Geography...

The geography of Bali.

Bali is in the Central Indonesia Standard Time zone, and is GMT plus 8 hours.

Above: A map of Bali. 

Take a look at our detailed map of Bali, thanks to Peter Loud. (© Copyright 1996, Peter Loud). This map shows most of Bali's major centres, and indicates many of the locations favoured for popular holiday activities.
 
Measuring only 140km by 80km (area 5620 sq km), the island is dominated by a series of towering volcanos that range its entire width. The tallest is Gunung Agung (over 3000m), which is revered as the holy "Mother temple".

Above: Bali's holiest mountain, Gunung Agung.

Tropical rainfall, consistent temperatures and the rich volcanic soil provide an ideal environment for intensive agricultural activity including rice, coffee, copra, and vegetable growing, as well as cattle herding.

Climate and weather...

Bali is located near to the equator, and has a tropical climate, with year-round maximum temperatures typically ranging from 32 to 35 degrees Celsius, but with high humidity levels during the hot wet season. Rain can be expected at any time, even during the dry season, however an overnight shower is generally refreshing, and usually washes away the dust. A cooling breeze that often springs up of an evening makes a brilliant tropical day seem perfect. The central mountainous area is typically cooler than the lower coastal regions, especially overnight.

Our Bali weather chart...

Mth Max tmp Min tmp Sun Rain Rainy Humid Season Best
    (Deg C) (Deg C) Hrs (mm) days  (%)          time

Jan   32      26     5   325  16   70    Wet    *
Feb   32      26     5   300  15   70    Wet    *
Mar   32      25     5   200  14   65    Wet    ***
Apr   34      25     7    80   7   60    Dry    *****
May   34      24     7    80   6   55    Dry    *****
Jun   33      22     7    50   5   50    Dry    *****
Jul   32      22     7    40   4   50    Dry    *****
Aug   33      23     7    30   3   45    Dry    *****
Sep   34      23     7    40   3   45    Dry    ****
Oct   35      24     7   100   5   50    Wet    ****
Nov   35      25     6   125   8   55    Wet    ***
Dec   33      26     6   280  15   65    Wet    **

The star rating is a rough guide to indicate the best times to visit Bali.
The more stars the better. Copyright © 1994-1998, Wayne Reid

Take a look at the weather forecast in Bali this week. A newer service, Weather Post (from the Washington Post), offers current weather in in Bali, plus a four day forecast and a current satellite image of the Southeast Asian region.
 
Be aware that seasons vary, and that weather effects such as cyclones and storms may occur at any time of the year--there are no guarantees.
 
Rain may occur even during the dry season, and the humidity is generally high year-round, although it is very high during the hot wet season.
 
The mountainous central area is usually much cooler (especially overnight) and rarely suffers the extremes of the coastal areas, and offers a refuge for those who find the heat of the lowlands unbearable.
 
To assist those who are not metrically inclined...
 
20 degrees Celsius is about 68 degrees F (mild).
25 degrees Celsius is about 75 degrees F (warm).
30 degrees Celsius is about 86 degrees F (very warm).
35 degrees Celsius is about 95 degrees F (hot).

Plants...

The most holy of trees, the banyan, grows to a massive size, and may have hundreds of creepers hanging from its branches. They grow in many of the lowland rainforests, and are a feature of most temples.
 
Palm trees line the beaches, yielding fruit such as coconuts as well as sugar, fibre, oil and fuel. In Bali, the coconut palm is said to be the most useful of all trees, providing food, drink, firewood, timber and leaves suitable for making a shelter.
 
The heady smell of frangipani flowers make up for all of the less favorable odours that are typically experienced in Asian cities, and the shady frangipani trees are grown almost everywhere in Bali.
 
Bamboo, bananas, hibiscus, bougainvillea, oleander, jasmine, water-lilies and lotus may be seen growing wild, as well as in plantations and gardens throughout the island.
 
Rice fields dominate the landscape, especially in the lower foothills south of the central mountains, and provide spectacular and scenic views when seen from the winding mountain roads.

Animals...

Dogs...

The first animal that is sighted by any visitor to Bali is invariably a dog of the local variety, usually seen carrying out one of its ritual practices of sniffing piles of rubbish, marking its territory or lying down in the centre of the footpath. These generally mangy, scabby and ugly creatures are not treated with affection by anybody in Bali, but seem to live their lives around the streets in bliss despite that.

Other animals...

Monkeys will be seen in most temples, demanding peanuts, as well as in several of the forests, including the famous tourist spots on the way to Tanah Lot and in Ubud. Other wild animals include bats and lizards (such as the small cream colored cecaks that seem to inhabit most the walls of rooms, and the larger and more colorful geckos, whose call of "geck-oh" is a familiar part of the evening soundscape). The evening chorus of frogs will also amaze you if you are staying anywhere near a lake or waterway

Above: Mother monkey with baby.

Many domestic animals are seen all over the island, including ducks fossicking in the rice fields (a form of natural pest control), buffalo, cows, pigs (babi) and chickens (ayam). Wild pigs may be seen in the less populated areas.
 
The birds of Bali are seen mainly outside of the cities and villages. Parrots and other brightly colored birds are not seen too frequently but are impressive sights when spotted. Near to Ubud is the village of Petulu, where each evening, thousands of white herons arrive to perch in the trees that line the main road. Sulphur crested cockatoos and the rare Rothchild's Minah are found on the island of Nusa Penida, and the latter may sometimes be seen in the Bali Barat National Park.
 
Of course, those are just some of the animals you will see in Bali. About five miles due north of Denpasar there are two wonderful Zoological parks, ideal opportunities for any visitor with an interest in Bali's fascinating wildlife. Side by side on the main road to Ubud are the Bali Bird Park and the Bali Reptile Park.
 
Both are beautifully set out and perfectly maintained facilities, a delight to the casual nature lover and a valuable resource to any serious zoological enthusiast. The Bird Park offers close-up viewing of a vast array of the remarkable and colorful birds of Indonesia, with signs in English and a very helpful staff. There is a large walk-through aviary where visitors may photograph rare birds in natural surroundings. Visitors to the adjoining Reptile park will see snakes and lizards (including enormous pythons and the famous Komodo Dragon!) displayed in what has been described as "the most beautiful Reptile Park in the world".
 
The Reptile Park is also an important research facility, conducting breeding programs for rare and endangered species as well as extraction of venoms for international research.

Tip
	All local Taxi drivers and public transport systems can take travellers to the Bali Bird and Reptile Parks. The address is: Jalan Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir, Singapadu Gianyar, Bali.

Return to our Bali: The Online travel guide index.

© 1994-2000 Wayne Reid. Bali: The Online Travel Guide

Contributions, including corrections, updates, new information and suggestions are welcome.

Disclaimer: All of the information available within this site is believed to be correct, however the author accepts no responsibility or liability for any outcomes that may result in using this site's contents.