What the weather is like in December
December is the worst combination on the calendar: 311mm of rain AND a Christmas/New Year price surge that pushes hotel rates to summer-peak levels for the wrong weather. The exception is travelers who specifically want Bali for New Year — book months ahead.
Against November, December runs about the same temperature with 70mm less rain.
Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Ubud; other parts of Bali vary. Full sources below.
What to pack for Bali in December
- Light layers for warm days
- A light jacket for the evenings
- A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella
Is December the right month?
Bali's best month is September; the toughest is January. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for April. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Bali.
Where to stay in December
December is low season in Bali: rooms cost less, but the weather is less reliable. A rate you can cancel keeps your options open.
- Ubud$$Culture, yoga, rice terraces, calmer base
Inland cultural heartland — rice terraces, temples, yoga retreats, Ubud Monkey Forest. 90 minutes from beaches but worth it for the contrast. Great mid-range hotel and villa scene.
See Ubud hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Canggu$$Digital nomads, surf, beach-cafe culture
Booming north-of-Seminyak area — beach breaks, cafes, co-working spaces, beach clubs at Berawa. The current "in" neighborhood. Traffic can be brutal in peak season.
See Canggu hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Seminyak$$$Beach + restaurant scene + nightlife
Established beach resort area. Best beaches on the south-west coast, the densest dining scene, sunset bars at Ku De Ta and Potato Head. More polished and pricier than Canggu.
See Seminyak hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Uluwatu / Bukit Peninsula$$$World-class surf, cliff-top hotels, quieter trip
Southern peninsula with dramatic cliffs and the island's best surf breaks (Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Bingin). Quieter than Seminyak/Canggu and more dramatic. Best for surfers and couples.
See Uluwatu / Bukit Peninsula hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026
Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Dec 2026; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Bali?
How warm is Bali in December?
Does it rain in Bali in December?
What should I pack for Bali in December?
Is Bali quiet in December?
Sources: Wonderful Indonesia (Official tourism) · Open-Meteo Historical Climate Data (ERA5) · U.S. State Department Indonesia Travel Advisory · BMKG (Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics). Full provenance on the Bali guide.
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