Indonesia, Asia

Bali in March

Transition month, and usually the month of Nyepi, when the whole island including the airport shuts for 24 hours. Plan around it, or plan to experience it.

TradeoffsHumid, highs near 89F (32C), rain beginning to ease

Temple guardian statue at Tanah Lot, Bali — BaliPhoto: Anandajoti, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Bali. Transition month, and usually the month of Nyepi, when the whole island including the airport shuts for 24 hours. Plan around it, or plan to experience it.

Weather: Humid, highs near 89F (32C), rain beginning to ease
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What March is like in Bali

March is a transition month. It is still humid, with highs near 89F (32C), but the rain starts to ease. Crowds and prices stay low. Most years, Nyepi, the Day of Silence, falls in March: for 24 hours the whole island stops, including the airport, and everyone stays inside with lights low.

It suits travelers who want low prices and are curious to experience Nyepi, which is unlike anything else. It does not suit a trip that needs perfect beach weather or has tight flight plans. Check the Nyepi date before you book. For dry weather at shoulder prices, April is the better pick.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Bali this month.

Nyepi, the Day of Silence

The island goes completely quiet for a day and a night, with stars you rarely see so clearly. Plan to stay in your hotel with food on hand.

Ogoh-ogoh parades

The evening before Nyepi, villages parade giant monster effigies through the streets. It is loud, colorful, and fun for kids.

Rain easing, prices low

Late March often brings more sunny days while rates stay at low-season levels.

What to pack for March

A light rain jacket
Breathable clothes for humid days
Snacks and books for Nyepi day
Insect repellent

Our timing tip

Look up this year's Nyepi date first, and do not book a flight in or out on that day, as the airport is closed.

Book Bali for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bali
Opens a hotel search for Bali in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Bali
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Bali
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bali for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in March

Nyepi (Day of Silence)

Usually in March, date shifts yearly on the Saka calendar

The island stops for 24 hours: no traffic, no lights, no leaving your accommodation, and the airport closes. The ogoh-ogoh monster parades the evening before are spectacular.

Galungan and Kuningan

Dates shift on the 210-day Balinese calendar, occurring roughly twice a year

The island's great homecoming festival: streets line with penjor bamboo poles and temples fill. Dates move; if your trip coincides, you are lucky.

Things to do in Bali

Full guide

Uluwatu Temple at sunset

Clifftop temple, crashing surf, and the nightly kecak fire dance. Hold your sunglasses; the resident macaques are professional thieves.

Tickets and tours →

Ubud's rice terraces

Tegalalang is the famous one and crowded by 9am; the Campuhan Ridge walk and Sidemen valley deliver the same green with a fraction of the traffic.

Tickets and tours →

Nusa Penida day trip

The Kelingking clifftop view and manta-ray snorkeling. Fast boats run from Sanur; seas are calmest in the dry season.

Tickets and tours →

Mount Batur sunrise trek

A pre-dawn volcano hike rewarded with sunrise above the clouds. Dry season offers the most reliable views.

Tickets and tours →

Tirta Empul water temple

Balinese Hindus perform purification rituals in the spring-fed pools. Visitors may respectfully join; sarongs are provided.

Tickets and tours →

Canggu to Seminyak beach scene

Surf schools, beach bars, and Bali's famous sunsets. Wet season brings seasonal debris to these west-facing beaches; dry season is postcard clean.

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Beat the crowds

Split your stay: base in Ubud or the east (Sidemen, Amed) for the quiet half, then take the southern beaches in a shorter dose. Trying to day-trip everything from one southern base means hours in traffic.
Do famous photo spots (Tegalalang, Lempuyang's gates, Kelingking) at sunrise; by mid morning in high season the lines rival theme parks.
Travel in May, June, or September for peak-quality weather without July and August density.
Traffic is Bali's real crowd. Plan one area per day, use ride-hailing apps where allowed, and never schedule a tight airport run in evening traffic from Ubud or Canggu.

Know before you go

Nyepi shuts the entire island for 24 hours, usually in March with the date shifting yearly: the airport closes, streets empty by law, and hotels keep guests inside with lights low. Book flights around it deliberately.
Wet season (roughly November through March) closures are practical, not official: fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gilis cancel in rough seas, sunrise treks lose their views, and some dive operations pause after storms.
The Christmas to New Year fortnight is a full-price, full-island peak despite falling in the rainy season. Book it like high season.
Galungan and Kuningan (dates shift on the 210-day calendar) close some family shops and warungs while ceremonies take precedence; tourist infrastructure largely carries on.

Bali in March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Bali?

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Bali. Transition month, and usually the month of Nyepi, when the whole island including the airport shuts for 24 hours. Plan around it, or plan to experience it.

What is the weather like in Bali in March?

Humid, highs near 89F (32C), rain beginning to ease.

Is Bali crowded in March?

March is one of the quieter months in Bali; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Bali in March?

Nyepi (Day of Silence) (usually in march, date shifts yearly on the saka calendar); Galungan and Kuningan (dates shift on the 210-day balinese calendar, occurring roughly twice a year).