Last year in August, I planned my annual trip to Southeast Asia. So I decided to spend some time in Bali, and then some in Singapore, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka as well. I traced the map, scoured every cool flight and hotel deal I could find, and packed my bags. But then my husband raised the question: Did you think before planning for Bali in August?
And then I paused.
When I started planning our holiday trip, I knew what I had in my mind – beautiful villas with private pools, lots of greenery, exotic places, fascinating temples, lush green rice paddies, etc, etc.
But I totally forgot that August in Bali is a peak season. Which meant lots of traffic, lots of chaos, and even more expenses than we initially calculated. But after much deliberation, we decided to go along with the plan, and said that whatever happens, we would tell our readers all about it when we get back.
Hence, welcome to my unfiltered take on Bali in August; I will show you the good side, the bad side, and the ugly side of the Island of the Gods.
Let’s Start
There is no doubt in the fact that August is the best time to visit Bali.
But it also comes with setbacks.
The energy is high, but so is the action. All the attractions and restaurants are running, but jam-packed with tourists. There is plenty to see and do, but the traffic is high. Lastly, prices of food, hotels, and everything in between jump across the board, and surfing and beach activities are running at their full capacity.
August in Bali is the perfect time for Americans searching for beautiful destinations, Australians escaping winter, and Europeans escaping the heat, but there’s a catch. After spending two weeks on the Island of Gods, I came away with a completely different perspective from what I saw on Instagram feeds.
Yes, we found a magical place, but one wrong step and you could be stuck in traffic for hours or end up paying double to vendors than what is the standard.
So, before you book that flight to Bali in August, keep in mind everything else that we, and other tourists, faced so that you do not make the same mistakes.
Why Is Everyone Going To Bali In August?
I think that we all collectively agree that sunny mornings, overcast afternoons, and breezy evenings, with little to no rain and humidity, is our definition of perfect weather.
Bali in August looks exactly like this.
That is why everyone wants to visit this beautiful island in August. Bali is comfortably warm in August, mostly staying between 27-30°C. Furthermore, the weather is dry, so no sweaty T-shirts, frizzy hair, or monsoon storms, and the surfing, snorkeling, and mountainous activities make this the perfect month for first-time visitors.
Another reason why Bali is so crowded in August is that it is packed with first-timers – people who came here solely for snorkeling in Amed, Seminyak sunsets, and to take in the waterfalls near Ubud. Plus, there are so many cultural activities going on that the island is absolutely buzzing, and the energy is infectious, making everyone love Bali even more than they do.
When we were planning our trip, we thought that we were being smart by vacationing during the ideal month in Bali. Turns out, we were not the only ones who did our research. There were thousands of tourists from all over the world, especially from Europe and Australia, who were on their summer and winter holidays.
And it turned out that the serene beaches were not empty anymore, the famous rice terraces were packed with visitors, and there was no way we could book last-minute at a popular restaurant. We aren’t saying that we didn’t love Bali in this form, but it’s an expectation you need to set from the start. It’s a part of the experience.
The Two Sides of Bali: Ubud vs. Kuta
On our first day, we made our way to our modest accommodations and started our trip in Ubud, near the rice terraces and highlands.
We really thought that the rest of Ubud would be expensive resorts too, but instead we found so many jewelry makers, craftsmen, artists, and other cultural aspects of Indonesia. Very laid back and unhurried.
In contrast to that, Kuta Beach felt like where all the influencers and TikTokers ended up being. It was crowded and overpriced, with large hotels and polluted beaches making it look very ordinary and overhyped.
However, to truly experience Bali, you need to see both of its sides.
Start with Kuta Beach, and then when you are ready to discover the rest of Bali, make your way to Ubud, the Gili Islands, and so on.
We decided to split our time between the two areas. If Ubud is the spirit of Bali, Kuta and the coastal areas of Canggu and Seminyak are its vitality. We treated all these destinations as if they were separate entities and not just ‘Bali,’ and it was the smartest decision we could ever make.
The Unfiltered Chaos of Ubud, Kuta, Canggu, and Seminyak in August
In August, Bali sees a noticeable increase in its number of tourists, from Seminyak to Ubud. August, however, is also the perfect time for tourists who have never come to Bali or Southeast Asia before.
So if there is one thing I would recommend to anyone visiting Bali in August, it is not to expect a quiet retreat. You are literally signing up for unfiltered chaos, as everywhere, from Canggu and Seminyak to Ubud, will feel like a theme park. The prices are high for accommodations, tours, flights, and everything in between, making Bali in August an unfit destination for budget travelers.
Most hotels, guesthouses, and villas also raise their rates in August. And bookings fill up fast. However, we didn’t chase the popular restaurants and fancy hotels. Whenever we were hungry, we would sit on a plastic stool outside a ‘Warung,’ and enjoy the local comfort food. You won’t find lots of tourists around Warung, so yes, it was my way of finding peace (and saving money) during our otherwise expensive trip to Bali in August.
Around sunset, the roads around Ubud, Seminyak, and Canggu are extremely congested. It is because sunsets at Kuta Beach and other places are extremely famous, leading to heavy traffic in the usual hotspots. So if you are moving between these towns, do so either early in the morning or late at night. We went to Tegalalang Rice Terrace just after sunrise, and it was the most peaceful time to do so. If you are staying local, make sure that you book an accommodation that is within walking distance of your itinerary destinations.
August in Bali is dry and sunny. I saw so many tourists renting scooters, but didn’t try it myself because unless you have ridden two wheels before, don’t try them in Bali. Ubud, and some other tourist zones had local restrictions for Gojek and Grab pickups (they are the equivalents of Uber), but walk to a neutral zone and you won’t have any problem with that. We didn’t want to argue with taxi drivers, so these ride-hailing apps were our best friend.
Another must-do is a visit to the Monkey Forest. While a bit touristy, it’s a genuine experience.
The Unfiltered Sundowners of Seminyak in August
Time to get down to the real reason why I came to Bali. To experience the sundowners in Seminyak and Legian.
If you’re staying on the West Coast, take every chance to enjoy the sundowners here. I have got a few tips for you that we learned along the way;
- Skip the main beach roads, and wander along the beachside paths instead. That way, you will avoid the scooters and traffic, and even enjoy a little splash of water as the waves come to you.
- There are both expensive and affordable beach clubs, bars, and restaurants on the shore. You can either indulge in Ku De Ta, La Planch, or other such fancy spots, or join the locals among informal set-ups of wooden tables and plastic chairs as the vendors serve you beverages from their coolers.
- If you want a panoramic view of the beach and ocean. Head to a rooftop restaurant like MoonLite Kitchen and Bar to get a gorgeous glimpse of the Legian beach.
Sundowners of Seminyak was a great change of pace for us. We drove to the coast and booked a vacation club to experience the beach clubs, boutique shops, and nightlife all at once. It was a sight to behold, as there were thousands of surfers, solo travelers, Instagrammers, and young families at the beach.
Then came the nightlife, which was even more exciting. The Potato Head Beach Club has a door fee during the sunset hours. It was even higher during special events and peak tourist season, but it definitely was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was far from the quiet evenings in Ubud, but a very essential part of my Bali experience.
My Unfiltered Bali Travel Tips
My trip to Bali in August was memorable, but there are definitely some things that I wish I had known sooner. I am going to share all of them with you today;
- First, download the app Klook. It will allow you to book a driver in advance, which is super convenient. You can use their service and ask the driver to wait for you at the airport, take you on day trips, and generally drive you around the island. Klook is also super affordable. A ride from the Canggu area to the airport costs only around $10.
- Gojek and Grab are also super useful. They are ride-hailing as well as food delivery apps, and were our go-to apps for most parts of our trip.
- Instagram and Whatsapp are extremely useful in connecting with restaurants. We used them to reserve tables, ask for opening hours, or ask for discounts too.
- Do not rent scooters unless you have an International driver’s Permit, or if you haven’t ridden scooters before. Bali is dry in August, but even then, some rain can appear, which makes the roads slippery, causing accidents for amateur drivers.
- However, if you take a test drive and practice your hand on a scooter before hitting the streets, it could be an extremely convenient option for you to make your way around Bali. Always wear a helmet, and use the ‘walking directions’ on Google Maps to avoid detours.
- When packing, pack flip-flops (for the beach) and shoes with traction (for the scooter rides). Also pack T-shirts with long sleeves to protect yourself against insect bites and tan in places like the Monkey Forest.
- Laundry services in Bali are very cheap and fast. So don’t overpack. Use the same clothing again and again, and send them to the laundry when they are dirty.
- ‘Bali Belly’ is very real. It is the food poisoning you get by drinking tap water, not washing your hands often, and eating from unhygienic places. Avoid all three.
- And lastly, carry small bills in cash. You will need them for scooter parking or small vendors who do not take cards for small transactions.
The Lasting Impression
The biggest mistake that tourists make in Bali is having overly high expectations.
Bali has been glamorized to an unrealistic end, and with the huge influx of tourists in August, chances are that the cultural shock and life-changing experiences you might be expecting will be diluted.
Pop your tourist bubbles, and be practical. Bali is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but it exhausts like any other place on Earth when so many people visit it. In August, Bali is expensive, the locals are frustrated because tourists take over their residential areas, and even the most unique experiences feel ordinary due to over-commercialization.
So will you hate it, or love it? That depends on you. But one thing is guaranteed – when visiting Bali in August, you will surely make memories that you will never forget in this lifetime.
