For surfers, backpackers, and discerning adventurers, November is the best time to visit Bali, the Indonesian island known for its surf breaks, rice terraces, and Hindu temples.
Bali in November runs 77°F to 88°F, with brief afternoon rains that mark the start of the wet season. That shift is exactly why prices and crowds drop, and there's plenty on the other side of it for anyone who can shrug off a quick storm.
Foodies eat well for a few dollars a day, surfers get quieter waves on the east coast at spots like Keramas and Nusa Dua, and those craving luxury can lounge poolside at a private villa for less than a standard hotel room in Hawaii.
This guide covers Bali weather in November, the areas worth your time, where to stay at every budget, and how to get there from the US.
- Bali Weather in November: What to Expect
- What to Pack for Bali in November
- Is It Worth Visiting Bali in November?
- Where to Go in Bali in November: 9 Top Spots
- Where to Stay in Bali in November
- Things to Do in Bali in November
- Where to Eat in Bali in November
- How to Get to Bali From the US
- FAQs about in Bali in November
How Is Bali in November?
Warm, green, and much quieter than peak season. Daytime temperatures hold in the 80s, rain comes in short afternoon bursts, and prices sit well below the July and August highs.
Bali Weather in November: What to Expect
Daytime November temperatures in Bali sit around 88°F and rarely drop below 77°F at night. Rain falls on roughly half the days in the month, almost always as a heavy hour in the late afternoon rather than steady drizzle.
Here's how to plan your days around the weather in Bali in November:
- Mornings are usually clear. Hike, surf, and sightsee before the peak daytime temps set in at noon.
- Afternoon rain passes fast. Plan a spa, a long lunch, or a museum for 3pm onward.
- Humidity sits around 80%. Travelers tend to sweat a lot, so pack plenty of shirts for mid-day changes.
- Ocean temperature is near 84°F. Swimming and diving stay comfortable all month.
- Rice terraces are at their greenest. Rain makes them look like what you'd see in a postcard.
What to Pack for Bali in November
- Cotton and linen: synthetics combined with humidity will smother you
- A packable lightweight rain shell: more useful than an umbrella, especially on a scooter
- Reef-safe sunscreen: shieldsyou from strong UV rays (even in cloudy weather) without harming coral reefs when you're in the water
- One light sweater: stay comfy in cooler spots, like Ubud and heavily air-conditioned restaurants
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees: required at temples, though most lend a sarong at the gate
- Sandals you don't mind soaking: streets flood within minutes of a downpour
Is It Worth Visiting Bali in November?
Yes. November has lower prices and smaller crowds than peak season, and the rain usually lasts about an hour in the afternoon.
Bali's busiest months are July, August, and late December. In November, hotel rates drop, you can get restaurant tables without booking ahead, and the popular surf spots have about a third as many people in the water.
The downside is rain. On a two-week trip, losing a few afternoons is hardly a big deal. But on a shorter five-day trip, it could take out most of your beach time.
November in Bali is a good call if you want:
- Rates 30% to 40% below July and August at most properties
- Uncrowded surf, especially on the east coast
- Waterfalls and rice terraces at full volume
- Same-week availability at restaurants and spas that book out in peak season
Pick a different month if you prefer:
- Reliably dry weather on a trip shorter than a week
- Clearer dive visibility, which runs May through September
- Consistent west-coast swell for advanced surfing
Where to Go in Bali in November
Bali measures about 90 miles across, so most trips cover two or three areas. Traffic is lighter in November, which shortens the drives between them. Here are the top places to go in Bali in November and who they appeal to.
1) Ubud: Lush Rice Terraces, Monkeys, and Heavy Waterfalls
Ubud is Bali's arts and wellness capital, set inland among rice terraces about 90 minutes from the airport. The elevation keeps it a few degrees cooler than the coast, and November rain is what makes everything so vibrantly green.
Walk the Campuhan Ridge at sunrise before it turns into a sauna, then get to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces before the 9am tour buses arrive.
The Ubud Monkey Forest is worth an hour if you can keep your sunglasses out of reach of their handsy paws. Tegenungan and Tibumana waterfalls both run at full blast this time of year.
2) Canggu: Surf, Cafes, and Backpackers
Canggu is a coastal village that functions as a budget travel hub built around beginner surfing and a laptop-friendly cafe scene.
Batu Bolong offers some of the island's gentlest waves and is the easiest place in Bali to learn to surf.
Between sessions, work through the coffee shops on Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, hit the Sunday market for street food, or ride a scooter north to Seseh for less-traveled coasts.
3) Uluwatu: Cliffs and Serious Surf
Uluwatu sits on limestone cliffs at Bali's southern tip, above reef breaks that draw experienced surfers from around the world.
It ranks high among advanced surfing spots in Bali, so it's not a great coast for beginners to learn. Padang Padang and Bingin are the famous breaks, both shallow and unforgiving.
If you're not surfing, the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple at sunset is the most photographed thing in south Bali for good reason. Suluban Beach is reached through a cave staircase, and a clifftop dinner here runs a fraction of what the same view costs in California.
4) Seminyak: Beach Clubs and Design Shops
Seminyak is Bali's upmarket beach district. It's ten minutes north of Kuta, built around beach clubs, boutiques, and restaurants with international recognition.
Book a daybed at Potato Head or Ku De Ta for sunset, shop the design stores along Jalan Kayu Aya, and eat at Sardine, which sits in a bamboo pavilion surrounded by rice fields.
5) Jimbaran: Seafood on the Beach
Jimbaran is a fishing village and bay on the west side of the southern peninsula, known for grilled seafood served at tables set directly on the sand.
If you're an early riser, the morning fish market puts on a better show than most things you'd pay for. The bay holds the calmest water in south Bali, which also makes it the easiest place to swim with kids during the day. Book a sunset dinner at one of the beachfront grills, where you pick your fish off the ice and eat it an hour later.
6) Nusa Dua: Resorts and Flat Water
Nusa Dua is a gated resort area on the southeast coast with maintained beaches and a reef that keeps the water flat, which makes it the simple and stress-free choice for families.
You'll have easy access to snorkeling, jet-skiing, and paddleboarding in the protected water here. The reef also produces one of the better waves on this side of the island in November, and the coastal path leads to the Water Blow, where the surf hits the cliffs and shoots straight up.
7) Sanur: Sunrises and a Slower Pace
Sanur is an east-facing beach town with a five-mile paved promenade and a noticeably older, quieter crowd than Canggu or Seminyak. Because it faces east, it delivers stunning sunrises.
Cycle the promenade from one end to the other, take the fast boat over to Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands, and browse the morning art market. It's the right base if you want somewhere calm to come back to at the end of the day.
8) Amed: Shore Diving and Coral
Amed is a region on the far east coast that consists of fishing villages, black-sand coves, and coral reefs that are just steps away from the beach.
It's a top spot for diving in Bali. A sunken Japanese patrol boat sits just offshore, and the USAT Liberty wreck at nearby Tulamben is one of the most accessible wreck dives anywhere, since you can reach it without a boat.
You'll want to set your alarm early. The water is calmest before the wind picks up mid-morning and the dive groups start crowding by 9am.
9) Lovina: Dolphins in the North
Lovina is a quiet black-sand coastline on Bali's north shore, three to four hours from the airport and the least developed area on this list.
Most people come for the sunrise dolphin tours, which head out around 6am and showcase wild pods in their natural habitat.
Inland, you'll find the Banjar hot springs and Sekumpul Waterfall, which runs at its most powerful during the wet season.
Where to Stay in Bali in November
A private villa with a plunge pool, breakfast, and an on-site spa routinely costs less in Bali than a standard room at a beach resort in Hawaii, Mexico, or Australia. And in November, rates drop even lower.
- For Couples: The Kayon Valley Resort, Ubud
The Kayon Valley Resort is adults-only, built into a jungle valley outside Ubud, with private pools and dining beside a waterfall. - For Luxury Travelers: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
The Four Seasons gives every guest a standalone villa with a plunge pool over the bay. Compare a night here against a Four Seasons in the US and the difference covers most of your airfare. - For Families: Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso, Nusa Dua
The Grand Mirage is beachfront with a kids' club, a water park, and a thalassotherapy spa. All-inclusive rates make the budget predictable. - For Digital Nomads: Outpost Canggu Coworking & Coliving
Outpost Canggu combines accommodation with proper coworking space, reliable Wi-Fi, and a community of people on the same schedule. - For Backpackers and Solo Travelers: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel, Ubud
Puri Garden is a hostel in central Ubud with free daily yoga, a pool, and communal dinners twice a week, which makes it one of the easier places to meet people traveling alone. - For Groups: The Stones Hotel - Legian Bali
The Stones is a five-star beachfront hotel by Kuta with a swim-up bar and nightlife within walking distance. - For Nature Lovers: Bambu Indah Resort
Bambu Indah is an eco-resort of restored antique Javanese bridal houses, with natural spring-fed swimming pools and an organic farm on site. - For Budget Travelers: Gelatik B&B Hostel, Kerobokan
Gelatik B&B sits in Kerobokan Kelod, about a four-minute drive from Seminyak Square, with air-conditioned rooms and a shared kitchen that keeps food costs down.
Things to Do in Bali in November
November is a light month on Bali's festival calendar, so the things to do in Bali in November are mostly the daily ones without the crowds.
- Odalan temple festivals: each temple marks its own anniversary on the 210-day Balinese calendar, so ask your hotel what's happening locally during your dates
- Sunday markets: Sanur and Canggu both run weekend markets with crafts, food stalls, and live music
- Cooking classes: most start with a market trip and run rain or shine
- Spa treatments: a 90-minute massage is way cheaper than what you'd pay in the US (and perfect for rainy days)
- Surf lessons: smaller November swell on the east coast makes this a good month to start
Where to Eat in Bali in November
- Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka: Ubud's best-known babi guling, Balinese roast suckling pig
- Sardine: seafood in a bamboo pavilion surrounded by rice fields, Seminyak
- Naughty Nuri's: BBQ ribs and famously strong martinis
- Mozaic: French technique and Indonesian ingredients, in an Ubud garden
- Bale Udang Mang Engking: Indonesian seafood in floating pavilions over fish ponds, halal
- Warungs: family-run local spots, where you'll eat best for under $5
How to Get to Bali From the US
No airline flies nonstop from the US to Bali. Most routes connect through Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, or Doha, which puts total travel time around 20 to 24 hours from the West Coast and 24 to 30 hours from the East Coast, excluding flight delays.
You'll land at Ngurah Rai International (DPS), 20 minutes from Kuta and about 90 minutes from Ubud. Bali runs 12 hours ahead of New York and 15 ahead of Los Angeles, so plan on losing a day in each direction.
Bali Entry Requirements for US Travelers
The current requirements for US tourists visiting Bali, include:
- Passport: valid six months past your arrival date, with two blank pages. Your passport shouldn't be damaged nor reported lost or stolen.
- Visa: apply for the e-VOA online before you fly. It's about $35, lasts 30 days, and lets you skip the airport visa line.
- Onward flight: required. You have to show a return or onward booking to get the e-VOA.
- Extensions: one 30-day extension for another $35, arranged at an immigration office a week before your visa expires.
- Overstaying: 1 million rupiah per day, roughly $65, plus possible detention or a re-entry ban.
- Bali tourism levy: a separate one-time fee of about $10, paid online before arrival.
Check the State Department's Indonesia advisory before you book.
FAQs About Bali in November
Is November good to visit Bali?
Yes. Rates drop across every price tier, crowds thin out after the August peak, and the landscape is at its greenest. The cost is rain, which typically falls for an hour in the afternoon rather than all day.
How many days do you need in Bali?
Seven days covers one or two areas comfortably. Ten to fourteen is better from the US, since you'll lose most of two days to travel and another to jet lag on each end.
Can you surf in Bali in November?
Yes. West-coast swell is less consistent than in the dry season, but the east coast is known for smooth, glassy waves. Keramas and Nusa Dua both work in November, and beginner breaks like Batu Bolong are quieter than usual.
Is Bali expensive?
No. Meals at local warungs run a few dollars, mid-range villas with private pools cost less than a standard US hotel room, and five-star resorts price well below their equivalents in Hawaii or the Caribbean.
Is it safe to travel to Bali in November?
Bali is generally safe for tourists. Take normal precautions with valuables, follow temple dress codes, and be careful on a scooter, since roads get slick fast when the rain starts.
Where Will You Go in Bali in November?
Learning to surf in Canggu, diving a wreck off Amed, or not leaving the villa pool in Ubud all count as a good trip.
If you're already going that far, Thailand in November pairs easily on the same ticket. Slightly closer to home, there's Crete in November and the full list of best places to visit in Europe in November.
Planning to travel earlier in the fall? Start with the best places to visit in September or Europe in September.
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