January weather guide

Bali weather in January

Peak wet season — 388mm of rain, daily storms

Score36Tough
Typical day31°C88°F · low 25°C
Rain & sun388mm6.4 hrs sun/day
Lush terraced rice fields in Bali surrounded by palm trees and tropical greenery
By
Institutional byline · Updated

What the weather is like in January

Avg high
31°C
88°F
Avg low
25°C
77°F
Rainfall
388mm
off-peak
Sun / day
6.4 hrs

January is the wettest month of the year. Rainfall averages 388mm — over 12mm per day — and concentrates in heavy afternoon and overnight thunderstorms, with highs of 31°C and humidity that never lets up. Beach days are unreliable and ferries to Nusa Penida cancel often. The worst single month to visit.

Against December, January runs about the same temperature with 89mm more rain and 0.4 hours more sun a day.

These January averages are station normals for Denpasar (Ngurah Rai Airport) (Starlings Roost Weather, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Bali vary. Full sources below.

Bali in January, on the ground

January is the heart of Bali’s rainy season: the wettest stretch of the year, with heavy showers most days and high humidity. The landscape is lush and the island slows down after the New Year peak.

Crowds and prices in January

Once the first week is over, January is among the cheapest times to stay in Bali, with low occupancy and good villa deals. Restaurants and beach clubs are easier to get into than at any other time of the dry or holiday season.

What to do in January

  • Book a villa with a pool and covered outdoor space, so a rainy afternoon is still pleasant.
  • Take a cooking class or a yoga retreat in Ubud, which suit the wet-season pace.
  • Go to the waterfalls around Gitgit and Sekumpul, at their most powerful now, with a local guide.

Before you book: Heavy rain can make mountain roads and waterfall paths slippery or closed for a day; leave slack in your plans.

What to pack for Bali in January

  • Lightweight, breathable clothing
  • Sun hat & high-SPF sunscreen
  • A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella

What's on in January

  • Galungan and Kuningan (Island-wide) — 210-day Hindu cycle, so dates rotate through the calendar. Decorated bamboo poles (penjor) line every village street. Major Balinese family holiday — domestic schools close, some businesses pause.

Is January the right month?

January is Bali's toughest month; the best, September, is four months before January. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for October. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Bali, or where else to go in January.

Where to stay in January

January is Bali's toughest month. Choose a base that still works in bad weather, and book a rate you can cancel. Every area is compared on airport access and price in our guide, best area to stay in Bali.

  • Ubud$$
    Culture, yoga, rice terraces, calmer baseInland cultural heartland — rice terraces, temples, yoga retreats, Ubud Monkey Forest. Cooler nights and noticeably wetter than the south-coast figures on this page, even in the dry season. 90 minutes from beaches but worth it for the contrast. Great mid-range hotel and villa scene.See hotels in Bali for 12–18 Jan 2027
  • Canggu$$
    Digital nomads, surf, beach-cafe cultureBooming north-of-Seminyak area — beach breaks, cafes and co-working spaces. The current "in" neighborhood. Traffic can be brutal in peak season.See hotels in Bali for 12–18 Jan 2027
  • Seminyak$$$
    Beach + restaurant sceneEstablished beach resort area. Best beaches on the south-west coast, the densest dining scene and the best sunsets. More polished and pricier than Canggu.See hotels in Bali for 12–18 Jan 2027
  • Uluwatu / Bukit Peninsula$$$
    World-class surf, cliff-top hotels, quieter tripSouthern 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 hotels in Bali for 12–18 Jan 2027

Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Jan 2027; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Before you go

Book the rest of your January trip

Partner links. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good time to visit Bali?
January scores 36/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Tough" — which blends weather with crowds and price. January is Bali's toughest month. Go in with clear expectations, or shift to September if you can.
How warm is Bali in January?
Expect daytime highs around 31°C (88°F) and overnight lows near 25°C (77°F), with about 6.4 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Bali in January?
January sees roughly 388mm of rain — a wet month; pack proper rain gear.
What should I pack for Bali in January?
For January, pack: Lightweight, breathable clothing; Sun hat & high-SPF sunscreen; A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella.
Is it worth visiting Bali in January at all?
January is the toughest month, but it is also the quietest and usually the cheapest. If your dates are fixed, pick a base that still works in poor weather and book a rate you can cancel. If they are not, September is the month to aim for.

Sources: Wonderful Indonesia (Official tourism) · Starlings Roost Weather: Denpasar (Ngurah Rai Airport), 1991-2020 · U.S. State Department Indonesia Travel Advisory · BMKG (Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics). Full provenance on the Bali guide.

Keep planning

Plan your Bali trip