Bali in April: Start of the Dry Season, Prices and Crowds

Bali in April is one of the better months to visit the island. The wet season is winding down, the big peak seasons of July, August and the Christmas holidays are still ahead, and hotel prices are usually moderate. You can still get showers, especially early in the month, and Easter school holidays from Australia bring busier weeks in the south. This guide covers what April is like, how the 2027 calendar affects a trip, where to stay, what it costs and a few practical rules for arrival.

Photo: Jakub Hałun / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

What Bali in April is like

April is a shoulder month between the wet season, which runs roughly from November to March, and the dry season from about May to September. In practice that means:

• Fewer and shorter showers than in January or February, usually in the afternoon or evening. Many days are dry.
• Warm and humid at the coast, a little cooler in Ubud and much cooler in the mountains around Kintamani and Munduk.
• Green landscapes. Rice terraces and waterfalls look their best after months of rain.
• Sea conditions vary. The west coast still gets swell, which suits surfers. Calmer swimming beaches are on the east coast, around Sanur and Nusa Dua.

If you want reliable dry weather for hiking or a sunrise trek on Mount Batur, late April and May are safer than early April. Our guide to the Bali wet season vs dry season explains the pattern in more detail.

The 2027 calendar: what affects April

Several dates around March and April 2027 change crowds and prices:

• Nyepi, Monday 8 March 2027. Bali's day of silence closes the airport in recent years and keeps everyone indoors. It is well before April, but it shifts some travel into late March. See our Nyepi 2027 guide.
• Eid al-Fitr, 10 and 11 March 2027, with collective leave days around it, according to Indonesia's 2027 holiday decree. Domestic visitors from Java fill southern Bali that week.
• Easter, 28 March 2027. Good Friday is a public holiday in Indonesia, and Easter week falls at the start of school holidays in several Australian states. Expect higher prices and busier beaches in Canggu, Seminyak and Kuta from late March into the first half of April.
• Galungan and Kuningan fall in January and August in 2027, so April does not have one of these major Balinese festival periods. Smaller temple ceremonies happen all the time, and you may see processions on any day.

The quietest part of the month is usually the second half of April, once Easter holidays end.

Where to stay in April

April suits most areas of the island, with a few adjustments:

• Ubud for rice terraces, temples and cooler evenings. Rain is more likely here than on the coast, but April is usually manageable.
• Sanur for calm water, families and an easy base for day trips and the fast boats to Nusa Penida.
• Uluwatu and the Bukit peninsula for cliff views and beaches. Surf is good, and April sunsets at the Uluwatu temple are popular.
• Canggu and Seminyak for cafes and nightlife, with heavier traffic and Easter crowds early in the month.

A good split for a first trip is two or three nights in Ubud and three or four nights by the sea. Our guide to where to stay in Bali compares the areas in detail.

Prices and booking

Bali prices in April sit between the low season of January and February and the high season of July and August.

• Hotels and villas: moderate in most weeks, with a jump over Easter. Book the Easter period early, especially for villas with pools.
• Flights: fares from Australia rise during school holidays. From Asia, April is usually not a peak month.
• Tours and drivers: a private driver for the day is a common way to see several sights, and rates are set per day. Agree on the route and the hours before you start.
• Tourist levy: Bali charges foreign visitors a one-time levy of IDR 150,000 per person per trip. Pay it through the official Love Bali website or app before you arrive, and keep the QR voucher.

Getting around

Bali has no rail network and limited public transport, so most visitors use a mix of ride-hailing apps, metered taxis and private drivers. Traffic in the south can be slow at any time of year and worse over Easter, so allow more time than the map suggests for airport runs and for evening trips between Canggu, Seminyak and Uluwatu. Scooter rental is common, but you need a valid licence that covers motorbikes and a helmet, and wet roads in April make riding harder.

Arrival rules to sort out before you fly

• Visa: many nationalities can get a visa on arrival or an electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA) through Indonesia's official eVisa website. Check your own nationality's rules first. Your passport needs at least six months of validity.
• All Indonesia arrival card: Indonesia uses a single online arrival declaration called All Indonesia, which combines immigration, customs and health questions. Fill it in on the official site or app within a few days before you land and keep the QR code.
• Bali levy: pay it separately through Love Bali, as above.

Only use the official government sites for all three. Lookalike sites charge extra fees.

Things to do in Bali in April

• Rice terraces at Tegallalang and Jatiluwih are green and full of water.
• Waterfalls around Ubud and in the north are at good volume after the rains. Paths can be slippery.
• Temples such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and Tirta Empul. Visit early to avoid the midday heat and tour buses.
• Nusa Penida by fast boat from Sanur. Sea conditions are usually reasonable in April, but crossings can be rough, so leave a spare day.
• Mount Batur sunrise trek, best attempted later in the month when skies are clearer.
• Diving and snorkelling at Amed and Menjangan on calmer days.

A sample five-day plan for April

1. Day 1: arrive, transfer to Ubud, evening walk in the centre. 2. Day 2: Tegallalang rice terraces early, Tirta Empul, lunch with a view, evening dance performance. 3. Day 3: waterfalls or a cooking class, then transfer to Sanur or Uluwatu. 4. Day 4: day trip to Nusa Penida, or a beach day with a sunset at Uluwatu temple. 5. Day 5: a slow morning, then the airport.

This is close to our 5 days in Bali itinerary, which you can copy into RoamerPlanner and adjust if a rainy afternoon pushes plans around.

What to pack

• Light, quick-drying clothes and a light rain jacket.
• A sarong and covered shoulders for temple visits (many temples also lend sarongs).
• Sandals and a pair of shoes with grip for waterfalls and terraces.
• Strong sunscreen, insect repellent and a hat.

Bali in April FAQ

Is April a good time to visit Bali? Yes. It is the start of the drier months, prices are moderate and the island is green. Avoid Easter week if you want quieter beaches.

Does it rain a lot in Bali in April? Less than in the main wet season. Expect some showers, mostly in the afternoon, and many dry days.

Is April too hot in Bali? It is warm and humid at the coast. Ubud and the mountains are cooler.

What should I book early for April 2027? Hotels and villas for the Easter period, and any domestic flights in Indonesia around the Eid holidays in March.

Sources: Love Bali official site (Bali tourist levy); Indonesian Immigration eVisa site and the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections notice on the All Indonesia arrival declaration; Indonesian joint ministerial decree on national holidays and collective leave for 2027. Checked 30 October 2026.

Cover photo: Philip Nalangan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0