Keramas, starts to get cleaner conditions.

Crowds and prices

November is one of Bali's genuinely low months. There are no major Australian or European school holidays, and no Indonesian national holidays in November 2026, so domestic travel is light too. Many villas and hotels drop their rates noticeably compared with the dry season, and longer stays often come with extra discounts. You can usually book a good driver the day before and find a table at almost any restaurant.

That calm lasts until mid-December. If you are flexible, the first three weeks of November give you the best value of the second half of the year.

Ceremonies and holy days in November 2026

November 2026 opens with a cluster of important days that follow the 210-day Balinese pawukon calendar:

• Banyu Pinaruh, Sunday, November 1: the morning after Saraswati, families head to the sea or to holy springs at dawn to bathe and purify themselves. Beaches such as Sanur and Kuta fill with people in temple dress at first light.
• Pagerwesi, Wednesday, November 4: a day of spiritual fortification, celebrated with temple prayers and offerings across the island and on a particularly large scale in Buleleng in the north.
• Tumpek Landep, Saturday, November 14: the day metal objects are honored. Traditionally this meant the kris dagger and farm tools; today you will also see cars and motorbikes decorated with palm-leaf offerings and blessed with holy water.

November 2027 has no comparable cluster, which makes it an even quieter month for travel. As always, odalan temple festivals take place somewhere every day, so a procession or two is almost guaranteed wherever you stay.

What to do in Bali in November

Build your days around the weather rather than against it.

• Start early. Sunrise walks along the Campuhan Ridge, Tegallalang before the tour buses, or a dawn swim at Sanur all fit neatly before the clouds gather.
• Chase waterfalls. As the rains return, the falls fill up again. Tibumana, Tukad Cepung and Sekumpul look their best, but trails get slippery and rivers can rise quickly after a storm upstream, so skip them right after heavy rain. Our waterfall ranking helps you choose.
• Learn to surf on the east coast. Sanur's reefs and the beach breaks near Keramas suit the season; see our guide to surfing in Bali for beginners.
• Base yourself in Ubud. Cooking classes, dance performances, galleries, yoga and long massages are all rain-proof, and Ubud hotels are good value this month.
• Eat the season. Mangosteen season starts around October and durian around November, and both appear in local markets and at roadside stalls through the wet months.
• Cross to the Nusa islands in the morning. Boats still run normally; seas are usually calmer early in the day.

Mount Batur sunrise treks continue year-round, but the chance of reaching the summit inside a cloud rises in November. If the view matters, keep a spare morning so you can move the hike if the forecast looks poor.

What to pack for November

• A light rain jacket or poncho, plus a small dry bag for your phone on boats and scooter rides.
• Quick-dry clothing; cotton takes a long time to dry in this humidity.
• Sandals with good grip for wet temple steps and waterfall paths.
• Strong insect repellent; mosquitoes become more active once the rain returns, and dengue is present in Bali year-round.
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, because the sun between storms is intense.
• A sarong and sash for temple visits, especially if you want to see Banyu Pinaruh or Pagerwesi celebrations up close.

Our Bali packing list covers everything else. For the bigger picture across the year, see the best time to visit Bali.