Ubud Guide
Ubud has two seasons: a dry season from about April to October and a wet season from about November to March. The dry months are the easiest for walking and day trips, and July, August and the Christmas period are the busiest. The wet season is green and quieter, with rain that usually comes in afternoon bursts.
A guide from Riviera Boutique Hotel, a boutique hotel in central Ubud.
Last updated 6 October 2026
Bali sits close to the equator, so the year splits into a dry season and a wet one rather than four. The dry season runs roughly from April to October and the wet season from November to March. Ubud sits inland and a little above the coast, so it stays green and feels cooler and fresher than the beach towns in the south, especially in the evenings.
The dry months, April through October, are the most reliable for the Campuhan Ridge Walk, the rice terraces and day trips, since the paths and roads stay firm and the skies are clearer. They are also the busiest, with July and August the peak. Coming in the shoulder weeks of April, May, June, September or early October keeps the dry weather with fewer crowds.
The wet season, November to March, is when Ubud is greenest and quietest. Rain tends to arrive in heavy afternoon bursts rather than all-day drizzle, so mornings are often clear enough for the centre and the walk. It suits a slower trip built around the spa, the cafe and unhurried dinners, with sightseeing planned for the morning.
On a day the rain sets in early, the plan moves indoors: an art museum, a spa treatment, a lounge with a book, or a long dinner. There is a fuller list in what to do in Ubud when it rains.
Two days covers central Ubud on foot: the palace, the art market, the Sacred Monkey Forest and the Campuhan Ridge Walk. A third and fourth day leave room for the rice terraces at Tegallalang and Goa Gajah, and for a slower pace in the wet season, when afternoons can be lost to rain. The guide to how many days to spend in Ubud lays out each length of stay.
The quietest stretches are the wet-season months outside the Christmas and New Year peak, so late January through March, and again the shoulder weeks either side of the July and August high season. Rates and availability are easiest then, and the central sights are calmer.
One date to know is Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, usually in March. For a full day the island stops: no flights, no traffic, and guests stay on their property. In 2027 it falls on Monday 8 March, and our guide to Nyepi in Ubud covers the day and when to arrive.
It is a remarkable thing to witness from a quiet hotel, but plan for it, since nothing outside the grounds is open. Booking a comfortable base matters more on that date than any other.
| Dry season | Wet season | |
|---|---|---|
| Months | About April to October | About November to March |
| Weather | Clearer skies, firm paths and roads | Green, with rain in afternoon bursts |
| Crowds | Busiest, with July and August the peak | Quietest outside the Christmas and New Year peak |
| Best for | Walking, day trips and the rice terraces | A slower trip around the spa and quiet mornings |
See Riviera's rooms in central Ubud, or read our guide to things to do in Ubud.
Reviews
For us, this hotel was an absolute oasis of well-being and definitely one of the most beautiful hotels we stayed in in Bali. We would return in a heartbeat and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special, stylish, and relaxing stay in Ubud. Thank you so much to the entire team for this wonderful time! ❤️🌴 We would love to come back again!
A beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Ubud with stylish interiors and great attention to detail. I stayed in a Garden View room, which was very comfortable, spotless and peaceful. The staff were incredibly warm, attentive and helpful. I originally booked two nights but loved it so much that I extended my stay by another three. I would definitely return!
A Beautiful modern hotel in the heart of Ubud, very centrally and conveniently located and close to the best shops and restaurants. The hotel has a very beautiful colonial atmosphere, the rooms are clean, modern and stylish. The staff is kind and responsive. It's a great place for a couple or single travellers, it's not really fit for families as it has no infrastructure and special spaces for kids. It's a great place for adult travellers wanting to stay in the very heart of Ubud and enjoy the walking distance to the evening events in Ubud or just visiting the town without the need to use a car or a bike. We will be back!
Common questions
The dry-season shoulder months, roughly April to June and September to early October, pair reliable weather with fewer crowds than the July and August peak.
Ubud's wet season runs from about November to March. Rain usually comes in heavy afternoon bursts, so mornings are often clear enough for walks and outdoor sights.
Two days is enough to see central Ubud on foot. Three or four days adds the Tegallalang rice terraces, Goa Gajah and a slower pace.