10 Things to Do in Bali When it Rains

Shopping at Bali’s malls is a popular activity year-round, more so when rains prevent you from enjoying a day at the beach. Look inside the many choices of expansive shopping complexes in Bali's tourist-friendly areas, such as the Kuta Beachwalk, the Discovery Shopping Mall and the Mal Bali Galeria in Kuta, or the Bali Collection in Nusa Dua. These shopping malls offer various souvenirs, antiques, fashion, and accessories.

There are plenty of underwater activities to enjoy in Bali. Marine or sea walks enable even non-divers to experience the underwater beauty, so everyone can see or directly interact with tropical fish and admire coral reef gardens. You get to discover Bali’s underwater wonders with the aid of a specially designed, air-supplied helmet. Submarine tours are available for those who want to remain dry throughout the tour.

If you want to learn more about Bali's rich history and view the vast collections of artworks by Bali's artists, the island has plenty of museums and galleries. Besides serving as a shelter from rainy days, these informative centres provide insights into the island's past. Many museums, like the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), have scheduled highlights that make for a convenient full-day tour in Bali.

Over time, Bali has grown into a destination for natural health and wellbeing, with yoga centres providing classes year-round. Most studios have guest instructors from all over the world, providing different branches and forms of yoga. Pair your choice of practice with healthy organic meals and you’ll have yourself a healthy vacation in Bali despite the rainy season. Multi-day yoga retreats are also available, especially in Ubud and Canggu.

Learn the art of Balinese cooking and get into the know-how of mixing various herbs and spices with meat, poultry and seafood. Guided by experienced teachers, you'll prepare local dishes, such as sate lilit (minced meat satay) and sayur urap (Balinese salad). Most cooking classes start with a morning market tour to buy raw ingredients. Some of the island’s most popular culinary schools are Casa Luna Cooking School and Lobong Culinary Experience.

There are many art forms and crafts in Bali, many of which reflect age-old heritage and practices. Silver crafts and jewelry-making are among the most important Balinese heritage crafts. You can gain insight into them and know-how of the Balinese silversmiths through notable jewelry crafting centres in the main villages of Celuk, Mas and Ubud. Join a workshop to learn from the local artists to create your own design to take home.

Bali hosts theatre shows featuring dramatic lighting and sound systems, as well as large casts of talented dancers and choreographers. The performances are often inspired by local legends and folklore. The Bali Agung Show at Bali Safari Park draws inspiration from the tale of King Jayapangus and Barong Landung, while the Devdan Show at Nusa Dua Theatre takes the audience on a journey throughout the archipelago.

Enjoy some indoor fun and games at Bali’s indoor attractions. Strike whacky poses at Dream Museum Zone Bali, a 3D museum with life-sized paintings that result in fun photos. There's also the Upside Down World, where everything's inverted for a gravity-defying effect. Try escape room challenges such as the Totem Room Escape and Pandora Experience Bali for games that put your inner sleuth to the test. For something more active, check out the Bounce Bali trampoline center in Canggu.

When the drizzles come to Bali, you might as well splash to your heart's content. There are 3 main waterparks on the island, all of which have various slides and rides, as well as lazy pools and swimming pools that offer different levels of thrills and leisure. Waterbom Bali is located in the heart of Kuta, the New Kuta Green Park near Dreamland Beach, while Circus Waterpark is on the outer boundaries of Kuta.