10 Things to Do in Bali in November

November is an ideal month to visit Bali, with few tourists and plenty of activities to enjoy. Temperatures usually range between 24° and 28°, although they can drop considerably in the early morning. Although the rainy season is starting, it's hard to get bored because the Balinese manage to make the most of the sunny hours. For example, you can enjoy sunrise tours, as rainfall tends to increase in the afternoon.

Another of the best things to do in Bali in November is to wander around the traditional villages, where rituals are performed to slow down the rains. Food wars are another cultural event not to be missed, as are the workshops at the Pemuteran Bay Festival. During this month people also sign up for martial arts and yoga classes, as well as the typical New Moon and Full Moon celebrations.

Bali is an island famous for its colourful marine life, and snorkelling is generally a rewarding experience that can be enjoyed all year round. However, November is an ideal month to sign up for this activity before the rainy days arrive. In fact, the water tends to be clearer and as it's low season, there are few tourists and low prices.

It's ideal if you're on a budget but want to enjoy a fun and relaxing trip. Just watch out for monsoons or seasonal winds. Among the best local beaches to visit in November is Seminyak which is surrounded by swanky resorts, but you can also opt for Jimbaran which offers calm waters. On the other hand, I recommend avoiding Kuta, Canggu, Candidasa, Gili which have strong waves, less visibility and strong winds.

Another highlight of this month is to take part in a surfing lesson to challenge the island's wild waves. In Canggu you can venture out for this experience, while walking on the black sand and seeing the sights. What's interesting is that these types of excursions often train you in tricks and manoeuvres, even if you have no prior knowledge. It's one of the best things to do in Bali, as you'll get to see manta rays in Nusa Penida. In November there's a greater chance of encountering these particular animals, so you should consider it on your itinerary.

The traditional villages are a very important perspective of Bali, as they bring together the rural beauty of the island. You can visit them all year round, but each month they offer different activities. In November you can enjoy religious ceremonies, Polynesian dances and rituals to mitigate the effects of the rains. For example, Mecaru is a traditional ceremony that seeks to balance the positive and negative energy of nature, with offerings in villages and sacred places.

You can also take advantage of Tumpek Landep and Tumpek Uduh, ceremonies to honour the gods and nature, which are governed by the Pakwon calendar and take place every 210 days (sometimes coinciding with November). Additionally, Bali' s best temples allow you to enjoy the melukat ritual, which is ideal for purification and is believed to ward off the rains and make for a sunny and fun experience. You can visit the villages on your own or take advantage of the best local tours, which offer options from 52 euros and allow you to visit rice fields, forests and villages.

Additionally, Bali's most notable villages include:

• Celuk: is a handicraft and jewellery village, where you can bargain for souvenirs and enjoy a tour of its handicraft factories to learn about the crafting process.
• Batuan: is known for its temples, as well as dance performances and sales of local paintings.
• Ubud: is a tourist village with a variety of activities such as temple tours, yoga and cooking classes, rice terraces and more. November sometimes coincides with the tenth full moon of the year and the Purnama Kedasa ritual is performed to attract prosperity.
• Trunyan: here you can appreciate the ritual of the dead, very different from other locations, which consists of burying the body under a tree to prevent it from decomposing. In this way, the locals believe they ward off natural disasters caused by volcanoes.

November is the start of the rainy season in Bali, however most of the rainfall during this month occurs in the afternoon. Therefore, I recommend an early start to the day to make the most of the sun shine on Mount Batur. You can venture out on the best local treks to enjoy the company of a guide, as you are not allowed to do the trek on your own. Also, this Balinese landscape is located about an hour from Ubud, and is an active volcano that offers a beautiful sunrise that will leave you speechless.

Unfortunately, this tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with health problems, as you will be walking on the trails for at least two and a half hours. Additionally, it is important to bring a jacket considering that the experience usually starts in the early hours of the morning (between 1:00 and 4:00). You can also bring sunglasses, a torch and hiking shoes. You can usually find this experience from 45 euros, although if you prefer you can take a motorbike taxi.

Every month the Balinese celebrate the brightest phase of the moon, usually with dances, offerings and thanksgiving rituals at the best local temples. Of course, November is no exception and is an ideal activity if you're looking for things to do on the island at night, as you can enjoy a quiet evening under the starry sky.

Planting events are held on this day, as the soil is considered to be more fertile. Additionally, you can attend offerings and rituals at Besakih Temple, where you can also see the famous Heaven's Gate and combine it with a visit to Lempuyang Temple. Other spiritual manifestations take place at the water temple Pura Luhur Uluwatu and the temple of the goddess of arts Pura Taman Saraswati. You can also stop by the rice terraces and sign up for yoga or spirituality classes.

November marks the start of the chocolate harvesting season in Bali, so there are plenty of fun activities involving this delicious product. It's different because it's made from organic cocoa grown in the villages of Tabanan, Jembrana and Karangasem. In addition, it is usually sweetened with coconut nectar, which makes it rare and tasty. For more island fun, I recommend a visit to the Pod Chocolate Factory and Cafe, where you can witness the production of handmade chocolate.

Here you can do tastings, visit the plantations and create your own chocolate. You'll have the opportunity to learn how it goes from bean to bar, as well as take part in chocolate workshops to make Balinese chocolates, truffles and cakes. What's more, this picturesque factory is in the middle of rice paddies surrounded by beautiful waterfalls that you can't miss, where the rice harvest also begins in November. It's ideal if you plan to spend at least 7 days in Bali, exploring its bounties and gastronomic attractions.

The Ketupat Bali or Perang Topat food war is an authentic tradition that takes place between November and December in Bali. It is a playful festival held at one of Bali's finest temples, known as Pura Lingsar in Lombok. The dates are set according to the lunar calendar, which governs the celebrations according to the phases of the moon. The instructions of the game are easy, it is a friendly battle created to reiterate peace between Muslims and Hindus on the island. It also seeks to attract good omens and bless the next harvest, usually two teams are divided and you have to throw palm leaves filled with sticky rice until you defeat the opposing team.

The local people take it very well, and even look forward to this activity. You can participate and you don't need to register in advance or be a native Balinese. You just have to respect the rules, which include not throwing the balls too close, as well as not damaging the temple. Of course, I recommend you wear comfortable clothes that you don't worry about getting dirty. If you prefer to stay away from the sticky rice and just enjoy the event, you have the option of heading to the Bukit Pergasingan viewpoint which offers panoramic views of the temple.

Between November and December, special spiritual activities are organised in preparation for the Bali Spirit Festival, which takes place in the summer. In addition, yoga events are often organised in Canggu at this time. As rainy days begin to dampen outdoor activities, many people opt for yoga retreats. These are ideal for combining meditation with exercises that promote mental and physical well-being.

Of course, the idea of a holiday in Bali is to return home stress-free, so this is a worthwhile plan. It often offers Ayurvedic treatments using Indian healing practices, herbal steam baths, relaxation and reduction massages, foot and head massages, Balinese cooking classes, thermal showers and yoga sessions. It's one of the best things to do on the island, especially if you want to release tension.

An important religious and cultural celebration takes place every month, commemorating new beginnings. If you plan to stay at least 5 days in Bali, you can check the lunar calendar to organise your trip accordingly, as many interesting activities are usually scheduled. It is known as Tilem or Bali's New Moon Festival where you can take advantage:

• Prayer rituals addressed to Surya, the sun god, who protects the Balinese during the moonless night.
• Offering processions to the best local temples, which often include Balinese food, flowers and artefacts.
• Food tastings, note that pork dishes are often served at this time of year.
• Purification ceremonies at the Tirta Empul temple, a must-do if you want to return home recharged.

The Pemuteran Bay Festival is an annual event held in the village of Pemuteran in northern Bali. Specifically, it's located two hours from the centre, but it's worth it because it has nature reserves, trekking areas and a sea turtle nursery. As such, this local festival promotes marine conservation through workshops, cultural exhibitions and open-air concerts.

I recommend you consider this option if you plan to be in Bali for at least 7 days, as the festival lasts approximately four days. During the event you can also enjoy tours of coral reef restoration areas, where high technology is used to conserve local species. Also not to be missed are the traditional fishing competitions, recycling art workshops, a marathon along the bay's edge and yoga classes in front of the sea.

Mepantigan mud martial arts classes are a local tradition that can be enjoyed all year round. November is even more special, as the rainy season favours the biodiversity and nutrients in the mud, making it wetter and more manageable. It's definitely one of the best things to do in Bali, as you can have fun learning a game that combines dance, self-defence, fire and music.

Generally, each class lasts about two hours and teaches you how to use the mud as a defence, as well as how to fall without hurting yourself. You can find this experience from 30 euros, which requires no experience and is ideal for the whole family. It usually includes an open-air shower in a Balinese river to wash off any traces of dirt at the end of the activity. It is ideal if you want to release stress, purify your energy and learn new physical and emotional defence techniques.

There are other activities that can take place in Bali in November, but most of them belong to the Pawkon calendar, which sets certain cultural and religious ceremonies every six months or 210 days. If you're lucky, your visit may coincide:

• Galungan Day in Bali, a Hindu celebration commemorating the triumph of good over evil. It is believed that spirits visit the island on this day, so altars are prepared with food, music and offerings.
• Mecotek is the closing ritual of Galungan, which bids farewell to the spirits. There is usually a friendly wooden spear fight.
• Rice Goddess Day, better known as Soma Ribek, which gives thanks for the island's bounty. Houses and the best local temples are decorated with a penjor, a typical bamboo ornament that is accompanied by other items such as flowers, fruits and palm leaves.
• The Pagerwesi ritual, which explores the history of the god and offers prayers at temples dedicated to Shiva. As you walk through the streets you may come across offerings to ward off evil spirits.