Bali Excursions

Let’s talk about Ubud weather — because if you’re planning to hang out in Bali’s cultural heart, you seriously need to know what you’re walking into. And I mean that both literally and metaphorically. “Ubud weather” is one of those things people either underestimate or over-prepare for, and honestly, both can backfire.

So let’s clear the air (pun intended). If you’re wondering what is the weather like in Ubud, how rainy it really gets, when’s the best time to visit, or what to pack — I got you. I’ve been soaked through by sudden downpours in the middle of monkey forest and I’ve sweated through linen shirts just sitting at a cafe. I’ve also had some of the most peaceful, drizzly mornings watching mist roll over the rice terraces with a hot kopi Bali in hand. Ubud weather is a mixed bag, but once you understand its rhythm, you can totally work with it.

Dry Season in Ubud (April to October): Sunshine, Sweat, and Mostly Good Vibes

If you’re all about sunshine and crisp mornings with almost zero humidity, the dry season — especially June through August — is your sweet spot. This is when Ubud weather goes from unpredictable jungle chaos to “wow, I can actually plan a day trip without carrying three ponchos.”

The air’s cooler up in Ubud compared to Canggu or Seminyak — think high 20s°C (like 26–29°C or mid-80s°F), and evenings can get surprisingly chilly. Not jacket-worthy, but maybe a lightweight hoodie if you’re staying up in Tegallalang or somewhere in the hills.

One thing nobody tells you though? Dry season doesn’t mean zero rain. It just means it won’t ruin your day. I’ve had random showers roll in around 2 pm like clockwork. Sometimes 10 minutes, sometimes a full hour. Always warm though — like, not annoying cold, just “guess I’m taking a shower with my clothes on” kinda vibe.

Read also: Bali Itinerary 7 Days

Also, pro-ish tip (I know I said no pro tips but hear me out): if you’re doing sunrise hikes like Mount Batur, this is the time. Clear skies, less fog, and way less chance you’ll be standing on a volcano surrounded by white mist, wondering if the view is just a tourist myth.

Rainy Season in Ubud (November to March): Wet, Wild, and Weirdly Beautiful

Okay, now here’s where the weather in Ubud gets a bit… dramatic.

The rainy season is no joke. From late November to around mid-March, expect Ubud to serve you hot steamy rain with a side of thunder. Some days it starts sunny and just whiplashes into a downpour by afternoon. Other days it’s just wet all day — like someone forgot to turn off the sky faucet.

Don’t get me wrong though, there’s something weirdly cozy about Ubud during the wet months. The jungle goes full Avatar — so lush and green it almost doesn’t look real. The rice paddies? Chef’s kiss. Everything looks 10x more alive. If you’re into photography or journaling or just vibing with a hot tea and watching the rain hit the banana leaves, rainy season might be your jam.

But yeah, it’s humid AF. I remember one December where I just gave up on trying to look dry. I’d step out of the shower and feel like I never left. Cotton? Forget it. It never dries. Linen? Only if you’re okay with the “I live out of a suitcase” look. Fast-dry everything is your best friend.

Travel-wise, this is off-peak season for a reason. Some treks (like Campuhan Ridge Walk) get muddy and slippery. Roads flood sometimes, especially those tiny alleyways in the villages. But on the flip side — fewer crowds, cheaper villas, easier spa bookings. Swings and roundabouts.

What’s Ubud Weather Like Month-by-Month?

Yeah yeah, people say “two seasons: dry and wet.” But honestly? It’s more of a gradient. Here’s the real-life breakdown based on actual experience — not some glossy travel brochure.

January
Ubud is drenched. Expect 20+ days of rain, often heavy and in the afternoon. But mornings? Sometimes weirdly dry and sunny. Bring an umbrella or rain jacket everywhere. Mosquitoes love this month, btw. Don’t forget the bug spray.

February
Still raining, but it starts to calm down a bit mid-month. Roads can be messy. You’ll see fewer tourists, and the rice terraces are green as ever. Great if you’re into peaceful vibes and don’t mind unpredictable skies.

March
Rain tapers off toward the end. Still humid though. Things start drying up. March is kinda like a secret sweet spot if you’re okay with the occasional rainstorm and want deals on accommodation.

April
Dry season starts to kick in. Not totally rain-free, but fewer downpours. Rice fields are thick and lush. Weather’s warm but manageable. One of my favorite months to visit.

May – August
This is peak Ubud. Great weather, cool mornings, warm days. You’ll see lots of yoga retreats, spiritual travelers, and digital nomads crawling around cafes. Rice harvest happens around here, so some paddies start to look yellow/golden.

September
Still dry, but warmer. Sun feels stronger. You’ll notice more locals burning things in the early morning — a lot of traditional ceremonies happen, and they use incense and offerings. Kinda adds to the mystical feel.

October
Dry season’s last hurrah. Feels like a crossover between dry and rainy. Good weather overall, but storms start to sneak back in around the end. You’ll hear more thunder in the afternoons.

November
Hello, rain. Humidity’s up, and so is mosquito activity. It’s not non-stop rain yet, but it’s starting to feel more tropical jungle than sunny paradise.

December
Rainiest month next to January. Some areas flood, but also, everything is glowing green. If you’re here for Christmas or New Year’s, it’s still fun — just expect to be wet a lot.

What to Pack Based on the Ubud Weather

This is where I’ve seen people mess up. Like, I once saw a guy show up in Ubud with full-on leather boots. In December. In Bali. Bro. No.

Here’s the deal:

• Rainy season? Fast-dry clothes. Breathable fabrics. A decent poncho or foldable rain jacket (they sell good ones in local markets too). Flip-flops are fine unless you’re planning to hike. Then go for waterproof trail shoes.
• Dry season? You can go more chill — linen, cotton, loose shirts. Just remember: Ubud’s still humid compared to beach towns. And because it’s higher up, the nights can get cool. Bring a light long-sleeve or shawl if you’re sensitive.

Also — power banks. Especially during rainy season. Power cuts happen, and trust me, you don’t want to be stuck without Google Maps when you’re in the middle of a rice field looking for your homestay.

And hey, umbrellas are everywhere. You don’t need to pack one unless you have a strong preference. They hand them out at cafes, villas, even temples.

How Ubud Weather Impacts Your Itinerary (a.k.a. Plan Smart, Don’t Suffer)

If you’re the type who likes to schedule every hour, Ubud weather might test you a bit. Rainy season, especially, demands flexibility.

• Morning activities are your safest bet year-round. Rain tends to hit mid to late afternoon. So do your temple visits, yoga, coffee tours, or waterfall hikes earlier in the day.
• Spa treatments, massages, or cooking classes? Save those for rainy afternoons. Trust me, nothing hits like a full-body massage while it’s pouring outside.
• Sunset at Campuhan Ridge or Tegallalang? Dry season only. Rainy season skies are too cloudy, and the paths get way too slippery.

Also, don’t try to cram too much into one day. Ubud’s spread out — what looks like “15 minutes on Google Maps” can take 45 minutes with traffic, scooter jams, or sudden rain.

How the Weather Shapes Local Life in Ubud

This part gets overlooked, but it’s cool once you notice it.

Local ceremonies often revolve around weather patterns. The full moon and new moon have temple events, and you’ll notice them more during the dry season when processions aren’t getting soaked. In rainy months, ceremonies move indoors or pause altogether if the rain’s too intense.

Farmers time their rice cycles with the seasons. During the rainy season, you’ll see planting — all that vivid green. Dry season is harvest time. That’s when the paddies get yellow and golden, and sometimes even dry and cracked-looking toward the end.

Markets shift too. During the wet season, vendors set up more tarps and things get muddy and slippery. In the dry season, it’s full spread — fruit, flowers, incense, clothes. I’ve found the best deals on fresh mangosteen during the rainy months though — less tourists means better prices.

Ubud Weather Isn’t Perfect, But That’s What Makes It Feel Real

Let’s be honest — if you want predictable weather, go to Perth or LA. Ubud doesn’t care about your schedule. But it’s not trying to ruin your trip either.

Once you stop expecting perfection and just roll with the weird little shifts in the sky, everything gets easier. You start noticing how the birds get louder before it rains. How the air smells different when a storm’s rolling in. How good a hot ginger tea tastes when you’re watching the rain come down from a bamboo balcony.

Ubud weather isn’t just about sun or rain. It’s part of the rhythm of this place — the slower, softer vibe that makes it feel different from the rest of Bali.

So yeah, bring your rain jacket, plan your mornings well, and don’t stress too hard when plans get rained out. That’s just Ubud doing its thing.

The Not-So-Fun Side of Ubud Weather: Humidity, Mold & Mosquitoes

Alright, let’s not sugarcoat it — Ubud weather, especially during the rainy season, can come with some… let’s say “extra” features. Mainly bugs, moisture, and that weird damp smell in your clothes that refuses to go away. Doesn’t mean the place isn’t magical — just means you gotta know how to deal.

First, let’s talk humidity. Dry season is pretty manageable, but rainy months? It gets sticky. Like, can’t tell if I’m sweating or the air is hugging me kind of sticky. You’ll want breathable fabrics, a reusable water bottle (dehydration sneaks up on you), and if your Airbnb or guesthouse doesn’t have a fan or dehumidifier, your clothes might start smelling funky within a couple days.

I once had a sarong that smelled like a swamp creature after being in a closed closet for three days. Not a vibe.

Also — mold. It grows fast out here. I’ve had notebooks grow fuzzy green corners. Leather bags? Ruined. Shoes? Gross. If you’re staying more than a few days, don’t leave anything wet in a dark corner. Hang stuff up. Air it out. Some locals even use charcoal packets or silica gel in closets.

Now for the mosquitoes. I mean, let’s be real, they’re part of the jungle package deal. But they’re worse during the wet season, especially around dusk and dawn. And no, it’s not just a minor annoyance — dengue fever is real, and while it’s not super common if you’re cautious, it’s also not something to mess with.

You’ll want mosquito spray with DEET (they sell it at Indomaret if you forget), and maybe even bring those little plug-in mosquito repellents for your room. Mosquito coils work too, just don’t light ‘em too close to your bed — the smell is potent.

And yeah — you will get bitten at least once. It happens. But you can reduce the damage if you sleep under a net and wear loose long-sleeved stuff in the evenings.

How Ubud Weather Messes with Technology (and What You Can Do About It)

If you’re a digital nomad, online worker, or just someone who needs their phone to not randomly die in a power surge — listen up. Ubud weather, especially during rainy season, plays games with electronics.

I’ve had a laptop charger fried during a lightning storm. Internet go out for 4 hours. My Kindle fog up from being left near an open window. And you’d think, “Well, just go to a coworking space.” Yeah, those are great — but they don’t always have backup power either.

So, some real-deal advice if you’re staying more than a few days and relying on tech:

• Power outages happen, especially in stormy months. Sometimes for 15 minutes, sometimes a few hours. Most villas don’t have generators. Coworking spots like Outpost or Hubud usually do, but not always — ask first.
• Humidity and electronics are enemies. Keep your gear dry. I always travel with silica packets and ziplock bags. Sounds overkill, but saved my camera lens more than once.
• Voltage spikes are a thing. If your villa or homestay doesn’t have a surge protector, bring your own or unplug stuff during lightning storms. No joke — I’ve seen sparks.
• Rain = sketchy Wi-Fi. It just does. If you’re planning a Zoom call or a livestream, avoid scheduling it during Ubud’s typical rainy hours — usually between 2 pm and 6 pm during wet season.

And maybe this is obvious, but don’t leave your gear charging near windows. I made that mistake during a sudden sideways downpour and ended up with a soggy iPad.

Scootering in Ubud Weather: Dry Roads vs. Slippery Chaos

If you’re planning on getting around Ubud by scooter (and let’s be honest — you probably are), then understanding how Ubud weather affects the roads could be the difference between a chill ride through rice fields or you skidding across the asphalt wearing nothing but flip-flops.

Dry season? Mostly smooth sailing. Still gotta watch for potholes, random dogs in the road, and the occasional ceremony blocking traffic. But overall, scootering in dry months is actually kinda dreamy — cool air, gorgeous views, and the kind of freedom that just hits different.

But rainy season? Whole different beast.

The roads get slippery fast. Especially the stone-paved ones near temples or monkey forest. I’ve seen people fall going 15 km/h just trying to make a gentle turn. And trust me, tropical rain feels like needles when you’re going 30 km/h on a scooter.
You’ll also see more flooding in low-lying areas, especially around Penestanan and some parts of Jalan Raya. And good luck if you’re wearing canvas shoes — they’ll be soggy for two days.

So what can you do?

• Keep a poncho under your seat — always. You can get the cheap ones at Circle K, or splurge on a better one that actually keeps your legs dry.
• Slow down when roads are wet. Sounds obvious, but the rain can come outta nowhere and suddenly you’re aquaplaning past a cafe.
• Avoid scootering at night during rainy season unless you know the roads well. Visibility is crap, and headlights bounce off the steam coming off the wet road like a fog machine at a rave.

Also, worth noting — scooters don’t all have working tail lights or good brakes. So choose a decent rental company. Pay a bit more. It’s worth it.

Weird Weather Things Tourists Don’t Expect (but Locals Just Know)

Here’s the part nobody really preps you for. The tiny stuff about Ubud weather that messes with your plans if you’re not ready for it.

Like how temple visits sometimes get postponed because rain is seen as a spiritual cleanse — and locals might interpret it as a sign. Not always, but I’ve shown up to Pura Dalem dressed to the nines only to find the ceremony rescheduled ’cause the clouds rolled in too heavy.

Or how the air smells different after it rains — especially near the rice fields. It’s kind of a sour-earthy scent that’s weird at first but grows on you. Locals even say you can tell how long the rain will last based on how it smells. I still haven’t cracked that code, though.

Also, the fog. Up in higher spots like Sayan or Tegallalang, early mornings can be crazy foggy. Like, “can’t see the driveway” foggy. It clears up by 9 or 10 a.m., but if you’ve got a sunrise photoshoot or early pickup for a tour, keep that in mind.

Another one? Clothes never really feel 100% dry during rainy season unless you get full sun for hours. Even stuff that’s been hanging up for days can feel a bit… damp. Villas with laundry service will dry stuff better than trying to do it yourself with a travel line and a fan.

And finally — the critters come out more when it rains. Frogs. Snails. The occasional confused gecko in your shower. Doesn’t mean the place is dirty — it’s just jungle life. But if you’re squeamish, maybe check your shoes before you slide ’em on.