Hotels we recommend

5* The Ritz Carlton 5* The Chedi Club Bed & Breakfast Ad. from: £1269 Ch. from: £743

All of our featured hotels

3* Puri Mesari 3.5* The Elysian 4* Alila Manggis 4* Alila Ubud 4* Inna Kuta Beach 4* Inna Putri 4* Karma Jimbaran 4* Nusa Dua Beach 4* The Kayana Seminyak 5* Grand Hyatt 5* Intercontinental Resort 5* Kupu Kupu Barong 5* Kuta Paradiso Hotel 5* Le Meridien Nirwana 5* The Chedi Club 5* The Conrad Hotel 5* The Legian 5* The Oberoi 5* The Ritz Carlton

Bali is so picturesque that you could be fooled into thinking it was a painted backdrop: rice paddies trip down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soar through the clouds, the forests are lush and tropical, and the beaches are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

When To Go
Just considering the weather, the cooler dry season from April to October is the best time to visit Bali. The rest of the year is more humid, more cloudy and has more rainstorms, but you can still enjoy a holiday.

There are also distinct tourist seasons which affect the picture. The European summer holidays bring the biggest crowds - July, August and early September are busy. Accommodation can be tight in these months and prices are higher. From Christmas until the end of January, airfares to/from Australia are higher and flights can be booked solid. Many Indonesians also visit Bali around Christmas. Outside these times Bali has surprisingly few tourists and there are plenty of empty hotel rooms and free tables in restaurants.

Balinese festivals, holidays and special celebrations occur all the time, so don't worry about timing your visit to coincide with local events. Just make some inquiries when you arrive and be prepared to travel around the island.