Bali is known for its hot, dry, beach-ready weather, but there will be an occasional downpour where it becomes wet with heavy rain sometimes for days at a time.
Even when it’s raining, Bali can be a great destination with exciting activities and things to do.
You don’t have to be stuck in your hotel room or in one of our Bali villas getting bored. Bali is full of exciting things to do even when it’s the tropical rainy season which lasts from November through February,
1. Shopping in Bali
Bali is one the best place to shop as it caters for such a wide range. From labels to handcrafts, antiques and jewellery, it’s easy to find something for everyone.
The best shopping malls are generally in and around the major resorts, the newly completed Seminyak Village, Kuta Beachwalk and the Discovery Shopping mall are our picks. Make sure you have a look at the Seminyak area as well as this has many upmarket boutiques and shops. You will need a day for this. Shopping in Bali is about bargain hunting. Make sure you are ready to haggle over prices.
Kuta Beachwalk includes a huge shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Over three levels there are luxury brands including Victoria Secret, Armani Jeans and Tommy Hilfiger. The building itself has adapted an eco-friends concept and unique wavy design. If the weather clears up, you can step out of its hallways and onto the beach, making it one of the best spots for all ages. There is even a cinema there so keep an eye out for children’s movies in case it’s raining. They’ll definitely want to catch the latest movie. See the Beachwalk website here.
Discovery Shopping Mall houses a wider range of brands as well and various food and beverage outlets, with cuisine ranging from fast food to fine dining. Being only 10 minutes from the airport, it shares the beachfront with Home @36 Condotel on the north-side and the Waterbom Bali theme park is just across the road.
2. Treat yourself and head to the spa
There are more than enough quality spa experiences in Bali to help you relax and unwind. Spa Alila at Alila Soori is one of our favourites on the island with a set of distinctive Asian therapies and a staff of experts. The building itself is architecturally stunning and made from charcoal volcanic stone which helps it hours heated terrazzo beds, sunken baths and rain showers. This place is perfect for couples as they have take-home collections of his and her packs.
For a slightly more low-key experience, we recommend Cool Spa, which is known for its massage therapy and cool underwater themed treatment room designed especially to help travellers unwind.
You might even like the full nail treatment at Think Pink Nails – this is just on the fringe of Seminyak and Batu Belig and s well worth the visit. Have a look at the video below for a better idea of the place.
3. Theatre Shows
Bali has a surprisingly large range of traditional theatres to keep you entertained. Much of it is inspired by folklore, but in a modern setting with dramatic light and sounds. The casts are an array of talented choreographers and dancers that will take the audience on a journey.
We recommend the Devdan show – Treasure of the Archipelago, inspired by the cultures of Indonesia. It’s an amazing 90-minute show full of contemporary dance, aerial acrobatic and special effects. This is a very memorable attraction, that’s perfect for the whole family including the kids.
4. Cooking Classes
Balinese cuisine is unique but has such a wide appeal that cooking classes have become very popular for the tropical flavours and rich ingredients. Often a cooking class will include an early morning visit to a fish or farm market, to handpick the ingredients you’ll be cooking with.
We recommend the Anika Cooking Class, which uses a variety of traditional techniques and is set in a makeshift pantry that replicates a traditional Balinese kitchen.
5. Water parks
Just because it’s raining outside doesn’t mean you can’t splash around! Bali is home to three main waterparks with enough slides and pools to keep you entertained all day, even if it’s cloudy above. Our favourite park is Waterbom (right across the road from Discovery Shopping Mall) with a huge range of slides and pools. When you get tired, retreat to the space for a massage or dip your feed in the fish therapy pool. There is also the waterslides at the Finns Recreation Club in Canggu / Berawa which also has ten pin bowling and a fabulous trampoline centre to keep the kids occupied for hours on end.
6. Arts and Crafts
If you’re interested in traditional Balinese culture, rain or no rain, this is a must. Batik is known as a traditional textile and art form. Located in the Denpasar shopping region, Batik Poplier II offers a course where you can learn how to create traditional textiles, ceramic painting and pottery. There’s a range of short courses which will help you create something you can take home.
7. Yoga
Yoga is a great way to relax and unwind. With Bali becoming a known destination for health and well being. Throughout Bali, there’s a range of classes for every skill level, including private classes and full retreats.
The Yoga Barn is located in the heart of Ubud and offers a range of traditional yoga styles of Classical Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Power, Pranayama, Restorative, Iyengar, Yin & Anusara. They also provide classes in meditation, sound medicine, Kirtan and Ecstatic dance. The best thing about the Yoga Barn is that they offer up to 11 classes every day, so you’ll almost always be able to find something that will suit you at any time of day. If you are in Seminyak try Jiwa Bikram yoga for a real sweaty workout.
8. Sea Walks
If it’s raining outside, why not head underwater? Seawalker tours let you walk right on the bottom of the ocean and experience all kinds of amazing sea life.
With minimum equipment, anyone can do this and since it is a soft dive system all you need to explore is the unique Seawalker helmet.
When you arrive all you need to do is get changed into your swimmers and your guide will take you to the Seawalker station. Once in the water, you go down the stairs to the bottom of the sea and the instructions will accompany you. One of the best features is that you will be able to breathe just like you do on the surface and you can wear glasses or contact lenses.
9. Museum Tours
There’s a wide range of museums throughout the island that gives you an insight into Bali’s rich history. Most of Bali’s museums and galleries are centred in Ubud and offer a range of creative art in the form of paintings, textiles and woodcarving. For something a little bit different, we recommend Blanco Renaissance Museum in Ubud. The Blanco Renaissance Museum was the home of the late, Don Antonio Blanco, which houses unique contemporary collections surrounded by a lush garden. The grounds also include a fine restaurant and tours are held daily.
10. Jewellery Course
Jewellery and silver making is engrained in Balinese heritage and culture, with many notable studios and workshops on the island. Many places will let you observe the process of local artists and offer courses and brief workshops.
We thoroughly enjoyed a class at Chez Monique in Ubud, in which you can create your own unique piece. Classes usually take about 4 hours and there is staff to help you in the design and creation process. You can also visit their showroom for inspiration.
We thought that we would add 1 more in: try a sunset drink at Ku De Ta, Potato Head or Old Man’s at Canggu. Yes, it might be raining but these places all have undercover areas where you can relax with your mates and have a few cocktails and watch the sunset. Yes, it may be rainy and overcast but it’s worth it just for the great vibe and stylish ambience. Stay there for dinner once the sun goes down, listen to some relaxing music, grab another drink and enjoy some fabulous cuisine.