How is it the end of May already? Here at The Bali Sun, we’ve been chatting about how 2026 is flying by! It feels like we were only just covering the news for the New Year and then Nyepi…and now the peak season is upon us.
Bali’s peak season is typically June through to mid-September, but the peak season arrivals are creeping in earlier every year.
In the height of the high season, Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport can welcome upwards of 65,000 international passengers every day. Although the conflict in the Middle East is casting a shadow over travel in 2026, when it comes to Bali, all trends and data show that demand for travel and vacations in Bali is increasing.
The General Manager of the Grand Istana Rama Hotel in Kuta, Ketut Darmayasa, has been speaking to reporters about how the province is preparing for the peak season, which will officially start in just a few days.
With a long weekend ahead of us, hotels in Bali’s top tourism resorts are already welcoming an increasing number of guests. In Kuta, one of Bali’s oldest tourism hotspots, hotel occupancy rates have already reached 60-70% in May 2026.
Darmayasa told reporters, “If we look at the practice on the ground, our friends in the tourism industry have been preparing for this long holiday momentum from the beginning. For May itself, the average occupancy in the Kuta area is approximately 60 to 70 percent.”
He added, “At the end of this week, especially leading up to last week’s long holiday, there was an increase in Jesus Christ’s return on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Then next week, starting on the 22nd, there are holidays and a long weekend, which will increase occupancy rates for hotels.”
Darmayasa, who is also the Chairman of the Indonesian Food & Beverage Executive Association (IFBEC) Bali, said that while things in Bali are looking stable at the moment, the conflict in the Middle East and other geopolitical issues worldwide mean that the province does have to put effort into being resilient to changes in the long run. He explained, “Looking at the situation, it’s a bit of a struggle right now, but there’s still potential for an increase, even if it’s gradual.”
He touched on the strengthening of the US dollar against the rupiah, noting that, based on his observations, it has not yet had a direct impact on occupancy rates or hotel room prices in Bali. Darmayasa explained that this is because most tourists have already made reservations well in advance of their vacations, many of which have also paid for their rooms prior to traveling.
He shared, “The dollar’s rise has not yet correlated with the current increase in hotel occupancy. We’ll probably see how it develops in the future to see if it has an impact or not.”
He added, “Room prices are also rising because guests are currently making reservations in advance, so there’s no connection or correlation with the current dollar exchange rate. Hotels depend on demand; if demand is high, prices will inevitably increase.”
This week, the Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, I Wayan Sumarajaya, spoke with reporters and explained that his team is conducting a study on the potential impact of a rising dollar on Bali’s tourism sector, including tourist visits and the industry’s future development.
He confirmed that the regional government will continue to monitor developments in the global economy and international geopolitics to anticipate potential impacts on Balinese tourism.
Tourists traveling to Bali this peak season are safe to continue organising their vacations as they wish, making bookings, reservations, and paying deposits for travel.
In all cases, it is essential to take out comprehensive travel insurance before making bookings and traveling to Bali.
Tourists traveling to Bali during peak season need to stay informed about the latest news and travel guidelines.
Here at The Bali Sun, we report on all the major news stories affecting tourists in Bali, and this week have explored how tourists can ensure they have a smooth and speedy arrival in Bali, as well as updates directly from the Governor of Bali about the Tourism Tax Levy.
As the peak season in Bali begins, know that you’re in safe hands with us here at The Bali Sun.
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