What's The Weather Like in Bali in May?
The month of May in Bali sees temperatures continue to climb to the warmest they will get all year. The wet season is over and with it comes heat.
How Hot Is Bali In May?
The average temperature this month is 28°C, while the average low is 23°C, and the average high is 33°C. Although the temperature can change 10°C in the same day, since temperatures rarely go much below 23°C, there is not much relief from the heat when you are outdoors.
May Sunshine Houres In Bali
With the wet season in Bali ending, the amount of daily sunshine continues to increase. The average amount for the month of May grows to nine hours. In addition to more sun, there is also less rain.
Dos It Rain In Bali In May?
May sees an average of just 70mm of rain, spread out over the course of nine days. Even though it is just the beginning of dry season, the chances of rain this month are slim.
How Warm Is The Sea In Bali In May?
May is a wonderful time to experience the beaches in Bali, as the average sea temperatures are very warm. The average temperature of the water is 28°C, which is enjoyable for even extended sea swimming.
How Humid Is Bali In May?
After seeing high humidity levels for the first four months of the year, they finally start to drop in May, although not by much. The average humidity is 75%, which is slightly uncomfortable, but not as bad as the months before it.
Click here for an up-to-date 14-day weather forecast.
Hotels for Bali in May
Uma by COMO
The Uma by COMO is a hotel offering 46 rooms, including some suites and villas. Every room comes with complimentary breakfast, air-conditioning, and wireless internet. The hotel was designed to feel like guests are in the middle of the forest, as lush plant life grows freely, and the paths between buildings are lined with trees and bushes.
The hotel has multiple restaurants and bars available to its guests, as well as offering a private dining option for a more intimate experience. They also offer yoga retreats as well as body massages and wellbeing treatments at their spa. They are located about a six minute drive from Ubud.
Dusun Hotel
The Dusun Hotel offers 14 villa-style rooms, consisting of either one-bedroom or three-bedroom options. Each room has a private swimming pool, tropical garden, a lounge area, a dining and kitchen area, a bathroom (multiple in the three-bedrooms), air-conditioning, as well as complimentary daily breakfast prepared in your kitchen by the hotel chefs.
The Dusun also offers to and from airport transportation, as well as complimentary drop-off service anywhere in the Seminyak area. In addition to cooking breakfast for you, the hotel offers this service for lunch and dinner as well, or a private poolside barbeque can be arranged in your villa. They are located about a 40 minute drive from Ubud.
Beaches for May for Bali
Jemeluk Beach
Jemeluk Beach is located on the eastern coast of Bali and is a black lava beach. Since the water at this beach is clear, safe, and relatively shallow, it is a great place to go swimming. There is also a lack of a powerful current, making snorkeling popular as well. There are deep walls of coral, and an abundance of sea life, so snorkelers never have a dull moment here.
When the local fisherman are not using their boats for fishing, they can he be hired for water activities, like snorkeling or water skiing, if they have the equipment. Jemeluk beach is also home to Bali's first free-diving school and they are still present on the beach. The school provides lessons on how to free-dive on the beach for people of all diving levels, as well as yoga offering yoga classes.
Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented from warungs setup on the beach. Some warungs also sell food and drinks, but for a more traditional dining experience, there are several restaurant options in Lepah Village, about 3km from the beach. Jemeluk Beach is about a 95 minute drive from Ubud.
Bingin Beach
Bingin Beach is a white sand beach with clear water that is great for surfing. The water here produces big waves which surfers love, but makes it difficult for those interested in swimming. There are also strong currents and lots of rocks and coral, another deterrent to go swimming here. Bingin Beach is usually relatively quiet and is not popular with tourists, so head here if you are looking to avoid crowds.
There are numerous warungs on the beach offering both food and beach rental items, like sunbeds and umbrellas. Some warungs also prepare a seafood barbeque for dinner, cooking whatever was freshly caught that day. Yoga classes are also offered on the beach. It is recommended to stay here for the sunset as the views are spectacular from the beach. In order to access the beach there is a very steep set of stairs, which can be treacherous.
If you are hungry for breakfast or lunch, Land's End Café is located just off of the beach and offers everything from waffles to burritos, as well as serving a variety of teas, coffees, and smoothies. Bingin Beach is located a little over an hour away from Ubud, and there is a parking lot available should you choose to drive.
Restaurants and Bars for Bali in May
Bali Asli
For a traditional and freshly prepared Balinese meal, check out Bali Asli. Their menu changes daily as it depends on what the chefs are able to get their hands on each day from the local markets, but you can expect to see things like "wok tossed prawns," or "spicy quail eggs."
The food is prepared in a traditional Balinese manner using "wood-fired mud brick stoves," and all of their ingredients are local as well, some even coming from their own garden. The restaurant has an open-air style seating that looks out to lush, green fields and mountain-like hills. They also offer cooking classes, which teach both cooking techniques, as well as the process of how ingredients are obtained, like planting rice.
They are open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, although lunch is only available from 12 PM to 3 PM. Morning tea is available from 10 AM until lunch, while afternoon tea and cocktails are available from 3 PM to 6 PM. They are located about an 85 minute drive from Ubud.
Taco Cosa
If you need a break from traditional Balinese cuisine, head to Taco Casa. As the name suggests, they offer Mexican food like burritos, fajitas, and quesadillas in addition to tacos. Their tacos and burritos can be custom ordered as well, to ensure that it has everything you want and nothing you don't.
Although far from Mexico, their food is still made from scratch, allowing for an authentic taste of Mexico in Bali. They also offer a variety of juices, lemonades, and milkshakes, while also serving alcoholic beverages, like margaritas, mojitos, sangria, and beer. Taco Casa has two locations, one in Ubud, and one in Petitenget, which is about a 40 minute drive from Ubud.
Things to Do in Bali in May
Menjangan Island
Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular in Bali and thus the well-known areas for these activities can be crowded. In order to avoid the crowds yet still enjoy a wonderful experience, check out Menjangan Island. There is a coral reef that surrounds the island and also large rock formations. These have created inlets and openings for sea life to prosper and call home, things like fish and eels.
It is also not uncommon to witness sea turtles and sometimes even sharks. There is also a sunken ship from the 1800's for divers to explore. Even though the diving here is among the best in Bali, it should be noted that there are not any places to rent gear and equipment from, so those interested in diving on the island will have to bring everything needed with them.
The island is uninhibited so there are no places to eat or facilities of any kind. The best way to access the island is by taking a local boat ride that is run by the National Parks Service and departs from Terima Bay. The island is located off of the north-west part of Bali.
Kuda P Stables
If you want to do some horseback riding while in Bali, Kuda P Stables is the place to visit. They offer a variety of options for riders both new to horseback riding, and those whom are experienced. The stables also offer pony rides for children. The rides consist of travels through rice paddies, for one hour rides, then through a local village in which their everyday life can be witnessed.
For those interested in a longer ride, there is the option to continue onto the beach after the village section, and for those with limited time, there is also a 30 minute version of the ride without the beach section. It can be arranged ahead of time to be picked up from your hotel, either between 8 to 8:30 AM, or 2 to 2:30 PM. Kuda P Stables are located about a 43 minute drive from Ubud.
Tirta Empul Temple
The Tirta Empul Temple, built in 926 AD, is a Hindu temple in which people visit to be "purified" by its holy water. The temple was constructed on a natural water spring, and thus, fresh water routinely flows out. Hindu people cleanse themselves with it, as it is believed to have healing powers.
There are shrines to several Hindu Gods at this temple, but most visitors come for the water. There are 12 fountains that fill a pool with the spring water, and it is here that worshippers enter the water and pray, while also being doused with the holy water.
Visitors are encouraged to partake in the ritual by getting in the water, but be sure to be respectful of the Balinese and their culture. There is a small entrance fee to visit the temple, and garments are provided to those who need them, as shorts are not allowed. The temple is about a 15 minute drive from Ubud.
