The summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Weather | Hot and humid, about 26 to 30 °C on the coast, 22 to 26 °C in the highlands |
| Rain | 12 to 16 rainy days depending on the source, short heavy showers, often in the afternoon or evening |
| Sea | Swell is possible: boats to Nusa Penida can be cancelled |
| Crowds | Low early in the month, very high from 23-25 December to 2-6 January |
| Prices | Low early in the month, clearly higher around Christmas and New Year |
December weather
December is one of the wettest months on the island, with January and February. Rain comes in brief but intense showers; many travellers describe dry mornings and rain around 2 pm to 5 pm. Ubud, higher and inland, is cooler and generally wetter than the south coast. The start of the season shifts from year to year with climate patterns (El Niño, La Niña, Indian Ocean Dipole): check the Indonesian weather service (BMKG) forecast a week before leaving. We found no reliable source to promise that one coast, for example the north or east, is clearly drier: do not book on that idea alone.
Crowds and prices around Christmas
Guides place high season between 23 or 25 December and 2 or 6 January. One source mentions 20 to 30 percent more arrivals in that period. Hotels, villas, drivers and festive dinners fill up: book in October or November for the Christmas dates. Early December, up to mid-month, is the time for low prices. 25 December and 1 January are public holidays in Indonesia. For the overall budget, see Bali travel budget.
What to do when it rains
- Keep mornings for outdoors: Ubud, its rice fields and temples, before the showers.
- Waterfalls: they look their best in the rainy season, like Sekumpul, but trails are slippery.
- Classes, spas, cooking, dance: indoor activities are easy to find in Ubud; see Ubud in one day.
- Volcano: the summit view is often hidden by cloud; if Batur is your priority, leave some margin (see Mount Batur sunrise).
Where to go
For a first visit, keep Ubud, temples and some beach time, and do not pack too many stops into one day. Nusa Penida depends on the sea: plan a spare day and read Nusa Penida east or west. Diving and snorkelling at Amed are better in the dry season. To choose your base, read where to stay in Bali.
Going further
The full season table is in when to visit Bali. To fill your days, see things to do in Bali.
FAQ
Is December a good time to go to Bali? Yes if you accept rain: green scenery, low prices outside the holidays. Avoid it if you want a sure beach and a calm sea.
How many rainy days in December? Sources range from 12 to 16 days depending on the guide, as short, heavy showers.
Do I need to book for Christmas? Yes, from October-November: accommodation, driver and dinners.
Is north or east Bali drier? We found no reliable source to say so; check the local forecast before choosing.
