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.
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.
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. 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 the best things to do in Ubud.
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.
Yes. Ubud is greenest and quietest from November to March, and the rain usually comes in afternoon bursts, leaving mornings clear for the centre and the ridge walk.
Nyepi is the Balinese Day of Silence, usually in March. For one day the island closes down, including flights and roads, and guests remain on their hotel grounds, so it needs planning around.