10 Things to Do in Bali in October

The best months to visit Bali are April to October, as the dry season keeps the rains away and allows you to enjoy outdoor activities. Temperatures in this month generally range from 23°C to 31°C, and it's also the average tourist season, so you won't have to deal with crowds or queues at temples. At this time of year I recommend taking advantage of the wine, coffee and rice harvests, which offer wonderful experiences.

You can also try the Eat, Pray, Love book tour to repeat the story of the author, who visited Bali in October. If you want to take advantage of the best local beaches you might consider the northern and eastern ones, as the water stays warmer and more pleasant there. In general, there's something for everyone, including tastings of the world's rarest and most expensive coffee, hiking in the annual Bali Triathlon marathon, Balinese dance performances during seasonal rituals and much more - here's what not to miss!

October is the ideal month to sample local wines, as it coincides with the wine season from April to October. There are different options, but all offer a pleasurable experience. Balinese food is very spicy, so to balance your palate, I recommend tasting the dishes accompanied by their traditional beverages that stand out for their sweet taste. If you plan to stay at least 5 days in Bali, there are different places where you can live this experience, such as:

• Badung Market: it is a traditional street market open every day, twenty-four hours a day. It offers stalls ideal for tasting typical dishes such as nasi campur, a delicious combination of rice with chicken or fish side dishes. It is usually served with watermelon juice, but you can also pair it with a fruity wine.
• Hatten Wines: a winery located in Bali since 1994, offering tropical wine tastings, vineyard tours and tours of the production cellars.
• Tenganan Village: this is one of the major production areas for Tuak Wayah wine, especially in October.

Another more comprehensive option is to sign up for a cooking class at a local family's home in Ubud, to learn about their traditions and combine the gastronomic experience with traditional drinks. It usually starts from 73 euros and you can learn how to prepare Pepes Ikan, a meat cooked in banana leaves. You can also learn the secrets of Bakso, a dumpling soup that is highly sought after at street stalls. Keep in mind that October is the ideal month to opt for this experience, as it's low season and you can find discounts. The end of the month is also a good time to protect yourself from the first local rains.

Bali's best wines in October

• Balinese or palm wine is a traditional Balinese drink, made from the sap of sugar cane palm trees. Two options are available in the region, Tuak Wayah which is drier and alcohol based, and Tuak Manis which is a sweet non-alcoholic wine. Generally, the harvest season is from March to October.
• Grape wine: is an exotic wine made from local grapes as well as grapes brought from Chile and Australia. It has a fresh and fruity taste, ideal to accompany local dishes. Please note that the season runs from June to October.
• Fruit wine: This is a fruity wine made from lychee, guava, pineapple and mango. In October, almost all of these fruits are in season, except for lychee. So you will be able to taste a wine full of aroma, flavour and sweetness, from the fruit of your choice. If you want to try lychee wine, the appropriate season is from June to August.
• Arak: is a traditional alcoholic drink, made from fermented rice, which is usually consumed in October. It is used for toasting after the end of the rice harvest and in some rituals according to the Balinese calendar.
• Brem: is a black rice wine, with a sour taste, which is used in religious ceremonies in October.

The Eat, Pray, Love tour is a wonderful adventure and therefore a must-do activity on your Indonesian itinerary. It is inspired by the book and film by Elizabeth Gilbert, who will take you on a spiritual journey through her journey in Bali. It is certainly the ideal month to experience this adventure, as in the novel the author arrived on the island in October. In addition, in the dry season the outdoor activities are more successful.

You can find options from 68 euros, I recommend you book at least 10 hours to enjoy each experience. Without a doubt, this is one of the best tours in Bali as it allows you to experience:

• A visit to the sacred Tirta Empul temple where the purification ritual is performed, which allows you to receive the blessing of Balinese healers and seers, while immersing yourself in sacred pools.
• A yoga class that usually offers the tour with stunning views of the mountains.
• A walk through the rice terraces of Ubud, which are noted for their dreamlike scenery.
• A tour of the filming locations for the movie Eat, Pray, Love.

Kintamani village is an important location, located under the Batur volcano. It's definitely one of the best destinations for your holiday itinerary, offering hiking areas, hot spring oases and the opportunity to tour the coffee plantations during the close of the harvest. It is located in the mountains, so you can take a jeep up to lighten the trip and explore the geological features of the volcano.

As for the coffee harvest, it is an activity not to be missed if you plan to spend at least 5 days in Bali. Here the beans are picked in the traditional way, without chemicals or machinery. I recommend this experience to witness:

• The ngaben ceremony, this is a Balinese Hindu funeral ritual, in which the body of a deceased person is burnt in a wooden coffin. It symbolises liberation and new beginnings, is not governed by the Balinese calendar and is often performed by locals to celebrate the harvest. Note that it's an expensive celebration, and in fact it's a real miracle to coincide with one, as it's reserved for special occasions.
• The Kecak dance, a traditional Balinese dance, is accompanied by music and fire shows.
• The production process, as you can tour the plantations to see how coffee is grown, processed and roasted.
• The history of coffee in Bali, while enjoying the views of the mountain and Lake Batur.

The rice harvest is governed by the Balinese agricultural calendar, usually taking place twice a year between April and May, as well as between October and November. It offers interesting activities worth checking out. During these times you can visit other plantations, rice terraces and cultural traditions. You can enjoy a guided tour of the paddy fields where tastings, picnics and yoga classes are offered overlooking the waterfalls.

This is your chance to try the famous krupuk rice crackers, or nasi goreng fried rice. Generally, plantings are prepared on terraced terraces that have amazing panoramic views and Jatiluwih is one of the most famous, due to its size and age. It's one of the best things to do in Bali and you can find guided experiences from 47 euros, which provide easy access to the paddy fields.

Bali is an island where dance is one of the most important means of expression, in fact there are different types of performances. Sacred dances are performed during religious rituals and inside the best local temples, while semi-sacred dances take place in the courtyards of the temples and accompany certain celebrations. Training dances take place in the streets and tourist areas, and the Kecak dance includes fire shows and is used for ancestral storytelling.

In October it is a special activity and often accompanies seasonal religious rituals. It is also used to give thanks for harvests of wine, coffee, rice and other local produce. If you prefer to play it safe and book an experience in advance, there's nothing better than enjoying a Balinese dance at the Royal Palace in Ubud. This specific choreography is believed to have originated in the 19th century, as it was created for the entertainment of the royal family.

The island is full of goodness, not least of which is its exquisite cuisine. If a cooking class sounds fun and appeals to your taste buds, then during your trip you must venture out to try seasonal dishes. The most famous dish is Bubur Mengguh, whose ingredients are harvested in October and have a unique taste based on meat porridge and spices.

If you prefer, you can sample the local delicacies on a guided tour. This way, you can visit local markets, discover iconic places to eat and pick out the best street food stalls. It's ideal if you plan to spend at least 7 days in Bali, as you won't be adrift when it comes to finding restaurants to eat at. This experience will probably allow you to try the babi guling pork roast, which is seasoned with seasonal spices.

October is one of Bali's average tourist months, so its best beach paradises tend to be sparsely crowded. There are many attractive options, as the island has around 160 bays to choose from. Specifically, the most recommended beaches during this season are those on the north and east coasts, which stand out for their dry, rain-free climate that favours beach activities.

On the beaches you can enjoy a variety of entertainment options such as surfing, exploring marine species and coral reefs, renting a kayak, enjoying the sunset, boarding a cruise or relaxing with a Balinese massage. If you want to have a good time I recommend you opt for:

• Amed Beach: a paradise beach located in the east of the island, which stands out for its black volcanic sand in contrast with the turquoise waters.
• Lovina: a fishing area with small, uncrowded coves where you can see dolphins at sunrise. October is the ideal season, as the waters are calm and the conditions are suitable for dolphin watching.
• Virgin Beach: this is one of the best beaches in Bali, in fact it is considered an exotic and little known bay.
• Permuteran: it is a beach of crystalline waters, therefore it is ideal for diving and snorkelling.

If you prefer vegan food or simply want to experience new foods, you can head to the Bali Vegan Festival. It takes place in the island's spiritual capital, better known as Ubud. It's an October tradition that will pique your taste buds as you learn about this lifestyle and the importance of sustainability. It's one of the best things to do in Bali if you want to explore its cultural diversity and gastronomic traditions.

It's a perfect event to take a break from heavy meals as well as extra spicy dishes. You won't get bored here as it is often accompanied by food tastings, cooking workshops, live entertainment and even small markets to buy vegan products. It can include meditation events, yoga classes and Balinese dance performances. For some classes and experiences, advance registration is required.

Bali's Kopi Luwak coffee is one of the most expensive and rare coffees in the world, due to its meticulous brewing process. Some may find it unappetizing, as the seeds are harvested from the faeces of the civet. This is an animal resembling cats, monkeys and raccoons, which eats the coffee seeds it collects in the jungle and then expels them. It is then carefully processed for the market.

Unfortunately, some farms confine these animals for use as a tourist attraction, so it is essential to choose plantations that are free of animal abuse. In October you can go on the Luwak coffee trail, as the harvest is over and you're more likely to find Luwak coffee or beans at a good price.

It has a bitter, chocolate-like taste, and if you want to try it you can visit the Bali Pulina plantations to see how the coffee is grown and brewed. It's definitely an experience not to be missed, especially if you plan to spend at least 5 days on the island.

Bali Triathlon is a sporting event that usually takes place in Bali in October, specifically in the traditional village of Sanur. If you want to keep on the move during your holiday, you should definitely consider this plan that takes you around this picturesque local village. It has been a tradition since 2007, which is accompanied by the pleasant October breeze.

Generally, you need to be over 18 years old, be in good physical condition and pay a registration fee. Additionally, the marathon route varies according to the category you choose, ranging from Olympic distance for experts, sprint distance for intermediate level and 5km race for beginners. During the experience you can take a bike ride, receive a Balinese blessing, enjoy a dinner and take advantage of a closing party.

Bali is an island where religious and cultural activities can vary unexpectedly, as many are governed by different calendars:

• The Saka calendar or lunar calendar: which fixes activities around the phases of the moon. It governs some celebrations, but its system has the same number of days as the Pakwon calendar, except that a leap month is added every thirty months.
• The Pakwon calendar: it is a complex system, which has certain observances every 210 days such as Saraswati, Galungan, Nyepi and Pagerwesi.
• Gregorian calendar or solar calendar: it is governed by the phases of the sun and is very similar to the calendar used in the rest of the world. It mostly governs New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Independence Day.

If you're lucky, some religious rituals may coincide with October or the month of your visit, which would be great because these are some of the best things to do in Bali.