December is the heart of Bali\'s wet season — the island at its greenest, warmest and most tropical — and it brings a wardrobe all of its own. The days are still warm, with temperatures of 27-31°C and the sea a balmy 27-28°C, but the humidity is high and short, heavy showers are a daily possibility, especially in the afternoon and evening. The landscape turns vivid emerald, the waterfalls thunder, and the crowds thin out — December is a beautiful, atmospheric time to be in Bali, as long as you dress for it.
This complete guide to what to wear in Bali in December covers the clothing you need for every part of a December trip — daytime exploring, beach and beach-club days, evenings out, temple visits, rainy afternoons and active days — plus a full packing list and answers to the most common questions. We also bring together all the travel essentials in one place: live flight prices to Bali, the best Bali hotels, car rentals and scooter hire for getting around, a Bali eSIM so you stay connected, and the best GetYourGuide tours and experiences to round out your trip. Whether you are spending Christmas in Seminyak, New Year in Uluwatu, or a quiet week in Ubud, this is your December Bali packing handbook.
The Bali December Climate in Brief
December in Bali is warm, humid and wet. It is one of the wettest months of the year, with rainfall typically between 250 and 350 mm across the month, arriving as short, heavy showers — usually in the late afternoon or early evening. The rain rarely lasts all day; most showers pass within an hour or two, leaving warm, humid evenings and a fresh, vivid-green landscape. Mornings are often sunny and bright, making early starts the best way to make the most of the day.
Daytime temperatures sit between 27°C and 31°C, with night-time lows of 24-26°C. Humidity is high — often 80-90% — which makes the air feel warmer and stickier than the thermometer suggests, especially in Ubud and the interior. The sea stays warm and swimmable through December, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and water sports, though surf on the west coast can be powerful and the occasional storm can make boat trips to Nusa Penida choppy. The sun is strong even on cloudy days, so sun protection is non-negotiable.
In short: December is a warm, wet, tropical month. The wardrobe it asks for is light, breathable, quick-dry and adaptable — layers you can peel off in the heat and add back when the rain or the air-conditioning bites.
The Six Wardrobe Essentials for Bali in December
A Bali December wardrobe can be built around a small number of versatile essentials. Get these six right and the rest of your packing falls into place.
Quick-Dry Daywear
December is the heart of Bali's wet season, so quick-dry, breathable fabrics are the backbone of your wardrobe. Pack light cotton or linen tops, shorts and dresses as usual, but add moisture-wicking and fast-drying fabrics so a sudden downpour doesn't leave you damp for hours. Natural fibres still breathe best, but a couple of quick-dry pieces make rainy days far more comfortable.
A Proper Rain Layer
In December, rain is a daily possibility, not an occasional surprise. A compact travel umbrella and a thin, packable rain jacket or windbreaker are essential. Avoid heavy waterproofs — the humidity will make you sweat more than the rain wets you. A rain layer you can fold into your day bag is the single most useful piece of clothing you'll bring.
Swimwear & Cover-Ups
Even in the wet season, Bali's sea stays a balmy 27-28°C and the sun breaks through between showers. Pack at least two sets of swimwear so one is always dry, plus a sarong or kaftan cover-up. A sarong also serves as a temple sash, a beach mat and a sun scarf — the most versatile item you can carry.
Water-Friendly Footwear
Wet-season Bali means wet feet — from rain, puddles and slippery stone. Pack flip-flops for the beach, plus a pair of sturdy sandals or slip-on sneakers with grip for exploring. Water shoes are worth their weight in gold around waterfalls and rice terraces. Slip-on styles are practical because you'll remove them often to enter temples and cafés.
Modest Temple Outfit
Balinese temples require shoulders and knees covered and a sarong and sash around the waist, regardless of the weather. Bring your own sarong and sash to skip the queue at temple entrances, and wear or carry a top with sleeves. December's rain doesn't change the dress code — dress to respect the sacred space.
Sun & Insect Protection
The UV is strong even on cloudy December days, so pack a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen. Wet season also means more mosquitoes, especially at dawn and dusk — bring a good insect repellent and a couple of lightweight long-sleeve shirts for evenings and jungle areas.
What to Wear for Each Part of Your Bali Day
Bali in December sees a wide range of activities and weather in a single day — a sunny morning temple visit, a showery afternoon beach club, a humid evening dinner — so each part of the day has its own dress code. Here is what to wear for each.
Daytime Exploring (Cafés, Temples, Rice Terraces)
For a day of exploring in December, wear light, quick-dry clothing: a cotton or linen t-shirt or tank top with shorts or a midi skirt, comfortable sandals or slip-on sneakers, and a crossbody bag with a rain cover. Keep a compact umbrella and a thin rain jacket in your bag, a sarong for temple stops, and reef-safe sunscreen on exposed skin. For rice-terrace walks and waterfalls, choose water shoes or sturdy sandals with grip and a quick-dry outfit you don't mind getting wet.
Beach & Beach Club Days
December beach days are all about flexibility — sunshine and showers in quick succession. Wear swimwear with a sarong or kaftan cover-up, flip-flops, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, and keep a compact umbrella and a light rain jacket in your beach bag. A linen shirt over your swimsuit gives coverage for lunch at a beach club, and a dry bag protects your phone and valuables on boat trips. Most beach clubs keep a resort-casual dress code, even in the wet season.
Evenings Out (Dinner, Beach Clubs, Bars)
December evenings are warm and humid, so keep outfits light and breathable. For women, a midi or maxi sundress, a linen shirt-dress or tailored shorts with a blouse all work; for men, a linen or cotton shirt with chinos or tailored shorts is the standard. A light layer is useful for air-conditioned restaurants, and a compact umbrella is wise for the walk home — December evenings often see a shower. Beach clubs and rooftop bars lean resort-smart; avoid sport sandals and gym wear.
Temple Visits in the Rain
Balinese temples require modest dress: shoulders and knees covered, and a sarong and sash around the waist. In December, add a compact umbrella and a thin rain jacket — many temple paths are open to the sky and the stone gets slippery. Wear or carry your own sarong and sash, choose a top with sleeves, and wear sandals or shoes with grip. Remove your hat and sunglasses inside the temple, and never walk in front of someone praying.
Rainy Afternoons & Waterfall Days
When the afternoon rain arrives, a compact umbrella and a thin, packable rain jacket keep you dry without overheating. Avoid heavy waterproofs — the humidity will make you sweat more than the rain wets you. Quick-dry fabrics are your friend; a change of dry clothes at your hotel or in a day bag is worth its weight in gold. Water shoes or sandals with grip are essential around waterfalls and on wet stone, where the paths are genuinely slippery.
Yoga, Surf & Active Days
For yoga, bring breathable leggings or shorts and a tank top — most studios in Ubud and Canggu provide mats. December's warm water (27-28°C) is perfect for surf lessons; swimwear and a rash vest are enough, and most schools provide the rash vest and the board. For sunrise hikes like Mount Batur, wear layered breathable clothes, proper sneakers, a rain layer and a warm layer for the pre-dawn summit — it gets cold at altitude even in Bali, and December mornings can be wet.
The Complete Bali December Packing List
- 5-7 lightweight cotton, linen or quick-dry tops / t-shirts
- 2-3 pairs of shorts and a midi or maxi skirt
- 2 sundresses or linen shirt-dresses
- 2 sets of swimwear and 1 sarong / kaftan cover-up
- 1-2 light long-sleeve shirts for sun, insects and air-con
- 1 thin packable rain jacket or windbreaker
- 1 compact travel umbrella
- Flip-flops, sturdy sandals or slip-on sneakers, and water shoes
- A wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses
- Reef-safe (mineral, non-nano) sunscreen and insect repellent
- A scarf or shawl for temple visits and air-conditioned cafés
- A light layer (cardigan or hoodie) for evenings and flights
- A refillable water bottle and a small daypack with rain cover
- A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag for beach and boat days
- Modest outfit (covered shoulders and knees) for temples
- Quick-dry underwear and a laundry bag for humid climates
- Slip-on shoes that are easy to remove (you'll take them off often)
- A sarong you can also use as a beach mat, towel, sun scarf or temple sash
Embracing the December Rain
December is the wettest month of the Bali calendar, and the rain is part of what makes the island so beautiful at this time of year — the rice terraces glow emerald, the waterfalls thunder, and the air is fresh after every shower. The key to enjoying it is preparation: a light, packable rain layer rather than a heavy waterproof, quick-dry fabrics, and a willingness to lean into the rhythm of sunny mornings and showery afternoons.
A compact travel umbrella and a thin rain jacket or windbreaker keep you dry without making you swelter — heavy waterproofs trap the humidity and leave you wetter from sweat than from the rain. Quick-dry fabrics are your friend, as is a change of dry clothes in your day bag or back at the hotel. Water shoes or sandals with grip are essential on wet stone, especially around waterfalls and rice terraces where the paths are genuinely slippery.
Most importantly, do not let the rain change your plans. December showers are part of the rhythm of Bali, and many of the island\'s best experiences — a quiet temple, a spa afternoon, a long lunch, a cooking class, a yoga session — are all the more enjoyable for the rain. Pack for it, dress for it, and the December weather becomes a feature rather than a problem, and the island reveals itself at its greenest and most atmospheric.
Tips for Dressing Well in Bali in December
- Choose quick-dry fabrics for at least a couple of outfits — December rain is a daily possibility
- A sarong is the most useful single item in Bali: cover-up, temple sash, beach mat, scarf
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — many snorkelling sites ban conventional sunscreen to protect the coral
- Pack a compact umbrella every day, even when the morning looks clear and sunny
- Wear slip-on shoes — you'll remove them to enter temples, cafés and sometimes shops
- Avoid black and heavy dark fabrics; they absorb Bali's heat and show sweat
- Always carry a change of dry clothes in your day bag during December
- Dress modestly when leaving the beach — cover up before walking through towns and villages
- Water shoes with grip are essential around waterfalls and on wet stone paths
- A light layer is essential for air-conditioned restaurants, cafés and flights
- For a sunrise hike like Mount Batur, bring a warm layer — it is genuinely cold at the top before dawn
- Use insect repellent at dawn and dusk — mosquitoes are more active in the wet season
- Never enter a temple in swimwear, shorts, singlets or sheer fabrics — dress to respect
- A dry bag protects your phone, passport and valuables on boat trips and rainy walks
Fly to Bali
Compare live flight prices to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) from cities across Australia, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. December is a festive peak — book early, especially for Christmas and New Year, to lock in the best fares.
Book Bali Hotels
Check live rates and availability across Bali — from beachfront resorts in Nusa Dua to villas in Canggu and jungle lodges in Ubud — and book early for the festive season when demand peaks.
Book Bali HotelsRent a Car in Bali
Hire a car — ideally with a local driver — to explore Bali dry and comfortable even on a rainy December afternoon. Book online in advance for the best rates and festive-season availability.
Get a Bali eSIM
Activate a Bali eSIM before you land so you can check the weather radar, message your hotel and share your trip the moment you arrive — no airport SIM queues.
Get a Bali eSIMRent a Scooter or Bike
A scooter is a cheap, fun way to explore Bali\'s back roads and beaches. Bring a light rain jacket for sudden December showers, and book online in advance to skip roadside haggling.
Rent a ScooterBook Bali Experiences
Pair your trip with the best of Bali — Nusa Penida snorkelling, Ubud waterfalls and rice terraces, Mount Batur sunrise hikes and Uluwatu temple sunsets. Book ahead for the festive season.
Book ExperiencesThings to Do in Bali in December
December is a wonderful month to explore Bali — the landscape is at its greenest and most photogenic, the waterfalls are at their most powerful, and the festive season brings a special atmosphere. Snorkel the reefs of Nusa Penida, chase waterfalls around Ubud, hike Mount Batur for sunrise, or watch the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Browse and book some of the most popular Bali experiences below.
What to Wear in Bali in December: In Pictures
From quick-dry outfits and compact umbrellas to temple attire and vivid green rice terraces — here is a visual guide to dressing for Bali in December.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear in Bali in December?
In Bali in December, wear lightweight, breathable clothing in cotton, linen or quick-dry fabrics — t-shirts, tank tops, shorts and sundresses — for the warm, humid days, and add a compact umbrella and a thin, packable rain jacket for the frequent afternoon showers. Bring swimwear and a sarong for the beach, a modest outfit for temple visits, a light layer for air-conditioned spaces, water-friendly footwear, and a wide-brimmed hat and reef-safe sunscreen for the strong UV. Insect repellent is more important in December than in the dry months.
Is December a good time to visit Bali?
December is part of Bali's wet season, so it is a quieter, cheaper and greener time to visit. The first half of December is often drier, while the second half (especially over Christmas and New Year) sees more frequent heavy showers — though the rain rarely lasts all day, and mornings are often sunny. December is a great choice if you want lower prices, fewer crowds, lush green landscapes and don't mind some rain. The festive period around Christmas and New Year is busier and more expensive despite the weather, so book well in advance if that's when you're travelling.
Does it rain a lot in Bali in December?
Yes — December is one of Bali's wettest months, with rainfall typically between 250 and 350 mm across the month. Rain usually arrives as short, heavy showers in the afternoon or evening, often lasting an hour or two rather than all day. Mornings are frequently sunny and bright, and the sea stays warm and swimmable. The rain is warm and tropical, not cold, so with a compact umbrella and a thin rain jacket you can keep exploring comfortably. The landscape is at its greenest and most photogenic in December thanks to the rain.
How hot is Bali in December?
Bali in December is warm and humid, with daytime temperatures typically between 27°C and 31°C (81-88°F) and night-time temperatures around 24-26°C (75-79°F). Humidity is high, often 80-90%, which makes it feel warmer and stickier than the thermometer suggests. The sea temperature is a balmy 27-28°C, perfect for swimming, snorkelling and water sports. The combination of heat and humidity is why breathable, quick-dry clothing and a midday dip or siesta are so important in December.
What should I wear to a temple in Bali in December?
Balinese temples require modest dress: shoulders and knees must be covered, and a sarong and sash are mandatory around the waist. The easiest approach is to wear or carry your own sarong and sash, though most temples lend or rent them at the entrance. Pair the sarong with a t-shirt or blouse that covers your shoulders (avoid singlets, sheer fabrics and low-cut tops), and remove your hat and sunglasses inside the temple. In December, add a compact umbrella and sandals or shoes with grip — temple paths are often open to the sky and the stone gets slippery when wet.
Can I wear shorts in Bali in December?
Yes, shorts are fine for everyday wear in Bali in December — for cafés, beaches, towns and most activities. The exceptions are temples, where knees must be covered (a sarong over shorts satisfies this), and more upscale restaurants and beach clubs, where tailored shorts are acceptable but gym shorts and board shorts are not. For exploring towns and rice terraces in the rain, a light midi skirt or loose linen trousers are a comfortable, modest alternative that also protects you from the sun, rain and mosquitoes.
Do I need a rain jacket in Bali in December?
Yes — a thin, packable rain jacket or windbreaker is essential in Bali in December, when rain is a daily possibility. Avoid heavy waterproofs, which trap the humidity and make you sweat more than the rain wets you; choose a lightweight, breathable layer you can fold into your day bag. Pair it with a compact travel umbrella, which is often more comfortable than a jacket in the warm, humid air. A warm jacket is not needed — December is warm day and night — except for a sunrise hike like Mount Batur.
What shoes should I pack for Bali in December?
Pack three types of footwear for Bali in December: flip-flops or sandals for the beach and pool, a sturdier pair of sandals or slip-on sneakers with grip for exploring, and water shoes for waterfalls, rice terraces and boat trips. Bali's pavements are uneven and often wet in December, so closed-toe slip-on sneakers with grip are the safest choice for days in Ubud and waterfall visits. Slip-on styles are practical because you'll remove them often. Avoid heavy hiking boots unless you're tackling Mount Batur or Mount Agung.
Pack for the Rain, Enjoy Bali in December
Dressing for Bali in December comes down to a few simple principles: light, breathable, quick-dry fabrics for warm humid days; a compact umbrella and a thin, packable rain jacket for daily showers; a sarong that works as cover-up, temple sash and sun scarf; and a light layer for air-conditioned spaces. Add your swimwear, sun protection and insect repellent, and you are ready for everything a December trip to Bali can throw at you — from a sunrise hike to a Christmas Eve beach club.