Bali travel guide
Bali in May has daytime highs near 30°C, lows near 23°C and about 75 mm of rain. Excellent shoulder-season month with relatively dry weather and lighter crowds. See below for what to plan and who May suits. Figures are typical values from our research, so check a forecast before you travel.
Facts checked 2 Nov 2026
Excellent shoulder-season month with relatively dry weather and lighter crowds.
May is one of the three months that most travellers should look at first. Rain is low, days are warm without being fierce, and crowds stay lighter than in July and August. It sits between the wet season and the peak. This guide explains what Bali is like in May: the weather, how busy it is, what to plan and who the month suits. Figures are typical values from our destination research, so check a forecast before you travel.
Daytime highs are about 30°C and nights about 23°C. Rainfall is about 75 mm and humidity is about 76 percent. The weather is relatively dry, so beach days, rice-terrace walks and temple visits are comfortable for most of the month.
May suits almost everyone, and it is especially good for honeymoon couples and families. It balances dry weather, lighter crowds and moderate prices, which is the combination travellers usually want. Beach-focused groups will find it more dependable than April.
May is slightly drier than April, with about 75 mm against 90 mm, and a little warmer in the day than June, which has about 29°C highs. It is quieter than July and August, which are the driest but busiest months. Next door, April and June have their own guides.
Because May works for so many trips, popular hotels and villas fill early, so book ahead. Use the quieter weeks to explore areas that suffer from crowds later in the year, such as the viewpoints around Uluwatu and the rice terraces north of Ubud. Even in May, traffic between the airport, Seminyak and Ubud is slow, so keep the number of hotel changes low. Our packages are land-only, so book flights separately and keep your passport valid for at least six months from arrival. Read the Bali visa guide for Indians for entry steps.
This guide is compiled from published tourism and weather information and traveller reports about Bali, and was last checked on 2 November 2026. Weather, prices and schedules change, so confirm details before you book.
See the full best time to visit Bali guide, plan your days with places to visit in Bali and things to do in Bali, and browse our Bali tour packages. For a ready route, try the Bali Essentials 5N package.
Ready-made trips
Kuta 2N · Ubud 3N
Seminyak 1N · Ubud 2N · Sanur 2N · Nusa Dua 1N
Ubud 2N · Sanur 2N · Nusa Dua 2N
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Packages cover stays, transfers, sightseeing and meals as listed. Flights are not included. Prices are per person, excl. GST.
FAQs
Short answers to what travellers ask about Bali.
Bali in May has daytime highs near 30°C and lows near 23°C, with about 75 mm of rain and humidity around 76 percent. Excellent shoulder-season month with relatively dry weather and lighter crowds. Check the forecast closer to your dates.
Yes. May is an excellent shoulder-season month, with about 75 mm of rain and lighter crowds than July and August. It is one of the three months, with June and September, that give the best balance. Weather varies from year to year, so confirm with a forecast and your planner before you book.
Yes. May has relatively dry weather, lighter crowds and suits private-villa stays, sunset dinners and a slow pace. Book villas early, as demand starts to rise through the month. Weather varies from year to year, so confirm with a forecast and your planner before you book.
Our research shows about 75 mm of rain in May, with humidity near 76 percent. Rainfall varies from year to year, so keep a flexible plan and check a forecast before you travel. Weather varies from year to year, so confirm with a forecast and your planner before you book.
Pack light, breathable clothes, sun protection and comfortable shoes for highs near 30°C. Add a rain layer if the month is wet, and a modest outfit with covered shoulders and knees for temple visits. Weather varies from year to year, so confirm with a forecast and your planner before you book.
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