Bali in April: Everything You Need to Know for the Perfect Spring Escape

April marks the very start of shoulder season in Bali & shoulder seasons can always bring some risks.

This posts delves into all of the details you need to know to decide whether a trip to Bali in April makes sense for YOU. 🤔

From weather, crowds, and affordability to activities and packing lists, I’ll have you fully prepared for the perfect spring getaway to Bali in April!

If this will be your first trip to Bali, make sure to read my ultimate guide to Bali for first-timers as it will give you the full run-down of everything you need to know to prepare for your trip!

Weather Conditions in Bali in April

Precipitation

Bali has two distinct seasons: the Rainy season and the Dry season.

🌧️The Rainy season runs from October to April. This time can bring very heavy and frequent rains to the island.

☀️The dry season runs from April to October; during this time you can expect sunnier days and less frequent rains.

April lies right on the cusp of the two seasons, so you may experience occasional rain showers. When I travelled to Bali in April for two and a half weeks, we had 1 day that was extremely rainy and 3-5 days that had a quick 1-2 hour rain showers.

Overall, we didn’t find the rain to be an issue for us. If anything, it gave us a quick break from our very packed itinerary!

That being said, the rainfall can vary year to year, so it is important to be mindful of the weather each day and to be prepared should a rain shower come through. I have a packing list at the end of this post so you rest assured that you’ll have everything you need for the weather!

Temperature & Humidity

In April, Bali is HOT with temperatures ranging anywhere from 77°F to 87°F.

While my friend and I visited, temperatures were typically toward the higher end.

PLUS, it is so humid in Bali – regardless of what time of year you are visiting. In April, specifically, you can expect an average humidity of 81%, but it can get as high as 94%.

Basically, you need to be prepared to sweat… I highly recommend wearing breathable and quick-drying clothing!

Crowds in Bali in April

April is the start of shoulder season in Bali, which means that there are fewer crowds than peak season (June, July, and August). I think this makes it a great time to experience a highly visited island with fewer people around you.

That being said, I still found some of the most well-known “tourist” spots were still very crowded — I actually can’t even imagine how busy they would get in the high season! However, outside of those hotspots, I found the crowds (if any) to be quite manageable in April!

One thing to consider is Australia’s school breaks which run from March through mid-April. Many Australians travel to Bali, so if you’re want to minimize the overlap with those holidays, try to visit mid-to-late April.

⛴️If you’re hoping for respite from the crowds, I highly recommend taking the ferry over to Nusa Lembongan. Here’s a list of 14 things to do while you’re there!

Costs of Visiting Bali in April

Outside of the lower crowds, affordability is another beautiful aspect of visiting Bali in April – and shoulder season in general.

Fewer crowds means less competition for accommodation, and often, lower prices. This is can also be true for tours and drivers who want to keep their books full while there are fewer tourists on the island.

I found Bali to be a very affordable destination coming from the US. My friend and I averaged $150 per day over the course of two and a half weeks on a mid-range budget. This average included multiple tours, mid-range hotels, and a LOT of food. 😂

Note: I have a SUPER DETAILED budget breakdown post from my trip so you can determine exactly where to save and where to splurge on YOUR trip!💰

Availability of Restaurants, Accommodations, and Tours

Depending on your travel style, you may be able to experience a good bit of flexibility for your trip to Bali in April. The fewer crowds means that there is generally more availability, but I would recommend to at least have your accommodations booked in advance.

Restaurant Availability in April

While my friend and I were traveling, we didn’t make a single reservation for restaurants, and didn’t have any issues being seated as walk-ins. The only times we DID have issues were when we decided we wanted to eat late at night and many places had already closed for the evening.

My friend was in charge of finding our food spots, but mostly used Google Maps & Reviews to determine which restaurants and warungs were open and well-rated near our accommodations or the activities did each day.

I will say, we ate local for 80% of our meals, and even when we did eat Western style meals, we didn’t go to any upscale restaurants. If you ARE interested in a more upscale dining experience, it would be worth it to make your reservation in advance – especially if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant.

When to Book Accommodations

When I was in Bali in April, I met several full-time travelers who were booking accommodations as they showed up to new regions or just one day in advance… meaning, it IS possible to do so IF you aren’t picky about budget or amenities (e.g. A/C, pool, location).

However, my recommendation is to book 1-3 months in advance.

This should give you a wide range of availability in your specific accommodation style, AND, if you choose to book refundable options, you’ll be able to watch the pricing so you can guarantee yourself the lowest booking price!

If you’re not sure which area of Bali is right for you, I’ve created a guide highlighting what to expect in each region of Bali so you can pick the best option(s) for you!

How Far in Advance to Book Tours

The types of tours you want to book will determine how far in advance you need to do the booking.

For example, my friend and I booked our scuba diving days over a month in advance (though we probably didn’t need to book quite that far out), we booked our Komodo National Park boat tour about a week in advance, and we usually booked transport drivers the day before moving to another part of the island.

For the very popular tours, like a day trip to Nusa Penida, you’ll find many different operators and can likely book closer to the time you want to take the tour. For more custom tours, like going with a specific private driver or taking a tour where you can choose your own route, you’ll want to book further in advance.

Things to Do in Bali in April

Despite April being shoulder season in Bali, I didn’t find any limitations on the types of activities we could do!

Whether you’re looking for inland adventures and culture OR beach days and water activities, you can do it all in April… I found it to be the perfect time for exploring Bali!

Inland Adventures to Have in Bali in April

April felt like the perfect time to visit Bali if you’re looking for outdoor adventures and cultural immersion on the island!

For cultural immersion, you can visit so many temples, experience the traditional Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple, and take part in spiritual rituals or cleansing.

For more adventurous days, you can go ATV-ing through the jungle, take a sunrise hike on Mount Batur, trek through rice terraces, or visit one of the many waterfalls!

My friend and I did many of these activities and even took an entire day to road trip from Ubud to 6 different waterfalls just to keep cool and enjoy all the different types of falls that Bali has to offer.

I do suggest trying to start your days early to beat the heat. Our typical schedule looked like:

We found that this schedule allowed us to see many different things while not over-doing it OR being too tired from the heat. The humidity in Bali can really sneak up on you!

I’ve shared the EXACT road trip to 6 waterfalls that my friend and I did – make sure to check back before your trip!

Water and Beach Activities to Do in Bali in April

In my opinion, the best way to beat the heat and humidity is to visit the coastal areas and take part in as many water activities as you can while you’re in Bali!

We specifically came to Indonesia for the scuba diving opportunities and spent four incredible days with the beautiful reefs and diverse marine life around the island!

If you’re not a certified diver, you’ll find many shops around the island which offer the basic, Open Water certification over a 2-4 day period depending on how much pre-work you complete before the trip.

Or, if you don’t want to spend your vacation studying, you can still take advantage of the wonderful marine life by joining a snorkeling tour. Most tours will take you out to Padangbai or towards Nusa Penida where you’ll have the opportunity to swim with manta rays!

And if you’re staying in Amed, you can even do your own snorkeling right off the shore – just remember to bring a mask and fins or rent one from the many shops in the area.

If you’re more interested in staying on top of the water, the Uluwatu area is known for its many phenomenal breaks AND you can find many shops around Bali offering surf lessons to get you standing on the board!

What to pack for Bali in April

I’m currently working through a full list of items you should pack for Bali, but specifically considering the weather and activities that you’ll likely be doing in April, here’s a quick list of what I recommend:

Full list coming soon, so you won’t even have to think before packing your bags and enjoying your trip! 🧳

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on Visiting Bali in April

I found April to be the perfect time to visit Bali!

Yes, we experienced a few rain showers, but overall, visiting during the shoulder season allowed us to do all the same activities we would have done in peak season but with fewer crowds and more affordable pricing!

If you’re considering visiting Bali, I think shoulder season is a great time to do it!

If this will be your first time in Bali, head on over to my ultimate Bali guide for first timers – it will give you all the details to plan YOUR perfect trip!