Tourism Seasons by Country
Pick a country to see its tourist season month by month — high season, shoulder season and low season — along with any festivals that affect prices, crowds or closures that month.
Indonesia
| Month | Season Description |
|---|---|
| January | November through March is the rainy season and the low season for international tourism — but December is a critical exception. Christmas and New Year Week (25 Dec – 3 Jan) create a localised spike: Australian and Singaporean visitors flood Bali during their own summer holiday, prices in Seminyak and Legian rival or exceed July–August rates, and everything books up fast. Outside that Christmas bubble, January and February are the cheapest months on record: guesthouses run promotions, restaurants are empty, and you have the rice terraces of Tegallalang almost to yourself. Ideal for budget travellers and those seeking an uncrowded Bali experience. |
| February | November through March is the rainy season and the low season for international tourism — but December is a critical exception. Christmas and New Year Week (25 Dec – 3 Jan) create a localised spike: Australian and Singaporean visitors flood Bali during their own summer holiday, prices in Seminyak and Legian rival or exceed July–August rates, and everything books up fast. Outside that Christmas bubble, January and February are the cheapest months on record: guesthouses run promotions, restaurants are empty, and you have the rice terraces of Tegallalang almost to yourself. Ideal for budget travellers and those seeking an uncrowded Bali experience. |
| March | November through March is the rainy season and the low season for international tourism — but December is a critical exception. Christmas and New Year Week (25 Dec – 3 Jan) create a localised spike: Australian and Singaporean visitors flood Bali during their own summer holiday, prices in Seminyak and Legian rival or exceed July–August rates, and everything books up fast. Outside that Christmas bubble, January and February are the cheapest months on record: guesthouses run promotions, restaurants are empty, and you have the rice terraces of Tegallalang almost to yourself. Ideal for budget travellers and those seeking an uncrowded Bali experience. |
| April | April–May and September–October are excellent shoulder months. The weather is still largely dry (especially May and September), crowds are noticeably smaller, and prices are 20–40% lower than peak season. Villas in Canggu and Ubud have walk-in or last-minute availability. Dive operators on Lombok, Komodo, and the Gili Islands have space. October is particularly well-regarded: consistent sunshine, low prices, and the majority of European tourists have gone home. |
| May | April–May and September–October are excellent shoulder months. The weather is still largely dry (especially May and September), crowds are noticeably smaller, and prices are 20–40% lower than peak season. Villas in Canggu and Ubud have walk-in or last-minute availability. Dive operators on Lombok, Komodo, and the Gili Islands have space. October is particularly well-regarded: consistent sunshine, low prices, and the majority of European tourists have gone home. |
| June | June through August is Bali's — and by extension Indonesia's tourist circuit's — high season. July and August are absolute peak: European school summer holidays flood the island with Australian, European, and Japanese visitors. Beachfront villas in Seminyak and Canggu that cost USD 80/night in January hit USD 250–400. Kuta beach is so packed it loses its appeal; Ubud's terraces are booked weeks ahead; diving boats to Komodo or Nusa Penida need reservations 2–4 weeks in advance. Traffic in the Denpasar–Seminyak–Canggu corridor is gridlocked from midday. Flights from Australia are substantially more expensive. Book absolutely everything in advance. |
| July | June through August is Bali's — and by extension Indonesia's tourist circuit's — high season. July and August are absolute peak: European school summer holidays flood the island with Australian, European, and Japanese visitors. Beachfront villas in Seminyak and Canggu that cost USD 80/night in January hit USD 250–400. Kuta beach is so packed it loses its appeal; Ubud's terraces are booked weeks ahead; diving boats to Komodo or Nusa Penida need reservations 2–4 weeks in advance. Traffic in the Denpasar–Seminyak–Canggu corridor is gridlocked from midday. Flights from Australia are substantially more expensive. Book absolutely everything in advance. |
| August | June through August is Bali's — and by extension Indonesia's tourist circuit's — high season. July and August are absolute peak: European school summer holidays flood the island with Australian, European, and Japanese visitors. Beachfront villas in Seminyak and Canggu that cost USD 80/night in January hit USD 250–400. Kuta beach is so packed it loses its appeal; Ubud's terraces are booked weeks ahead; diving boats to Komodo or Nusa Penida need reservations 2–4 weeks in advance. Traffic in the Denpasar–Seminyak–Canggu corridor is gridlocked from midday. Flights from Australia are substantially more expensive. Book absolutely everything in advance. |
| September | April–May and September–October are excellent shoulder months. The weather is still largely dry (especially May and September), crowds are noticeably smaller, and prices are 20–40% lower than peak season. Villas in Canggu and Ubud have walk-in or last-minute availability. Dive operators on Lombok, Komodo, and the Gili Islands have space. October is particularly well-regarded: consistent sunshine, low prices, and the majority of European tourists have gone home. |
| October | April–May and September–October are excellent shoulder months. The weather is still largely dry (especially May and September), crowds are noticeably smaller, and prices are 20–40% lower than peak season. Villas in Canggu and Ubud have walk-in or last-minute availability. Dive operators on Lombok, Komodo, and the Gili Islands have space. October is particularly well-regarded: consistent sunshine, low prices, and the majority of European tourists have gone home. |
| November | November through March is the rainy season and the low season for international tourism — but December is a critical exception. Christmas and New Year Week (25 Dec – 3 Jan) create a localised spike: Australian and Singaporean visitors flood Bali during their own summer holiday, prices in Seminyak and Legian rival or exceed July–August rates, and everything books up fast. Outside that Christmas bubble, January and February are the cheapest months on record: guesthouses run promotions, restaurants are empty, and you have the rice terraces of Tegallalang almost to yourself. Ideal for budget travellers and those seeking an uncrowded Bali experience. |
| December | November through March is the rainy season and the low season for international tourism — but December is a critical exception. Christmas and New Year Week (25 Dec – 3 Jan) create a localised spike: Australian and Singaporean visitors flood Bali during their own summer holiday, prices in Seminyak and Legian rival or exceed July–August rates, and everything books up fast. Outside that Christmas bubble, January and February are the cheapest months on record: guesthouses run promotions, restaurants are empty, and you have the rice terraces of Tegallalang almost to yourself. Ideal for budget travellers and those seeking an uncrowded Bali experience. |
Festivals & events
Galungan & Kuningan
Celebration
Jan–Dec · approximate dates
Bali's most important festival, streets lined with towering penjor bamboo poles. Recurs on the 210-day Balinese calendar.
Chinese New Year (Imlek)
Celebration
Jan–Feb · approximate dates
Lively in Jakarta's Glodok and especially Singkawang (Borneo). Lunar dates, late Jan–Feb.
Nyepi (Bali Day of Silence)
Closures
Mar · approximate dates
Bali shuts down completely for 24h — no flights, no going out, even the airport closes. Lunar date, usually March.
Idul Fitri (Lebaran)
Book ahead
Mar–Apr · approximate dates
End of Ramadan and the huge 'mudik' homecoming: transport booked out and closures nationwide. Moves ~11 days earlier yearly.
Waisak at Borobudur
Celebration
May · approximate dates
Buddhist Vesak: monks and lantern releases at Borobudur temple. Lunar date, usually May.
