Why October is a quietly good month in Ubud: greener fields, fuller waterfalls, fewer crowds and two days worth planning around.
By October the long dry months are ending in Ubud. The first afternoon showers arrive, the dust settles, and the hills around town take on a deeper green. The August crowds have gone home, but the Bali most visitors picture, warm days and clear mornings, is still very much here.
Here is what to expect, and how to make the most of it.
For many of the subak, the cooperatives that share water between the fields, the start of the rains marks a new planting. Terraces that were golden at harvest are flooded and replanted, and within a few weeks the young rice turns a bright, almost luminous green. Walks through the fields north of town and along the Campuhan Ridge are at their freshest now.
Early-season rain in Ubud usually arrives as a short, heavy shower in the afternoon or evening, then clears. Mornings are often bright. Plan temple visits, hikes and rice-field walks before lunch, keep a light rain jacket in your bag, and treat the afternoon downpour as an excuse for a long lunch or a massage.
After months of low flow, the waterfalls around Ubud gain volume as the rains build. Paths and steps can be slippery after a shower, so wear shoes with grip and go early, before the tour groups arrive.
With the peak season behind it, Ubud is noticeably calmer in October. Restaurants have tables free at short notice, the main roads move a little more easily, and many villas offer better rates than in July and August.
On 25 October the full moon, Purnama, brings offerings and temple ceremonies to many villages. On 31 October Bali marks Saraswati, the day of knowledge, when books and schools are blessed and students in traditional dress carry offerings to temples in the morning. Dress modestly, keep to the side, and you are welcome to watch.
Light cotton clothing, a compact umbrella, sandals that can get wet and a good mosquito repellent will cover most of what October brings.
Find Your Base in Ubud
Explore Aligna Hospitality’s private villas among the rice fields in and around Ubud.
