good to know before you plan
May is one of the two best months in Ubud, alongside September. You get dry-season weather without the June to August crowds, and the landscape has not yet dried out from the rains.
Pricing sits between April's low rates and June's high-season climb, around $100 to $180 per person for five days. The valley walks are at their best now, dry underfoot and still green. We would take May over July without hesitating, and the only real argument for July is a school calendar you cannot move.
Bali in May: A 5-Day Ubud Itinerary at the Start of Dry Season
Five days is the sweet spot for one region of Bali, and this plan spends all of it on Ubud. May opens the dry season, reliably clear and still ahead of the crowds.
You stay in Ubud the whole time and use it as a hub: temples and rice terraces on the clear mornings, the Campuhan ridge at first light, a waterfall when the rivers are running, and the craft villages when the weather turns. Nothing is more than a short drive, so a shower costs you an hour, not a day.
Five dependable days in Ubud before high season arrives
May
Week 1
day by day
One base in Ubud for all five nights. Everything sits within about forty minutes, so the days go into the places rather than into transfers.
Day 1: Arrive, settle in, eat well.
Day 2: Tirta Empul and Gunung Kawi in the morning, lunch after.
Day 3: Campuhan Ridge Walk at sunrise, Tegalalang in the afternoon.
Day 4: Waterfall day. Rivers full, paths dry.
Day 5: Slow morning, then the airport.
Where to Eat
Central Ubud for the broadest dining selection
Penestanan for cafés and relaxed healthy dining
Tegallalang for restaurants overlooking rice fields
Local villages for traditional Balinese warungs
Ubud markets for casual local food and snacks
Where to Stay
Central Ubud: best for walkable sights.
Monkey Forest Road: best for shops and cafés.
Penestanan: best for a quieter base.
Sayan: best for valley views.
Nyuh Kuning: best for a village setting.
Tegallalang: best for rice terrace stays.
best Things to Do
Explore Ubud’s cultural centre
Walk through rice fields and terraces
Visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace
See Tirta Empul and nearby temples
Walk the Campuhan Ridge
Attend a traditional Balinese dance performance
Join a cooking, craft or wellness class
Explore waterfalls and river valleys
Take a day trip into Bali’s central highlands.
May is dry-season weather without the July price
Compare hotel prices before you commit, because May rates sit in the middle of the yearly range and the spread between properties is wide right now. Activities are still bookable a few days out, though guided walks and workshops run on small numbers so check earlier. A car with a driver is what makes an Ubud week work: the temples, terraces and waterfalls sit far enough apart that one driver for the day beats two separate tours. Three links below.
frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Bali in May?
May is the start of the dry season and one of the most reliable months of the year. Rain is uncommon and brief when it comes, humidity is comfortable, and skies are clear for most of the day. Temperatures sit around 27 to 31 degrees on the coast, with genuinely cool evenings inland and at altitude.
Is May a good time to visit Bali?
It is one of the two best months, alongside September. You get dry-season weather without the June to August crowds, and the landscape is still green from the rains. Prices have started rising from the April floor but remain well below peak. The main trade is that it is no longer cheap.
How far in advance should I book for May?
A few weeks is usually enough for accommodation, and a few days for most activities. May is busier than April but nowhere near July, so you still have room to compare rather than take whatever is left. Popular Ubud hotels and anything involving a small group are the exceptions worth booking earlier.