Bali sits close to the equator, so temperatures stay warm year-round - the real question isn't how hot it will be, but how much rain you're willing to plan around.

The dry season, roughly April to October, brings the lowest rainfall and the sunniest days. July and August are peak months, with the biggest crowds and highest prices at popular sites like Ubud and Uluwatu.

The wet season, November to March, still has plenty of sunshine - rain tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts rather than lasting all day. Hotels are cheaper, beaches are quieter, and the island's rice terraces are at their greenest.

If you want to avoid both crowds and rain, aim for the shoulder months of April, May, or September, when the weather is dry but the peak-season crowds haven't arrived yet.

Whichever season you travel in, build a little flexibility into your itinerary - a driver who can shift plans around a passing shower makes a bigger difference than the calendar month you pick.