The island of the wet gods

If you visit Bali during the rainy season, you shouldn't be afraid of water. This is because, during those months, Indonesia's fifteenth largest island by surface is mainly wet. And that has its very own charm.

As soon as you land at the airport in the island's capital Denpasar, you are drawn into the hustle and bustle of arrivals and departures, transport services, luggage services, currency exchange counters and everything else that travelers may or may not need. Big city vibes arise. And the south of the island is indeed densely populated, full of multi-lane roads, which in turn are full of scooters. The background noise is clear and says: welcome to Southeast Asia.

Sanur beach in a dry moment.

Our accommodation for our stay in Bali is located in a somewhat quieter corner, in the small town of Sanur, right on the beach. Tropical gardens amaze us, and at the end of them lies the beach on a well-kept promenade, where resorts alternate with small markets, restaurants, cafés and temples, always with a view of Mount Agung, an active volcano and Bali's highest point at around 3,000 meters.

The crucial question is perhaps this one: Is it possible to go on a beach vacation in Bali during the rainy season? Let's say: It kind of is..

Even in the rainy season, which lasts from around November to March, there are drier phases and sunny days. You can certainly find a good time for a few relaxing hours by the pool or on the beach, but it is questionable whether swimming in the sea is possible - either because of dangerous currents or because of jellyfish alerts.

But even if beach time is out of the question, the rainy season in Bali is worth experiencing. Because the rainfall is intense, warm, beautiful - and with a roof over your head and perhaps a cold drink, an attraction in itself.

And then, of course, there are plenty of possible activities outside the beach areas - for example, characteristic landscapes or Hindu temples. It is advisable to travel with guides who also take care of the driving, as the traffic in Bali is not very clear for travelers from Europe.

Especially in the rainy season, flooded roads are not uncommon - but locals know the passable routes and will get you safely to your destination. For example, in the mountains of Bali, at the rice fields of Jatiluwih, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for several years. In impressive greenery, shrouded in Bali's misty mountains, the rice terraces not only bear witness to a centuries-old, sophisticated irrigation system, but also to Bali's traditional, spiritual way of life. It's worth lingering for a moment and taking in the tranquillity of the place - even or especially in the rain.

Jatiluwih: In the shadow of the centuries.

Another worthwhile destination within reach of Sanur is a temple called Tirta Empul. Water also plays an important role here, as the temple is built around several pools and ponds that are of great spiritual importance to the local population. Accordingly, visitors are encouraged to respect the place and express this by wearing a sarong and a temple shawl. Both can be borrowed at the entrance. Here too, the tranquillity and peacefulness of the place is an attraction in itself - nestled in tropical greenery, the lapping of water and the occasional quacking of the ducks that live on the temple grounds are the loudest things you will hear.

Bali's spiritual side: Tirta Empul.

Rainy season in Bali - so if you are looking for the quieter side of Bali, you will find it at this time of year. And fine cuisine, including incredible fruit, is available all year round anyway.

 

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Good to know

The gateway to Bali is usually Denpasar Airport. This transportation hub is very well connected to the major Asian cities and other airports in Indonesia. From Europe, there is only one direct connection from Istanbul, otherwise the journey is via Singapore, Hong Kong or Thailand, for example. Our flight with Thai Airways with a connection in Bangkok went without a hitch.

There is plenty of accommodation in Bali to suit every taste. If you want to spend your stay on the beach, you should consider Sanur - a lively little town, but nowhere near as lively as Seminyak. We opted for the Hyatt Regency, which stands out above all with its very well-kept gardens, a well-tended beach and a solid price-performance ratio.