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Ultimate 10 Day Bali Itinerary With Kids: The Best Family Trip To Bali

When it comes to bucket list vacations, a family trip to Bali in Indonesia ranks high on that list. The island’s culture and landscapes continually capture the imaginations of travelers. It’s not uncommon for a 10 day Bali itinerary with family to include a mix of beach play, temple visits, cultural activities and relaxation time. There are just so many things to do in Bali!

I’ve been visiting Bali ever since I was a young girl. And the island’s culture and the beauty has always fascinated me. In 2019, we spent two fulfilling months living in Bali, and the experience really allowed me to dive deeper into the culture of Bali.

I know not everyone is able to spend an extended amount of time in Bali, like we did. But it’s still possible to have similar cultural experiences as ours. For those of you who can only spare 10 days in Bali, rather than two and a half months like me, I’ve put together a family-friendly itinerary for Bali that’s packed with beaches, nature, and culture for your next family trip to Bali.

This post was originally published on January 22, 2020.

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Table of Contents

Family trip to Bali highlights

If your time in Bali is limited, and you just want to quick list of things to do in Bali, here are my top five recommended activities for a family trip to Bali.

• Take a Tanah Lot tour near Kuta
• Learn how to make offerings in Ubud
• Take a guided tour of Ubud and its surroundings
• Go snorkeling in Amed
• Snorkel at the Blue Lagoon in Padang Bai

Where to stay during a family trip to Bali

When it comes to lodging, the options for families range from simple homestays to fancy extravagant villas. We’ve stayed in a $35 a night modest home in Ubud. And we've also pampered ourselves at a $600 a night gorgeous villa in southern Bali, complete with an infinity pool, private chef, and private tennis court.

Popular places in Bali for tourists include Kuta (tourists especially love the Hard Rock Hotel Bali), Canggu, Sanur, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Inland, travelers like to stay in Ubud. However, if you want to go off the beaten path, consider Padang Bai and Amed, on the eastern side of the island, as well as Gianyar and Tabanan.

If you’re looking for family friendly lodging options for your 10 days in Bali, booking platforms like Agoda and Booking are helpful. You’ll be able to find some nice family resorts with kids club options, if that’s the type of accommodation you prefer. Airbnb is also a great resource, particularly for families, as you’ll likely get more space for your dollars. 

Lonely Planet’s Bali, Lombok, and West Nusatenggara travel guide can also be a helpful resource to give you ideas of where to stay in Bali.

If you still can’t find a place to stay for your 10 day Bali itinerary, take a look at these family hotels to book for your family trip to Bali. They’re all places we’ve stayed at and would personally recommend.

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Legian Beach Hotel (Kuta)

If you’re in the mood to pamper yourself during your family trip to Bali, book a night at Legian Beach Hotel in Kuta. I’ve been visiting this hotel since I was a kid, and it truly feels like a piece of paradise. Our most recent stay was in 2015, and it was so fun to see my kids play in the same pool I used to swim in when I was a kid!

Located on the beach, Legian Beach Hotel has beautifully decorated bungalows in a garden setting. The hotel has an outdoor pool, and also offers a breakfast buffet. Rooms come with air conditioning, safe, WiFi, TV, and mini fridge. There is also a spa and three restaurants onsite. 

Legian Beach Hotel is about a 20 minute walk from the main area of Kuta. But if you’re coming to Bali for a retreat rather than being in the middle of the action, this is the place to book.

Masainn Hotel (Kuta)

For a more central option in Kuta (and more affordable too!) book a night at Masainn Kuta Hotel. We stayed at this hotel in the heart of Kuta for the first time during our family trip to Bali in 2012. It was the first time my kids visited Southeast Asia!

Masainn Hotel offers rooms that can accommodate families of 4. Rooms come with air conditioning, WiFi, TV, and mini bar. There are 2 outdoor swimming pools onsite, and breakfast is included with the room rate. 

What we loved about Masainn Hotel is that it’s so close to so many things in Kuta, including one of my favorite restaurants, Poppies Restaurant .

Sarin Ubud Suites (Ubud)

If you’re planning to stay in Ubud during your family trip to Bali and want to be close to the Monkey Forest, book a night at Sarin Ubud Suites by Pramana Villas. We stayed there in 2019 and loved how close it was to restaurants and attractions in Ubud. Plus, there were monkeys that would come visit!

Sarin Ubud Suites offers rooms with WiFi, air conditioning, and electric kettles for tea. There is an outdoor pool and massage services are available if you’re in the mood for relaxing. You can also rent bikes. Breakfast is available for a fee.

Suparsa’s Homestay (Ubud)

In 2019, we also stayed at another place in Ubud called Suparsa’s Homestay. We loved this family owned homestay, located just north of Jalan Ubud Raya. Since it’s outside of the main part of Ubud, the streets felt a little calmer. It was the perfect spot to relax and recharge after a long day of sightseeing during our family trip to Bali.

Suparsa’s Homestay offers rooms with air conditioning and WiFi. All the rooms face in towards the central pool. Breakfast is available for a fee, but they will serve it to you right at your room. Suparsa’s Homestay can help arrange tours of Ubud for you, as well as airport transfer. Because the homestay is part of a Balinese family compound, it feels almost like you’re staying in someone’s home. We loved that personal touch!

Villa Adi (Amed)

In the village of Amed, Villa Adi is a perfect oasis for spending a family trip to Bali. We visited Villa Adi when we came to Amed for a month-long worldschooling meet up in 2019. While we didn’t stay at Villa Adi (although some of our friends did!), we spent time at Villa Adi every day to take part in the meet up activities, and we loved how serene the grounds felt. 

Villa Adi has villas that can accommodate families of 4-6 people. Some of them have their own private pool. They all come with a kitchen and dining area, as well as air conditioning and WiFi. There is an outdoor pool and restaurant onsite (with free parking), as well as a convenience store. Villa Adi also has massage services, babysitting services, and airport transfer services available for guests.

Bloo Lagoon Village (Padang Bai)

A unique and relaxing place to stay in Padang Bai is Bloo Lagoon Eco Village . This family-friendly Bali eco stay offers families a tranquil setting amidst gorgeous views of the surrounding ocean and lagoon. We stayed at Bloo Lagoon in 2019 and loved the peaceful atmosphere of the place.

Villas at Bloo Lagoon Village can accommodate families of up to 6 people. Being an eco resort, there is no air conditioning in the villas. However, the villas are designed open air style to take advantage of the ocean breezes for cooling. The villas are equipped with a full kitchen and dining, WiFi, and mosquito nets (you’ll need them since it’s an open air design). 

Free amenities at Bloo Lagoon include an outdoor pool with a slide, daily yoga, art gallery, garden, and shuttle to and from central Padang Bai. There’s also a restaurant and spa on site.

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Booking activities for your 10 day Bali itinerary

Planning all your activities for exploring Bali in 10 days may seem overwhelming. For general Indonesia and Bali travel, I recommend finding tour companies that focus on immersive experiences.

Take a look at these Bali tours offered through Viator:

Full-Day in Bali: Private Design-Your-Own Tour

Bali Full-Day Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces Tour

Bali Full-Day Traditional Village Sightseeing Trip All Inclusive

For Ubud, specifically, I recommend Bali Adventours , a locally owned travel company that offers a variety of tours around Bali, including a tour through a Bali night market and a visit to Tukad Cepung waterfall.

You can also wait until you arrive in Bali before booking your activities. We found our cooking class, painting class, dance class, and Balinese gamelan music class just from walking along the street and keeping our eyes open for signs advertising activities.

Check out the other posts I have on my blog about Bali .

The ultimate family-friendly 10 day Bali itinerary

It’s impossible to really immerse yourself in Balinese culture when you only have a short time. But you can definitely get a good introduction! When I was putting together this 10 day Bali itinerary, I really wanted to showcase the parts of Bali that we fell in love with while we were there.

This itinerary in Bali is ideal for families with kids ranging from 4-12 years old. But families with older kids or younger kids can adjust this itinerary of Bali to their preferences as well. 

Even if you don’t have kids, this itinerary can still be useful. If you’re a couple, incorporate some of these ideas into your 10 day Bali itinerary for couples. Or if you’re a solo traveler, book these activities as a chance to meet other travelers.

Get ready for your trip to Indonesia with my FREE 25 Essential Indonesian Words and Phrases !

Day 1: Kick off your 10 day Bali itinerary at the beach in Kuta

Start your Bali visit with a stay in Kuta. It’s arguably one of the most touristy destinations of Bali. But it’s also one of the closest destinations to Ngurah Rai International Airport. Depending on what time you arrive, you can spend your time at the beach.

Kuta Beach is often frequented by hawkers selling trinkets or massages. You don’t have to feel obligated to buy. Just a simple, “tidak, terima kasih” will be sufficient. The beach is generally safe, but avoid bringing valuables in case they get stolen.

While in Kuta, you can visit nearby Tanah Lot to the north. It’s a Hindu temple on the western coast of Bali in the middle of the sea. The temple is accessible at low tide.

Alternatively, you can end the first day of your 10 day Bali itinerary with an evening at Uluwatu Temple in southern Bali. Each night, the temple has a performance of the famous kecak fire dance. This is a dance where men dance and chant in a percussive and rhythmic style.

Day 2: Spend a day at Waterbom

The next day, treat your kids to a visit to a water park! Waterbom is Bali’s most famous water park, and is a perfect way to kick off your 10 day Bali itinerary with some fun. There are over 12 slides, and they are all clean and well-maintained.

Admission to Waterbom is quite pricey, at Rp. 580,000 (roughly $36.50 USD) for adults, and Rp. 430,000 (roughly $27 USD) for kids. So you’ll want to allot a full day to make the most of your ticket. Local residents receive a discounted rate if they show their KTP (Indonesian ID card).

You will need to pay extra for food and drinks. The money is loaded on a wristband that you use to pay throughout the park, and can be topped up at any time. The park is open from 9 am to 6 pm.

Day 3: Drive to Ubud

After starting your 10 days in Bali on the coast, head inland by spending a few days in Ubud. The drive from Kuta to Ubud only takes about an hour and a half. So you can drive into the city in the morning and spend the rest of the day doing activities in Ubud with kids .

One activity I recommend during your 10 day Bali itinerary is to visit the Saraswati Temple. This temple is located on Jalan Ubud Raya near Ubud Palace. My family and I call it the “Starbucks temple” because there’s a Starbucks located right next to it! Saraswati Temple is framed by two ponds with lotus plants, and is a beautiful spot for a picture.

Afterward, walk along Jalan Kajeng, right in front of the Starbucks, and head to the Juwuk Manis rice fields. There is a loop trail that leads to traditional rice fields, as well as a cafe called Sweet Orange Cafe. This is a great spot to enjoy dinner, among the rice paddies! The Juwuk Manis trail loops back towards Jalan Ubud Raya and drops you off a couple hundred meters west of Saraswati Temple.

Day 4: Have a village experience during your family trip to Bali

No visit to Bali would be complete without a village tour! As I mentioned before, it’s impossible to fully experience the culture of Bali in 10 days. But you can certainly get a glimpse by doing a village tour.

During our time in Bali, we visited a place called Taman Anyar , run by a Balinese family who opens their home to travelers. We learned about life in a traditional Balinese home, complete with making offerings, plowing a rice field, and cooking traditional Balinese food. We really enjoyed our immersive Bali cultural experience , and we think other travelers will enjoy it too.

Besides Taman Anyar, there are other similar cultural experiences you can do during a family trip to Bali. Take some time during your 10 day Bali itinerary to learn about spiritual ceremonies, family temples, farm life, and local native wildlife.

Learn how to incorporate worldschooling into your travels here.

Day 5: Explore Ubud

On day five of your 10 day Bali itinerary, spend time exploring the city of Ubud. In the early morning, take a stroll through Ubud market to see the local produce vendors. Around 8 am, they're replaced by artisan vendors.

Alternatively, go for an early morning hike along the Campuhan Ridge Walk. This is a paved walkway that goes along hills and fields. Then take a visit to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary , where you’ll see Balinese long-tailed macaques. Tickets for the Ubud monkey forest are Rp. 80,000 (roughly $5 USD) for adults and Rp. 60,000 (roughly $4 USD) for kids. Weekend tickets cost Rp. 100,000 (roughly $7) for adults and Rp. 80,000 for kids.

In the afternoon, take a class at Pondok Pekak library and learning center. This community center offers classes in Balinese painting, gamelan music, wood carving, offering making, and cooking costing around Rp. 300,000 (roughly $21 USD) per person.

End your day with a traditional Balinese dance and gamelan music performance at Ubud Royal Palace. Tickets are Rp. 100,000 (roughly $7 USD) per person, starting at 7:30 pm. This is a must for your Bali itinerary 10 days experience! 

Make the most of your time in Ubud with one of these Ubud tours:

• Nature, Temple, Rice Terrace, Waterfall and Coffee Tour
• Private Sight-seeing Tour and Waterfall
• Nature, Culture, Heritage and Temples

Day 6: Drive to Amed

After spending a few days in Ubud, continue your 10 days in Bali northeast. In the early morning, stop at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. These famous rice fields are about 30 minutes north of Ubud. The beautiful Tegalalang Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage site. And they are a must-see for your ultimate Bali bucket list. Bring about Rp. 20,000-50,000 ($1.40-3.50 USD) for donation to the rice farmers.

Afterward, continue your 10 day Bali itinerary north to Danau Batur, a lake at the base of Mount Batur. There are nice Bali hot springs in the area. We like Toya Devasya , which offers 7 hot springs pools, restaurants, and a gorgeous lake view.

Alternatively, visit Ulun Danu Beratan temple , a picturesque Hindu temple located in the middle of a lake. Entrance costs Rp. 75,000 (roughly $4.50 USD) for adults and Rp. 50,000 (roughly $3 USD) for children.

In the late afternoon, continue on to the beach town of Amed. This small village has a much more relaxed pace than the western beach towns of Kuta, Canggu, and even Seminyak. From Toya Devasya, the drive is about an hour and a half.

Day 7: Experience Amed snorkeling

A stay in Amed is a great way to incorporate some snorkeling in Bali into your 10 day Bali itinerary. There are several places to snorkel around the coasts of Amed. The spots we visited were the Japanese shipwreck and Lipah Beach.

The Japanese shipwreck is on the eastern side of the village. You can access the shipwreck from the shore through the Kawi Karma Beach Cottages and Restaurants. However, you will need to pay a small fee. The fee includes one drink and use of the bathrooms.

Lipah Beach, located on the western side of the village, has free access to the beach in front of Di Lipah Warung. After a day of snorkeling, you can have dinner at any of the beachside restaurants.

If you are interested in a guided snorkeling tour, Wandernesia offers a tour through the waters around Amed.

Day 8: Drive to Padang Bai

The next day, continue your journey south east. Start your morning with a visit to Pura Lempuyang (also known as Lempuyang Temple). This is a Balinese Hindu temple with the famous Gates of Heaven, located about an hour’s drive from Amed.

Entrance is a simple donation of Rp. 50,000 for a family of four. If you don't want to wait hours to take a picture with the iconic temple gates, arrive at 6 am, right at sunrise.

After visiting Lempuyang Temple, head to nearby Taman Tirta Gangga, a water palace with beautiful fountains and pools for swimming. Entrance to Tirta Gangga costs Rp. 30,000 (roughly $2.10 USD) per person. The swimming pool costs an additional Rp. 10,000 (roughly $.70 USD) per person.

In the afternoon, drive to Padang Bai, about an hour and a half away from Tirta Gangga. Padang Bai is a port town on the eastern coast of Bali. It’s often used as a gateway to neighboring Lombok island, or the nearby Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air).

A unique and relaxing place to stay in Padang Bai is Bloo Lagoon Eco Village. This family-friendly Bali eco stay offers families a tranquil setting amidst gorgeous views of the surrounding ocean and lagoon.

Learn more about how to travel sustainably with your kids.

Day 9: Snorkel at Blue Lagoon

Building in snorkeling time into your 10 day Bali itinerary is an absolute must. One of Padang Bali’s main attractions is the Blue Lagoon, a popular snorkeling spot in the area.

You can snorkel from the shore at Blue Lagoon, but the waves can be quite rough. It may not be ideal if you have young kids.

Alternatively, you can visit Blue Lagoon as part of a boat tour, which are offered by Rukmana Bali Tour. The tour will drop you off further into the water, beyond the breaks. You’ll have a better chance of seeing coral than if you were coming in from the shore.

Day 10: End your 10 day Bali itinerary back in Denpasar

Depending on your return flight’s departure time, you can either stay at Padang Bai in the morning or head immediately back to Denpasar. Padang Bai is about an hour and a half’s drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

On the way into Denpasar from Padang Bai, you’ll pass by Pura Goa Lawah (the Bat Cave Temple) and Candidasa (a beach resort town). You can make a quick stop in either of these places during your 10 day Bali itinerary if you have some time to spare.

Learn more about the amazing family travel resources we use for worldschooling!

Alternative options for your 10 day Bali itinerary

The 10 day Bali itinerary above isn’t the only itinerary you can do for your visit to Bali. Besides Kuta, there are other beach destinations to visit during your 10 days itinerary Bali experience. Travelers like Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak or Padang Padang Beach south of Kuta.

Or you can include a hike in your Bali itineraries (such as a Mount Batur sunrise hike, a hike along Karang Boma Cliffs, or a hike through Jatiluwih rice terraces) before ending with your sunset Kecak Fire Dance performance at Uluwatu Temple.

If you aren’t in the mood to brave the rowdy tourist crowds during your multi-day Bali holiday with family, you can skip Kuta altogether and drive directly to Ubud. You can use the extra time in north Bali in Amed or in east Bali at Padang Bai.

Alternatively, you can use the extra day to take a trip out to the Nusa Islands (such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan), the Gili Islands, and Lombok. We spent three weeks in Lombok. And we had fun checking out all the fun things to do in Lombok with kids .

Supplementing your 10 day Bali itinerary

If you have a little more time to spend in Indonesia, consider visiting another island such as Flores, Java, or Sumatra as a supplement to your 10 day itinerary Bali trip. 

The island of Flores is a jumping off point for exploring Komodo National Park. Families can take either a one day or multi day Komodo tour . The island of Java is home to the historic city of Yogyakarta , a great place to learn about the non-Balinese side of Indonesian culture.

And for nature lovers, the island of Sumatra offers wonderful national parks where you can take an orangutan tour and see these impressive creatures in the wild.

Book one of these tours to explore the other islands of Indonesia

• Lombok: Sasak Cultural Tour
• Komodo: 1 Day Komodo Trip by Fast Boat
• Java: Small-Group Walking and Food Tour in Yogyakarta
• Sumatra: Half-Day Orangutan Trek from Bukit Lawang

Take a look at all the other destinations to explore in Indonesia here.

Logistics for visiting Bali in 10 days

Before diving into my 10 day Bali itinerary, there are a few logistics to sort out. In particular, consider lodging, transport, and activities. When you’re building your 10 days in Bali budget, make sure to take all of these logistics into account.

Take a look at how much it cost us to spend a month in Indonesia to get ideas for how much a Bali itinerary for 10 days will cost your family. Also consider where you will need travel insurance during your multi-day Bali trip.

Although Bali is a small island, it’s not always easy to get around. And the many options for a hotel, villa, or resort in Bali can get overwhelming for someone who’s never visited the island. Take a read through my tips before starting to plan your 10 days Bali itinerary.

Get prepared for any emergency with the insurance made for digital nomads!

Chartering transport around Bali

When it comes to transport, there are several options for families to get around Bali. Companies like Perama offer shuttle buses between cities and villages. But the majority of travelers to Bali still use private drivers.

Most accommodations will offer airport transfer from Ngurah Rai International Airport in the city of Denpasar. If your hotel, resort, or accommodation doesn’t offer transport, you can book an official airport taxi.

Once you get to your first destination, ask around for driver contacts to take you elsewhere around the island. The cost of a car and driver ranges from Rp. 350,000-550,000 (roughly $25-$40 USD), depending on the distance and the driver. So make sure to take that into account as part of your 10 days in Bali cost. Sometimes drivers can also double as your Bali travel guide.

Driving yourself during your 10 day Bali itinerary

Alternatively, you can choose to rent a car while you’re in Bali. While we have not personally done this, several friends of ours have rented cars during their stay in Bali. This option is particularly helpful for larger families, or for those planning to stay longer than 10 days in Bali.

Car rentals range from Rp. 350,000-500,000 (roughly $25-35 USD) per day. Besides being able to maneuver a car through the narrow streets of Bali, the biggest concern for car rental is finding parking. This is particularly true in cities like Ubud. 

Within the cities, you can also try doing a scooter rental in Bali . This is a great way to have a more local experience during your 10 days in Bali itinerary. But you'll need to be comfortable with driving a scooter.

Making your 10 day Bali itinerary memorable for your family

However you choose to spend your 10 days in Bali, take advantage of all that Bali and Indonesia has to offer. Indonesia is a fascinating country. And the island of Bali offers travelers a great mix of culture and nature to enjoy.

Have you visited Bali before? Share your suggestions for what to include in a 10 day Bali itinerary in the comments below!

Prep for your trip to Bali and Indonesia with these posts:

11 Essential Bali Facts You Didn’t Know

6 Useful Things To Know About Traveling With Kids In Indonesia

And if you’re planning to visit Bali as part of an around the world family adventure, use my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel! as your guide for planning your family gap year.

Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My  Travel Budget Worksheet  is just the tool you need! Click  here  to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

Want to connect with me on social media? Find me on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Twitter. And for those of you who are dedicated to traveling more responsibly, sustainably, and ethically, join over 200 like-minded families on my Facebook group, Responsible Family Travel .

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Bali With Kids: A Family Friendly 1 Week Itinerary

Bali, Indonesia always struck me as a place for couples and solo travelers but probably because that’s who I knew when I first heard about Bali. It was always on our list to visit someday but that day didn’t come until we were past the doting couple and had become doting parents. As good a time as any though.

Bali is very family friendly. From beaches to rice terraces, delicious food, and monkeys, there’s so many things to do in Bali and a lot that kids would enjoy too. We took a trip to Bali with my mother so it was a multi-generational adventure that met the needs of the foodie husband, the little lady, the adventurer in me, and my mom.

Plan a trip to Bali with kids:

What To Know

Where to stay, how to get around, why you should travel to bali with kids, one week itinerary in bali with kids, uluwatu temple, the turtle conservation and education center (tcec), ubud monkey forest, ubud art market, coffee farm, tirta empul temple, penglipuran village, petulu heron colony, the bali bird park, bali butterfly park.

(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.)

Bali is a province in Indonesia that includes the island of Bali as well as a few other islands including Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. This is the main tourist hub in Indonesia so it’s not off the beaten path by any means.

Inhabited from around 2000BCE, stone tools have been found dating back to this time period and inscriptions reveal that Bali was an independent nation where Buddhism and Shaivism were practised simultaneously. There is an immense history that you could dive into on your visit to the island.

Bali is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia today with almost 90% of the population practicing Balinese Hinduism. It is also part of the Coral Triangle which is an area with the highest biodiversity of marine species including fish and turtles.

In this area alone, there are 500 reef building coral species which is about seven times more than the entire Caribbean area. From history to culture and conservation and biodiversity, Bali, Indonesia makes for an incredibly educational and cultural place to visit with children.

When it came time to choose a place to stay, we chose to split our time between Nusa Dua and Ubud.

Westin Resort Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is to the south of the airport and has a nice beach and is away from the craziness of Kuta. Located in a gated resort area, it’s safe and has so much to do for kids at the Kids Club and they get to eat breakfast, have ice cream, and get drinks for free during their stay.

We split our time with a stay in Nusa Dua for the first half of the week and and then headed up to Ubud for the second half of our stay. It worked out really well for us. Learn more about why we think the Westin Resort Nusa Dua is the best place to stay with kids in Bali .

Book a stay at Westin Resort Nusa Dua on Booking.com or on Agoda.com or directly on Marriott.com

Element by Westin Bali Ubud

From Nusa Dua, we wanted to stay in Ubud at the eco-conscious Element Bali Ubud as well. Located inland, the area is known as the cultural heart of Bali and offers a completely different vibe from the coastal areas. We stayed at Element by Westin Bali Ubud staying with our Marriott family and had a great stay.

The hotel has great food, performances for diners, and very helpful and kind staff. They also have a great spa which we took full advantage of.

Book a stay at Element by Westin Bali Ubud on Booking.com or on Agoda.com or directly  on Marriott.com .

Hiring a driver is very budget friendly. Having seen the narrow roads that cut through the rice paddy fields and even cars that had run off of them into the fields, I can say without a doubt, I’m happy that I hired drivers to take us around when we wanted to get out and see different things.

I highly recommend hiring a driver for a day so that you can create your own itineraries if some of the things I suggest below aren’t for you. They’re flexible and can adjust to your needs.

We booked both specific tours as well as days with just a private driver through Klook while we were in Bali and had a fantastic time.

• All-In Bali Private Car Charter : Plan your own itinerary and choose a 6, 10, or 12 hour day. They can provide vehicles that fit groups up to 14 and drivers can speak multiple languages including English, Chinese, and Korean as well as Indonesian.
• Bali Private Car Charter Per Zone : Some areas of Bali are easier to navigate and some more difficult or further away. If you want to see a lot of a specific zone at one time, check out this option. It might make it easier to plan on your end.

• Family friendly resorts
• Balinese people are so friendly with kids
• Budget friendly food and plenty of options even for the fussy/picky eaters
• Immersive educational opportunity abound

We had loads of fun in Bali, but what I’ve learned about traveling with my kid… and husband, is that for every day we’re on the move, we need a day in between to chill. The great thing, as I mentioned above, is that you can hire a private driver in Bali and plan the days that you want to have.

This is important for families I think because any number of things can happen. Maybe you’ll want to stay longer here, or end up with an overstimulated kid and need to go home early. Get your own driver, and you can do what you like. Check out our itinerary below with how we put everything together and then plan your own trip.

After a day at the hotel beach and pool when we stayed in Nusa Dua, the Hindu temple named Uluwatu that dates back to the 11th century was the first place that we went to see on the island and was a great evening introduction into the culture of Bali. Called Pura Luhur Uluwatu locally, meaning ‘something of divine origin’, Uluwatu Temple is one of the key temples in Bali and is one of the most touristy temples in the area as well.

Perched atop a steep cliff 70 meters above the ocean, it provides gorgeous views especially if you head there in the evening to watch the sun set while you take in the Kecak Dance. Before all of that though, take the time to walk around the beautiful temple. Do be careful of the monkeys who reside at the temple, though, as they are drawn to anything shiny.

The Kecak Dance is a traditional performance that is performed regularly all over the island but it’s performed at Uluwatu Temple daily. Here you can see a traditional performance and a fire show. Very much for tourist benefit, the performance starts at 6:00pm and ends just after sunset.

There are around 75 dancers that head into the inner circle stage to present the Ramayana epic in elaborate costumes. It’s a stunning location and very exciting for the kids in tow.

• Address:  Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia
• Hours:  9:00am ~ 7:00pm
• Private Driver, Uluwatu Temple, Kecak Fire : This is the option we chose from our hotel in Nusa Dua. Our driver took us to and from the temple and waited for us while we were inside. We got admission included to the temple and saw the fire show.
• Uluwatu Kecak Fire Tickets : If you want to make your own way to the temple, you can also buy the tickets for the show separately.

Another great afternoon adventure we took while we stayed in Nusa Dua was to the Turtle Conservation and Education Center. The only legitimate turtle sanctuary in Bali, the TCEC at Serangan Island south  of Sanur is educating both the local people and schoolkids to help end the turtle trade and support conservation.

The center rescues hurt turtles and buys turtle eggs from local markets to try and encourage the public to stop consuming them. Then, they keep the eggs until they hatch into young turtles and at one month, to give them an edge, they are released. They hold back the runts and sickly babies until they are a bit stronger. Whether they should be released as soon as they hatch versus a month after is up for some debate in turtle conservation circles but TCEC follows advice from The Turtle Hospital, Florida.

Visit the center and you can see the baby turtles and injured turtles in pools. Walk around and you can learn about turtle conservation. Because the turtles are kept, visitors can “adopt” one to help release at the beach and this is the most touching there is but it is truly a special experience to have.

From the center, groups head out to a nearby beach. Turtle release happens from April to September. We had gotten to the center a bit late and didn’t realize what time release was done. They said we could still make it to the beach so we did a quick tour of the facilities before asking our taxi driver to take us to the designated beach area.

We met the educators at a beach and released our own turtle into the ocean. To do this, you should donate to the great things the organization is doing and then be apart of the beginning of the great journey these turtles are about to take. The taxi driver we had with us had never been to TCEC and didn’t know about the release of the turtles. He was so excited to join us when we went and cheered on our daughter as we let her be the one to release the baby turtle into the ocean.

• Address:  Jl. Tukad Punggawa, Serangan, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali
• Hours:  Monday and Tuesday: 9:00am ~ 5:00pm; Wednesday and Thursday: 9:00am ~ 4:00pm; Friday: 9:00am ~ 12:30pm; Saturday: 9:00am ~ 3:00pm
• Website:  https://tcecserangan.jimdofree.com/

Well known as the Ubud Monkey Forest among tourists, in Indonesian, this nature reserve and Hindu temple is called Mandala Suci Wenara Wana. A natural habitat for the Balinese long-tailed macaque, the forest sees over 10,000 tourists each month.

The park area is heavily forested and has quite a few steps and hills though is still fairly easy to walk through. We had a driver who took us to the Ubud Monkey Forest and Ubud Art Market for a day out from our hotel in Nusa Dua.

There are three Hindu temples on the grounds including Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, Pura Beji, and Pura Prajapati. The temples were all constructed around 1350 and as you take in the architecture, watch out for the very playful monkeys.

There are five different groups of monkeys in the park that have their own territories. There may be conflicts between the groups of monkeys, so try to stay aware and vigilant not to be between them. When there is a disturbance, staff will quickly come over to try and keep visitors safe.

The monkeys are very active during the day and because some of them can be bigger than your kids, watch them closely. One monkey grabbed on to our little lady’s dress and made her a bit nervous. We had talked with her before entering about how we can’t squeal or scream inside as that can get the monkeys riled up.

When she started showing discomfort, I had my husband pick her up while I preoccupied the monkey that had attached itself to her dress. The Ubud Monkey Forest is very fun and interesting to visit, but make sure your kids know how to act and watch over them just in case.

• Address:  Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
• Hours:  9:00am ~ 6:00pm
• Admission:  Weekdays: Adults: IDR80,000; Children: IDR60,000; Weekends: Adults: IDR100,000; Children: IDR80,000
• Website:  https://monkeyforestubud.com/

Located right in Ubud town, stop into this somewhat chaotic but thrilling market area. Get your souvenirs here if there are any that you’re looking for. Vendors may press but they’re not aggressive, generally just persistent. Feel free to negotiate a bit and get what you want for the price you’re looking to pay. Most of the goods you’ll find here are made in nearby villages Pengosekan, Tegallalang, Payangan, and Peliatan.

Since the Ubud Monkey Forest is just up the road, this was an ideal spot to stop to shop and then eat. There are a plethora of restaurants and cafes in the area to choose from.

• Address:  Jl. Raya Ubud No.35, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
• Hours:  Every day: 8:00am ~ 5:00pm

This temple was founded in 962AD around a natural spring that fills the various baths still today. Dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu God of water, Tirta Empul means ‘water gushing from the earth’. There are shrines to Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, and Mount Batur. One of the five of the holiest temples in Bali, people from all over visit to wash in the holy waters.

Walk through a large stone gate to the outer courtyard and take the intricate details of the statues in. The inner courtyard holds the main area of the temple and the most popular crystal-clear pools with 30 waterspouts. There are some changing rooms where you can keep dry clothes for after. Start in the pool to the left and bathe in each spout and then join the line for the next pool. There are two spouts that are only for the dead which you are prohibited from washing in.

After the purification pools, head to the other areas of the complex. A lot of visitors just head to the purification pools and then leave, but there are some beautiful places to see and a large pool with koi fish. This is an active temple, so do be respectful of worshippers.

There’s a great story about the creation of the temple. Be sure to look it up and share it with your kids before you go.

• Address:  Jl. Tirta, Manukaya, Kec. Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
• Hours:  Every day: 8:00am ~ 6:00pm

Home to traditional Balinese homes, this is a unique village where residents still maintain the philosophy of indigenous life. Vehicles are prohibited and as you walk down the clean paths, you’ll notice signs that welcome you into the homes that now also serve as restaurants and cafes. This was where we decided to have lunch.

• Address:  Jl. Penglipuran, Kubu, Kec. Bangli, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali
• Hours:  Every day: 8:15am ~ 6:30pm
• Admission:  Domestic tourists: IDR15,000; Foreign tourists: IDR30,000

The largest lake on Bali Island, Batur Lake is located at an altitude of 1,050 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Batur, an active volcano. Adventurous tourists will trek to the top of Mount Batur, but if trekking isn’t in the cards, a visit to Lake Batur with the mountain in the background is the way to go.

Resto Apung

Since we weren’t trekking Mount Batur anytime soon, we opted for a nice relaxing spot along the water for an afternoon coffee and snack. This floating restaurant also has a resort to stay in, but you can also just enjoy the scenery for a meal as well and I highly recommend it. We had the place to ourselves one afternoon as we took in the view before heading back to our hotel.

• Address:  P99Q+F2C, Jl. Kedisan, Songan B, Kec. Kintamani, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali

Since the 60s, and the massacres during that time, a huge number of herons started coming to nest in this village on the site of one such massacre. Known locally in Balinese as kokokan, the white plumed herons and Java pond herons feed all over the island and return to Petulu in the late afternoon to spend the night in the village’s giant fig trees.

We walked to the Ceking Rice Terraces of Tegallalang just north of Ubud to watch the herons return for the evening. As you walk up the road, you can spot signs for a couple spots that are specifically open for bird watching. Head up and take a seat to watch the arrival. You want to get there a bit before sunset to enjoy the show.

• Address:  Petulu, Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali

A park with over 1000 birds that has breeding and conservation programs while educating the public. There are birds divided into seven different areas that recreate the natural habitats of the birds and include the misty jungles of Sumatra as well as Papua. It’s a really fun experience especially if your little one likes animals the way ours does.

• Address:  Jl. Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir Singapadu, Batubulan, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
• Tickets:  You can get tickets for Bali Bird Park online . If you purchase them online, you can get a discount on the entrance price.

Another popular activity in Bali is to visit a coffee plantation. A stop generally takes one to two hours and because there are quite a few, you can easily splice one into a day out. While you might think this isn’t as interesting for the kids in tow, I beg to differ.

Ours was traipsing through the tree lined paths, following our guide and had great fun when they were talking about Kopi Luwak Coffee and how it is… obtained, ahem. Our guide suggested a stop at Bali Pulina which we enjoyed, but if you want some other recommendations, check out KatiecafTravel’s great guide to coffee plantations in Bali .

Butterflies have always been mesmerizing for our little one who quite enjoyed getting caterpillars back home and watching then cocoon and become beautiful butterflies weeks later. Visit to see the diverse array of butterflies in all sizes and colors.

FYI, there are a couple different butterfly parks in Bali so make sure your driver knows where you want to go and what will fit in your itinerary for the day depending how everyone is feeling. The Kemenuh Butterfly Park is just 15 minutes from Ubud, while the Bali Butterfy Park in Tabanan is about an hour from Ubud. Plan accordingly. The World Travel Guy has some good info about each Bali butterfly park so you can see what you think about them each.

• Bali Butterfly Park: Br.Sandan Lebah, Jl. Batukaru, Sedandan, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali
• Kemenuh Butterfly Park: Jl. Ir. Sutami, Kemenuh, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali

You are ready for a family friendly adventure to Bali, Indonesia if you ask me. There are so many great things to do with kids in Bali. Plan a week, another week, and maybe another week if you can. It’s worth it!

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10 Days in Bali: The Perfect 10 Day Bali Itinerary For Your First Visit

last Updated: March 27, 2024 bali gili islands indonesia

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Heading to Indonesia and looking for the best Bali itinerary out there? Well, my island-loving, sunset chasing friends, I’ve cooked up just the thing – the perfect 10 days in Bali to help plan your trip!

Don’t miss this ridiculously-detailed Bali travel blog! You may wanna grab a notebook and pencil – this thing is jam packed with necessary information (just saying).

Bali is full of lush, green jungle. Palm trees swaying in the wind. All the tropical fruit you want and large, inexpensive coconuts (with the most delicious coconut water).

Trendy beach clubs and cafes. Idyllic sunsets. Impressive infinity pools. I could go on and on. Bali’s a living postcard. That ultimate Indonesian fantasy-land you’ve been dreaming about for oh so long. And plus, you get a lot for your money, too!

I knew Bali was special (hey, there’s a reason why people go and never return). I just didn’t realize how special it was until I visited the island (and it’s surroundings) myself.

It seems as if every other travel blogger/instagrammer to walk the earth has already spent considerable time in the area, and I was determined to find out why everyone raves about it so dearly.

*I was also a tad worried the entire island would be overrun with “influencers” taking photo after photo of themselves for hours on end (it’s got a bad rep for that), but I was pleasantly surprised.

Yes, I encountered a few groups of this, but thankfully there is just SO much to explore on the island it’s easy to escape the intense mobs of photo takers.

So with that being said, if you’re planning your own trip to Bali, you’re in for a real treat.

And if you don’t wanna plan it yourself (truuuust me, there’s TONS to do and a crazy amount of places to see it all gets overwhelming in approximately .23 seconds), feel free to use my (ridiculously-detailed) Bali itinerary below.

It’s the exact one we followed this past July, and quite honestly, other than wishing we had a few more days, there’s nothing I would change. 

Got a bit less time? This 10 day Bali itinerary can easily be modified for a well-rounded 7 days in Bali if you’ve only got yourself a week. Sadly, take out the few days in the Gili islands and you’ve got yourself a 7 day Bali itinerary.

Have longer than 10 days in Bali? Well, lucky you! We had a little more than 2 weeks in Indonesia, so snuck in a few days over at Komodo National Park to see the dragons, bask on a pink sand beach, and snorkel with manta rays and sea turtles. I’ll be writing allllll about that experience soon, so keep your eyes peeled! EDIT: Read for the most amazing trip to Komodo.

But first, a pre-travel guide to Bali to learn a bit about the island and what to expect when you’re there.

MAIN REGIONS VISITED ON THIS ITINERARY:

• Ubud (3 days)
• Jimbaran/Uluwatu (2 days)
• Gili Islands (3 days)
• Seminyak/Canggu (2 days)

This Bali itinerary starts in Ubud (the farthest spot from the international airport – on purpose), heads south to Jimbaran/Uluwatu, a quick boat ride east to the Gili Islands (technically not part of Bali, but a wonderful addition to any Bali itinerary), and ends in Seminyak/Canggu.

There are so many different areas on the island to explore, but this 10 day Bali itinerary is a great mix of lush, jungly Ubud, trendy Canggu cafes, fire culture in Uluwatu, and a good amount of beach/pool time in Jimbaran and Gili .

Where in the world is Bali anyways, you ask?

Not to sound all textbook-ey, but Bali is an island located in the Indonesian archipelago, to the west of Lombok and east of Java. And nope, although many think it is, Bali is actually NOT a country – it’s part of Indonesia!

Many visitors who visit Indonesia only make it to Bali, so the whole country/island thing is kiiiinda understandable. But geography is important, so just remember that Bali is in fact NOT a separate country! 🙂

Currency and Exchange Rates in Bali and Indonesia in General

Bali (and Indonesia in general) uses the Indonesian Rupiah, with the exchange rate being approximately 15,600IDR = ~$1USD – or, which is even more confusing, 1IDR = ~$0.000066USD (as of February 2024).

I recommend using a currency converter (such as XE Currency on your cell phone or a currency converter on the web) to get the most up to date currency exchanges for all forms of currency. 

Converting prices in our head was confusing to say the least, but after a few days we got the hang of it quite quickly. I found it easy to think in 150,000s, since that’s approximately equivalent to ~$10USD (so therefore, 75,000 rupiah = ~$5USD).

You will notice that many locals/shop owners/restaurant menus simply leave off the thousand, and speak in hundreds. For example, 100,000 rupiah would be spoken/written as 100 (so if you see a meal of mie goreng for 75 rupiah, you won’t be paying 5cents, but $5.) 

Note that you may find that many ATMs are broken/don’t accept your bank card. Don’t fret – there are rows of ATMs from different companies in order to compensate for this. You’ll be able to find tons of ATMs in Bali’s most populated areas, and I bet at least one of them will work!

I read online to use caution when using the ATMs as some can be untrustworthy, but we had no issues with our bank cards.

Some restaurants and higher-end stores/shops take credit cards, but it’s wise to always have some cash available for market shopping, eating at local warungs, getting that spontaneous $7 massage on the street, etc.

How to get the best exchange rate: I always suggest you take out local currency at ATMs upon arrival and never ever through an exchange desk or beforehand in your home country. ATMs provide the best exchange rate, always.

I always take out cash at an ATM at the airport upon arrival in the new country I’m visiting. And if you want to avoid those pesky ATM fees every time you take out cash, simply look into a no-fee debit card, such as through Charles Schwab (which I have and love).

Language in Bali/Indonesia

First things first, English is widely spoken in Bali. We were surprised at just how many locals knew an impressive amount of English, and thus we didn’t need to use any Indonesian/Balinese during our 10 days in Bali at all.

Of course, since tourism is so prevalent, it’s understandable for Balinese to speak a level of English to communicate with tourists, but so many spoke rather advanced English as well. Coming from someone who only knows one language, I was quite impressed!

We met a few drivers who were keen on practicing their English, so you might run into some extra chatty ones!

Just so you’re aware, the national language is Indonesian, with many locals living on Bali speaking Balinese (and yes, they’re separately languages!). 

WHEN TO VISIT BALI:

Before planning a trip to Bali, it’s important to understand its weather patterns. Bali experiences two distinct seasons, the dry season (April to October) and the rainy season (November to March).

And since Bali is oh so close to the equator, you’ll find day time temperatures relatively constant year round, between the mid-80s and low-90s, making for decent sightseeing temps no matter the season.

If you’re looking for comfortable temperatures and little to no rain, I highly suggest you visit during the dry season, which is actually Bali’s winter. Don’t be put off by “winter”, as the temperatures are still in the 80s (and clear and sunny) almost every day!

However, this picture-perfect weather is high season (for good reason), causing hotel prices to rise, especially during July and August. For slight discounts on accommodations, try visiting just before/after high season in May-June/September-October.

And just for the record, my research states that Bali encounters a tremendous amount of rain during its rainy season, bringing high humidity and unrelenting mosquitos. My advice – just visit during Bali’s dry season and you’re good to go. 🙂

Top Tip #1: Regardless of the month you’re planning to embark on your 10 or 7 day Bali itinerary, the sun will set around 6-6:30pm. Since the island is so close to the equator, both sunrise and sunset times don’t vary much.

Because of this, plan to wake up early to take full advantage of the daylight. One benefit to an early sunset – you’ve got no excuse not to watch it every single night (which is oh so different to visiting Norway in the summer with sunsets past 10pm)!

Top Tip #2: If you’re planning on visiting other countries nearby, do keep in mind that the dry season is quite opposite from other Southeast Asian countries. Do your research ahead of time to avoid unpleasant wetness (with possible monsoons) in other areas.

Health and Safety in Bali

HEALTH : 

Water : Do note that you absolutely cannot drink the water in Bali; you’ll find that all hotels/restaurants provide fresh drinking water (either bottled or from large treated water jugs). Because of the unsafe water, Bali belly is quite common – which is just a fancy name for food poisoning.

I encountered some minor gastro issues during our trip (bloating, frequent bathroom visits – hey, just being real!), but it thankfully cleared up without any medication in 1-2 days.

You may want to ask your doctor for a prescription of Ciprofloxacin for serious travelers diarrhea in case you find yourself with any disturbing stomach issues. We always pack immodium as well, just in case.

Vaccinations : The CDC states that all travelers to Indonesia should be up to date on routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus, chickenpox, pollo, flu shot). In addition, it’s also wise to get the Hep A, Hep B, and typhoid vaccination as well (some of these are good for years, so if you plan to do a lot of traveling to other undeveloped countries, you’ll probably need them there – might as well get them now and keep yourself protected always).

As always, talk to your doctor.

Malaria : Thankfully there’s no worry for malaria in Bali, but if you’re visiting Komodo National Park (like we did later on during our trip), you’ll need to consider taking malaria pills. Talk to your doctor about this first of course.

Travel insurance : Yes, you need this. I always recommend purchasing travel insurance before your trip. You never know what might happen (flight delays, lost baggage, illness), and travel insurance definitely helps with all of those unfortunate unexpectancies.

I highly recommend the company SafetyWing (which thankfully includes pandemic coverage) and ALWAYS buy a short term plan (depending on how many days/weeks we’ll be away) before we leave for any trip!

Even if you don’t end up using it, peace of mind is 100% worth it in my opinion. Find plan options and pricing here (and at only a few bucks a day, there’s no excuse not to!) I always say, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford your trip. It’s that easy.

Not convinced you should be using travel insurance? Check THIS out, I explain it in much more detail over there.

SAFETY : 

We felt safe the entire duration of our stay in Bali, and used the typical precautions we normally do (no flashing expensive items/electronics, stayed together at night, knew about possible scams). 

And while we’re talking about staying safe, keep in mind that driving in Bali is kinda crazy to say the least, so don’t plan on renting a scooter unless you’re extra confident and can call yourself an expert bike driver.

No visa is required for U.S. citizens traveling to Bali (and Indonesia in general) as long as a valid tourist passport and proof of onward travel is in possession, and you’re traveling to the country for 30 days or less.

How to Get to Bali

Most international flights arrive in southern Bali at Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport, airport code DPS), many with layovers in neighboring/nearby countries.

Our flight stopped in Taipei, Taiwan, which we would have decided to make into an extra long layover to explore the city if we hadn’t already done that on our previous trip to Thailand . Why not get some time in another country if you’re already there, am I right?

I like using Skyscanner and Google Flights to check for prices. For reference, we chose to fly premium economy (between regular economy and business class), and paid around $1,500 per person on China Airlines round trip from the West Coast USA during Bali’s prime season of July.

If your dates are more flexible (and your husband will put up with standard economy class) you can surely find cheaper airfare, although we did not have this luxury. For reference, I commonly see roundtrip economy flights from San Francisco for around $800, with flights as cheap as $550 occasionally! 

How to Get Around Bali

Although the island isn’t toooo large, it’ll still take a decent amount of time to get from place to place. What I initially didn’t realize is that there aren’t many roads from east to west on some parts of the island, so although two spots look relatively close on a map, you may need to first travel south in order to actually get north. 

And boy oh boy is that Bali traffic a thing – a few miles will mostly take the good portion of a half hour (or hour!), so plan accordingly and leave extra time if you have reservations anywhere/need to get somewhere at a certain time.

I’ll explain in more detail as I go day by day on our exact Bali itinerary below. However, if you’re on a bike/scooter you can bypass some of this traffic.

We originally thought we’d be able to use Grab (similar to Uber), and downloaded it ahead of time planning to use it to get around (between areas and within towns as well).

HOWEVER, we ended up only using the Grab app ONCE our entire trip, from the airport to Ubud (for about $28) our first day. Since it didn’t work in multiple areas (specifically within Ubud and Canggu), private drivers through WhatsApp were our saving grace.

We were able to use taxi stands on the street (bargain for a reasonable rate) when we didn’t have any numbers and/or just wanted to go short-ish distances. Do not rely solely on Grab as you’ll be thoroughly disappointed and frustrated. 

ELECTRICITY :

Bali uses a different type of electrical outlet as found in the USA – the round two-pin plug (type C/F), commonly found in parts of Europe. Get your worldwide travel plug adapter here (which you can use on other trips around the world as well).

It’s also important to understand that the amount of voltage is different and you’ll need a converter (different than an electrical adapter) to change the amount of electricity pushed to each device if you plan on bringing anything which uses an excessive amount of power (including hair dryers, curling irons, and/or straightening irons). 

If you don’t want to worry about this, I suggest you invest in dual-voltage devices made especially for travel like this dual-voltage blow dryer , dual-voltage mini straightener , and this dual-voltage curling iron .

WHERE TO STAY IN BALI: (MORE INFO ON EACH ONE THROUGHOUT ITINERARY BELOW)

Ubud : Komeneka at Tanggayuda and/or Maya Ubud Resort and Spa ( we stayed at both )

Jimbaran : Ayana Resort and Spa Bali

Gili Air : PinkCoco Gili Air

Seminyak : The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel

A note on Bali hotels, resorts, and hospitality in general: Bali is the place to go all out, because you can likely afford it here. While there’s accommodation of all price points, we found 5-star hotels for ~$250-300 a night, which is the same price we paid for a 3-star hotel night in Boston just a few weeks prior.

Many of these luxurious resorts include a whole slew of extras, making the price more than worth it (free breakfast, infinity pools, complimentary afternoon tea time, shuttle service, private plunge pools, etc). And oh, the people! Never in all our travels have we experienced such wonderful hospitality anywhere else in the world.

The authenticity and graciousness of those in Bali was an unexpected surprise, as we found everyone we encountered to be extra helpful, overly polite, and always cheerful with a smile on their face. 

WIFI AND STAYING CONNECTED

Although you will most likely have wifi at your accommodation, it’s a good idea to bring along a pocket-sized personal WiFi hotspot , to keep you connected during your time in Bali. WiFi hotspots are a cost effective option to ensure you can use GPS apps like Google Maps, check your emails, and catch up with friends and family while away.

With this portable device , you’ll have WiFi wherever you go (even if your phone doesn’t have service), unlimited internet (on up to five devices at a time!!!), and it’s fast and reliable. At less than $9 a day, this device can’t really be beat.

Note that some cell phone plans allow for international use, but many of these are costly. I accidentally turned on my phone service for LESS THAN 2 MINUTES and got charged $150 by my phone carrier! I desperately wished I had a personal WiFi hotspot with me then!

Find more information and plan options here . HIGHLY RECOMMENDED especially when you don’t speak the native language of the country you’re visiting. A true life saver.

Foods to try in Bali:

• snake fruit: kinda like an appley-tasting fruit, quite good!
• Balinese steamed cakes: made out of rice flour with a wide array of fillings, wrapped in a banana leaf 
• Mie Goreng : A classic Indonesian dish consisting of fried noodles, served with your choice of vegetables, chicken, shrimp or pork.
• Nasi Goreng: very similar to Mie Goreng, but fried rice instead of noodles.
• Sate : meat skewers, including chicken sate, fish, lamb. All with their famous peanut sauce (my favorite)
• Nasi Campur : mixed rice dish that comes with a simple selection of steamed rice and side dishes including steamed Long beans, meats, vegetables, peanuts, eggs, and fried-shrimp krupuk

• Balinese coffee: it’s quite strong and usually drank black!
• Babi Guling: suckling pig; a combination of crispy pork skin, pork blood sausage, pork roll, and fried pork meat and has a reputation for being Bali’s national dish.
• Bebek Bengil: crispy pig, literally translated to “dirty duck”, deep fried to a crispy finish.
• Prawn crackers : not my favorite, but they’ll be served at every meal so you’re bound to run into them on more than one occasion 
• Lemongrass and ginger drinks 
• Allll the fresh juices 
• Whole fresh coconuts : I had the best coconut water in Bali, in the largest coconuts I’ve ever seen, for the cheapest price (way larger than those I got in Panama, and for ⅓ the price!)

WHAT TO BRING TO BALI:

• Because of its hot, sticky climate, you’ll want light, airy clothing.
• Appropriate clothing for temples: Long pants, shoulder covered shirts, shawls. Do note that sarongs/shawls are provided (either for rent or for free) at all the temples we visited. Feel free to bring your own if you wish, although FYI, you still may be required to use one from the site.
• Comfy footwear- you’ll be walking ALOT! We both got basic black canvas tevas before our trip, and although I didn’t wear them much (husband wore them a lot), I can say when I did put them to use my feet were always well-protected and comfortable (I even went hiking in them in Komodo once on some pretty rough terrain [post coming soon]).
• Sandals/bathing suits for the islands
• Personal WiFi HotSpot Device

10 Day Bali Itinerary

In a nutshell: Ubud (3 days) → Jimbaran/Uluwatu (2 days) → Gili Islands (3 days) → OPTIONAL: Komodo National Park (3 days) → Seminyak/Canggu (2 days) → departure from DPS

This itinerary will supply a full 10 days in Bali, meaning that it’ll start on your first FULL day in Bali. Do note that for a full 10 days, you’ll most likely need a good 12 days or so for your trip, as the flight is quite long and you’ll be going over the international date line if you’re coming from the states. 

First off, FLY TO BALI (DPS)! 

The airport you’re looking for is Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport, airport code DPS). The flight is long from most parts of the world (a whopping 18 hours or so of flight time from the West Coast USA, and a bit less around 12-17 hours from Europe, depending where you’re flying from) without many inexpensive direct flights, but I promise you, a trip to Bali is well worth it! 

Psst – check out Skyscanner and set up price alerts to snag the best deal.

Do note that you’ll be crossing the international date line if you’re traveling west (USA to Bali), which means you’ll lose a full day, besides travel time (we actually lost the Fourth of July on our flight!). But dontchu worry – this just means you’ll arrive home the same day you depart when headed back home at the end of your trip, even with all those hours of travel.

Part I: 3 DAYS IN UBUD

*Where we stayed in Ubud: Komaneka at Tanggayuda and Maya Ubud Resort and Spa

There’s a million and 5 places to stay in Ubud – and each one looks amazing. Talk about difficulty choosing just one (and I’m already an indecisive gal)! Because of this, we decided to split our time in Ubud (4 nights) at two different hotels (at different locations near/around Ubud) for 2 nights each. And this ended up being the perfect decision.

Plus, I kinda thought staying at the same hotel for 4 nights would get kinda monotonous when there were so many others to check out. We adored both for different reasons, which I’ll share below:

Komaneka at Tanggayuda : To make things short and sweet, we loved absolutely EVERYTHING about this 5* boutique hotel. From breakfast overlooking the absolutely gorgeous infinity pool and complimentary afternoon tea, to the lush grounds of the resort and tropical fruit trees found just about everywhere, there’s not much we would change.

Upon first glance the resort doesn’t look to be all that, but trust me, as soon as you start wandering around you’ll see what I mean.

We opted for the 1 bedroom villa with a private pool and valley view which cost us roughly $300 per night (an absolute bargain for the place – you’ll see).

To be completely honest, we kind of wished we had stayed an extra night at the Komaneka as we didn’t allow for enough time to fully enjoy the resort (as we were out and about each day).

Do note that this luxe resort is located roughly 25 minutes north of Ubud center, so you’ll need to arrange for a driver/taxi if you want to head into town (which is why we chose to stay closer to town the next few nights, at Maya Ubud – more details below).

Also note that you’ll find other hotels within the Komaneka brand in other places near Ubud, so be careful when booking if you want to stay exactly where I did. I cannot speak to the service or grounds of the others (as we did not stay elsewhere), but if they’re on par with Tanggayuda, I bet they’re top-notch as well. Read reviews and check prices here.

Maya Ubud Resort and Spa : The Maya Ubud had suuuuch a different vibe than the Komenaka (not a good or bad thing, it was just different). For starters, it was oh so much larger, but also (possibly because of this) a bit more standard-hotel feely, but still wonderful nonetheless.

The gardens were magnificent, the infinity pools impressive, and the service impeccable. We were generously upgraded to a private pool villa (not exactly sure how that happened, but thanks!), and to say I enjoyed our private outside space at Maya Ubud is an understatement. 

Since the Maya Ubud is pretty close to Ubud Town (a tad east), there’s a complementary shared shuttle running throughout the day to the center of town (taking roughly 10 minutes or so).

We used it quite a bunch and found the service very convenient. If you miss the shuttle or don’t feel like waiting, the walk to Ubud Town is only about 20-25 minutes – but remember it’ll be hot out!

Although we loved most aspects of the hotel, the spa (and flower bath in particular) really did it for me. Imagine soaking in a tub full of rose and frangipani flowers with calming river views… I was obsessed after 5 minutes.

I’ll explain my experience in a bit more detail during the itinerary, but just know that I highly encourage any bath lover to give it a try! Read reviews and check prices here.

Day 0 | Arrival into Bali, and head to Ubud

Use this first day for arrival into Bali, as it’s very possible that you’ll arrive a bit later on in the day (depending on where you’re coming from of course). 

And if you decide to follow this Bali itinerary to a T (all heavily researched and 100% tested by us!), you’ll be heading straight to Ubud from the airport!

Thankfully we were easily able to use the Grab app to hire a driver/car to drive us straight to the Komaneka at Tanggayuda (where we stayed first near Ubud), which cost us roughly $28 for the 2 hour drive.

Since we didn’t land until 3pm-ish, and with a bit of that infamous Bali traffic, we arrived to our hotel near Ubud around 5:45pm or so. If you are lucky to have an earlier flight, I highly recommend hanging by the pool for a bit, watching your first Bali sunset, and enjoying dinner at the Komaneka.

I wouldn’t suggest heading into Ubud Town your first night if you’re staying where we did, as you’ll most likely be especially tired (and the food at the Komaneka is quite tasty!).

Where we slept: Komaneka at Tanggayuda 

Important Note on Day 1 and 2 : The traffic in and around Ubud (and Bali in general) can be horrendous. As you’ll notice on Day 2 of this Bali itinerary, we actually didn’t make it to all of our intended spots due to crazy amounts of unforeseen traffic.

Don’t be upset – it’s all wonderful and no reason to ruin your entire day/trip over. Just understand that you may need to be a bit more go-with-the-flow than normal.

→ Read Next: The Perfect 3 Days in Ubud

Day 1 | Day Trip to East Bali

It’s your first full day in Bali, so it’s time to wake up and explore! Use the jetlag to your advantage and plan for an early morning wake-up call (5AM to be exact) to head out to the eastern parts of Bali.

We chose to hire a private driver to take us to Lempuyang Temple, Taman Tirta Gangga, Tibumana waterfall, and Pura Tita Empul (in that order).

Note that we chose to book through AirBnB experiences , and were able to choose exactly where we wanted to go. Our guide took great photos of us and we had the best time with him.

And psst – if you sign up for AirBnB through my link , you’ll get $15 off any experience of at least $50 (so if two people go that discount will work!). If you choose the same spots as we did, just know that you’ll need to pay all entrance fees as they are not included (roughly $10 per person).

If you don’t feel like signing up for AirBnB (it’s not that difficult I promise), this tour is very similar and takes you to the famous Lempuyang Temple, water palace, a waterfall, rice fields, and ends with the famous Bali swing.

We got picked up by our driver before the sun even rose, getting an early start of 5AM. And since we traveled to the furthest stop first (roughly 2 hours away), we were able to sleep/rest a bit in the car!

Perrrrfect! I have to admit, it was oh so nice having a local drive us around, especially considering the roads seemed a bit confusing. We didn’t have to worry about a thing – and we loved it!

Oh right, breakfast! Since the Komaneka at Tanggayuda includes breakfast, they boxed up a to-go breakfast for us to enjoy on our tour to East Bali. We ate it during our time at Lempuyang Temple, while our guide waited on line for us (more info on that below).

Stop #1) Lempuyang Temple

First stop – Lempuyang Temple! I guarantee you’ve seen numerous photos of this Hindu temple, primarily due to it’s famous gates, the Gates of Heaven, with perfectly framed views of the Agung Volcano. It’s pretty iconic of Bali, and it’s absolutely gorgeous (especially with that early morning light).

The Lempuyang complex is actually comprised of 7 different temples (with TONS of steps), so just plan on doing the first and most popular one if you don’t plan on spending all day there. 

Lempuyang Temple, also known as Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang (yes, it’s a mouthful), is one of Bali’s oldest and most highly regarded temples in the entire country. Please be respectful and read below.

• Once you arrive, you’ll need to rent a sarong to wear (yes, no matter if you’re already wearing a long skirt or pants). Since Pura Lempuyang is a sacred place, sarongs are custom, so just wear one willingly and be respectful. Covering your shoulders is also required, so plan on bringing along an extra shawl, cardigan, or simply, just wear a tee shirt like I did.
• No kissing or close physical touch is allowed at the temple. My husband kept forgetting and I had to literally shoo him away! 

I’ll let you in on a little secret – the reflection is fake. Yup, those photos you see (here and elsewhere)- one lie after another. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t get the obligatory photo for ourselves – of course we did.

We’re just happy we didn’t actually wait on the horrendously long line (our guide thankfully did while we were off exploring other parts of the temple/eating our breakfast boxes).

Just another reason to take a tour; I’m guessing most tour guides stand in line for their guests. If you need to wait for yourself and arrive at the temple around 7am or so like we did, just know the line will probably take at least an hour. Plan accordingly. 🙂

*Note: Pura means temple. 🙂

Stop #2) Taman Tirta Gangga (water palace)

Tiered fountains. Stone sculptures of mythical creatures. Giant lily pads. Girls in flowy dresses. And all the hungry koi fish you can think of. Yes, we’re talking about Bali’s water palace – Taman Tirta Gangga. This former royal palace is one of East Bali’s most famous sights, and breathtaking it is.

Make sure to buy some fish food at one of the little stalls before the ponds (5,000IDR). 

Although we overall enjoyed this stop, it was pretty crowded already when we got there, and taking decent flattering photos without tons of other in the frame proved relatively difficult.

You’ll see what I mean with the stepping stones and people going opposite directions when you visit. Lots of people here to get that instagram shot.

Stop #3) Tukad Cepung Waterfall – or – Tibumana Waterfall 

Put on your bathing suit, because it’s waterfall time! There are a whole slew of waterfalls in and around Ubud, so you’ve definitely got a few to choose from.

I had originally wanted to head to Tukad Cepung, which I heard is really cool with sunbeams shining through a cave, but our guide warned us that it’d be exceptionally crowded.

He instead suggested Tibumana, which was actually on my list as well (for another day), so we agreed and are so thankful for his honesty! 

After an easy walk down on some bamboo bridges and stairs (took about 10-15 minutes or so), we were greeted with not only a beautiful swimming spot, but a crashing waterfall amongst so much lush greenery. And hardly any people, which makes sense considering it’s deep in the jungle. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves:

Stop #4) Pura Tita Empul (water temple) 

Not to be confused with the Water Palace, Pura Tita Empul (also known as the Water Temple), is a completely different thing, so don’t miss it during your 10 days in Bali! Being one of the largest and busiest water temples in all of Indonesia, you’ll want to do your part in being respectful by wearing a provided sarong within the complex. 

Forget about selfies here – take it all in, observe the rituals, and do yourself a favor and just watch. By visiting this Hindu Balinese water temple, you get to experience the culture firsthand by watching Hindu devotees purify themselves in a bathing ritual. And boy were the holy springs a sight to be seen. 

Visitors can bathe as well (and we saw a few do so), but since we are not believers of Hinduism, we didn’t feel right participating in the cleansing ritual. Note that there’s an additional charge for this as well, and you’ll need to be dressed from head to toe so bring an additional change of clothes if you plan to bathe in the holy waters.

Our guide showed us around the complex — it’s actually quite large; the purification pools are just one part!  We also saw a koi pond, the inner courtyard, and tons of Hindu shrines.

Back to the Komaneka (or your hotel of choice)

We got back to the Komaneka around 3ish or so, giving us a few hours of sunlight to enjoy the hotel’s luxurious infinity pools, have a late lunch and complimentary tea and snacks, and just relax from our first day of activities.

Remember, the sun sets around 6pm (every night no matter the season), so if you want some pool time, be sure not to cram in toooo much on this first day. We had some dinner before heading to the spa for our first (of many) Balinese massages.

Day 2 | Day trip to North Bali

Psst (logistics tip): If you’re following this itinerary exactly to a T (or switching hotels tonight like we did), be sure to put things in the trunk of your private car so you don’t need to go back to hotel #1 just to move your bags to hotel #2. We kept everything we brought to Indonesia with us in the trunk for the entire day and felt completely safe doing so.

Today’s another busy day, so wake up, grab some coffee and breakfast at the hotel, and hit the road! We decided to hire another private driver for the day to experience northern Bali (through the same AirBnB experience as the day before), and it was a great decision!

This Northern Bali private tour takes you to a bunch of the same spots if AirBnB’s just not your thing. 

→ Using AirBnB? Remember to sign up via this link to save $$$ off your first activity!

Although we didn’t get to visit all our intended spots (that traffic I tell ya, it’s the worst!), I’ll list them all out for you below. Hopefully you have better luck than we did!

Stop #1) Tegalalang rice terraces and Bali swing, coffee/tea tasting 

There’s a reason everyone visits Ubud , and the rice terraces are it. Ridiculously scenic, this terraced hillside is covered in rice paddies among rice paddies, as far as the eye can see. Do not miss it. I repeat – do not miss it.

As soon as we arrived, we couldn’t stop admiring all the greens – we were just wowed the entire time. Being surrounded by lush green rice terraces on all sides of you is just something you don’t forget. Ever. Our guide took us wandering throughout the fields, while explaining a bit about the process of harvesting the rice as well. 

Choose to visit early in the morning, as not only will the lighting be better for photos, but you’ll beat the crowds – there was hardly anyone else there when we visited around 8:30am! I honestly couldn’t believe it! 

We opted to do the famous Bali swing over here too, costly roughly $15 for fantastic views of the rice fields. There were other options to do the swings over near the area we stopped for coffee, which seemed much more crowded and I’m guessing costly.

We were unfortunately unable to visit the following due to Bali’s mad traffic, but here’s a bit of info I had researched ahead of time.

Stop #2) Lake Beratan Temple (Ulun Danu) 

This temple is located on an island completely surrounded by water, which makes it quite picturesque, especially with it’s manicured gardens nearby. And if you’re up for it, you can even take a boat out and view the temple directly from the water (I’ll be doing that next time I head to Bali). 

However, do note that since the lake is considered holy, you cannot swim in it (although renting a boat is fine). Some people say it’s kinda a tourist trap and filled with swarms of visitors, so research a bit more to decide for yourself if you wanna stop.

Stop #3) Handara Gate (Balour Balinese Gate of Handara)

It’s a gate you guys – a gigantic, exotic looking traditional Balinese gate, with lush, smoky green hills as it’s backdrop.

As such, it’s one of the most iconic photos you’ll see of Bali, with special thanks to instagram. Because of this, it gets rather crowded, so you’ll most likely need to wait in line to get THE photo.

Not many people realize this, but this gate, dubbed the pathway to serenity, is actually the entrance to a golf course! Yes, a golf course – the Handara Golf & Resort Bali to be exact! 

Stop #4) Banyumala Twin Waterfall

Like it’s name suggests, this ain’t just one stream of water – it’s a whole slew of falls in one. Girls we had met later on during our trip said the short hike down to Banyumala (10-15 minutes) was most definitely worth it, so be sure to add it to your Bali itinerary.

And make sure to wear/bring a bathing suit as you’ll most likely want to take a dip in the falls. We unfortunately missed out on this one! 

Stop #5) Wanagiri Hidden Hills

Yes, this stop at Hidden Hills is primarilyyyy for the cheesy IG photos, BUT if you’re following this day’s itinerary you’ll already be in the area – so might as well make a quick(ish) stop.

There are different sections within Wanagiri Hidden Hills, with each area having different set prices with different attractions. Most include a nest, a swing, and another type of bamboo lookout, with the bird cage and boat viewing post some of the more popular ones.

Once you’ve paid your entrance fee, you’re free to hang around for as long as you want taking photo after photo. Kinda cheesy, but hey, you’re in Bali – might as well take advantage and get some of those typical IG shots. And plus our tourism dollars help the locals make a living.

HOWEVER, you’ll find some of these photo opps at other attractions near Ubud. We saw a bunch earlier in the day at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces (where the above photo was taken) and then again at Leke Leke Waterfall, so don’t feel like you neeeed to stop at Hidden Hills if you’re not especially into it.

Because the traffic was SO bad, we didn’t make it to Lake Beratan, the Hadara Gate, Banyumala Twin Waterfall, and Hidden Hills. Yuuup, basically the rest on my itinerary.

We did however find a waterfall trek to do instead (Leke-Leke), which was a blessing since it got us outta the car for a while.

Since we missed out on so much of what the north has to offer, that’s definitely an area I’ll be visiting on my next trip to Bali (oh you better believe there’ll be a next time).

And I’d absolutely love to stay at Munduk Moding Plantation Nature Resort , which looks absolutely insane and beautiful all at once. Note that you can visit for lunch as long as you purchase a day pass in advance, but guests are not allowed on property otherwise.

If you have more time in the north, the Aling-Aling waterfall and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces all look worthy of your time. 

We spent the remainder of the day blissing out in our private pool at the Maya Ubud (after checking in of course) and stuffing our faces with fresh fruit juice and Balinese snacks.

Since we hadn’t checked out the restaurant scene in Ubud just yet (we had only really feasted at the Komaneka), we took the free shuttle into town and somehow got a table quite quickly at Hujan Locale for some innovative, modern Indonesian food.

So good and highly recommended, although it’s probably best to make a reservation in advance, as it was crowded and the restaurant is getting popular.

Where we slept: Maya Ubud

Day 3 | Wander around Ubud Town and Surroundings

Finally, a day to actually explore Ubud! After venturing east and then north, it’s about time we plant our feet and stick to the actual town!

Here’s how our day went – and I suggest you do the same as we hit up all the top places (IMO) in/near Ubud Town:

1) Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

I have to admit, after walking ⅞ of the way there, I almost backed out of visiting the Monkey Forest. You see, we came across monkeys in town before even getting to the sanctuary. Who knew the monkeys were everywhere surrounding the area?!

They were climbing on power lines above us, running on the sidewalk next to shops/restaurants, and were just waaaay too close for comfort in my opinion. But I faced my fears, kept on going, and in we went.

The actual experience (after calming myself down and giving myself a short pep talk) was a positive one, as the monkeys were thankfully very interested in their food and each other, and not us humans. And the babies! Quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve seen to date.

Keep your eyes wandering, as you’ll see monkeys above you in trees, running at your feet, jumping from here to there, etc. I was definitely on watch the entire time, constantly looking in all directions in order to keep myself aware of any nearby monkeys, as they just run around where they please.

Be sure to get past the beginning and into the actual forest – the grounds are so lush and beautiful, with a giant banyan tree over the river. Thankfully we didn’t see any monkeys jumping on people like I had heard about, but people we had met later on during this 10 day Bali itinerary said they lost sunglasses and hats, so be extra careful.

A few precautions when entering the monkey forest, as yes, they are wild animals and yes, there are a few ground rules to be aware of to protect yourself and everyone around you (including the monkeys):

• Leave your accessories behind; this includes sunglasses, hats, large earrings, etc. You never know – the monkey’s may snatch them!
• And on that note, if a monkey takes something of yours, its theirs to keep – aka, don’t attempt in getting it back. Monkeys will bite if they feel threatened.
• Forget feeding the monkeys, let alone bringing any food/water bottles into the park in general. The monkeys can smell food and will even open up bags/backpacks and go searching/stealing! 
• Never make eye contact with a monkey. They see this as a form of aggression, so never stare directly into a monkey’s eyes.
• Do not sit anywhere there are monkeys present. You’ll most likely find yourself with a monkey climbing on your shoulders (which I most definitely wouldn’t want).
• The baby monkeys are exceptionally cute; but just remember, wherever you see a baby, there’ll be a mama monkey nearby. Therefore, don’t get too close to the babies, as mamas may attack to protect their young. 

I was glad to learn that the Ubud Monkey Forest is more than just a tourist attraction. Apparently there’s tons of research (and conservation efforts) going on within the forest, mostly regarding the monkeys behavior and social interactions.

However, I’ve also read that some of the staff use possibly inhumane techniques in order to stop the monkeys from any bad behavior. Do your research ahead of time.

After congratulating myself for not getting eaten by a monkey, we made a pit stop at Habitat Cafe (so cute and trendy) for some well-deserved fresh juices and relaxation time.  

2) Ubud Traditional Art Market 

Color, clatter, commotion, chaos. That’s the market experience for ya! Anything you want to buy in Ubud, you’ll find at the market, that’s for sure.

The market specializes in traditional art and handicrafts, and I loved exploring the stalls tucked away in the little alleyways (get away from the main strip). Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, just wander and browse for a bit – it’s an experience (albeit rather crowded) in and of itself!

Although it’s quite chaotic, the alleyways of the Ubud market make for a fun time. Just be sure to haggle/bargain before purchasing! Even though I’m sure we paid a bit too much on several occasions, we would typically be able to get the shop owner to agree to less than half of their original asking price.

If they don’t agree to your price, just walk away, and they’ll quickly quote you less! They want your business – trust me , as there’s probably the same/similar items in the shop next door.

If you have an idea you’ll be buying a few items, it’s always cheaper to buy from the same stall – they’ll typically give you a multi-item discount. I say, browse a bit before buying anything, decide what in fact you want to buy, and find a stall that has everything you want. You’ll get the cheapest possible price that way.

I couldn’t leave the market without buying one of those trendy straw/rattan Bali basket bags – you know, the round ones you see all the influencers promoting on instagram?

Yup, the online companies sell them for $75-$85, but I got mine in Bali for $8. Can’t beat that. And another gorgeous handheld bamboo bag for $15ish (which I could have probably haggled down more).

But I always like to remember – the locals in the market make a living selling the products. An extra dollar or two (USD) doesn’t mean much to me, but it could get their family an extra meal or two. 

Things to buy: cotton sarongs, bamboo straws, the famous Bali bags, dream catchers, wood carvings, straw hats, crochet tops/bikinis, stackable storage boxes

LUNCH! We hit up Locavore To-Go for some meat sandwiches (a must!), Acai Queen for, you guessed it, acai bowls, and Frozen Yogi for a chilled dessert. We were on vacation – don’t judge us! 

3) Saraswati Lotus Temple, Ubud Centre

Next up, a quick stop at Saraswati Lotus Temple! We stopped by this temple for a few minutes, took a few pictures, and moved on with the show. It should be noted that tourists are not allowed to enter the temple, but it’s the stunning grounds that are the biggest draw for the crowds.

The main walkway was filled with lily pads on either side, although there were unfortunately no lotus flowers in the pond (which I heard there typically are).

4) Campuhan Ridge Walk at Sunset

After spending all day in the busy centre of Ubud, get outta there and into some nature! The Campuhan Ridge Walk is arguably Ubud’s best known trek, as it offers sweeping hilltop views and minimal crowds.

And plus, it’s not difficult at all – it’s more of a walk than a hike (I guess that’s why it’s called a ridge walk …). Anyone can do this lush, scenic trail, although there were a few steep steps at the very beginning and end.

If you aren’t planning on eating at The Sayan House (which you 100% should), I recommend walking the ridge walk just before sunset, which I believe would be absolutely gorgeous. We visited around 4:30, so the sun was already low in the sky making for some beautiful photos. And plus, it’ll be too hot to enjoy during the day.

Soooo we had a bit of trouble finding this place as we deliberately followed Google Maps like we always do – which got us to the general area, just a bit too far. We asked a worker in a nearby shop/hotel (I forgot) and they were able to direct us to the entrance – there’s no signs and the entrance is quite inconspicuous, so I’m not sure how others found it without help.

Sorry I can’t be of more assistance, 😉 But I promise, once you find it, it’s worth the hassle. It was about a 20 minute walk or so from the center of Ubud Town.

5) Dinner at The Sayan House 

This Japanese/Latin Fusion Restaurant is absolutely perfect for a date night (and ya gotta add in a few special nights to any Bali itinerary). :p 

Yes, it’s a little annoying to get to as it’s located a few minutes outta town (and not very walkable), but 110% worth it in my opinion. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the lush valley below, along with innovative cocktails, fresh fruit juices, and unusual dishes with unique flavor combinations.

Make a reservation for this place ahead of time (and ask for a table facing the sunset) because boy, it’s a showstopper. It’s wise to remember that the sun sets on the earlier side in Bali, so if you actually want to catch the sunset, you’ll need to arrive before/around 6pm.

We made a reservation for 6pm and ended up heading over early for sunset drinks at the bar area with breathtaking views of the rice terraces below as the sun was setting. Absolute perfection if you ask me.

6) Foot massages or Balinese Performance in town 

After getting massages in Thailand every single damn day, we made it our mission to repeat that in Bali. And while we didn’t meet the goal of alllll the days, we came pretty close. After dinner we ended up at Kristina Ubud Spa in town, and got foot massages for 80,000/ hr (which comes out to roughly $5.50USD). Can’t beat that price!

Note that you can opt to watch a traditional Balinese performance at the Royal Palace (Puri Saren) in Ubud Town if massages aren’t your thing (who are you?).

Since we were already planning on heading to Uluwatu Temple later on in the trip to see the Kecak Fire Dance, we skipped the performance in Ubud. (Starts at 7:30pm, costs 100,000IDR pp, length of 1 ½ hours).

Part II: 2 DAYS IN JIMBARAN/ULUWATU + (OPTIONAL) Day Trip to NUSA

*Where we stayed in Jimbaran: Ayana Resort and Spa Bali

I had originally wanted to spend our nights in Uluwatu (to take advantage of South Bali’s trendy beach clubs), but after booking ourselves at the Ayana , I’m glad we did.

Located in Jimbaran, about a half hour north of Uluwatu, it’s a bit more central to other spots in Bali and honestly, we didn’t need to leave the resort if we really didn’t want to.

The Ayana Bali has 4 pools (Ocean Beach Pool, River Pool, Upper Pool, and Lower Pool), numerous spots for sunset drinks, a whole slew of restaurants (albeit overpriced of course), a luxurious spa, and it’s own private beach club – Kubu Beach (which you need to take a gondola down to reach!).

I’ll explain in more detail below, since we happily spent a great deal of time at the resort. 🙂

Day 4 | Early Morning in Ubud, off to Jimbaran!

Teeeechnically you can head back into Ubud Town to finish exploring this morning if there’s more you wanna see, but we chose to enjoy some activities at Maya Ubud. 

Flower Bath at Maya Ubud

After a private breakfast by our pool, I headed to the spa for my flower bath. It seemed like the ultimate Bali thing to do, so I knew I couldn’t miss it during my 10 days in Bali. Yup, 30 whole minutes of pure serenity and relaxation, all with rose and frangipani flowers floating around me.

The flower bath was everything and then some – I could have stayed in there all day (minus the fact that my fingers were turning into a prune of course!). I honestly thought girls just did flower baths for the ‘gram, but I have to say, I left feeling super relaxed, hydrated, and tranquil. Didn’t hurt that I got a few cute pics outta it too. 🙂

Note that you can also make reservations ahead of time at Karsa Spa located near the Campuhan Ridge Walk if you want a flower bath experience and aren’t staying at Maya Ubud, which I definitely want to experience next time!

That morning, since my husband wasn’t participating in the flower bath, he headed to an early morning yoga class and then relaxed by the pool. If you’re staying closer to town, you can head to a class at the Yoga Barn which is apparently rather popular (although a bit overpriced I heard).

Head South to Jimbaran

After breakfast and activities at the resort (yoga, pool, spa), off to Jimbaran we went! Since we had taken a few taxi rides the previous day in Ubud, we managed to acquire a few WhatsApp #’s so scheduled for a pickup from Maya Ubud to take us to our next hotel – The Ayana Bali!

I don’t think Grab will work (the app didn’t work at all in Ubud at all), so definitely don’t count on that like we originally did. The trip took roughly 2 hours or so if I remember correctly, so plan to rest a bit in the car.

We used J Wayan at #+62 812-4608-156 to get from Ubud to Jimbaran. Tell him Jessica and Noah sent you!

We had originally wanted to stop at Bambu Indah for some lunch after reading some rave reviews, but I wasn’t feeling too hot (remnants of Bali belly, perhaps), so we went straight to The Ayana.

If you end up going, lemme know how it is! Bambu Indah is actually hotel known for its interesting architectural designs, completely made out of bamboo. Maybe next time we’ll decide to stay there!

Hang at Hotel/Sunset Drinks at Rock Bar

After an easy check-in process, go explore for a bit then head on down to Rock Bar for sunset drinks (psst – you’ll need to take the cliff-side gondola to get down)! Overlooking the Indian Ocean with the waves crashing onto the rocks, there’s really no better view for sunset, and because of this, it does get quite busy!

People who are not staying at the hotel are allowed to visit Rock Bar (with advance reservations), but if you’re a hotel guest of the Ayana , you’re VIP baby (you should get in just fine – no reservations needed)!

We headed down around 5pm for a 6:15ish sunset, got a bunch of drinks and appetizers, and just watched the sun set into the rolling ocean waves. I can see it being the perfect place for a romantic night out, especially if you snag one of the large plush beds like we did. 

If the Rock Bar doesn’t excite you (and ohhh, it should), I heard that Single Fin in Uluwatu is also great for sunset cocktails and dinner (but it’s 40 minutes away by car, so probably just easier to stay at the resort).

Where we slept: Ayana Resort and Spa Bali

Day 5 | Uluwatu/Jimbaran -or- Day Trip to Nusa Penida

Today’s choice day! Depending how you anticipate to be feeling (and if you booked yourself at a resort like the Ayana with tons to do), you can either:

→ 1) spend ½ day at the resort (beach/pool time) with a ½ day trip to Uluwatu Temple -or- 

→ 2) take a verrrry long day trip to Nusa Penida

If you think you’ll want a more relaxing day (after a few nonstop days of go-go-go), then trust me, take advantage of the resort pools and beach club, and leave Nusa for another trip.

However, if you can’t fathom coming all this way and not seeing Kelingking Beach, suck it up and head to Nusa Penida (I heard it’s gorgeous, yet the climb down/up is excruciating, especially in the heat). We had originally planned for the long day trip to Nusa (and even signed up for a tour ahead of time), but with my stomach acting up a bit and already feeling utterly exhausted, we desperately craved a beach day.

Use your judgement and think about what would be best for you. And if you’ve got an extra day, you could easily do both!

Choice 1: Resort Pool Day and Uluwatu Temple + Kecak Fire Dance

Pool + Beach Time

As mentioned, if you’re staying at a luxurious resort like the Ayana Bali, I can promise you’ll never find yourself bored. We got an early morning start at the Ocean Beach Pool, had breakfast overlooking the ocean, and loveddd the fact that no kids are allowed (sorry, kiddos, there’s other pools for you).

We then made our way to Kubu, Ayana’s private beach club for some more loungin’, before heading back to the room to get ready for our trip to Uluwatu Temple! You can also schedule some time at the spa for a treatment, play a bit of golf, or visit the ultra secluded (and hardly crowded during the day) River Pool, located near the private villas.

Trip to Uluwatu Temple

It’s not the temple itself per say that makes this place absolutely remarkable, it’s the magnificent location high up on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. The dramatic coastline of the Bukit Peninsula sure is something else. We could have stared at those rolling waves all day long. But you’re not just here for the views – you’ve got the Kecak Fire Dance awaiting you as well!

Since Uluwatu Temple is roughly 45 minutes away – without traffic, you’ll want to get picked up via private driver around 3:30pm to get there in time to purchase tickets and look around. Tickets to the Kecak Fire Dance performance go on sale at 5pm, and it gets crazy busy around this time.

Our driver graciously waited on line for us in order to get us tickets to the show so we could walk around the temple and admire the ocean and all those crazy waves. 

Do note that others have seen cheeky monkey’s at the temple – so just like in Ubud, be careful with your things as they are known to steal loose items from unsuspecting guests! We were surprised that we didn’t see a single monkey, especially considering how many people told us to watch out for them. But nevertheless, you’ve been warned!

Now, what is the Kecak Fire Dance you ask? Oh, it’s a whole lotta fun – with a huge cast of dancers and chanters interpreting the Hindu history in Bali, the show is quite funny (but I won’t give away any spoilers). I hiiiighly recommend reading the informational paper they hand out, as you’ll be wildly confused otherwise. 

This traditional Balinese dance show is performed every night at Uluwatu Temple as the sun is setting (at 6pm), which makes for an absolutely breathtaking evening. Since the temple is on a cliff directly facing the sun setting into the ocean, you can only imagine what a sight it’ll be.

And just FYI – the temple and performance area gets exceptionally crowded; don’t be one of the last to get seated or you’ll wind up sitting on the hard concrete floor (and trust me, they squeeze in as many people who buy tickets…).

*Note that if you hire a driver, make sure they stay during the show to take you back to your accommodation afterwards (you’ll have a hard time finding a ride otherwise). For reference, if I remember correctly, we paid 400,000 rupiah roundtrip for the two of us (excluding tickets to temple and show, which came out to be an additional 150,000 rupiah per person).

If you want to have it all planned out ahead of time, there’s a bunch of organized tours you can book before you land in Bali . If you don’t mind winging it a bit and leaving your luck up to chance, hire a private driver once you arrive (the day of or the day before).

Since we changed our plans last minute since I wasn’t feeling so hot, we didn’t have the option of booking in advance. Thankfully we had met a gal at lunch the day before who gave us her drivers WhatsApp number. If we didn’t have this number we probably would have unfortunately had to take an overpriced taxi from the hotel, and I would have wished we had booked an organized tour ahead of time. Check out private tours to Uluwatu and the Fire Dance here.

Choice 2: DAY TRIP TO NUSA

If you have your heart set on heading to Nusa Penida, today’s the best day on this Bali itinerary to do it! Just know it’ll be a verryyyyy long day regardless of who you book with, as you’ll first need to make your way to Sanur and then take a fast boat to the island.

Get ready for some rocky, bumpy roads, and possibly a sore back, as the roads are exceptionally treacherous on the island of Nusa Penida. 

But alas, the natural landscapes look breathtaking and I’ve heard the beaches are to die for (although you’ll have to work aka hike down…and then back up, for some of them)! However, coconut trees, sandy beaches, and turquoise blue water awaits!

On a day trip to Nusa Penida from Bali, you’ll visit the following spots: Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Crystal Bay, and Sampalan Beach. All tours are very similar and visit the most popular spots. We booked a tour very similar to this one , although as mentioned, decided to cancel it. The tour does hotel pickup, brings you to the fast boat, then hooks you up with a private driver on Nusa Penida for the rest of the day.

Since we unfortunately missed this day trip, I’m thinking we’ll spend a few days on the Nusa Islands (there’s 3 in total!) to really get a feel for the islands next time we visit Bali (sooner than later, fingers crossed)!

Part III: 3 DAYS ON THE GILI ISLANDS

The Gili islands are full of white sandy beaches, curious sea turtles, coconut palms, and more puka shells you’ve ever seen; it’s absolute paradise and then some. And being so close to Bali, you’d be crazy to miss out on these little islands during your stay in Indonesia, which is why I included it on this 10 day Bali itinerary!

I promise you – after a few busy days in Bali, the Gili’s will feel like a breath of fresh air since you don’t have to do much to have a good ole time here. Think pool, beach, snorkeling, fresh fish, lots of cheap Bintangs, and 1 hour massages for $7.

*You’ll need to decide which island you want to base yourself on (outta 3 main ones). We chose Gili Air, and loved our decision. For reference, there’s Gili Trawangan (commonly called Gili T), which is the largest, liveliest, and most developed island, with tons of late-night beachside parties and lots of drinking (apparently).

Gili Air, where we stayed, is a bit more low-key, but there’s still a whole slew of restaurants, bars, and relaxed nightlife (think listening to live music on the beach in some bean bag chairs while sipping some Bintangs – the local beer).

And finally there’s Gili Meno, the smallest of the islands, for those who just wanna get away from it all (it’s by far the quietest of the bunch without much nightlife).

Read Next: The Complete Guide to Gili Air (everything you need to know before visiting)

Where we stayed: PinkCoco Gili Air

To say we fell in love with the Pink Coco is a huge understatement. There’s just something about it that we found ourselves drawn to immediately. From all the pink accents to the breakfast overlooking the beach, it was the perfect place to rest our heads while on Gili Air.

And plus – all the staff were especially helpful and accommodating (when we had a mishap with our bags). It didn’t hurt that our room was just steps from the scenic pool, which was covered in palm trees and where we spent the bulk of our time while on the islands.

Day 6 | Jimbaran in early morning, then off to the Gili Islands!

Hey, it’s your last day at The Ayana Bali , so take fulllll advantage!

We decided to hit up the instagram famous River Pool, where electronics (yes, including phones, cameras, etc) are not allowed between the hours of 9am – 5pm (which they’re surprisingly crazy strict about – there’s even lockers for your phone at the entrance to the pool)…. Hence the need to go early to snap a few photos, of course!

I must admit that this was not my proudest moment, queueing up in the pool for a bunch of photos, but the water was warm and thankfully not tons of people were out when we arrived at 7:30am. By 8:30am, the place was swarming with instagrammers getting their perfect shot – and that was our cue to head on off to breakfast! 

Transfer to Gili Air 

Finish that hearty breakfast, because it’s time to pack up — we’re heading to the Gili Islands! Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Gili’s are not techhhhnically part of Bali, but since they’re so close (near the northwest coast of Lombok), it’d be an absolute shame to miss out on them. 

There are a few different boat/ferry companies to take you to the Gili Islands, but I highly encourage you to book with Blue Water Express . They are a very reputable company, and after experiencing some pretty rough seas (I still can’t believe we went out – those swells were insane), I’m sooo glad we didn’t take the public boat.

Yes, Blue Water Express is obviously more expensive, but so worth it to me for the 2-3 hour boat ride (plus free pickup at your hotel if I recall).

Although there’s usually an early morning option, I’d opt for the later one around 11am, so you don’t need to rush for checkout (and plus, you’ll have enough time on the Gili’s if you follow this Bali itinerary, I promise). 

Arrival in Gili (around 2pm-ish)

Our first few hours in Gili were spent relaxing by the pool, wandering the cute little town, and taking photos at the famous swings (located all over the island and also at the PinkCoco – where we stayed), which are just perfect for your instagram feed.

Remember that the sun sets around 6pm, so you don’t have tonssss of daylight on this first day in Gili, but much of the appeal of Gili is to slow down and relax, so you’re fine. Make sure to find some live music, order a few fresh juices and/or Bintangs, and plop yourself down on a beach-side bean bag chair and just chillax. That’s the life right there.

Remember, I wrote a full detailed guide on all things Gili Air , so be sure to check that out!

Day 7 | Snorkeling the Gili Islands  

No trip to the Gili’s would be complete without exploring its vast underwater world, so today we’re off snorkeling! You can either pre-book or book once you get to the island (we were spontaneous and booked the day before while walking to our hotel).

Book ahead here if you’d like to ensure a spot and not get jammed in on a beat up boat like we were (with janky masks and snorkels as well).

Most snorkel tours visit Turtle Point (for you guessed it, turtle spotting), near Gili Meno to see the underwater statues, and another spot or two with coral gardens to see a wide array of tropical fish. I saw a few turtles (my favorite) as well as tons of colorful fish.

A quick note on turtles and underwater life in general: NEVER attempt to chase/touch/pet/feed turtles, as human contact can give them diseases and make them sick. Admire these beauties, (and get your photos), but NEVER at the expense of the animal. PLEASE keep wildlife WILD. 

The area near the statues was unbelievably crowded, as there were quite a few boats there when we were. However, if you know how to free dive (dive below the water without your snorkel), you can easily escape some of the crowds on the water’s surface.

Our boat left around 9:30am or so for snorkeling, stopped on Gili Meno for some lunch, and we returned back to Gili Air at our hotel around 3ish or so.

We spent the rest of the day at the Pink Coco pool, indulging in apps and drinks, and come night time, grabbed dinner on the beach and some lovely foot massages at a stand near our hotel (which we did every day while in Gili Air).

Where we stayed: Pink Coco Gili Air

Day 8 | Wednesday, July 17: Gili Islands, then transfer back to Bali!

Psst: Today’s mostly a travel day. But the Gilis are worth the hassle, I promise you!

Morning in Gili Islands

It’s your last (partial) day in Gili, so either take advantage of the island, or do absolutely nothing – your choice!

There are a few cooking classes in town, which usually happen before lunch, so you can definitely squeeze this in if that’s up your alley, get a massage (either at Slow Spa which I heard is marvelous for a Balinese massage or a simple one from a beach-side stand), spend time at the beach and/or pool, and head into town for breakfast and/or lunch!

We especially loved the smoothie bowls at Gili Bliss Gili Air, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast with some specialty coffee at Coffee and Thyme.

Back to Bali!

Time’s up on Gili Air unfortunately, and it’s time to head back to Bali! Again, like heading to Gili Air, I highly recommend you book with Blue Water Express ! We chose the 2:30pm sailing to Serangan Marina (east coast of Bali and closest to our next stop of Seminyak), which came out to about 870k rupiah per person (or approximately $60).

The sailing took a few hours and because there was crazy traffic upon arrival in Bali (hotel transfer included in our booking), we didn’t get to our hotel in Seminyak until roughly 7/8pm or so. It’s safe to say we passed out riiiiiight after dinner that night. No shame!

Where we slept: The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel

Part IV: 2 DAYS IN SEMINYAK/CANGGU + Go Home 🙁

Where we slept in Seminyak: The Elysian Boutique Villa Hotel

This boutique villa was the perfect spot to end our time in Bali, as we had our own private villa (bigger than our 3-bedroom condo I may add)! This stylish property is tucked away on a quiet street in busy, busy Seminyak, making you feel like you’re away from it all, when in reality, you’re only a few minutes walk to the hustle and bustle of town! 

The first-class attention to detail was phenomenal, food outstanding, public and private pools utterly fantastic, and our massages at the full-service spa were much needed. 

And because there are only 28 villas total at the resort (ALL with private pools), it never feels crowded in the common spaces, making for a very intimate, private experience. To say The Elysian is everything and then some is a complete understatement. 

I partially chose this location for our last stop in Bali as the Elysian is pretty close to the airport, (20 minutes or so without traffic), so I knew we’d be able to enjoy the hotel up until the last possible minute!

Book a few months in advance if traveling during the high season as this place books up fast (especially due to the small number of rooms).

Day 9 | Spend the day in Canggu

Relaxed Morning by the Pool

Because, well, we were utterly tired at this point and you probably will be too! Not to mention, the pool was absolutely beautiful and hardly crowded (we were actually the only ones taking advantage of it while we were there…. possibly because everyone has their own private pools, but it was also 9am when most were still sleeping).

We had our breakfast overlooking the pool, then brought the rest (they give you a whoooole lot, trust me) to nosh on at the pool.

Shopping and Cafe Hopping

Although we chose to sleep in Seminyak (one photo of the Elysian and I fell in love), we decided to spend part of the day in Canggu, only 30 minutes or so away.

Canggu is a super hip, trendy surf town, with tons of cute boutiques and countless colorful cafes, making it the perfect day trip from Seminyak. And all those hipster smoothie bowls and instagram photos? Yeahhh, they’re probably taken in Canggu.

After finding a taxi on the side of the road (again, we couldn’t get a Grab driver), we had him drop us off at Cafe Cinta on Pantai Batu Bolong Road. We used this as a drop-off spot so we could easily walk down this main road in Canggu to find local boutiques, well-known surf shops, and colorful hipster cafes.

If I were you I’d plan on hanging out Batu Bolong Road, getting lunch at The Loft (the poke dish was oh so good), grabbing ice cream at Mad Pops, exploring Love Anchor Canggu (a flea market type area with tons of stalls), and going shopping in the local boutiques and surf shops.

And whenever we got hungry/thirsty, there was always a coconut ready for drinking!

Sunset Drinks and Dinner

Once you’ve had your fair share of coconuts, fresh fruit juices, and smoothie bowls around town, head on over to The Lawn for some sunset drinks. Besides the fact that this beach lounge is located directly on and above the black sand beach of Canggu, there’s a pool. A POOL! So if you plan on hanging here for a while, be sure to bring your suit to go for a swim.

Do note that there are different sections at The Lawn, with a beach area, upper deck spot, day bed area, and small table/umbrella area on the actual lawn. If you want a specific spot, you definitely need to either reserve in advance or put your name down.

We enjoyed the lawn area and our cocktails, as it had such a fun vibe and we could feel the breeze from the beach.

Hungry?! I highly recommend heading to Fishbone Local for dinner afterwards as it’s right near The Lawn. We tried the beer-battered fish, fish tacos, and mini tuna tostadas, and loved them all! The garden in the back is so pretty – there’s string lights that just add to the overall ambiance.

Oh, and once we arrived back at The Elysian, we treated ourselves to 1-hour Balinese massages (which were just heavenly and the best way to -almost- end our trip).

Day 10 | Brunch in Seminyak; fly home!

Pink Walls and Chill Vibes at KYND Community

It probably definitely sounds extra millennial, but did you really go to Bali if you didn’t have brunch at Kynd Community? You know all those photos of girls holding up their gold-encrusted pineapple spoons about to indulge in a perfectly crafted acai bowl with BALI spelled out in fruit?

Yea, that’s the place. And I wasn’t ashamed one teeny bit to have this last Bali meal for myself (even if the photos are a bit cringe-worthy as everyone and their 235423 best friends have the same insta-worthy shot). :p 

The food? It was pretty damn good, as was the cool, tropical pink decor (there’s a reason why it’s so popular with instagrammers and bloggers). Psst: the place is vegetarian, just FYI, so don’t expect to find your regular bacon hamburgers on the menu.

We got there pretty early (around 8:30ish) and didn’t have to wait at all, but expect a line if you get there later, especially if you want to sit by the instafamous pink wall.

Extra Time Before Your Flight?

We had to get ready for our flight, but if you’ve got more time in Seminyak, there’s tons more to do. Other foodie spots to check out if your flight is a bit later: Sea Circus Bali, known to be the most colorful restaurant in all of Bali, and Motel Mexicola, which I’ve heard has absolutely scrumptious Mexican specialities and cocktails (not your average taqueria, that’s for sure).

Itching for one last massage? Head on over to Jari Menari for a new massage technique that you’ve probably never had before. Some even claim it’s the best massage you’ll have! I’ll have to be the judge of that next time I’m visiting Bali!

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Are you in the process of planning a 10 day Bali itinerary? If so, hope your 10 days in Bali is an absolute blast (can I come with you, pretty please?)

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August 7, 2020 at 5:28 pm

literally looking at bali next year for my bday cause of this haha !

August 7, 2020 at 6:06 pm

OMG Bali is incredible – it would perfect for a birthday! I can't wait to go back!

August 7, 2020 at 6:00 pm

Wow, this guide is incredible! Everything in Bali looks beautiful. I cannot wait to visit one day!

August 7, 2020 at 7:21 pm

Planning my third trip to Bali and although I've been there twice already I have to say Thank You, I learned a lot from this guide to look forward to for trip #3. I've had my eye on Ayana Resort for a while as it's a bit out of my budget but it looks worth it and it's good to see you recommend it too!

November 23, 2020 at 6:07 am

Bali is one of the best places for Indian tourists because there are lots of Hindu religious temples. I have read your article and I’m impressed with your article and you give full information for Bali.

May 29, 2022 at 10:15 pm

This guide was sooo very usefuly! Thank you so so much. Just booked our anniversary flight to Bali in September and it’ll be 10 days excluding 4 days of travel! Really excited and can’t wait!

June 22, 2022 at 7:33 pm

We are definitely going to follow this itinerary- thanks so much for sharing! I had a question for you – our flight arrives in Bali at midnight. Any recommendations on what we should do the first day? Thanks so much!!

November 5, 2023 at 3:41 am

Thank you for such detailed itierary, helps a lot with planning for a newbie! ♥

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Bali Travel Blogs And Travel Guides (Trip Planning)

So you’re planning a trip to Bali but don’t know where to start? My Bali travel blogs will definitely help. 

From exploring the island’s stunning beaches and visiting the historic temples, to sampling delicious Indonesian food and snorkelling in crystal clear waters, there are so many things to enjoy on holiday in Bali. 

The only problem? There’s A LOT to see! You could head to Ubud to check out the rice terraces and jungles (and of course explore the Ubud Monnkey Forest), but there are lots of gorgeous places dotted around the coast too, including Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu. 

First things first, you’ll need to pick a few towns to base yourself in. Unless you have unlimited time or budget, you simply can’t cover it all. Then it’s time to work through the lists of activities and places to stay in each destination. From restaurants and beach clubs, to white water rafting and cooking classes – there’s SO much on offer.   

Once that’s done you can plot your perfect Bali itinerary! 

It might all feel a little overwhelming to start with, which is why I started writing about my experiences in my Bali travel blogs. It turns out, I’ve built up quite a stack of information over my visits, so I wanted to collate it all in one easy-to-use area of my blog. 

Scroll down and you’ll find my top picks for where to stay in each area (from Ubud to Canggu and Seminkyak), activities to try, and a few other recommendations about how to spend your time. I’ve even given a few ideas of places you could travel to next as well as helping you figure out what to wear in Bali with my handy packing lists. 

These Bali travel guides are detailed and have lots of personal tips from my time on the island. It’s one of my favourite places in Asia, and the perfect place to relax and unwind, so I hope you adore it as much as I do! 

Planning your trip to Bali? Here are a few quick highlights:

Bali Travel Blogs & Travel Guides

After several incredible trips to this beautiful island in Indonesia, it's time to share all of my Bali travel blogs with you!

If you have any questions, don't forget you can always email me or leave a comment below.

Where To Stay In Bali - Budget, Mid-Range And Luxury Bali Hotels

Deciding where to stay in Bali? From stunning resorts and cute beach hotels to budget hostels, this handy guide will help you pick your dream accommodation on this beautiful Indonesian island.

What To Wear In Bali - Packing List 

Wondering what to wear in Bali? Perhaps you can’t decide what essentials you’ll need for your adventurous trip? This packing list for Bali will help you decide exactly what to chuck in your suitcase, and what to leave out.

Ubud, Bali - The Ultimate Ubud Travel Guide

From trips to the monkey forest, to jungle and waterfall treks and delicious food experiences, these are the best things to do in Ubud, Bali.

Ubud Tours: These Are The Best Tours And Attractions In Ubud And Beyond

From white water rafting, volcano hikes and quad biking, to cooking classes, nature tours, cultural activities and jungle swings, you’re guaranteed to love these Ubud tours!

Ubud Hotels: Where To Stay In Ubud

Deciding where to stay in Ubud? This detailed accommodation guide has options for every budget - from budget hostels to the swankiest 5-star resorts.

Mount Batur Sunrise Trek, Bali, Indonesia

The Mount Batur sunrise trek in Bali, Indonesia is a rewarding and magical way to start the day. I truly believe that sunrises in Bali don’t get better than this! 

20 Amazing Things to do in Canggu, Bali

Awesome surfing, the coolest street art, yoga studios, hipster cafes and beach bars – it’s time to find out the best things to do in Canggu, Bali right now.

Where To Stay In Canggu - Best Hotels In Canggu For All Budgets

Now you've figured out how to spend your time in this cool surf town, it's time to figure out where to stay in Canggu. This guide has the lowdown on the best accommodation options, from luxury hotels complete with infinity pools, to budget hostels by the beach.

16 Best Breakfasts in Canggu, Bali

From pretty smoothie bowls, to tasty avocado toast, here's where to find the best breakfasts in Canggu, Bali.

15+ AMAZING Things To Do In Seminyak, Bali

Indulge in a traditional Balinese massage, sample some fabulous Indonesian cuisine, and party on the beach until dawn, it’s time for a rundown of the best things to do in Seminyak, Bali. 

Best Hotels In Seminyak - From Budget To Luxury

Wondering where to stay in this quirky beachside town in Bali? Quirky, stylish and luxurious – it’s time to check out the best hotels in Seminyak.

The Best Honeymoon Hotels In Bali

Infinity pools, beautiful beaches and romantic resorts. Say hello to the best honeymoon hotels in Bali.

Gili T: 48 Hour Travel Guide

This handy travel guide features the top things to do in the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air), plus gives tips on where to stay and what you just shouldn’t miss.

How To Get To The Gili Islands, Indonesia

From transfers to the ferry ports, to which ferry company to pick, how long it takes and ticket prices, this guide explains how to get to from Bali to the Gili Islands.

There are so many amazing things to do in Bali! What are you going to choose? 

Let me know if you have any questions about anything I’ve mentioned in my Bali travel blogs, and if you want to check out any of my other travel guides about Indonesia, you can find them all here .

Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

2 thoughts on “Bali Travel Blogs And Travel Guides (Trip Planning)”

Does travelling to Bali in December limit your experience due to the rainy and humid weather

I don’t think so. You could still have a great trip then!

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The perfect itinerary Bali – with kids + tips for Bali

How to spend 3 weeks in Bali with kids

When we think of Bali we imagine white beaches, temples, and rice terraces. But Bali is much more than that. We were there for 6 weeks and even that didn’t seem enough.

Table of Contents

We have prepared a round trip to Bali for you for 3 weeks . We start in Canggu (1 hour from the airport) and go east via Ubud to end on Nusa Penida (an island off the coast of Bali).

We did everything ourselves by taxi and many of the trips with a rented scooter. Some parts are quite busy, such as the area around Kuta, which we try to avoid. There are also minibusses that you can share with other tourists.

Our children (Yuna and Hanne) were 10 and 9, so this itinerary in Bali is perfectly doable with children. And remember, Bali is part of Indonesia! Many people sometimes forget that.

What is the best time to visit Bali?

The best time is July, August, and September . From May to October, there is little rain in Bali, ideal for going out during the big summer holidays. If you want to avoid the big hordes of tourists, it is better to go in the rainy season (from December to March). The prices are therefore slightly lower.

If you’re still looking for tickets, you can compare flights at Skyscanner.com . You will find the cheapest flight to Denpasar and… you can get an email if the prices are lowering.

Bali transport

As soon as you get off the plane you immediately notice the dozens or say thousands of scooters driving around in Bali. That, in combination with pushy taxi drivers, sometimes creates a chaotic situation on the road. But as soon as you leave the main axes you come to small country roads and you get to see the real Bali.

We usually take a taxi between the cities, which is not too expensive (especially if you are 4 of us). You can usually arrange this through your hotel. To do activities we usually rented a scooter, except in Nusa Penida. The roads there are in such bad shape that it didn’t seem safe to us with the children. There we had a private driver who took us around. Count on about $50 a day for a car with a driver. Here you can look for a driver in Bali.

If you still prefer to have your own car, have a look at this website to rent a car in Bali.

Bali travel tips

• Have transportation ready when you arrive at Denpasar airport. After such a long flight you don’t want the hassle of booking a taxi. You can book your taxi in advance at Denpasar airport.
• Make no mistake, Bali is bigger than you think and the travel distances can be quite disappointing. Have a look at Waze or Google Maps before negotiating with your driver.
• During your stay in Bali you can easily rent a scooter , make sure you always have a helmet on, and watch your belongings while driving. Never let your handbag hang from your shoulder.
• Book your excursions through reliable websites such as GetYourGuide. Based on the other reviews you are sure that you will not just be dropped somewhere and you can always cancel (up to 24 hours in advance this is free).

• Despite the fact that Indonesia is an Islamic country, you will find a large Hindu majority in Bali. So you can eat pork there. Try for instance the babi guling!
• Always carry an extra scarf/ sarong to cover your shoulders or legs when visiting the temples.

Itinerary Bali 3 weeks + extension

Day 1: ngurah rai international airport – canggu.

Total distance: From the airport to Canggu it is 20km (12,5miles) or 45min

Canggu is only 1 hour from the airport and is ideal to start your tour in Bali. It is also the new hotspot where you can eat trendy and healthy. Very different from Kuta and Seminyak which is too busy. Book a taxi from the airport to your hotel.

What to do in Canggu Bali:

First, it’s time to catch your breath after that long tiring flight. After a well-deserved splash in the pool, you can already go to the beach (“Pantai”). You will find numerous bars (“Warungs”) with famous umbrellas. The most famous beach is undoubtedly “ Echo Beach” . Here you will also find some well-known beach clubs.

Where to stay in Canggu – Bali .

• Canggu Wooden Green Paradise: our favorite in Canggu. Located on a small side road and with a view of the surrounding rice fields. We were welcomed with delicious coconut. Breakfast and food are possible, but it is best to place your order in advance. You can enjoy a wonderful sunset from the pool.
• Canggu Dream Studios & Villas : The studios are 1.4km (1 mile) from Batu Bolong Beach. The children can visit the kids club or the playground/swimming pool.
• Umah CinCin: Do you want to enjoy your holiday completely privately? Have a look at this beautiful villa. With a beautiful pool and is only a 1-minute walk from the beach. The view of the rice fields is also beautiful.

On this page , you will find more accommodation options in Canggu during your tour of Bali.

Day 2: Canggu

What to do in Canggu:

Today we go to perhaps the most famous temple in Bali, Pura Tanah Lot. If you translate the name, you immediately know what you will see. Tanah Lot is “land in the sea” and Pura is “temple”. You can only reach the temple on foot and at low tide. We rented a scooter to visit the Pura Tanah Lot in Bali.

You do have to pay an entrance fee, counting €4 ($4) for adults and €2 ($2) for children. You cannot enter the temple itself, that is only for the believers. Go a little further past the temple and you will find a lot of nice terraces with a view of the temple. This is undoubtedly one of the highlights of your tour through Bali. Visit this site for more information about the Tanah Lot .

In the evening it is a lot busier around the temple (sunset). The temple is open every day of the week from 7 am to 7 pm.

Day 3-6: Canggu – Bukit Peninsula

Total distance: From Canggu, it is a 35 km (22miles) or 1-hour drive to Balangan Beach

At the very south of Bali, you will find the peninsula Bukit Peninsula. Here you will find some beautiful beaches and also the famous Uluwatu temple . We plan three days to explore everything in peace.

What to do in Bukit Peninsula:

• The Uluwatu Temple : is located in the southwestern part of the peninsula. This temple is located on top of a cliff with a breathtaking view of the coast. Almost every evening you can attend a performance of the famous Kecak dance (the Fire Dance).

If the performance is not yet sold out, you can still buy tickets on-site, but we recommend that you order your tickets in advance. You can order your tickets for the Kecak dance via this link.

The entrance fee for the Uluwatu temple is €2 ($2).

• Dream Land Beach : voted one of the most beautiful beaches by Lonely Planet. But beware, to access the beach you have to go through the Klapa Beach Club . Here you have to buy a ticket (currently free), so you also have access to their pool and facilities. So you can combine a visit to the beach with a dip in the pool.

When we were there, someone almost drowned in the meters-high waves. Be careful when walking on the beach.

• Jimbaran Beach : would you like to swim? Then go to this beautiful sandy beach, the waves are a lot calmer and the beach is quite wide. There are also bars and restaurants on the beach. Be sure to try some roasted corn on the cob.

Where to stay in Bukit Peninsula .

• Villa Allamanda by Kubu GWK : You will find this nice villa an 18-minute walk from the beach. There is a hot tub and a swimming pool. The air-conditioned villas also have a cozy sitting area and private bathroom. You can even have your groceries delivered!
• Hill Dance Bali American Hotel has very good reviews! The cozy rooms, the large terrace, and the restaurant are only a 4-minute drive from the white sandy beach of Balangan.
• The Point Beach- Front Balangan is located on the beach and has rustic rooms. A continental breakfast is provided each morning.

More options to stay on Bukit Peninsula Bali can be found here.

Day 6 – 11: Ubud

Total distance: From Balangan Beach, you can count on 50 km (31 miles) or 1 hour to drive to Ubud. Keep in mind that this is a very busy road and traffic jams occur regularly.

What to do in Ubud:

From Ubud, you can visit a lot with, for example, the scooter. We list the best activities in Ubud for you. You can choose between temples, waterfalls, and some beautiful rice fields. The center of Ubud is quite busy but as soon as you leave the main road it becomes a lot quieter.

In Ubud, you will also find trendy eateries that focus on healthy food. Yoga is also central here. Ubud is therefore ideal to recharge your batteries and also suitable for a longer stay. Although we do recommend that you look for an overnight stay outside the busy center.

• Pura Tirta Empul

This is probably the most famous temple in Ubud. They also call this the water temple with holy water, if you want you can go into the water yourself to purify yourself. When we were there there was a big ceremony going on, which was beautiful to see.

Admission to Pura Tirta Empul will cost you €3 ($3) for adults and €2 ($2) for children.

• Pura Taman Saraswati

This temple is located in Ubud itself. It is a beautiful complex surrounded by thousands of water lilies. You can’t enter as a tourist unless you want to pray.

• Tegenungan waterfall

You can visit this waterfall through the Dtukad River Club. From the club, you can enjoy this fantastic waterfall with a snack and drink. Dtukad River Club is a hip club with nice swimming pools and of course a DJ.

• Tibumana waterfall

This beautiful waterfall is hidden in the jungle, but you can reach it quite easily via a hiking trail. You can swim there but the current is quite strong and the water is not that warm. But it is certainly a pleasant refreshment.

• Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud

Depart early in the morning or at sunset to avoid the heat. This walk starts at the corner of the Monkey Forest and Jl. Raya Ubud. There you will see a sign for Warwick Ibah Hotel, go up there until you see a sign “Going to the hill” From there you leave for a trip of 3 km over the Campuhan ridge in Ubud.

There is no loop, so you will have to return by the same route. In the Karsa Kafe, you can relax and enjoy delicious juice. You don’t need to pay any entrance fee for Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud.

• Ubud Tegalalang ricefields

Despite the fact that they have become so touristy, these rice fields remain beautiful. Let yourself get lost in the rice fields but beware, when we were there it was 35gr (95℉) and way too hot. Take plenty of water

The entrance fee is $1 You also have to pay for the parking, which is €0.5 or $0.5

On the road to Tegalalang rice fields, you can taste some Kopi Luwak! Kopi Luwak is a world-famous coffee made thanks to the feces of the civet cats. A bit expensive but very tasty! Be sure to try the vanilla coffee. We went to Bali Pulina , with a view of the jungle!

• Market Ubud

In the center of Ubud, you will also find a “traditional” market where you can buy souvenirs. We were not really convinced of the stuff and found it much more fun to explore the shops around Ubud by scooter. Every town in the vicinity of Ubud has its own specialty.

Where to stay in Ubud .

• Abangan Bungalow : this is one of the better budget options. Located in the center and they have nice family rooms. Do not expect too much luxury but a traditional Balinese hotel room. There is also a small swimming pool.
• Alaya Resort Ubud : are you looking for something a little more luxurious? Then this is undoubtedly one of the best places to stay in Ubud, located between the rice fields with a beautiful swimming pool. The family room consists of two rooms that are connected to each other.
• Hotel Dinara Ubud: this boutique hotel has 30 rooms and 2 private villas. You can take cooking lessons, language lessons, and other rituals. They also have a fantastic restaurant. The location is also quite central, 1.5 km from the palace.

You will of course find many more hotels in Ubud , take a look at what is still possible.

Day 11-14: Ubud -Amed

Total distance: from Ubud to Amed (east of Bali) you can count on 75km (46miles) or 2h30min

During our trip to Bali, we wanted to spend a few days in the less touristy east of the island. Here lies the mighty Mount Agung , an active volcano that plays a central role in the region. The last eruption of Mount Agung in Bali was in 2019. Officially you are not allowed to climb the volcano, but it is done anyway (with a guide though).

In Amed itself, we find black lava beaches where you can snorkel and visit some beautiful temples.

What to do in Amed Bali:

• Mount Agung:

This for the Balinese sacred volcano is everywhere, be sure to check the latest reports about the condition of the volcano before you want to visit it up close. Here you will find the latest news about the condition of Mount Agung. Don’t let these messages deter you from visiting this region, but a man-informed is worth two. For example, in 2019 the airspace was closed for a while and no more flights could take place in and out of Bali.

With this guide, you can do trekking on the Mount Agung volcano and enjoy the sunrise.

• Lempuyang tempel Bali

This is undoubtedly one of the Instagram hotspots of Bali. If you are lucky it will not be cloudy and you can see Mount Agung in the background. Leave early to avoid long queues, yep it has indeed become so touristy. But it does make for a beautiful photo! The entrance fee is €5 or 5$ for the Lempuyang temple.

• Taman Ujung

This beautiful water palace is located about 5km from Amlapura. In this former palace, you will find three large ponds with the main building in the middle. Be sure to go to the top from where you have a beautiful view of the palace. The entrance fee is €5 or $5.

• Tirta Gangga Bali

This is one of the best things to visit in Bali. This former palace was transformed into a beautiful water garden and is located about 30 minutes from Amed. You can also buy fish food there. Tirta Gangga means water of the Ganges (river in India). You pay a €2 or 2$ entrance fee.

Where to stay in Amed Bali:

• Sama Sama Amed : close to Jemeluk Beach, you will discover this nice budget hotel. You will find large family rooms in the typical Balinese style. The Lempuyang temple is only a 5-minute drive. They also provide free snorkeling equipment.
• Amed Beach Resort : this resort is only a 5-minute walk from the beach and also has a swimming pool. All rooms have air conditioning and a mosquito net.
• Villa Agung Amed : this private villa is located on the beach There are three bedrooms and an infinity pool that overlooks the sea and the Mount Agung volcano. Ideal for a large family or group of friends.

In Amed you have a wide choice between hotels, take a look at the best places to stay in Amed Bali during your itinerary in Bali.

Day 14-15: Amed – Sanur

Total distance: we follow the coast for 85km (53miles) to the south, from Sanur we take the ferry to Nusa Penida.

What to do in Sanu:

Sanur is one of the best places in Bali because of its beaches and is a wonderful place for families. There is a long sandy beach and calm sea water, especially because the surf is 200m off the coast A boulevard runs along the beach that takes you past all eateries and hotels.

On the beach, in Sanur, you can rent sunbeds or inflatable mattresses, ideal for a day at the beach with the kids. In the center of Sanur, you will find nice shops and also a delicious Mexican restaurant.

Where to stay in Sanur:

We stayed in the Touring Sanur hotel, a few hundred meters from the beach. We had a nice family room, small but not expensive. Every morning breakfast was brought to our room. Perfect with kids. You can also rent scooters there.

In this article with the best resorts for families in Sanur , you will find some other great options.

Day 15 – 21: Sanur – Nusa Penida (ferry)

Total Distance: To reach Nusa Penida you need to take the ferry from Sanur. Keep in mind that you have to go through the water to get on the ferry and so it is best to leave barefoot – slippers. The crossing takes about 1 hour. We had quite high waves during our crossing despite the calm weather.

You can take the ferry to the port of Sanur.

What to do in Nusa Penida Bali:

Nusa Penida is known for its beautiful cliffs, vistas, and beaches. The most famous place is undoubtedly T-rex viewpoint or Kelingking beach. We had a private driver on the island who took us everywhere. You can also rent a scooter or bicycle, but we do not recommend that with children because of the road conditions. The roads are still in very bad condition.

• Kelingking beach – T-rex viewpoint

The most famous viewpoint of Nusa Penida. If you have enough time left, you can also descend the stairs to the beach.

• Broken Beach – Angel Billabong

At low time you can swim in Angel Billabong but with children, you really pay more attention. There are safer places to swim. If you follow the path even further, you will come to Broken Beach in Nusa Penida. These cliffs were formed by erosion. You can walk all the way around and enjoy the spectacle. Thanks to our drone we have some fantastic images.

• Manta Point Nusa Penida

Do you like snorkeling? Then definitely take a trip to Manta Point, where you can see the giant manta rays. Unfortunately, they are not always there and we were unlucky. On the way to Manta Point, we already experienced the high waves. Be sure to ask the guide about the sea conditions in advance to avoid disappointment.

• Crystal Bay Beach Bali

On the way back from Manta Point in Nusa Penida there is usually still snorkeling at Crystal Bay Beach. Beautiful tropical fish but also quite a lot of current, so keep your children close!

• Diamond Beach Nusa Penida

This is probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but it is not easy to get there. A white sandy beach with turquoise water, palm trees,… simply fantastic.

There is a lookout point 5 minutes walk from the parking. You can go down via stairs.

Where to stay in Nusa Penida:

• Bintang Bungalow : these bungalows are 800m from Crystal Bay and a 12 min walk from the beach. All rooms have a private bathroom and shower. There is a nice swimming pool and restaurant where you can eat well. Perfect for families.
• Penida Bambu Green : your own villa with a view of the tropical garden, a swimming pool, and a restaurant… doesn’t sound bad at all, does it? The only drawback is that it is a little further from the famous beaches, but that is why the location is so unique.
• Suite Ocean Blue : this 5* hotel has everything you could wish for, even a private beach. Some rooms also have a small kitchenette.

You will find plenty of accommodation options in Nusa Penida.

Extension itinerary Bali

Want to go a little more off the beaten track? Then definitely check out Lovina Beach. Many dolphin excursions are organized here. This is in the very north of Bali. This region is a lot less touristy and you get to see the real Bali.

Don’t feel like visiting more temples and prefer to hang out on the beach? Then take the ferry to the Gili Islands. Paradise beaches, cocktails, etc… you can choose from three islands. Depending on whether you feel like partying, or quietly reading a book somewhere on a paradise beach. Look at this article about the Gili Islands for more info.

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Wild Junket

Bali with Kids: How to Plan a Bali Family Trip

Last Updated on June 1, 2022

In the past two years of traveling with our baby to 15 countries, Bali tops them all as the most family-friendly destination we’ve been. Here is a detailed guide on traveling Bali with kids. 

I’ve lost count of the number of traveling families we’ve seen and met on this trip. After all, Bali IS perfect for kids — whether 6-months-old babies or 12-year-old adolescents — in every way possible: there’s a whole slew of outdoor activities you can do here, from surfing to white water rafting, and the island is just brimming with culture and traditions. Most importantly, the cheap prices and array of choices you get in terms of accommodation and restaurants make family travel such a breeze.

What we love most about Bali is that even though tourism has changed some parts of the island, the ‘real Bali’ still thrives — and like the scent of incense, cloves and flowers, it permeates every corner of the island. The unique culture of Bali is resilient, persistent and very much alive, not only in its small villages, but also in the towns and cities, where ancient traditions blend with a burgeoning global lifestyle.

In general, traveling Bali with kids is very easy and highly recommended for those seeking an affordable, well-rounded holiday with the whole family. Here are some of our practical tips to help you plan your own family trip to Bali.

Table of Contents

When to Travel Bali with Kids

Things do in bali with kids, by car/scooter rental, by public transport, eating in bali with kids, how to stay healthy in bali, hospitals and pharmacies in bali, how to keep your kids safe in bali, medication kit for kids, baby supplies in bali, balinese’ attitude to children, inspired pin it, bali with kids: a complete guide.

Bali has two main seasons: a wet and a dry. The dry season runs from April to September and is the best time to visit for good weather. The wet season is from October to March. In the wet season, there is generally just a huge downpour every day. We’ve found the weather to be still sunny and nice, only occasional rains in the evenings (we’re here from February to April). There are far more bugs around in the wet season and this can be annoying.

The busiest times in Bali are during the school holidays, especially December and January, and the July to August holiday period in the Northern hemisphere. The best time to avoid the crowd is around April – June and September. However even at busy times, there is plenty of room for everyone and there is plenty to do in Bali for families at any time of year.

I would also suggest visiting during a Balinese festival, to get a chance to witness the Balinese’ vibrant culture at its best. We were here during Nyepi, Balinese New Year , in March 2017. Also known as the Day of Silence, the day itself is a day of reflection, meditation and abstinence (no electricity, no movement and no food), but the days leading up to it are filled with colorful parades and holy rituals.

The reason why Bali is so popular with families, is that there’s just SO many things to do in Bali for kids of all ages. You get the best of both worlds: the wide black sand beaches that are great for surfing and relaxing, and the lush tropical inland that teems with giant volcanic mountains, waterfalls, and stunning rice terraces perfect for short hikes.

Then there’s also the cultural side to Bali — picture traditional villages, holy springs and ancient temples — that will intrigue even the younger kids. At the same time, it also has plenty of modern conveniences like malls and supermarket chains, making it easy to travel even with new-born babies.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in Bali with kids:

• Go surfing in Kuta or Canggu: the big waves here can be unsafe for small kids but are great fun for older ones. Rent a board for US$5/hour or hire a surfing instructor for $15/hour.
• Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud : we brought Kaleya on her birthday and she absolutely loved the monkeys (even the aggressive ones) as well as the walking trails.

• Soak in the Tirta Empul Holy Springs : kids will love the Indiana Jones–like pools at the ancient water palace and you’ll get to learn about the interesting Bali Hindu practices.
• Watch the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple : this traditional fire dance is dramatic and full of action, perfect to keep the young ones entertained. Kaleya didn’t fidget at all the entire time, and she absolutely loved it!

• Do a road trip up to Singaraja in the north: Kaleya loves road trips (she usually dozes off and wakes up super energized) and it’s great fun exploring the hot springs and temples along the way.
• Walk the rice terraces of Jatiluwih or Tegalagang: it’s great fun to do some light hiking with your kids — some slippery and muddy parts may not be safe, but most of the trails here are paved.
• Wander around the Ulun Danu Bratan Temple : this lakeside temple complex is the absolute most gorgeous temple on Bali and it’s filled with animal statues and play areas that are great for kids.
• Get lost in the Ubud market: it’s the best spot to shop for souvenirs or buy some sarongs (for temple visits). Let your kids try bargaining and I’m sure they’ll have fun at it!
• Visit the Ogoh Ogoh museum in Mengwi: Ogoh Ogohs are statues of demonic creatures that are paraded around Bali during Nyepi, the Balinese New Year. This museum has a great collection of them and kids dig them!

• Check out an evening Barong dance at the Ubud Palace : the performance has monkeys, monsters, a witch and more to keep the young ones enthralled.
• Catch sunset at the seaside Tanah Lot Temple: the location of this temple atop a rock on a black sandy beach is outstanding, and the rocky area surrounding it can be plenty of fun for kids as they’ll find crabs sputtering around.

Where to Stay in Bali with Kids

We stayed at every corner of Bali you can imagine: from the southern tip (Nusa Dua and Uluwatu) and the touristy trio (Kuta, Seminyak, Legian) to secret hidden corners (Balian Beach and Nyanyi) and the spiritual hub of Ubud. From all the regions we stayed, we have found the following areas to be the most family-friendly in terms of accommodation, restaurants and ease to moving around.

Poised at the southernmost tip of Bali, this area easily has the best beaches on the island in my opinion, with white pearly sand and clear waters, unlike most of the beaches on the island (big waves and black sand). It’s far from the madness of Kuta and the surrounding areas. Nusa Dua has two separate parts – the gated resort area that’s away from it all, and Tanjung Benoa, which has quite a few local shops and restaurants.

Recommended Hotel: Samabe Bali Suites & Villas

Samabe Bali is a five-star resort poised on a cliff top overlooking the spearmint waters of Nusa Dua. We absolutely loved our private villa that had a huge living space and our own pool. Samabe Bali also offers families a choice of “limited and unlimited privileges” for its guests. “Unlimited privileges” cover everything including immersive day trips and the full gamut of meals and beverages, entertainment, and spa treatments. Check the latest prices here.

Located just a 10-minute drive from the airport, this area is where most people would stay after landing or before departing. What was once a tiny fishing village with a daily market is now home to several world class beach resorts. What we like most about Jimbaran is the clean and calm white sand beach that’s comfortable and safe for swimming. It’s not extremely touristy like Kuta, and not as crowded and busy. The bay has a stretch of seafood restaurants on the beach that draw in lots of tourists during sunset but they are heavily overpriced.

Recommended Hotel: Intercontinental Bali

For a real Balinese experience, you won’t go wrong at the Intercontinental Bali. Featuring beautiful traditional Balinese architecture and furnishing, the resort gives the illusion that you’re entering an ancient palace studded with temples, pagodas and lotus ponds. The resort is just steps from the famous Jimbaran seafood restaurants. It has a kids’ club as well as a kids’ buffet corner at its poolside restaurant. Check the best prices.

This is the heartland of Bali, not only geographically but also culturally, spiritually and historically. Ubud was once a sleepy artist village, but has transformed into a mini-metropolis now thanks to tourism. Despite that, it’s still a good place to base from which to explore the surrounding region packed with temples, rice terraces and mountains.

Recommended Hotel: Villa D’Uma

This small family-run villa is located within the rice fields of Penastanan in Ubud. It’s brand new and the rooms are spacious and gorgeous. There are only three rooms in Villa D’Uma , so you get lots of privacy as a family. We absolutely enjoyed our time here, waking up to views of the rice fields and having breakfast on our verandah. However, it’s a 15-minute walk to the main road, so it’s more suitable to families with older kids. It’s also really affordable. Check the latest prices here.

Located on the east coast of Bali, Sanur is suitable for those who want a slower paced version of Kuta and Seminyak, without steering too far from the rest of Bali. Sanur tends to draw in many families, as its beach is protected by a reef meaning that the water is calm and shallow – making it safe for kids. Let’s not forget Sanur is also home to Bali’s biggest playground for kids, Peekaboo — we went twice during our stay in Sanur and Kaleya couldn’t get enough of it.

Recommended Hotel: Puri Tempo Doeloe

Quirky and tastefully designed, this heritage hotel is housed in a traditional Indonesian ‘palace’ with beautiful bungalows painted in pastel colors and decorated with antique and vintage furniture. It’s probably my favorite hotel in Bali for its eclectic design. It’s also very well priced and offer great value. Check prices here .

How to Get Around Bali with Kids

It is easy to get around Bali. There are plenty of transport choices around — you’ll probably find people asking if you need a taxi every five steps you take. Taxis are affordable, but haggling every single time can be exhausting — we prefer taking Uber as it’s cheaper and fuss-free. Take note thou there are red zones where Uber or Grab is not allowed to operate (such as the Uluwatu area).

Otherwise, most people rent either a scooter or a jeep to get around. A scooter costs around US$5 to rent for a day, and a jeep around $15-25/day if you’re renting for just a few days. We rented a Toyota Avanza (a popular vehicle here) for just US$350 for a month and a half, and it’s a comfortable and convenient way to explore the island with Kaleya as well as our families and friends who were visiting. 

If you are getting your own transport, keep in mind that it can be challenging to navigate the road of Bali. Alberto has driven in many different places in the world (Turkey, Oman, Vietnam to name a few), so he’s got lots of driving experience. Traffic can be crazy in the built-up areas of Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Denpasar, and most drivers have little or no regard for traffic laws.

There is also the option of public bus (called bemos) which can be a cheap way of getting around, but in general they don’t really suit travelers’ needs as you need to wait for the vehicle to be full and it can take awhile to get your destination.

Balinese food is delicious, but also mostly spicy. Luckily many warungs (local food stalls) will serve food without any chili, spice or sauce upon request. Easy options that you can find in every warung or restaurant include rice congee (bubur), soy bean fritters (tempe), fried rice (nasi goreng) and meatball noodle soup (bakso mie). Otherwise, kid-pleasers like burgers, chicken fingers, pizza and pasta are widespread, as are fast-food chains in south Bali.

Food is generally safe, although we did experience a stomach bug while here. We’ve eaten at a range of places, from street side food stall (where a meal costs around 20,000 Rp or US$1.50) to high-end beachfront restaurants (prices upwards of 200,000 Rp or US$15 per person). You’ll find nasi goreng and mee goreng on almost every menu, but there are plenty of choices if you’re not on a tight budget.

Some of our favorite kids-friendly restaurants include:

Genius Cafe, Sanur — This cool beachfront cafe has an excellent kids menu that’s nutritional and flavorful. Kaleya loved the steamed fish and rice here. Prices are on the higher end, but portions are huge here. The general atmosphere here is great and it’s hugely popular with bohemian families looking to dine under the stars with sand between their toes.

Moana Fish Eatery, Canggu — Backdropped by rattan and lush vegetation, this Polynesian fish diner is one of the many cool restaurants you’ll find in hip Canggu. They’ve got babies’ highchair as well as crayons and drawings to keep kids entertained. The food is exceptional here — Kaleya loved their mahi mahi burger that came with salad and sweet potato fries.

De’Warung, Ubud — Located near the monkey forest, this restaurant overlooks a pond with lily pads and a fountain, and has a lush surroundings. We highly recommend the rice table on their menu, which includes a slew of curries and rendang dishes. They also have a highchair and the staff are more than willing to come keep your kid entertained while you enjoy the feast.

Remember to consult your travel doctor about necessary vaccinations a few months ahead of your trip to ensure plenty of time for any series of shots required. We didn’t get any vaccination for Kaleya.

Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for Bali , and they should be given at least 6 weeks prior to departure. For those going off the beaten track such as to rural areas, the Typhoid vaccine is also recommended at least a week prior to travel.

Rabies is an on-going problem in Bali, so avoid letting your children play with animals and consider a rabies vaccination before departing. Be wary of mosquitoes — malaria can be found outside of the resort areas and dengue fever affects a substantial number of people. Mosquito nets, coils and repellents are especially important during the rainy season.

Pharmacies, 24-hour clinics and private practices are easily available all over Bali (especially in tourist hubs like Seminyak and Ubud). Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) and Bali Clinic in Seminyak are some of the most well known centres in Bali. We had to bring Kaleya to see the doctor twice because of an insect bite infection and severe constipation.

The first time we went to the first private practice we found in Canggu — the doctor was professional, efficient and kind, and it cost us just 350,000 Rupiah (US$25) for the consultation and medication. The second time we found a 24-hour clinic in Ubud near where we were staying — the doctor wasn’t very fluent in English, but managed to explain to us her condition; it cost 780,000 Rupiah (US$55) in total.

Luckily we have health insurance for Kaleya that covers worldwide medical fees. I’ve written about why it’s important to have travel insurance and tips on how to choose the right travel insurance .

The main danger to kids – and adults for that matter – is traffic and bad footpaths in busy areas. Bali’s narrow streets and paths are barely walkable, so be careful with kids around. They’re not suited for prams and push chairs; we usually carry Kaleya when we’re walking on the streets.

Another thing to note for parents is that the type of facilities, safeguard and services that many regard as basic may not be present in Bali. Most restaurants don’t have highchairs; places with great views might have nothing to stop your kids falling over the edge. We were lucky to have found a great guy who hired us his car with a booster seat, but most rental companies don’t usually have them.

For any outdoor activity, it’s worth checking out conditions carefully. Just because that rafting company sells tickets to families doesn’t mean they are well set up to cater to the safety needs of children.

As you should with any trip to Southeast Asia, bring your own well-stocked medical kit and any children-specific medication. It’s essential to bring rehydration solution in case of diarrhoea or dehydration, which can be quite dangerous in young children. Don’t count on the pharmacies in Bali having what you might need. There are plenty of Guardian and Watson pharmacies all around the island, but we found it quite challenging to get accurate and reliable information.

The major supermarket chain Carrefour in Denpasar stocks almost everything you’d find at similar shops at home, including diapers, pre-made baby food, packaged UHT milk, infant formula and other supplies. Otherwise, you’ll find local supermarket chains – Bintang and Coco – in almost every major town like Sanur, Ubud and Seminyak. You’ll also find the same baby supplies there, though with less choices.

In general, imported goods are expensive in Bali. For baby food, you’ll mostly find the Heinz pre-made baby purees on sale here, but they’re pricey and cost around 50,000 Rupiah each (US$3.50). That’s twice the price of what we have in Europe. Diapers are quite cheap — a local brand one costs around 50,000 Rupiah for 24 to 32 units. If your baby is less than one year old, I’d recommend bringing your own formula powder from home.

Locals consider kids part of the community, and everyone has a responsibility towards them. Children of all ages will enjoy both the attention and the many diversions that will make their holiday as special as that of the adults.

Balinese people will display great interest in any Western child they meet. You will have to learn your child’s age and sex in Bahasa Indonesia – “bulau” is month, “tahun” is year, “laki-laki” is boy and “perempuan” is girl. You should also make polite enquiries about the other person’s children, present or absent.

All in all, traveling Bali with kids is simple and mostly stress-free. Take the time to research for a great base to stay at, and explore at a slow pace, and you – and your family – will surely fall for Bali’s charms.

Nellie Huang

Nellie Huang is the founder of WildJunket. Originally from Singapore, Nellie has traveled to over 150 countries across 7 continents. She is a book author and Lonely Planet guidebook writer. As an adventure travel blogger, she has a special interest in unusual destinations and deep experiences. Follow her travels on her Facebook and Instagram .

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The Comments

Nice post, I am planning to visit Bali in next month with my kids, I will go these places with my kids and enjoy beauty of Bali. Thanks for sharing great article.

what about transportation with small children? You would think that you would offer some information about how to get a car with children seats

I wrote about that under ‘Transportation in Bali’. Read the second paragraph. It’s easier to rent a car once you get to Bali as you can get really good deals if you’re there for at least a month. Otherwise, I recommend just booking on rentalcars.com.

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Bali with Kids & Things To Do in Bali with Kids

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This post is about Bali with kids, the practicalities of visiting Bali and family-friendly things to do in Bali with kids in tow. If you’re planning to visit Bali with your family in 2023 or 2024, we can help you plan where to stay, what to do, and how to keep your kids safe and happy in Bali on your holiday or vacation. Bali opened to some tourists in October 2021 . So, back to the usual business of enjoying Bali with children!

On this site, we cover Bali with toddlers, right through to older teens. We’ve been taking our kids to Bali for many years.

Visiting Bali with kids is relatively easy and there is plenty for children to enjoy on this amazing little island, including hikes, snorkelling, and fun tourist attractions.

In this post we look at where to stay, things to do, temples, culture, art, attractions, activities, and food in Bali for kids and more. Keep reading!

Check out the video my son made of the Bali snorkel tour recently, it’s further down the page. If you have any questions on any aspect of visiting Bali with kids please put them in the comments.

We were in Bali in 2020, this post is recently updated and as soon as we are able to return to Bali, it will be updated again.

With Bali being such a popular destination with Australian travellers, due to easy affordable flights, the tourists should be pouring back in. If you’re travelling from Asia, Bali is also easy to get to.

From Europe and the US, Bali is a long trip with some interesting travel connections. The flights may eat up your vacation time, budget, and patience, but Bali is a gem of a destination and very much worth visiting.

Bali with Kids

Is Bali a good place to take kids? Yes, we think so. In our experience, Bali and Thailand are the two easiest places we have travelled in South East Asia with children because of their well-established tourist infrastructure and good, affordable, facilities.

We first took our kids to Bali at 2 and 4 years old, So we’ve had a good time in Bali with toddlers, tweens and teens. Bali can be great place to go with kids of any age.

You’ll find good family accommodation in Bali, with family rooms and suites, some resort hotels even have kids’ clubs and babysitters for you to use.

If you simply want to book a one or two weeks vacation in a family-friendly resort hotel, that’s easy to do and we cover some of the best accommodation for families (some with kids’ clubs) further down the page. You can also travel around Bali, backpacker-style, with kids, fairly easily. Either travel style works for Bali, it just depends what you want to do and what suits your family.

Bali is small and it’s easy to get around. You can base yourself in one spot and easily explore most of the island by road, or you can move from place to place, both work. On this page, you’ll find tips on exploring the island and getting to those must-visit attractions and cultural highlights.

We, and the children love Bali. You can have fun as a family, learn loads and enjoy diverse activities and cultural experiences other than enjoy beaches, tropical greens, stunning rice paddy views, great food and some beautiful Bali waterfalls . Here is our take on Bali for kids.

We cover the best things to do in Bali with kids as well as travel information and the practicalities of taking your family to Bali Indonesia.

Bali has many tourist attractions, modern, fun water parks, animal attractions, and places of incredible natural beauty. Hotels in Bali are affordable and often very good. The food in Bali is delicious and you’ll find plenty of great food for your kids.

The hotel in the photo above is this one, in Ubud . It was an absolute winner at a very affordable price but did not have family rooms, we took a double and a twin. We list hotels and resorts that are truly family-friendly further down the post. After staying here we moved to another hotel on the same road at the same price. The second hotel was terrible. We recommend the former!

What’s your style of accommodation? Pick the accommodation to suit your family because you’ll find it all on Bali.

Family-Friendly Resorts and Hotels

Family hotels and resorts are popular. A great pick for families is Novotel for their family-pleasing rooms, facilities and activities. You’ll find Novotel properties in Nusa Dua ( here ) and Benoa ( here ).

If you’re on a tighter budget, or resorts just aren’t your scene, you’ll also find villas, guest houses, homestays, hostels and lower cost ( but no less beautiful) hotels that will cater to families in Bali.

Family accommodation is always harder to find than rooms for couples or singles but generally, we found a good choice of  accommodation in Bali , at reasonable prices.

The cheapest place we stayed was $15/night for a room in a traditional courtyard home in Ubud, the most expensive over $100/night for a luxurious seafront hotel in Sanur. We list some favourite properties below.

Accommodation that includes breakfast can save you a lot of money, particularly when traveling with children. They can fill up on pancakes, eggs, toast, and fruit and be set for the day. If you prefer Balinese breakfast over Western, it’s usual to find both in most hotels.

Some Of The Best Family Friendly Hotels and Resorts in Bali

These hotels are selected for good kid-friendly facilities and activities while giving parents a relaxed, more luxurious stay. These are some of the best hotels in Bali.

• The Grand Hyatt Bali. Nusa Dua . Incredible pools and grounds, on the beach, rooms that can accommodate children. In the region of $200 per night.
• Four Seasons Resort Bali. Jimbaran Bay . Stunning family villas for a high budget luxury escape.
• W Bali. Seminyak .
• Rama Residence Padma Legian Bali . This is a beautiful spot with family studio rooms at a very affordable price, not budget, but not expensive. Legian is a good place to base yourself, a little out of the massive development of Kuta.
• Novotel Nusa Dua . novotel properties tend to have very spacious rooms with many configurations to suit families of all sizes. This hotel has a kids’ club and beautiful pools and gardens. These are our favourite chain of hotels for a kid-friendly family vacation.
• Parigata Resorts and Spa. Sanur Sanur is a popular choice for families as the beaches are safer and more child friendly. sanur is like its own self-contained village with plenty of dining beachside. This hotel has family rooms at a very affordable price point. The gardens and pool are Bali beautiful.
• Hard Rock Hotel Bali. Kuta Hard Rock hotels are lots of fun, we’ve stayed in a few around the world. the family rooms are made with kids in mind and there is fun, games, and water slides for your little ones to enjoy at a moderate price point.
• Bali Dynasty Resort Kuta interconnecting family rooms are available here, plus a lovely pool with slides and kids activities. There are also kids’suites and family suites, many room types are available.
• Four Seasons Resorts at Sayan. Ubud I know I couldn’t afford this one, but check it out, it’s a stunning hotel with family-friendly rooms and activities. This one is all about the beautiful Balinese countryside. luxurious private suites and villas are available.

Independent Travel Accommodation in Bali

If you’re planning on travelling independently and touring the island it’s best to book a few nights on arrival and then move on when you’re ready. It brings peace of mind if you know you have somewhere nice booked online in advance. After that, you can make your own way around the island booking as you go. Agoda  (opens in new tab) works well for Southeast Asia for smaller hotels and guest houses.

If you like to wing it, check out hotels and guest houses when you arrive and take your pick, online, on foot or by taxi. We have taken rooms with all sorts of sleeping arrangements, full family rooms with four beds, a big double bed and an extra mattress on the floor and adjoining rooms and twin or double beds.  It is often easier to negotiate reduced rates face to face if this is your style.

Airbnb in Bali

We’ve had some success with Airbnb in Bali. We had a lovely villa for 4, with pool and breakfast for around $50 per night. However, we prefer to use Agoda in Asia as they are local specialists and often have more choices. They also don’t add a cleaning fee. It’s still worth checking Booking dot com, sometimes they’ll find you a better deal on your Bali accommodation. You can use these booking platforms for hotels, homestays, apartments, hostels and villas. They carry all kinds of accommodation.

Getting Around Bali With Kids

Your first hurdle will be getting from the airport to your accommodation. This isn’t too hard. You have options.

• Arrange a pick-up with your hotel
• Book a private transfer, book one here, now, it’s easy!
• Take a fixed price taxi from the airport taxi desk, there’s usually a queue.
• Use Grab – there is a Grab lounge at the airport now, again, you will likely have to wait.

Car seats are going to be an issue. If you have small children and you worry about car seats.

Ubud to the airport is 300- 350 Rs. This trip can take 2 hours if traffic is really bad.

There are plenty of taxis available, we found taxis were a good option for touring Bali with kids. Bluebird taxis usually have a meter, but some taxi rides will require you to negotiate and fix a price in advance.

Taxis in Ubud are expensive. Stay within walking distance of the town or pay $4-$5 each time. Car plus driver or Uber car may be cheaper.

The airport taxi we took on arrival was more expensive than any other we took, despite the fixed fare system . You may do better to arrange your own airport pick up or transfers directly with a driver.

Uber and Grab

In some parts of Bali services like Uber are ” banned”. They actually aren’t but local taxi drivers don’t want them taking their trade. Don’t get involved.

Private Car Plus Driver

We found it best to hire a driver with a decent sized car for the day, often a 4 wheel drive. Check out the car, see if you like the guy. Check they have rear seat belts. You may be able to fit your own car seat.

You will be constantly approached by drivers wanting your trade on the street. As a family of four, this worked out cheaper than buying 4 bus tickets and gave us total flexibility to tailor our day as we chose.

Our drivers were very helpful and suggested a few places to visit that we hadn’t thought of. We didn’t run into many scams.

With Mum Goggles on, I worry about my children’s safety and I thought driving around Bali with kids would freak me out. Despite a general lack of seat belts, I felt pretty good about using the roads in Bali. People drive slowly and carefully to avoid bicycles, dogs, scooters, children and chickens. It was OK, I didn’t worry too much. In towns, heavy traffic congestion slows up the roads.

Places To Visit In Bali with Kids

Bali is a small island and it’s pretty easy to take tours and visit attractions from any of the main hubs. Most people will base themselves, for the majority of their holiday, in one of the main tourist destination towns below.

Ubud is pretty much in the middle of Bali, surrounded by rice fields and forests. It’s not on the coast but makes a great base from which to explore the whole of the island. If it was my first time visiting Bali with a family I’d be tempted to spend a week in Bali plus a week at one of the popular beach destinations.

Ubud is where Bali first stole our hearts, we usually spend the bulk of our time here enjoying this busy little town and its neighbouring rice paddies and villages. Yoga and cultural activities are the order of the day in this hill town.

The extra elevation can make Ubud a little cooler than coastal towns. Ubud is land-locked,don’t expect beaches

Ubud is where you’ll find the famous monkey forest , take kids here with caution, these animals are the thugs of the animal kingdom and can be aggressive. You’ll also find beautiful architecture, art, culture and dance. But don’t think Ubud is off-the-beaten-track, Ubud is busy and growing by the day. There is very good shopping in Ubud too.

We have a separate post about things to do in Ubud , day trips and just hanging out in Ubud. You’ll find some excellent restaurants here along with a strong vegan scene.

Hotels, guest houses and villas are plentiful and can be particularly good value in Ubud.

We didn’t find very much to do in Sanur itself, other than hang out on the beach, check out the market stalls and get a massage and pedicure. That said, you could take many day trips from Sanur when you’re not relaxing or enjoying your hotel, it’s close to the boat departure points for Nusa Lembongan, if you plan to explore other islands or take the awesome manta ray snorkelling trip.

The beach has the protection of reef and breakwaters so it doesn’t have the big surf of Kuta making it safer for children. It’s nice to eat on the beach in the evening, there are plenty of restaurants and bars.

Kuta and Legian

We spent a day in Kuta, just to see what it was like. Kuta is busy! Kuta and Legian seem to blend into each other as you progress along the coast from the airport. Legian is more up-market.  There are a lot of big shops, a lot of sports bars, plenty of fast food, busy roads and traffic and a wide sandy beach with surf.

Kuta is where tourism is huge in Bali, there are some lovely hotels in this area and it’s close to the airport.

Our driver showed us the spot where the bombings took place, it was pretty sobering.

Kid-Friendly Things To Do in Bali, Activities and Attractions

The child pleasing attractions and activities you can enjoy on Bali include:

• Beaches and water sports.
• Animal attractions such as Bali Bird Park and The Reptile Park.
• Snorkel with manta rays
• Arts and crafts classes and courses.
• The beautiful dawn volcano hike (we took tweens and teens but you can do it with younger kids) Book that one here.
• Adventure activities, trekking, downhill bike touring, white water rafting, ATV riding, snorkelling and scuba diving.
• Gentle rice field walks.
• Bali Swing tours.
• Tours to enjoy history, dance, art and culture.
• Sightseeing, rice terraces, temples, volcanoes and palaces.
• Water parks – Waterbom Park Bali and Circus Water Park. The latter is more for younger kids.
• Cooking classes and food tours
• There are many beautiful temples and monuments to see.

Find more information on many of these activities below. You should have time to fit in quite a few on a typical two week family holiday. Some are half day tours, others will fill a whole day.

Bali Bird Park

The bird park was a must-do with kids, ours loved having parrots perch on their heads. There was also a small 3D cinema on-site, we watched a film about birds. Book Bali Bird Park tickets here

Bali Reptile Park

Next door is Bali Reptile Park , admission for Bali Bird Park covered both areas for us, although tickets can be purchased separately. The kids enjoyed the reptile park but it wasn’t huge. Book reptile park admission here.

The Elephant Cave. Goa Gajah

You have to go here to take the photo of the demon mouth cave opening.

Goa Gajah is a lovely site but access is via steep stairs, you may have to watch out for small children. It’s lovely and worth the trip, you can have a quick look around the Hindu and Buddhist parts, check out the linga in the cave and the sacred pool in half an hour.

If you want to stay longer you can find a guide to talk you through it. Men must wear sarongs, for hire at the entrance. You must be respectfully dressed.

Spice Farms and Kopi Luwak

Our driver took us to a spice farm on the way back from the volcano, Gunung Agung. This is normally listed as a ” scam to avoid” but if you want to go, go. We usually avoid these places as we’ve seen plenty before and there is usually some hard sell. As this was a first for the kids we agreed to go.

It was a great experience for all of us, spices, chocolate, tropical plants, coffee and Kopi Luwak. Bali coffee, Kopi Luwak is something special but it might gross you out slightly. There are also animal exploitation issues. I won’t be getting involved again.

Visit a volcano (or not) Gunung Agung

Your driver will take you up to a viewing spot and temple near the top of Bali’s active volcano. The view was pretty spectacular, but as we left the car women swarmed around us and my children, dressing them in sarongs, demanding money and separating them from me.

My younger son was in tears. We left straight away, never to return.

This is the only time we saw this sort of pushiness in Bali, or anywhere else, our driver was full of apologies. This is a popular Instagram spot.

Bali Volcano Hike With Kids

Climbing one of Bali’s volcanoes for spectacular sunrise views is a popular activity in Bali. But can you do it with kids? We took older children and they managed just fine.

I quizzed our guide during the climb. She said the youngest children she’d taken up were around 5 years old. Sometimes she’d had to carry them some of the way, sometimes she’d had to put them on a motorbike.

Motorbikes are there, ready, for anyone unable to complete the climb. For us, the volcano trek took around 2 hours up, 1 hour down. We started our journey to the volcano at 2am and started climbing around 4am.

We loved it. You can book a volcano trek here.

Snorkel With Manta Rays From Bali With Kids

We did this with older kids but it was just amazing! Yes, you can do this from Bali, even from Ubud. See our full post on the Bali manta rays here. We have video of this activity on this page. Or just go to this link and book it right now! This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime things to do and if you can, do it.

I wouldn’t do this tour with young children unless they were exceptionally confident in the water. The water is very deep and rough.

Family-Friendly Cooking Classes in Bali

We love taking cooking classes with kids and a cooking class could be just the thing to enhance your family vacation in Bali, while bonding and learning some new skills. Be sure to check that your cooking class will accept kids.

Beware sharp knives and roaring gas burners.

My son loved making his favourite satay and pandanus pancakes as well as meeting a lovely Balinese family in their home.

You can book a cooking class from Ubud, or most beach towns in Bali. Some hotels will offer their own mini cooking sessions, sometimes as part of a kids club.

Meet the Elephants (or not) Elephant Safari Park

I have major issues with animals doing tricks, but this was the children’s first up-close elephant encounter, so we went, many years ago. It’s expensive, but rather good, the kids loved it.

They fed the elephants and took an elephant back ride through the forest. This was before the negative press started being circulated about elephant riding. Back then it was fine, nobody batted an eyelid.

Make your own call on the ethics of elephant riding.

I’ve ridden elephants many times over the last 30 years, I’ve read up on the subject and I make a call based on individual circumstance and location. I have a degree in zoology, if that counts for anything and a deep fascination with animals.

I really have no knowledge of particular conditions in Bali, but I think today, I wouldn’t visit this one even though it comes with many endorsements from Steve Irwin.

Pura Tanah Lot

One of seven sea temples around Bali,  Pura Tanah Lot  is incredibly beautiful and great for photos if you can visit at sunset. You can’t visit the temple itself, it’s closed to foreigners, but it’s lovely to look at.

The temple is perched on a tiny island and at low tide, you can walk out to the rock.

The kids received a blessing from a priest at the sacred spring, they were quite pleased with that.

This temple is guarded by a legendary giant sea snake. There is a cave with a resident snake on the mainland but we didn’t visit. There are little shops and food stalls nearby.

Padang Bai, Fishing and the Blue Lagoon

We spent two nights in Padang Bai in a glorious and cheap hotel just behind the beach. The town is very small, not much to keep you occupied, but there are trips in traditional fishing boats for the adventurous.

The Blue Lagoon is just around the headland, it’s sold as a snorkeling spot. My husband snorkeled, he said it was OK. The boys jumped in briefly but the deepwater freaked them out.

At 8 and 6 they had absolutely no fear snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef , they were just too young in Bali on this visit.

We took an early morning fishing trip too, very early, well before dawn. We expected rods and lines, instead, we went miles out to sea in a tiny boat to watch the owner net fishing. He didn’t catch anything.

It was an interesting experience and the views of the volcano at dawn were spectacular but I wasn’t entirely comfortable being out at sea with two small children. In Amed local fishermen will also take you out to sea at dawn.

Best Time of Year to Visit Bali

What’s the best time of year to go to Bali? Bali enjoys a tropical or equatorial climate as it sits just 8 degrees south of the equator. May-July are normally considered the best months to visit. The dry season runs from May to October, but even in the wet season conditions can be pleasant and dry days and sunshine are not unusual. Find out more about Bali weather here.

Balinese Food For Kids

Balinese food isn’t as amazing as Thai or Vietnamese but we liked it a lot. We had some great food and some not so great, mostly down to us picking the wrong establishments.

If you want to eat in good restaurants you have plenty of options and the standards of food and service can be very high, while prices remain reasonable.

Generally, we found the small, family-run cafes and restaurants (warung) better than the big backpacker places, and cheaper.

We picked up a few munchies at markets and at roadside stalls, sticky rice, barbecued corn. It was all good.

We didn’t get a chance to try the marinated spit-roasted pork, Babi Guling , that Bali is famous for, there were huge queues every time we passed the recommended place in Ubud, Ibu Oka. We’ll try harder next time.

Gado Gado , is a cooked and raw salad with slightly spicy peanut sauce and hard boiled egg. It’s great for kids and vegetarians. If you are exclusively vegan Bali caters to vegan travellers well and you’ll find plenty of dedicated vegan cafés and restaurants.

I don’t think the Balinese use chilies with the same abandon as the Thais, or maybe they were just toning it down for the tourists, but none of the food we were ever served in Bali was very hot.

The children loved mild, peanut based satay dishes when they were younger. Now they eat anything Bali offers.

Bali Essentials, Things to Take to Bali With You For Kids

Visit our travel gear page to see which products we love, but don’t go crazy, you probably won’t need to buy anything special for a normal holiday. Do pack sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Solid sunscreen works well in your carry-on luggage and this is the best sunscreen we’ve ever tried .

Take anything that you may need importantly and urgently, like contact lens solutions, paracetamol ( adults and kids) and any other medications or products you use often. There are excellent shops in Bali and you can buy just about anything, but if you’re likely to need something in a hurry, take a stash.

We like to carry a small bottle of iodine, cuts and bites can get infected rapidly in the tropics.  Hand sanitiser gel or antibacterial wipes are a good idea with kids – not least on the plane.

What gear you need depends on your style of travel and duration of stay, as long term travellers we carry everything from mosquito nets to travel towels, but if you’re staying in a resort or hotel, of course, you won’t need much.

Day Trips From Bali

We recently took a day trip to snorkel with manta rays off a nearby island. You can read about this amazing tour from Bali here. This would not be suitable for babies, toddlers or younger children. Our kids were teens and tweens and strong swimmers for this family activity.

Bali Belly and Kids

Because everyone has heard the Bali horror stories and worries about that, right? Two of us had diarrhea by the end of our first trip to Bali. Second time around we had no problems at all. Third time in Bali, two of us got flu on the plane.

That round of traveller’s tummy wasn’t serious and didn’t stop us doing anything, but there were a few urgent trips to the bathroom. When we got home I flew by the doctors where stool cultures revealed that we actually had a strain of salmonella. That was surprising, we weren’t too bad at all. There is no treatment for salmonella, so my Doctor told me, you just wait for it to pass and take probiotics ( live yogurt or pharmacy probiotic preparations)

It is interesting that only 2 of us went down with it, one adult, one child, we were all eating the same things and shared and tasted each other’s food constantly. It could have come via direct hand-to-mouth transmission, maybe a virus, not food.

People seem to worry about food hygiene in Bali quite a lot, particularly if they are visiting Bali with kids, I really don’t think that Bali is outstandingly dodgy in the food department based on our experience and over the 15 years we’ve been visiting, things have continued to get better.

That said, in 2020 we did see 3 rats feasting on pizza toppings in a busy wood-fired pizza restaurant in Ubud.

My best tip to avoiding all this stuff is to keep your hands clean, wash with soap often and if needed use antibacterial gels and baby wipes ( but think about your plastic consumption and limit use ).

Mosquitoes in Bali

People get Dengue fever in Bali. It can be a worry, particularly for parents. I have to say that each year we see fewer and fewer mosquitoes. Fogging is fairly common. Hotels use chemical sprays to kill all insects lurking in nearby greenery.

Nonetheless, you should probably pack the mosquito repellent and follow all the usual tips for avoiding mosquitoes.

More Bali Dangers – Dogs and Monkeys

Bites happen. You will find dogs and monkeys hard to avoid and yes, they can potentially carry rabies. Teach your children to stay away and never carry food or drink in or near Ubud’s Monkey Forest.

If you are scratched, bitten or even licked, head to the doctor’s surgery. We have had rabies vaccinations , but not for Bali. We had them for remote travel in Pakistan but the shots do give us extra peace of mind.

Enjoy Your Bali Trip!

So what do you think? Have you been? Are you going?  Did we miss out on lots of good things in Kuta? Please share any cool things to do in Bali with kids that you find, we love to hear from you!

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Alyson Long

Cardiff, wales at christmas. winter wonderland, what is thai food (thai food for beginners), 20 thoughts on “bali with kids & things to do in bali with kids”.

Hi, Thanks for all this awesome info!

I am heading back to Bali for only my second time so definitely don’t have much experience. This time I’m planning to head to Ubud.

My highlight in Kuta was definitely letting my baby turtle race down the beach to the water! It was at the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Centre. In the info session they said their volunteers collect the eggs off the beach where they may be trampled by foot traffic, wait until they hatch and then people pay a donation to release them. You aren’t allowed to touch the turtle, they are in a plastic container with water. Anyway, I am currently planning my next trip and will definitely be taking my family there! (Last trip was a girls trip)

I’m concerned that, it being Kuta, this isn’t legit. But we can hope they stand a chance of surviving there. It’s very rough and often full of plastic.

Hi there, such a great post. I always traveled to Europe with my toddler but now our friends are encouraging us to travel to Bali with them next year. My kid would be 5 and a half God willing. I am a bit afraid of visiting such countries with my kid because of the long hours in plane and the hygiene and food. I worry about almost everything 🙂 Then I found this blog and you make it so easy. Do you know about vaccinations? I am assuming we need to get vaccinated especially the kid. Regarding the food, am glad we can find western restaurants since both myself and the kid are a bit fussy. Thanks for sharing

Just see your GP or practice nurse about vaccinations for Bali. Leave plenty of time, some take a few months. Have a great trip!

I love you post Alyson, you certainly are living the dream!!! My husband and I have also done a lot of traveling in the past, but have only done Europe since having our children. We have just booked a 3 week trip to Bali on the 10th of Feb with a 4 year old and 10 month old baby. What mosquito repellent do you recommend that we use on our children? We always used deet when we were traveling through Asia, but it was so strong that it melted the plastic on our dry bag!! I am not really wanting to use that on such young skin. Do you have any tips? Also any tips for traveling with a baby at all would be greatly welcomed ☺️ happy traveling Alyson and family

Hi Nicki, We use a natural repellent in a yellow roll-on bottle that we buy in Boots Thailand. I don’t know if they have it in Boots UK. No, I certainly wouldn’t use Deet on a baby or small child, I still don’t use it on my teens if I can help it. Also see our post on avoiding mosquitos – we’re expets! I think there are some child- friendly recommendations in there too. https://worldtravelfamily.com/tips-avoiding-mosquitos/ Enjoy your trip!

Hi Alyson great info on your post! I’m so disappointed at Bali not having tuk tuk’s as they’re so cheap & my kids love them! You mention hiring a driver taxi, how much does this cost? We are going to travel for a month in Bali but 10 days of that will be on the nearby islands & the Gili islands too. I’m just wondering about a week discovering the beaches of the south coast, The distances aren’t too far so would taxis be a better option? Are there lots available at the beaches on the south? If you find yourself somewhere remote can you call for one? Would this be expensive? Many thanks Elle ?

Taxis and hiring a car and driver for the day are 2 different things. At the airport there is a fixed rate taxi desk. It’s more expensive than most. Uber or Grab is available in some places and motorbike taxis are common. There is a Grab lounge at the airport now. We thought taxis around Ubud were expensive for Asia, they all work together to keep prices high and have managed to force out Grab and Uber. The southern beaches are far from remote, it’s busy, built up, full of tourists. We actually arrive in Bali later this week. So I can get some up to date information happening. We’re avoiding the south, we really don’t like Kuta etc, heading north, so it will be a good test. We don’t hire scooters, it’s too dangerous for us, but a lot of tourists do.

Thank you for the info. I plan on traveling with a 3 year old. Any insight on getting around with a toddler? Car seats? Etc

I think it’s generally best to assume you won’t be using western things like car seats for kids anywhere in Asia. Even in the UK you’re not required to use a car seat in a taxi. Take your own if you feel you want to and if there is a seatbelt you’ll be able to put it in the back. Car seats aren’t normally part of your airline weight allowance. If you’re from Australia and only have the type that bolt in, I guess you can’t. Sorry, I’m British, we travelled with a strap in one to the US etc but never bothered for Asia as it wasn’t a legal requirement. They drive pretty slowly on Bali because the traffic is usually backed up and the roads small, we always felt pretty safe there and the taxis and car’s we hired for the day were often big 4 x 4 s with the kids. I think first time we went to Bali our youngest was 2 or 3 years old.

Thanks for the great article – it’s very helpful as my family and I are considering taking a trip to Bali. We have a 1 year old toddler. You mentioned bringing mosquito repellent and I was hearing that Dengue Fever is on the rise in SE Asia. Was this a concern for you with you and your kids in Bali?

Dengue is always a worry everywhere. We’ve been in Laos, Sri Lanka and Queensland in Dengue outbreaks. We just always assume it’s there and take precautions if there are many mozzies about. The Dengue mozzies bite during the day, we hardly ever get bitten during the day, anywhere, so your worry rapidly decreases on arrival. The locals don’t want Dengue either so they’re pretty clued up on getting rid of them. Also they fog for mozzies commonly in Bali.

thanks for your advice, what a great read!

Great read and I must say that we love Sanur with the family! There are some great cheaper villas but not directly on the beach. It has definitely changed over the years and Ubud is a family favourite too although hard to walk around with young kids!

Amazing Place!!! Spending Adventurous Vacations. Thank You for sharing this Wonderful Place.

Thank you Alyson another informative post

We love Bali, although we haven’t been with kids – yet! We are spending two weeks there at the start of next year.

We have stayed in Legian in the past and loved it. I would not hesitate at all to take kids there. We have found the food in Bali to be great. Very very good and had no problems with Bali belly. Last time we went I was pregnant, so I was a bit worried but there were no problems.

We also love Ubud and are thinking about spending half our time there next time and half in Sanur (to try something new), but now I am not sure! We don’t want to get away from it all. We like to be somewhere with lots of energy and lots of places to eat and hang out within a short walk from our hotel. Basically, we just want things to be easy! Would you recommend Sanur for us? After reading this, I am thinking maybe we should stick to Legian.

Have you been to the Gili Islands? We have been to Senggigi. That was a bit too low key for what we are looking for too.

Love your kids! They are adorable! :X

We stayed away from Kuta too. I think it’s a matter of choice. I just don’t like that kind of entertainment and style. We preferred the temples and small towns. Loved Ubud too! We did go to Amed and loved it! Thought Sanur was expensive and touristy. Like a resort done in “Bali” style.

My rule of thumb traveling was if you can’t peel it or cook it don’t eat it so we never ate salads unless we could wash it ourselves with purified water. Advice given to us from our time in Guatemala….Not sure if it is overly cautious but we lived by it. Love your stuff!

Love the website and your attitude to travelling. Thanks for sharing, it’s awesome.

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A bit about the beautiful island of Bali (and what to do with one week there).

• By Sarah Steiner
• Updated On April 20, 2024

I’m going to start this post extremely honestly. Visiting Bali has never been on our bucket list for travel with the kids. We gravitate towards the road less travelled and know that Bali with kids is a very popular mainstream travel destination.

But when the opportunity arose to make a stopover for one week in Bali on our way towards South Asia (to Bangladesh ; by contrast) we thought we would grab it.

So here is a little bit of planning info about our week in Bali and some of the highlights from our time on the beautiful island.

We knew we only had one week in Bali and so choose carefully with some of the highlights we really wanted to see during our time on the island.

We came up with a unanimous vote to find some monkeys , visit Uluwatu Temple and see a Balinese performance , check out the rice terraces and see a waterfall .

Plus the first mission we all had on our minds was to get to the beach and try a fresh drinking coconut. 

Challenge accepted. 

Visas for Bali 

Visa on arrival services in Bali restarted on March 22, 2022 .

Passengers from 42 nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival in Bali , which is valid for 30 days and can be extended once. Thus after 60 days, the traveller must leave the country.

• Tip : This service is only available in Bali. Travellers entering Indonesia in Jakarta have different visa requirements on arrival.

Always check for up to date notifications on the Indonesian and Bali visa sites as travel regulations for 2024 continue changing very rapidly!

The cost of an Indonesian Bali Visa on Arrival is IDR 500,000 or approximately USD $35.

A first good morning from Bali, Indonesia…

I updated my first post from Bali with kids, Indonesia this year to say good morning; but wait – not just from anywhere in Bali…

It’s like we’d done it again! We arrived at MIDNIGHT after our 4:00am start from New Zealand (that meant it was already 4:00am again in NZ) to find our hotel room in Bali had already been on-sold…

Our friendly taxi driver and hotel staff rebooked us and redirected us about a kilometre down the road. 

It was a second nice hotel; and hats off to the boys walking in literally asleep on their feet.

But I’m pretty sure we spent night number one of our GREAT BIG ADVENTURE starting out this year in the red light district (once again!).

But ahhh… The sights, sounds, smells and chaos of Asia to wake up to in the morning make even the balcony view of the pumping night club (the morning after) feel pretty darn great!

[ Adventure it is !].

Alright Bali; you have our attention.

I’m going to go as far as to say that the dramas of the first night of adventures melted away with a sip of fresh and delicious drinking coconut. (4x island-kids were right back in their happy place!).

We dropped our bags at a new hotel and spent the best part of afternoon number one at a still-fairly-empty post-pandemic Kuta and Legian Beach.  

It felt great to sit back, take a breath and soak it all up – in a literal and figurative sense… 

And so Bali; we reckon you rocked your Day One second chance!

Finding our feet in Kuta Beach (mainstream Bali with kids)

After our slightly hiccup start we had three days to explore the main area of Bali before we wanted to see Ubud.  We quickly found a routine that included a local street food breakfast and then a lot of the day spent subsequently at the beach.  

Nasi Jinggo (Jinggo Rice) became a favourite find for all of us and at only 10,000INR it is the equivalent of NZD $1.10 per serving. 

It comes wrapped in a leaf which caught our attention. Inside is a bowl portion of white rice with side dishes of tempeh fried chilli sauce, shredded egg, green beans and fried noodles. And a complimentary packet of rice crackers to boot!

Breakfast aside we found afternoons still blissfully quiet (sans post-pandemic tourists really) at Kuta Beach and Legian Beach in Bali.

Visiting Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali’s six key temples known locally as Pura Luhur Uluwatu (with Luhur meaning ‘something of divine origin’).

Uluwatu is renowned for its magnificent location perched atop a steep cliff 70 metres above the crashing ocean below.

It makes for the most beautiful backdrop at sunset and thus the extra basis of its appeal for the Kecak Dance show (see below) performed right overlooking the ocean.

Kecak Dance Performance (at Uluwatu)

I truly hadn’t done much research on things to do in Bali as for us it was a stopover and the start of our FOURTH time leaving New Zealand since fulltime travelling…

But one thing I had read about and wanted to try and include was the experience of a Balinese cultural show.

Kecak Dance is a type of traditional dance performed regularly in many places all over Bali Island. However, we were recommended that the best place to watch this spectacular show is at the  Pura Uluwatu , where the dance is performed daily on top of the clifftop with the ocean and setting sun as a dramatically beautiful background. 

The Uluwatu Temple and fire show is exactly that and to boot is at a truly stunning location on the clifftops of Uluwatu! 

We got our same friendly taxi driver who had helped us shift hotels to take us to Uluwatu – about an hour away. We couldn’t find much information about the show beforehand (or even if it was still on). But at the time we visited, due to Eid celebrations, Bali was extra-busy with domestic holiday makers and the temple was abuzz!

The traditional Balinese dance and fire is great experience for the kids (and for us!) with the highlight a cheeky White Ape character that leapt and danced right up into the audience. 

And I’ve got to say the (real) monkeys were another highlight… Or definitely kept us on our toes. We watched them steal someone’s sunglasses right off their head – and snap them in half! 

I highly recommend Uluwatu if you are coming to Bali with kids.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall in Bali, Indonesia. It is located at the village of Tegenungan Kemenuh north from the capital of Denpasar and close to the popular village destination of Ubud.

For us making a roadtrip from Denpasar to Ubud it made perfect sense to stop and see the waterfall as it isn’t far off the main road at all. 

The waterfall is absolutely stunning on a great day and its easy to see why it’s a popular stop on the way to Ubud. It is also a fairly typically touristy Bali stop but it’s a social place and very family friendly.

The walk down from the carpark to the waterfall is well maintained and the pathway is safe. There’s a part on the track where you can play around with the funny signs and create photos with the waterfall in the backdrop.

There are plenty of small food stalls and cafes on the way out making the perfect excuse for a cool ice cream to complete a great Bali itinerary tick! 

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Alright. The rice terraces of Tegalalang are extremely beautiful. There likely isn’t a traveller in sight that has not seen images of the beautiful vibrant green terraces. And it really does look like that when you see them in person!

The only downside of this area of Bali is that it is super touristy. (To be frank it doesn’t even look in parts like it is farmed as rice terraces anymore). Rather it is set up with the iconic Instagram-swings and little nest frames to take photos overlooking the green stepped hills.

But regardless, the terraces are (undeniably) wonderfully green and are an essential inclusion on any Bali itinerary. 

The rice terraces at their greenest to visit in March, April, September or October as this is when the rice is ready and about to be harvested.

After walking through the rice terraces and (if you beat the crowds) taking in the beautifully vibrant green landscape you can pick a café or restaurant overlooking the rice fields.

There are a number of options up the top of the terraces with balcony seating so you can enjoy Tegalalang from a different perspective! The restaurants here are more expensive than elsewhere in Bali but the view is pretty incredible.

The roadtrip from Bali to Ubud (and a roadside stop of the best kind!)

We took a road trip to Ubud to check out a different side of Bali. It’s beautiful out of the city – and we did stop at one of the iconic waterfalls (above). But the highlight of this day’s drive was stopping for lunch with our fab taxi driver, Dana. 

He showed us his favourite Balinese Warung (a traditional roadside restaurant) where we ate grilled chicken, urab (vegetable salad) and Sambal matah (a delicious hot sauce). 

The entire meal for 5 of us cost 120,000 IDR ($12.50 NZD)!

Simple but tasty food and a cool local experience to share. (Our favourite kind!).

So what did we do in Bali and how much did it cost? 

We had an awesome almost-week in Bali with kids.

We found it a fairly economical place to explore food-wise and accommodation options.

Below are the expenses for the activities we chose. (And each of which we would highly recommend for your itinerary in Bali with kids!).

TEGENUNGAN WATERFALL

A refreshing stop off at beautiful Tegenungan Waterfall en route to Ubud.  The waterfall is about 2 hours north of Denpasar. Traffic is insane from the capital to the village of Tegenungan Kemenuh. 

• Cost to enter:  20,000IDR per adult ($1.40 USD).
• Opening times:  6:30am – 6:30pm

Down at the falls there are lockers available for 10,000 Rupiah and toilets for 3,000 Rupiah.

TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACES

Checking out the vibrant green rice terraces of Tegallalang, Ubud. (And yes this IS a tourist attraction and does now cost to enter and view/wander the main terraces).

And do note it also costs 100,000 IDR for a few minutes on one of the famous swings.

• Cost to enter:  10,000 IDR per adult

ULUWATU TEMPLE

• Cost:  IDR 30,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 for children.
• Opening hours:  09:00am – 07:00pm daily (open 24 hours for worship).

There are public facilities like toilets, food stall and souvenir shop available. But these are not in the temple area.  Rather they are located in the parking area in front of the main gate of the temple.

And as with other temples in Bali, it is required to dress respectfully. Both men and women should wear a sarong, scarf or sash tied around the waist.

A sarong and sash is provided at Uluwatu Temple to use for free and is available by the ticket entrance.

KECIAK DANCE SHOW AT ULUWATU TEMPLE

The Kecak Fire Dance is one of Bali’s most iconic performances which takes place in the clifftop amphitheatre beside Uluwatu Temple. It is a great activity to do in Bali with kids (and one I highly recommend to add to your Bali itinerary).

The Kecak Fire Dance show starts at sunset, so around 6pm. 

• Cost:  100,000 IDR per adult. 

So would we recommend a stopover in Bali with kids? 

To be honest; in our opinion as an adventure family travel destination I would say no.

But as a holiday destination for a week to explore, soak up some sun, drink coconuts and experience a different culture (and food!) – why not! 🙂

More useful links for your travels in Indonesia and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

• Booking.com  – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally. 
• Skyscanner   – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.  
• GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
• SafetyWing  – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads   – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Even planning one week in Bali, make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to Bali with kids!

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here . 

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Indonesia / June 4, 2023

How to Plan the Best Family Trip to Bali (2023)

A family trip to Bali should leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Bali is such a fun family vacation destination that is rich in local culture from delicious food to ancient temples, adventure activities, and plenty to do to unwind. This Bali family travel guide covers everything you need to know to plan your Bali vacation. From what you should book before you fly to tips for creating the perfect family itinerary it’s all on this list.

Beautiful beaches, interesting culture, and delicious food make a family trip to Bali a must. © Skye Gilkeson

How to Plan the Best Family Trip to Bali

Bali is the ideal family destination. It is a place that offers something for every member of the family.

Planning your Bali itinerary will be easy once you decide exactly which area you want to stay in as a family and which Bali activities you want to do.

We hope to help you plan the best family trip to Bali with this guide. 

How to Get to Bali 

Bali Indonesia is an island (one of the Sunda Islands) in Southeast Asia sitting between Lombok and Java.

Flights from Sydney to Bali take about 6.5 hours.

Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Qantas are a few of the popular airlines that fly from Australia to Bali.

For those traveling to Bali from the UK, Emirates offers the fastest service flying via Dubai and direct from Dubai to Denpasar.

Jakarta to Bali takes just under 2 hours on a plane with many flights running during the day.

Click to Search Airfares to Bali

The Best Time to Visit Bali

The dry season in Bali is from April to October.

The best time to visit Bali is between May and August with the high season in Bali considered April to August.

The island gets particularly busy during the Australian school holidays in April and June/July, Christmas, and New Year.

The wet season in Bali is from November to March. January to March is the low season in Bali. If you can put up with late afternoon showers (or more) every day, this is definitely the cheapest time to visit the island.

Check that your travel dates don’t fall during any of the public holidays in Indonesia or you may be restricted in what you can do around the island.

How Long Should You Stay in Bali?

Ideally, a family trip to Bali should be 7 to 10 days, or longer.

This gives you enough time to stay in one or two different parts of Bali. It will also give you and your kids time to get over any jetlag from the journey over.

The great thing about Bali is you can get a feel for Bali in 3-4 days if you only have time for a short trip.

But I would highly recommend booking one, very central, family resort in Bali for that time.

Also, hire a driver or book Bali day tours so you can explore stress-free and get the most out of your family holiday.

If you are coming from the United States or Europe or somewhere a bit further away, try to give yourself time to spend a little longer as there are so many things to do in Bali.

Which Part of Bali is Best For Families?

The island of Bali has a destination that will appeal to every type of family. There are busy areas overflowing with crowds, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions. 

But, there are also off-the-beaten-track villages or villa resorts where you can switch off and just spend your days on one of Bali’s beautiful beaches with your kids. Of course, there are also places in Bali with a little of both.

You simply need to decide the type of holiday you are planning, consider the age and interests of your kids, and book your Bali accommodation and tours accordingly.

There are a number of different main tourist areas in Bali that are good for families.

Each area offers something unique in terms of activities, setting, and entertainment. I have included a summary of each below.

The best places in Bali for families to stay are Nusa Dua, Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Jimbaran Bay, Ubud, Uluwatu, and Sanur.

If you are looking for a really relaxed Bali resort holiday, Nusa Dua is a great place.

Nusa Dua is on the southeastern tip of Bali, about 10 to 15 minutes from the airport.

You’ll find large luxury resorts in Nusa Dua that have everything from restaurants, spas, kids’ clubs, shopping, and a gorgeous beach area.

The best part is there’s no need to leave the area if you aren’t up for exploring.

Kuta is the busy part, suitable for those planning a family trip to Bali with a good dose of nightlife and daily activities.

The good thing about Kuta is that t here are always plenty of things to do for kids and adults. But, be prepared for the crowds.

Legian is the stretch of the beach north of Kuta stretching to Seminyak. While more expensive than Kuta, Legian is generally more affordable than Seminyak.

Popular with families and surfers alike, it’s a great spot for those looking for a more low-key area than its noisy neighbors.

Legian has some good-value family resorts and great Bali beach clubs to keep you entertained during your stay.

With a good balance of buzz, beach clubs, and great shopping, Seminyak has a little of everything.

This is a great area to stay in on your first time in Bali as it’s right in the center of the action.

Book a hotel near the main road with Seminyak restaurants within reach so you can walk everywhere and avoid having to sit in infamously bad Bali traffic

The hipster hub of Bali, Canggu is a popular neighborhood for surfers, digital nomads, and families alike.

Slightly quieter than Kuta or Seminyak there are good local Canggu restaurants and family-friendly beach clubs in this area.

For those who still want to party down after a day spent coffee crawling or surfing during the day, there are some fun bars too.

Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran Bay is on the west coast of Bali about 20 minutes south of Kuta Beach.

Jimbaran Beach is well-known for its seafood restaurants where guests can choose their own catch and have it cooked in front of them and dine with their toes in the sand.

This area is a bit of a blend of a small local fishing community with a few luxury hotels in the surrounding areas set overlooking the ocean.

Jimbaran is a good place to spend a few days if you want some peace and quiet and to unwind in a resort.

Escape to the jungle and the famous rice fields  of Ubud.

Often touted as the spiritual center of Bali, n ature lovers will also appreciate Ubud.

Ubud offers a calmer family trip to Bali with so many things to do from outdoor excursions to village visits and wildlife experiences.

Ubud also has some of the best hotels in Bali set amidst the trees and rice terraces.

For some of the best beaches in Bali, with private villa-style resort hotels, Uluwatu is the perfect place to stay in Bali.

If you’re back in Bali for the second time spending some time in the Bukit offers a lovely contrast to the often chaotic Kuta or Seminyak.

Spend your days in your villa pool, book in at one of the best beach clubs in Bali for the day, or enjoy dinner with your private chef with a view over the ocean.

For a much quieter family trip to Bali with some local experiences on your doorstep Sanur is a good option.

Sanur is located in southeast Bali. It is the oldest beach resort in Bali and still remains less developed than its busy counterparts on the west coast.

There are a number of Sanur hotels and family villas to call home where you can relax during the day.

Or head out to the local markets, artisanal stores or try your hand at Balinese cooking.

Bali is overflowing with incredible hotels suitable for every family. © Skye Gilkeson

Bali Family Resorts

There are so many family resorts in Bali that it can be overwhelming to choose one to suit all family members.

There are a few factors to take into account when deciding where to stay in Bali.

It is a good idea to answer a few questions to help you narrow down which area to stay at in Bali for your family trip.

Do you need a kids club? Do you want to be able to walk to restaurants and cafes? Do you want an all-inclusive resort in Bali and Do you need privacy or your own pool away from the crowds?

These questions should help you filter down the family resorts that suit your needs.

Some of the Bali family hotels with kids’ clubs are:

• Hard Rock Hotel Bali , Kuta
• Movenpick Resort Jimbaran Bay
• Mandapa Ubud
• Padma Resort Legian

Click to Search Family Hotels in Bali

What to Pack for a Family Trip to Bali

Packing for a family trip to Bali is pretty simple.

You need summer clothes that are comfortable in the humidity like loose maxi dresses, cotton shorts and t-shirts for kids, and comfortable sandals or water shoes.

Here are a few other important things to throw in your suitcase:

• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Reef-Safe Sunscreen (it can be very expensive on the island)
• Deet-free mosquito repellant and Mosquito Repellant patches . Most hotels should have mosquito nets provided too. Dengue fever is present in Bali .
• Pool floatation devices. If your child needs a safety vest for swimming, bring it from home.
• Medications in case the dreaded Bali belly hits (we carry Buscopan, Mintec, Imodium, Kids panadol, and broad-spectrum antibiotics – please seek your own medical advice as this is just our personal travel list.)
• If you are traveling in the rainy or shoulder season make sure you pack raincoats for the kids. Otherwise, you should be able to buy ponchos, umbrellas, or raincoats at the markets.

Click Here to Read Our Baby Packing List

Is the Food in Bali Safe to Eat?

Bali is a food lover’s paradise. With some incredible fine dining, traditional Indonesian fare (like personal favorites N asi Goreng and Mie Goreng) , a huge choice of healthy Bali cafes to high-end bars.

Bali food is great, until in some cases, it’s not. Once upon a time, ‘Bali belly’ was simply par for the course with a trip to Indonesia.

Bali belly can be caused by eating food or drinks contaminated by bacteria.

But, these days there are a few of the best things you can do to try to avoid getting Bali belly:

• Never drink tap water. Only drink from sealed bottles of water. This includes when brushing your teeth. Also beware of ordering smoothies, juices, and cold drinks that may have water added.
• There used to be a blanket rule to never order ice too. Most upmarket bars and beach clubs will serve clean ice. I personally still avoid having ice in my drinks.
• Ensure your food is hot, fresh, and cooked through.
• Beware street food that isn’t cooked fresh in front of you.
• Avoid buffets where food may not be fresh or may have been sitting in the heat for extended periods.
• Avoid any unpasteurized dairy products.

How Much Does a Family Trip to Bali Cost?

Bali has unfortunately become one of the more expensive destinations in South East Asia .

While there is no set cost for a family trip to Bali there are several factors that will impact how much a family trip to Bali will cost:

• Whether you are luxury travelers or budget travelers,
• Where you stay in Bali,
• What is included in your accommodation packages
• What activities you would like to do in Bali? Obviously, the more activities you do outside your resort, the more your Bali holiday will cost.
• Whether you need additional care for young children (always check the age minimum at kids clubs)

How to Save Money on Your Family Trip to Bali

Although Bali can be a more expensive family holiday pre-trip planning is key to keeping your Bali budget in check.

Here are 10 simple ways to save money on your family trip to Bali and eliminate some of the pre-holiday budgeting stress:

1 Choose a centrally located family resort in Bali

A great way to  save you on the cost of drivers and you can easily walk to restaurants nearby.

2. Book a package that includes childcare

Although nannies in Bali are inexpensive, booking a Bali hotel with a kids club will save you money on one-off childcare fees and tips.

3. Book a half-board or all-inclusive Bali hotel

Booking a hotel that includes meals and some drinks will ensure you won’t be reaching for your wallet all the time or paying expensive ATM fees or exchange fees. It also means you don’t have to worry about your kids adding unexpected food and drink costs onto the bill.

4. Choose a hotel with a good entertainment offering

The more free entertainment you have at your Bali hotel, the less likely you are to need to take the kids out for additional shows and day trips.

5. Give your Kids a Budget

One of the best parts of a family trip to Bali is being able to go to local shops and the markets together.

If you are traveling with older children or teenagers, give them a budget for the trip, let them manage their own shopping spending, and do their own negotiating. You are giving them some independence, and responsibility and they will learn valuable negotiation and exchange skills.

6. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate

The beauty of Bali is that it is still very much a place where you can negotiate.

Whether it is a room upgrade with your hotel, a “7 nights for 6” style packages, hotel extras, or a fixed price with your driver, you can negotiate a lot of things while in Bali.

7. Travel in the Shoulder Season

You can save a lot of money on a Bali holiday if you choose to travel in the low season and by avoiding school holiday surge times.

These are also times when you will be able to negotiate directly with hotels and tour operators for discounts.

The trade-off, of course, is that you may be faced with rainier or more humid days.

8. Eat locally

Eating at local warungs will not only allow your family to have a more authentic experience, but you will also save lots of money.

Bali restaurants are incredible. But, they aren’t cheap. So, if you don’t have the budget to take the whole family out to one of the fancy places, save that for a date night.

9. Use an App to Track Your Expenses

If you are good with spreadsheets, you can track your expenses by inputting each cost.

However, apps like TravelSpend or NomadWallet make it easy to track your expenses. Splitwise is a great app for splitting up trip costs within a group.

10. Choose a Bank Card without International Fees

We use WISE travel card as it has limited international transaction fees and reasonable conversion rates.

Things to do in Bali as a Family

There is a seemingly endless list of activities that make Bali family holidays fun.

You will absolutely not cover all of the wonderful family activities on offer on your first visit to Bali.

A few things you must do on your family trip to Bali are:

• The entire family will have a fun morning on the water slides at  Waterbom Bali water park.
• Spend the Day at a Bali Beach Club
• Visit the Amazing U luwatu Temple
• Go shopping at the local markets
• See Mount Batur (an active volcano) in a vintage VW
• Relax in some natural hot springs
• See the cheeky monkeys are the monkey forest
• Visit the famous water temple
• Try some white water rafting
• Experience Balinese culture at a Devdan Show
• Discover new bird species at Bali Bird Park
• Take some sunset photos at Tanah Lot
• Visit a beautiful waterfall or a few

Read our Complete Guide to Things to Do in Bali with Kids

The yellow bridge connects Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan, Indonesia. Image by Danny De Groot via Unsplash

Amazing Day Trips from Bali

If this is your first time in Indonesia, you will have an amazing time just exploring the island

But, if you have a little more time or this isn’t your first visit, I encourage you to consider at least a day trip from Bali to one of the neighboring islands.

A few destinations beyond the main island to add to your Bali family itinerary include Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and the Gili Islands.

Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is an island off the southeast coast of Bali and a popular choice  for a day trip from Bali.

This gorgeous island is the largest of the three “Nusa Islands” that are part of a protected marine park.

Nusa Penida is a lovely place to spend a few days or is an easy island hop for the day. Picture clear blue water, palm trees, and a lush green landscape.

How to Get to Nusa Penida

The easiest way to get to Nusa Penida in a day is to book a day tour. But, if you have more time, jump on a boat from Sanur.

The fast boat ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida takes about 40 minutes.

Book a private tour to take you around for the day.

The landscape on Nusa Penida can be rough with steep terrain. So, make sure you tell your tour guide if you are traveling with small children so they can adjust the itinerary accordingly.

Things to do in Nusa Penida

• See the famed Teletubbies Hill, a viewing point and photo opportunity. Best after the rainy season when it’s green and lush./
• See the Rumah Pohon Tree House
• Go snorkeling
• Visit one of the beautiful beaches in Nusa Penida. While the Insta-famous Kelingking Beach is popular the walk down is not suitable for small children.
• Go swimming with the Manta Rays in Manta Bay.

Click here for Nusa Penida Day Tours

Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is a small island next to Nusa Penida.

Nusa Lembongan is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you are a keen surfer, want to spend some time seeing the iconic coral reefs by snorkeling  or spend some beach time away from the crowds.

How to Get to Nusa Lembongan

Sanur to Nusa Lembongan takes about 40 minutes by fast boat.

Boat tickets generally include transfers to and from your hotel in Bali to the wharf.

Things to do on Nusa Lembongan

• Spend the day snorkeling in the stunning Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan next door.
• Relax at Sandy Bay Beach Club for the day
• Book a tour to see Devil’s Tear, Dream Beach, and Yellow Bridge.
• Enjoy some water sports in the stunning aquamarine waters.

Click Here to Book a Nusa Lembongan Day Tour

The Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are an archipelago of three tiny islands, Gili Trawangan (Gili T), Gili Meno, and Gili Air.

While this cluster of islands is particularly popular with backpackers and travelers looking to party, it also has laid-back appeal for families.

How to get to the Gili Islands

The trip from Bali to the Gili Islands takes anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours, depending on which type of boat you choose so it will be a full-day trip if you are just doing a day trip.

Speedboats go from Port Padangbai in southeast Bali directly to Gili Trawangan.

If you are traveling with small children you might prefer one of the larger, slower ferries as the seas can be quite rough on the journey. But, it can become a long journey that way so spend a few nights on the islands if you are able to.

Things to do in the Gili Islands

• Go on a snorkeling day trip. Read about our Gili Islands snorkeling trip here .
• Ride bicycles around the islands.

Click to Book a Speedboat Ticket to the Gili Islands 

The stunning Komodo National Park in Indonesia. © Skye Gilkeson

Incredible Destinations Beyond Bali

While Bali is such an easy and fun family destination there are some other incredible places to do in Indonesia to add to your bucket list.

These are a few other areas of Indonesia that are more off the beaten track you should consider for your next trip beyond Bali.

Sulawesi is an Indonesian island north of Bali and east of Java that offers so much for culturally curious travelers.

From incredible diving and snorkeling to small traditional villages , and authentic local cuisine, this island offers so much for families willing to travel a little deeper into Indonesia.

Read Our Sulawesi Travel Guides

Komodo National Park

Ever dreamt of staying on a traditional Phinisi boat and spending your days diving, swimming, and snorkeling?

Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage  site and should be on your Indonesia travel hit list.

Komodo has some of the most incredible scenery in the country and offers the ultimate diving holiday for keen divers .

Don’t miss a visit to the stunning Pink Beach and Padar Island.

Read our Komodo National Park Guide

For a complete change of pace consider Jakarta.

This city has a frenetic pace and endless things to do to keep you and the family entertained during your visit.

From cultural activities to ritzy shopping malls, street food favorites, and fancy rooftop bars, there’s something for everyone in Jakarta.

Here are 12 Amazing Things to Do in Jakarta

Bali FAQs and Important Travel Information

There are a few really important things to do before you get on the plane to Bali.

From Bali visa requirements to travel insurance and which activities to book, here are a few things you should do before you leave including some common Bali FAQs.

Is Bali Safe For Families?

There’s no denying that Bali has a tragic past so it’s important to check any travel warnings before you leave for Bali.

I strongly recommend you register your travel details with your country’s government site.

In some instances, you may receive any travel warnings in the lead-up or during your trip. It will also make it easier to contact you in the event of an incident while you are in Indonesia.

Each country will have its own government agency with guidelines and up-to-date travel warnings for Indonesia:

• Australians can check Bali travel warnings here .
• Americans can check travel warnings here .
• Indonesia’s Department of Foreign Affairs lists travel requirements, warnings, and emergency contact information on its site here.

While we have personally never felt unsafe in Bali, you need to weigh up the risks and be vigilant and cautious.

There are risks with traveling to any destination, especially with the added responsibility of traveling with kids.

Tourism Statistics for Bali (2023)

While Bali saw a softening in tourist numbers in recent years. The island is very much a popular destination for tourists once again.

Here is a quick snapshot of Bali’s tourism numbers for this year :

• 370, 832 foreign tourists arrived in Bali in March 2023. That’s almost 15% up on the month prior.
• Most of Bali’s tourists come from Australia with Australians accounting for 24.21% of that number.
• Tourists from Australia dominated foreign tourist arrivals to Bali in March 2023 with a share of 24.21 percent

Tourists from 90 countries are permitted entry to Bali for up to 30 days for tourist purposes with a visa on arrival.

You can pre-pay your e-Visa on Arrival through the immigration website here .

Beware of the many fake Bali visa sites around.

Both adults and children must have visas for Bali.

Bali Fast Track Service

For those who have the budget consider the Visa Fast Track service in Bali.

A VIP service for an additional cost, passengers are greeted from the plane and fast-tracked through immigration, the Visa on arrival process, and customs.

This will save you valuable time, especially while dealing with tired children off the plane.

Denpasar Aiport also offers a free buggy car service if you don’t have a travel pram and need help transporting your children.

Respect for Indonesian Customs

Bali is cracking down on the behavior of foreign tourists, right now after several incidents of tourists behaving badly.

Bali authorities will soon hand out a ‘Dos’s and Don’ts Card’ for tourists arriving in the country as a reminder of what is acceptable on the island.

Vaccinations for Bali

Check which vaccines you might need before traveling to Indonesia, both to ensure your family trip to Bali goes as seamlessly as possible, but also to ensure you gain entry on arrival.

Currently, visitors to Bali 18 years and older need proof of Covid-19 vaccination (at least 14 days prior to your visit). You must also download the SATUSEHAT app before arrival.

If you are planning on spending time around the well-known stray Bali dogs or visiting the sacred monkey forest or other animal encounters in Bali, your doctor may advise you to consider additional vaccines.

There are some medications that it is not permitted to bring into Bali, including some ADHD medications. You will need to declare those medications on entry .

Get Comprehensive Travel Insurance for Bali

Buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You can buy family policies that cover everyone in the family and save you some money.

Make sure you choose coverage for anything you might want to do in Bali with your kids, particularly any adventure activities like white water rafting, quad biking, surfing, scuba diving or even riding a scooter.

You also want to make sure your insurance policy has substantial coverage for Covid-19.

Click here to get World Nomads Travel Insurance Prices

Bali Airport Transfers

You can absolutely go to the desk at the airport and wait for a Bali taxi.

But, you may be split into two or more cars (to fit all your luggage), you will have to carry your own baby seats or boosters and there will definitely be a wait time.

Prebook private transfers from the airport. Why a private transfer?

The last thing you will want to do after getting off a flight into Bali (often late at night), is to wait for other people before getting in a shuttle to your hotel (and possibly stopping at others along the way).

Also, the humidity in Bali can be pretty overwhelming when you jump straight from the intense air conditioning of a plane. So, the faster you get into an air-conditioned van, the better.

So, if you are staying at a hotel there are a few things to check when it comes to Bali airport transfers for families:

• Do you have transfers included?
• Will your transfer be private?
• Are child seats and boosters included or will they cost extra?

If you are staying at a villa, it is likely that you will have a driver included as part of your package. But, don’t assume they will have car seats in the van. Make sure you request them (even at an additional cost).

We have used Bali Baby Hire before and found them to be efficient and good to work with.

We had a private car with a car seat collect us promptly for the transfer from the airport to the hotel and again on our return transfer to Denpasar airport.

Click to Book private Driver in Bali

Animal Experiences in Bali

It’s important to appreciate that regulations regarding animal tourism are different throughout the world.

The exploitation of animals for tourism is common around the world.

While I am not an expert, I encourage you to do your own research before engaging in any animal experiences (where they are removed from their natural habitats in particular), to ensure the best interests of all involved are being considered.

More Bali Travel Guides to Help You Plan Your Trip:

Epic Things to Do in Bali with Kids

A Guide to Things to Do in Ubud Bali

Amazing Things to Do in Canggu

Choosing the Best Beach Club in Bali for Your Visit

Skye is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Fit Traveller.

She is a journalist, writer, photographer, intrepid traveller and a former personal trainer with a passion for helping others reach optimal health.

As a TV journalist and producer, Skye has worked for household names such as 60 Minutes, Sunrise, TODAY and Nine News. She has also written for Women’s Health, Fodor’s Travel and Yahoo7 Travel, among many others.

Equally comfortable in a 5-star resort or hiking a far-off mountain, Skye loves the unexpected and enriching life experiences that each trip brings and can often be found in a backstreet chatting to locals with her camera in hand.

Skye is based in Sydney, working to master the balance between motherhood and her appetite for adventure.

Read more about Skye’s story here .

The Fit Traveller may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Prices may be subject to change without notice.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read more here.

CONTACT THE FIT TRAVELLER

ABOUT SKYE GILKESON

Best Things To Do In Bali With Kids

We first visited Bali with kids when our daughter was just a few months old. Unlike Australians, we had a long way to travel from Europe.

So the second time we visited Bali with our two kids, we made the most of it by spending two months checking out what every corner of the island had on offer to families.

Needless to say, Bali is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the world that draws you in, and makes you long to return again and again! I can’t emphasise enough, how often we fantasize about our time on the magical island.

Bali is an incredibly peaceful and spiritual place with stunning scenery and such a diverse landscape. From the rice terraces of Canggu , to the rip-roaring surf of Ulawatu, there is a tonne to see and do for all types of families in Bali.

Whether you want to laze at a resort with an epic kids club , or do something like a family yoga retreat , we’ve tried it all first hand. I would go so far as to say I feel ‘expert’ in holidaying in Bali with kids!

As a family, we love trying out lots of different experiences and we have the most diverse memories from our time in Bali. I hope you enjoy reading our ultimate guide to Bali with kids.

Table of Contents

1. Kids Spa

My daughter and I enjoyed many a spa together, so many hotels in Bali are really onto it when it comes to kids. They cater to their needs and make them feel so special!

By far, the best place we experienced a spa for the entire family, and especially for kids, was at the Holiday Inn Baruna.  Greeted with a kiddie-sized refreshing welcome drink for Esme, and a mummy-sized one for me, we started feeling relaxed immediately.

Both Esme and I had a massage! From soaking our feet in water with floating frangipanis, to the head massage it was utter perfection. I’ve never seen my 4 year old look so relaxed, happy, and at peace.

There are plenty of places you can go but this was our favorite. You can see the full details of the spa experience we had at Holiday Inn Baruna Resort here.

2. Kids Yoga Class

In keeping with the relaxed vibes in Bali, Esme tried a kids yoga class. Again there are plenty of studios that do a class for kids and many hotels provide it as an activity.

However, it was the class at Power of Now Oasis studio , based on the beach in Sanur that we loved. The eco bamboo structure serves up yummy vegan food and juices whilst classes are held upstairs.

The kiddies class is on once a week and all funds are donated to the local orphanage. I think that was an amazing lesson for Esme.

3. Bounce Bali

Bounce Bali is an indoor trampoline experience with music. It’s a really good activity for days when it’s raining, especially if you are visiting Bali with kids during wet season.

I found it a good workout for myself and Esme had lots of fun jumping around for a couple of hours. It’s based in the Canggu area of Bali.

4. Waterbomb Bali

Waterbomb Bali is a popular spot among family holidaymakers on the island. A waterpark full of all sorts of slides suitable for a wide range of ages, as well as swim-up bar and restaurants.

A visit is a full day out in Bali with kids.

Get tickets to Waterbomb Bali here.

5. Take A Surf Lesson

Surfing in Bali is a number one activity, with so many beaches having surf, it’s a really good place to learn. Rip Curl Surf School on Sanur Beach take it really seriously and are very safety orientated. They have lots of nice new equipment and amazing teachers.

Our daughter loved playing around in the white water but those kids who were more able went out to the surf on a boat with the instructors.

I think it’s amazing to expose kids to these experiences, Bali is one of the best places to do it!

Check out Bali surf lessons here.

6. Enjoy Watersports

There are so many water sports in Bali, whether it’s riding on a banana boat, or sailing off the coast of Nusa Dua, kids can try so many things on most beaches. In some cases, water sports are included in an all-inclusive resort package.

For example Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso   include sailing in their stay for guests. All you have to do is book in advance on your arrival and turn up on time! Our kids loved trying something new.

7. Go For A Snorkel

The water around Bali is stunning with some places boasting surf as big as two houses. Similarly some of the quiet coves have stunning beaches. That said, the mainland is not always the best place to snorkel.

There are a couple of spots just off the beach in Amed and another close to Nusa Dua called ‘snorkelling point’ that is good spot to snorkel in Bali with kids.

The best thing to do if your kids love to snorkel and admire the marine life is take a day trip to the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida. It’s pretty much guaranteed you’ll see turtles, an array of tropical fish and stunning coral reef.

Check out this snorkelling tour in Bali.

8. Ubud Canyon Tubing Adventure

Embark on a thrilling Bali canyon-tubing adventure, led by an expert guide. Journey through lush jungle in a 4WD vehicle to reach a hidden canyon and pristine stream.

Glide along in an inflatable tube, spotting rare wildlife like monkeys and exotic birds. Opt for a Flying Fox zip line midway for an extra rush. Conclude with a buffet lunch. Includes round-trip hotel transport, guide, welcome refreshments, locker, and all the gear.

For tickets to the Ubud Canyon Tubing Adventure click here.

9. Enjoy The Kids Clubs

So many hotels and resorts in Bali have a kids club. We love our kids and I am sure they love us too, but the truth is they loved going to the club when we were in a resort.

Most have an age limit, so those under 4 cannot be in the kids club alone. We found many offered a private nanny to mind them within the kids club if we wanted to do something ourselves.

Out of the many hotels we stayed at, the best kids clubs were at Holiday Inn Resort Baruna,

Holiday Inn Beno a

Prime Plaza Suites Sanur

Grand Mirage

Hotel Indigo Seminyak and Intercontinental Jimbaran.

I have written this in order of budget for the stay from low to high to help plan your visit to Bali with kids.

10. Visit Pirates Bali

Pirates Bay Bali is a popular restaurant in Nusa Dua. It’s a themed open air cafe with lots for the kids to do.

Recent reviews of the food have not been great but most parents online seem to think it’s still worth the trip for the kids.

There are different events on all of the time so it’s worth checking out their website for an update when visiting Bali with kids. Everything form zip lining to treasure hunts has been on in recent months.

11. Monkey Forest

Monkey Forest is a stunning green area with winding paths passing temples and hanging vines. Based in the popular area of Ubud in the centre of Bali , Monkey Forest sees many tourists everyday.

There are some very specific guidelines on the way in about not carrying food or having loose items. Monkey’s are thieves at heart and love to play around.

My husband bought a bunch of bananas from inside (that’s allowed) the forest and I really didn’t think they would be interested in myself or the kids as we didn’t have any of food on us.

My daughter Esme had a full set of monkey testes in her face when one decided to sit on her head. She was so incredibly calm about it all and just pushed him off.

That said, take this as a warning as much as it is a cool place to visit, your kids need to be okay with monkey’s getting up close and personal.

Likewise, I have heard of a few cases where a monkey had bitten a tourist. If you go make sure to read all of the rules and follow them when visiting Bali with kids.

We had asked for a lady to take a family photo on my phone and I had no idea she’d captured this moment until later on when I was scrolling through my images!

Check out this amazing tour of Monkey Forest.

12. Balinese Cooking Class

There are so many places throughout Bali to take part in a traditional cooking class. We took a class at Holiday Inn Benoa in Nusa Dua.

They were so inclusive with both myself and Esme and super accommodating with our vegetarian diet.

We made lots of traditional dishes such as Nase Goreng, Gado Gado, as well as green pancakes. It was lots of fun and educational about local produce at the same time.

Some cooking classes are quite long for children however this one is just two hours. Check out the cooking class here its ideal when visiting Bali with kids.

13. Visit A Temple

There are tonnes of temples throughout Bali to visit but one of the most famous is Tirta Empul in Ubud . The temple features a water bath where Balinese Hindu’s go for ritual purification.

Guests are given specific robes on entry to wear and there is a routine when you get into the bath to visit each of the water fountains.

Kids are allowed and I found it a really enriching experience which through up lots of questions for our four-year-old.

Check out this lovely tour of Tirta Empul.

14. Balinese Dance Show

Ubud Palace has a renowned Balinese performance most nights throughout the week. Featuring elaborate costumes, intriguing performances and fire spitting, right on sunset. It is a really nice way to round the perfect day off in Bali.

Our kids always love these kind of theatrical shows and the one in Ubud Bali does not disappoint. It’s really easy to get tickets as so many people are selling them outside the palace throughout the day.

Check out this Balinese Dance Show.

15. Explore The Rice Padis

Canggu and Ubud have some stunning rice padis but one of the most famous and photographed is the Tegalalang Rice Terraces just north of Ubud. Whilst they are totally stunning there are many people there to get the perfect shot which distracts from its beauty.

The good thing about Tegalalang is it has some swings amongst the rice paddies which kids love. They are harnessed in and can get some serious height if they like that kind of thing!

16. Learn About The Culture

There are so many opportunities for kids to learn about Balinese culture and traditions just by walking around and exploring. From the many offerings, to traditionally dressed woman, Bali is abundant with rich experiences.

So many places will teach kids how to make offerings and what they are all about. Likewise, Esme learned how to do traditional painting and tried on the local attire. It’s definitely worth experiencing this side of Bali with little ones.

17. Chill On The Beach

Beaches in Bali sometimes get a bad rap. During rainy season storms bring in tonnes of plastic to some of the West Coast beaches. Likewise, some of the very touristy spots such as Kuta are not so nice.

My best advice is to visit Bali in dry season and try to locate yourself close to one of the nicer quieter beaches if that’s the kind of holiday you like. My favourite beaches in Bali are Nusa Dua close to the water blow hole.

The beach is pristine and there are a few other things around to see. The northern end of Jimbaran beach close to Intercontinental Resort is stunning. However nothing beats the beaches in Gili Meno and Nusa Lemongon.

18. Bali Sunsets

Although Seminyak Beach is very touristy with tonnes and tonnes of bean bags and chairs, I loved seeing the sunset in the evenings. My husband also loved the surf at Seminyak and often rented a board from a local.

The beach is good for kids when the tide is out and I just loved the music and good vibes on Seminyak Beach. You can also find some of the best Airbnbs in Seminyak .

Likewise Jimbaran is another good place for sunset! The best part is the stalls that come out with fresh BBQ corn roasting in the evening. Our kids had them almost every night for dinner for such a good price!

They were so flavoursome and one of our happiest memories is sitting there watching the sunset, our kids were salty and sandy from a day on the beach, chomping on yummy corn, whilst mum and dad had a beer.

For an amazing Balinese BBQ Corn On The Cob recipe click here.

19. Hang By The Pool

There are plenty of places to stay in Bali and I don’t know of very many hotels in Bali that do not have a pool and needless to say it is a welcomed break from the intense heat. Our favourite pools in Bali are at Intercontinental Jimbaran , Hotel Indigo Seminyak and Bisma 8 in Ubud .

I loved all of the features, from infinity jungle pools at Bisma 8, to all of the waterfalls and statues at Intercontinental, they were just amazing.

However, our kids would tell you it was the pool at Prime Plaza Suites that they loved because of the water slides!

19. Explore The Waterfalls

There are some stunning waterfalls in Bali that are worth exploring with little ones. We carried our little boy in a carrier on my back whist our older girl walked.

She definitely needed her rock shoes and a little bit of encouragement but she loved the reward of cooling off at the end in the Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud .

For help deciding which waterfall to visit check out the best waterfalls in Bali here.

Check out this amazing waterfall tour in Bali.

20. Devdan Show

The Devdan Show in Bali is another great activity for families children and adults. The performance showcases the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia through a blend of traditional music, dance, acrobatics, and dazzling special effects.

Located at the Nusa Dua Theatre in Bali, the Devdan Show takes the audience on a journey across the Indonesian archipelago.

It tells the story of two young children who discover a magical treasure chest, leading them on an adventure through the cultures and natural wonders of Indonesia.

One of the reasons why the Devdan Show is a fantastic activity for kids is its engaging and interactive nature.

The Devdan Show also incorporates modern elements, including state-of-the-art lighting, projection mapping, and special effects, which further enhance the visual spectacle and keep children engaged throughout the performance.

In addition to the show itself, the Nusa Dua Theatre provides a comfortable and family-friendly environment.

Attending the Devdan Show in Bali is not only a fun and educational activity for kids but also a remarkable cultural experience for the whole family.

Book the Devdan Show in advance here.

 Best Places To Stay In Bali With Kids

The best way to explore Bali is by moving around a little. The journey is never too long being a small island and it really gives an opportunity to explore so much more.

Ideally spending time on the West Coast, in the centre around Ubud, and a couple of nights on the East Coast is the best case scenario.

Although the Gili Islands are not part of Bali, they are easily accesible and many holiday makers incorporate a stay on one of the tiny tropical islands. Here is an overview of each area that we love!

Sanur is a town on the East Coast of Bali, more popular with Europeans than neighbouring Australians, it’s naturally less touristy.

The beach stretches for miles paralleled with a boardwalk making it perfect for a long stroll or a cycle.

There are lots of resorts, villas and family-friendly hotels in Sanur.  There are some amazing cafes, restaurants and yoga studios along the beachfront. Our favourite thing was to rent a bike and cycle around exploring. Check out the Sanur with kids article.

Canggu & Seminyak

I wasn’t too keen on the idea of visiting the Canggu  or  Seminyak  area considering it’s so popular. That said, I ended up falling in love with both areas, particularly the healthy cafe scene. Some of our favourite restaurants were in Seminyak, (especially restaurants for breakfast in Seminyak) and our kids loved the places we stayed.

We tried out a couple of villas. One was just north of Canggu, away from the crowds and was literal paradise .

Canggu and Seminyak are the best areas to stay if you love the sunsets and for easy access to places like Waterbomb Bali and Bounce Bali.

As we were in Bali for such a long time my daughter often attended The Garden Bali . It’s like an early learning centre with lots of outdoor space and indoor games. She loved attending!

All round it’s a great base in Bali to access multiple attractions.

If I had my way, I would live my days out in Ubud ! Based in the Balinese jungle, this vibrant and colourful town with serious zen is surrounded by dense vegetation and lots of wildlife.

I love the market, the many relaxing cafes, the yoga, and the rice paddies just moments from the Main Street. Ubud is kind of touristy but it’s so easy to escape the hustle bustle by staying a little outside of town.

From the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terraces and epic waterfalls, to the spiritual water temple (Tirta Empul), Ubud should not be missed off any Bali itinerary.

The ideal amount of time to spend here is around 3 to 4 days. There are plenty of things to do for the kids and some really family-friendly villas and resorts.

If you fancy going off the beaten track and seeing the ‘old’ Bali, I highly recommend Amed . It remains relatively untouched with the odd hotel dotted through the landscape.

It’s very close to some lovely rice fields that don’t see the same number of people coming through.

Amed is about relaxing and soaking up the views. The beach is a rock beach so not ideal for sunbathing but many of the hotels and resorts have their pool pretty much on the beach.

It’s one of the few places you can snorkel just metres off the beach on mainland Bali. We spent most of our time playing in the pool and just having quality time together at our villa!

Gili Islands

We spent a few day on both  Gili Trawangan  and  Gili Meno.  We loved both for different reasons but the main things was the shallow and beautiful tropical beaches with coconut trees shading our kids where they played for hours and hours.

Gili Meno is definitely the quieter island and we found it attracted more families. We spent our time snorkelling, hanging on the beach and cycling around the island  with our kids. We got a really good feel for island life!

Gili Trawangan does attract a lot more younger people for the party. That said, we found lots of spots suitable for the quieter life and we also did our open water dive training in two days!

The dive centre (Manta Dive) helped us with baby sitting. In the entire year we spent travelling full time with our children this was the one thing we wanted to do for ourselves. We did the theory in the evenings so we were only away from the kids for short blasts. They had lots fun spending time with someone else for a change of scenery.

Back on the east coast of Bali, Nusa Dua is another beautiful area with stunning beaches and some amazing scenery such as the ‘water blow hole’. The light spray when walking past is so refreshing in the hot weather.

We loved Nusa Dua, although it did feel quite away from certain attractions in Bali. We stayed at two family friendly resorts in Nusa Dua that our kids absolutely loved. The kids activities and amenities were amazing in both places.

The  Grand Mirage  had lots of cool outdoor activities such as a climbing wall and sailing and also had an indoor soft play. Whilst  Holiday Inn Benoa had a really lovely indoor kids club and had special activities such as kids spa, pizza making and cooking classes.

As I mentioned previously Jimbaran can be hit or miss with some people. As long as you stay to the north end of the beach (the bay is huge), it’s amazing. The best part is the evenings when people wheel their fresh produce out onto the beach, BBQing corn and other yummy foods.

The steam and the aromas of the food with the sun setting in the haze is so magical! Jimbaran is a good place to stay if you have an early morning flight or need to be near the airport. On both occasions we’ve finished our trip with a couple of days in the area.

Best Family Friendly Resorts In Bali

We had four favourite resorts in Bali out of the many we stayed in. They are varied in terms of price but one common thing is they all have great kids facilities, both parents and little ones had the best time:

Intercontinental Bali Resort – We loved the location of this resort, especially with the epic sunsets and stones throw to the corn vendors on the beach.

It featured multiple swimming pools with some beautiful statues and water fountains. The kids club had lovely facilities and the food was great!

Holiday Inn Baruna Resort  – We loved our time at Holiday Inn Baruna, there was so many amazing things for the kids. They had kiddie self-service breakfast which I found so cute, not to mention the Kids Club and the spa.

The beach in front of this resort wasn’t as nice as other parts of Bali which is my only criticism of it!

Holiday Inn Benoa Resort   -This was a very similar resort to it’s sister Baruna noted above. They had the same facilities only the beach was better and close to some natural landmarks such as the water blow hole.

Hotel Indigo Seminyak – I absolutely loved the authentic decor in Hotel Indigo Seminyak. They were really good at embracing the local cultural influences along with a luxury experience. The activities in the kids club were unique and really embraced local traditions.

From kite making and kite flying, to Balinese painting and cooking, our kids loved the activities. The hotel is based on a really nice part of Seminyak beach with stunning sea views, I think its fair to say this was my personal favourite!

Bali Villas For Families

Staying in a private villa is an entirely different experience from a hotel or resort in Bali. Just picture utter privacy, indoor outdoor living with a private pool a the foot of your bed.

We loved the times we had with our kids just one on one time playing and relaxing, it never got old! Of course villas can be expensive due to their exclusivity but sometimes a bargain can be found.

The Santai  – Just a short distance from Seminyak is really amazing with kids. The villas are stunning and they bring the activities inside the villa with private classes and sessions. Our daughter loved face painting and the Balinese dance class that we did in our garden.

Bali Hideaway Kemah Tinggi  – This incredible private villa is not marketed on any of the major booking websites. However it is literally the best place I have ever stayed in my entire life!! I dream of going back again and again.

It is expensive but has lots of space for a multi-generational family trip and I keep thinking it would be amazing to go there with my sisters and parents.

The Hideway is totally hidden and is a vast open space with multiple buildings and bamboo structures inside.

It has its own staff including a chef and they only charge the cost price for groceries and make whatever you like to eat. There is no service charge, it’s all worked into the overall price.

I remember reading in their information book how they want to make every single persons stay memorable and special.

They 100% catered to our children with a new box of toys on the lawn each morning, food prepared in a way that is appealing to kids and they always tried to spend time with them, it was truly amazing.

Other Information About Visiting Bali With Kids

How to get around bali with kids.

There are a tonne of taxis in Bali. We have often relied on Uber or GoJek. However on our last visit we were increasingly finding there is a lot of tension amongst locals about tourists using these apps for a taxi.

It’s severely undercutting their already very low price and obviously people are choosing the lower option. For me it’s often about the ease of using an app and not needing cash.

Although it never happened to us, we heard of taxi men attacking Uber drivers and pulling passengers out of the car. So I would say until this behavior is settled, it’s best to use local taxis.

I didn’t bring my kids car seats with me as we were travelling long terms and couldn’t take them to onward destinations.

There are plenty of places to rent a car in Bali and that could be a good option if you will be moving around a lot. Kayak  is a firm favourite of mine!

Best Time To Visit Bali

There are two distinct seasons in Bali, dry and wet. Dry season starts in May and finishes in September, whereas wet season is from October to April. Many people say the best time to visit is just at the beginning or end of the dry period.

That way, it is not in the middle of peak tourism. Of course there may be down pours of rain during the wet season but it can still be really lovely weather. Sometimes when the weather is stormy, it can wash plastic onto the beach which is not ideal.

Despite there being clear differences in the season, the temperature remains fairly consistent. The average high is 31 degrees Celsius, whilst the low is around 22 degrees celsius. Sometimes it can feel incredibly humid, so it’s good to stay well hydrated and keep your skin covered with sufficient SPF.

Healthcare In Bali With Kids

The first thing to consider when visiting Bali is to ensure you have sufficient travel insurance . I’ve always used Axa or Covermore for my family. I’ve heard mixed reviews of healthcare in Bali.

The care very much depends on proof of your insurance status. As long as you have a minor ailment, GP care is quite good and easily found.

I had an ear infection at one point and found a really lovely Australian GP that saw me immediately and prescribed antibiotics.

We have friends that had a negative hospital experience with their child so make sure you go to the best private facility with your proven travel insurance.

Where To Find Supplies In Bali For Kids

It is really easy to find everything, from nappies and wipes, to kids snacks and suncreams. There are plenty of large stores around the island. Hardy’s in Sanur is pretty reliable for all your needs. We also found a Hypermarket amongst many others with western brands.

Bali With A Baby Or Toddler

I’ve had a tonne of people ask me since seeing us travel to Bali if it is suitable for baby and toddlers . The answer is absolutely! The Balinese are incredible with kids and I found them so helpful and friendly with our kids when they were really little.

Whilst babies are quite easy going with the flow and fitting in, toddlers need age specific activities and facilities.

Every hotel and resort had highchairs, cots, and a kids club with an area for smaller children where parents could stay and play.

Bali is a really great place for children of all ages. Read my Bali with a Baby post here .

Renting Baby Gear In Bali

There are quite a few places in Bali that rent baby gear, Bali Baby Hire is probably one of the most well known companies.

Bali Family Villas rent out things like cots, high chairs, pool gates and so on. We rented a box of toys from them for one of our villas and it worked really well. It’s definitely worth considering for pool gates if you are in a villa.

Flying To Bali With Kids

Australians and New Zealanders are super lucky to have direct flights to Denpasar. However for Europeans and Americans, the trip can be more complicated.

From Europe, the best way to to get to Bali is via Singapore . Norwegian is a low cost carrier that flies direct to Singapore and airlines such as Air Asia also offer low cost flights to Bali.

I personally prefer to make a stop for a day or two on route to break up the journey. Similarly, if you are flying from the US, you’ll need to make a stop in Hong Kong or China.

If you are worried about the long journey with your kids check out my guide to flying with a baby or a toddler on how to make it easier!

Visas For Bali

The rules for visas in Bali is continuously changing. However more recently there have been two options at the airport for most passport holders. You can either enter on a 30 day visitors visa without any charge.

However you must leave after the 30 days and this is something that is taken very seriously. Alternatively you can buy a visa on arrival that gives you the option to extend to 60 days.

Map Of Bali

What To Pack

• T-shirts, Underwear, Dresses & Shorts

• Light PJs & a Cardigan for the Evenings

Don’t forget, a Wifi router can be a really great things to travel with. Kids can connect to the internet on road journeys and you can upload photos to social media if you wish!

We love the Skyroam Wif i, we’ve travelled around the world with it and love the fact we can top up by the day, month or year.

Having a couple of battery packs when travelling around Bali with kids is also incredibly handy to keep everything charged.

The plugs used in Bali are type C anf type F. Both have two round pin plugs. Remember to pick up a travel adapter .

The standard voltage in Bali is a 230V supply voltage and a 50Hz standard frequency.

The local money used is IDR or Indonesia Rupiah. Expect your wallet to be rammed with notes as small amounts are often tens of notes in Indonesia.

It is most certainly handy to have cash in Bali for smaller local places. However, big resorts, shops and such accept cards.

Pre-loaded cards such as Revolut are becoming popular with travellers to such destinations to for good exchange rates.

Ready to book? Find great deals on flights

hotels as well as reliable internet , and rental cars !

I hope you found this post about Bali with kids helpful. We love hearing from you so make sure to leave a comment or share this post and tag us!

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Friday 27th of September 2019

Hello Thank you so much for this wonderful post. We are planning on going for three weeks in July with our two daughters (6 and 4 years old). Have you ever been to Pemuteran? What do you think of it? Thanks again

Wednesday 2nd of October 2019

We haven't been there. If you visit, let us know if it's a great destination to add to the list!

Warren Mucci

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

Hi Travel Mad Mum,

I really enjoyed reading your post and seeing the photos. Thank you so much!

We are thinking of going in mid-October for almost 2 weeks with our 5 and 7 year old girls. I hope you will indulge me with a few questions. After reading your posts, I was thinking of spending it in two different hotels to take advantage of different areas.

- Could you recommend two hotels with great facilities and/or activities for kids in two different areas? I was thinking of staying at the Grand Mirage for a few days - that kids pool area looks like my girls would have hours of fun. It seems like you would recommend this. Any other place you recommend?

- On getting out and about, which is more interesting to us than 10 days on a beach or poolside, are there good excursion packages available? It appears you rented a car, but we might want to leave the thinking/driving(/liability) to others.

Thanks so much!

Thursday 12th of September 2019

As far as good excursions, we loved Ubud. It's right in the balinese jungles so there is a lot to do in the area like waterfalls, rice paddies, cultural excursions, temples and so many fun adventure activities. Based on what you've said it sounds like you would enjoy that for a portion of your trip. You can also easily get taxi's and tours all around Ubud for very reasonable prices. We didn't stay in a hotel however, we stayed in a villa that was amazing and had a fantastic pool. You can check out our post about Ubud here, or check out tours and excursions around Bali here to get an idea. We did love the Grand Mirage as well and the Hotel Indigo Seminiyak was a personal favorite. I compare all our favorite family resorts we stayed at here.

Wednesday 7th of August 2019

Love this post! We´re planning for Bali with two kids in a few months and your post is perfect for the prep fun :)! How did you get around the island to visit things, rent a car and drove yourself or with transportation?

Travel Mad Mum

Sunday 11th of August 2019

We mostly took ubers to get around.

Monday 22nd of July 2019

Thank you so much for this blog. I was considering doing this trip with my wife and three kids, now we ARE doing it.

Sunday 28th of July 2019

That's what I love to hear!

Is December a good time to go? Also, how many days do you recommend? We are traveling with kids (1.5 and 7).

Bali is a pretty great destination year round. As far as how many days, we've done a week long trip and we've done two months there so I'd say stay as long as possible! There is so much to do and it's so lovely there but it depends on how much time you want to spend!

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• Jun 7, 2023

The Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide (2023)

If you're looking for the perfect short family getaway from Singapore, look no further than the captivating island of Bali. Nestled just a short flight away (less than 3 hours of flight time), Bali offers an incredible blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and family-friendly experiences that will create unforgettable memories for you and your little ones. In this comprehensive travel guide catered to families with kids, we will provide you with all the essential information and insider tips to plan your dream vacation to Bali.

Must-Haves Packing List for Traveling to Bali

Here are some necessities you must have in your luggage:

Passports & travel documents

Travel adaptors

Portable power bank

Reminder: Do NOT pack in check-in luggage.

Medications

Mosquito repellent

Hat and sunglasses

Swimming costumes

First-aid Kit

Portable changing pads

Sufficient wet wipes and diapers

Blankets and swaddles

Baby’s soother or comfort chou chou

To ensure a smooth trip with your little ones, do consider bringing the following travel gear:

Stroller (optional)

Tip: Bali is a family-friendly travel destination, with stroller and baby equipment rental services to relieve your travel packing list. Check out Bali Bubs or Eve Baby Care for more information.

Baby Carrier

Tip: Get a foldable carrier that is less bulky, and can be easily kept in your nursery bag.

Read our article on Ultimate Packing Checklist for Travelling with Toddlers for a more extensive checklist!

Best Apps to Download when Travelling to Bali

When travelling to Bali, it's always helpful to have the right apps on your mobile device to enhance your experience and make your trip more convenient.

Here are the 8 best apps to download before your Bali trip:

1. Grab (iOS/Android)

Grab is a widely used ride-hailing app in Bali. It allows you to easily book taxis, motorbike taxis (a.k.a. ojeks), and car services, ensuring reliable and convenient transportation around the island.

2. Gojek (iOS/Android)

Gojek is another popular app for transportation in Bali. In addition to ride-hailing services, Gojek provides a wide range of on-demand services, such as food delivery, grocery shopping, and even massages.

3. Google Maps (iOS/Android)

Google Maps is an essential app for navigation. It provides accurate maps, real-time traffic updates, and directions to help you find your way around Bali. You can also use it to explore nearby attractions, restaurants, and other points of interest.

4. Klook (iOS/Android)

Klook is a popular travel booking app that offers a wide range of activities, tours, and attractions in Bali. You can find discounted tickets, skip-the-line passes, and convenient package deals for various popular destinations and experiences.

5. Eatigo (iOS/Android)

Eatigo is a dining app that offers discounted restaurant reservations in Bali. It allows you to find and book restaurants at specific time slots, often with significant discounts, making it a great way to save money while enjoying Bali's vibrant culinary scene.

6. Zomato (iOS/Android)

Zomato is a food and restaurant discovery app that provides comprehensive information, menus, and user reviews for various eateries in Bali. It's a useful tool to explore dining options, discover local cuisine, and find restaurants that suit your preferences.

7. AccuWeather (iOS/Android)

AccuWeather provides accurate and detailed weather forecasts for Bali. It helps you plan your activities and pack accordingly, ensuring you're prepared for the current and upcoming weather conditions.

8. Google Translate (iOS/Android)

Google Translate is a valuable app for overcoming language barriers. It can translate text, speech, and even images, allowing you to communicate more effectively with locals or understand signs and menus in Indonesian.

Remember to download these apps before your trip and ensure that you have internet access or a local SIM card to use them while in Bali. Having these apps handy will make your travel experience in Bali more enjoyable, convenient, and seamless.

Best Season to Travel to Bali

Bali offers pleasant weather and attractions year-round, however, certain times of the year may be more suitable for a family vacation. Here's a guide to help you determine the best time to travel to Bali with your family:

The dry season in Bali generally runs from April to October , making it an ideal time to visit for a family vacation. During these months, you can expect sunny days, lower humidity levels, and minimal rainfall. The pleasant weather allows you to explore Bali's stunning beaches, partake in outdoor activities, and visit popular attractions comfortably.

July and August

July and August are peak months in Bali due to the summer holidays in many countries. Expect larger crowds and higher prices during this time. However, these months also offer the advantage of vibrant festivals and cultural events that your family can enjoy, such as the Bali Kite Festival and various temple ceremonies.

The shoulder months of April , May , September, and October are great alternatives for a family vacation in Bali. During these months, the weather is generally pleasant, and tourist crowds are thinner compared to the peak season. This means you can explore popular attractions, such as Ubud's Monkey Forest or Tanah Lot Temple, without feeling overwhelmed by crowds.

Avoiding Rainy Season

Bali's rainy season typically occurs between November and March . While the island's tropical climate means that rain showers can occur even during the dry season, the rainy season experiences more frequent and intense rainfall. Planning your family vacation outside of this period will help ensure better weather and more outdoor activities for your family to enjoy.

Balinese Festivals

Bali is renowned for its colourful festivals and cultural celebrations. If you're interested in immersing your family in the local culture, plan your trip around significant Balinese festivals like Nyepi (Balinese New Year) or Galungan . These festivals offer unique cultural experiences, processions, and traditional rituals that can provide lasting memories for your family.

Guide to Travelling around Bali

When planning a family vacation in Bali, it's essential to consider transportation options to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some transportation tips to help you navigate the island:

Airport Transfers

Recommendation: KKday

Price: Prices for airport transfers start from around SGD 10.40, depending on the destination and vehicle type.

KKday offers private airport transfer services from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport to various destinations in Bali. They provide a range of vehicles, including cars, vans, and minibuses, with the option of child seat - suitable for families of different sizes.

Renting a Car

Recommendation: Klook

Price: Rental prices start from approximately SGD 68 per day, depending on the car type, duration, and rental company.

Hiring a Driver

Price: Prices for a (6 hour) full-day driver service, for group of 3, starts from around SGD 36, depending on the duration and itinerary.

Description: Klook provides private driver services with English-speaking drivers who can guide your family around Bali. They offer various tour packages and can customize the itinerary based on your preferences.

Local Transportation Apps

Recommendation: Grab

Price: Prices depend on the distance and type of vehicle chosen, with upfront fare estimates provided by the app.

Description: Grab is a popular ride-hailing app in Southeast Asia, including Bali. It offers car and motorbike taxi services, providing a convenient and safe way to book transportation. Download the Grab app on your mobile device before arriving in Bali to easily book rides during your stay.

Please note that prices are approximate and subject to change. It's always advisable to check the respective websites or contact the service providers directly for the most up-to-date information regarding pricing, availability, and booking details.

Best Accommodations in Bali

Book a kid-friendly accommodation that caters to the needs of you and your child. Here are some recommendations to consider when visiting Bali:

Staying in Seminyak / Kuta / Legian

Hotel Komune Bali

Price Range: SGD 70 - SGD 150 per night

Location: Keramas, Gianyar

Nearby Attractions: Keramas Beach, Bali Safari and Marine Park

The Haven Bali Seminyak

Price Range: SGD 80 - SGD 180 per night

Location: Seminyak

Nearby Attractions: Seminyak Beach, Waterbom Bali

Bali Dynasty Resort

Price Range: SGD 100 - SGD 300 per night

Location: South Kuta

Nearby Attractions: Waterbom Bali, Circus Waterpark

Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali

Price Range: SGD 120 - SGD 250 per night

Location: Kuta

Nearby Attractions: Kuta Beach, Waterbom Bali

Bali Garden Beach Resort

Price Range: SGD 130 - SGD 300 per night

Bali Dynasty Resort Hotel

Price Range: SGD 150 - SGD 400 per night

Hard Rock Hotel Bali

Nearby Attractions: Kuta Beach, Beachwalk Shopping Center

Staying in Jimbaran Bay

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali

Price Range: SGD 250 - SGD 700 per night

Location: Jimbaran

Nearby Attractions: Jimbaran Beach, Rock Bar Bali

Staying in Ubud

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Price Range: SGD 800 - SGD 1,500 per night

Location: Ubud

Nearby Attractions: Ubud Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terrace

Staying in Nusa Dua

Sol Beach House Bali Benoa

Location: Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua

Nearby Attractions: Nusa Dua Beach, Museum Pasifika

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali

Price Range: SGD 200 - SGD 500 per night

Location: Nusa Dua

Nearby Attractions: Nusa Dua Beach, Bali Nusa Dua Theatre

Conrad Bali

Price Range: SGD 300 - SGD 700 per night

Nearby Attractions: Nusa Dua Beach, Bali Collection Shopping Centre

Grand Hyatt Bali

Price Range: SGD 400 - SGD 800 per night

Nearby Attractions: Nusa Dua Beach, Bali National Golf Club

Staying in Sanur

The Oasis Lagoon Sanur

Price Range: SGD 150 - SGD 300 per night

Location: Sanur

Nearby Attractions: Sanur Beach, Le Mayeur Museum

These family-friendly accommodations offer a range of amenities including pools, kids' clubs, and proximity to popular attractions in Bali. However, it's recommended to visit the respective websites or contact the accommodations directly for the most up-to-date information on their family-friendly services and offerings.

Tip: Inquire about baby cot availability, additional baby-friend amenities and any associated fees when making your reservation.

Best family-friendly Restaurants in Bali

Family-friendly Restaurants in Seminyak

Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen

Price Range: SGD 5 - SGD 10 per person

Cuisine: Balinese food, Warung

Naughty Nuri's Warung

Price Range: SGD 10 - SGD 20 per person

Cuisine: BBQ Ribs, Indonesian food

Warung Sopa

Cuisine: Vegetarian, Vegan, Indonesian food

Spice by Chris Salans

Price Range: SGD 30 - SGD 60 per person

Cuisine: Balinese food, Indonesian food, International

Price Range: SGD 15 - SGD 30 per person

Cuisine: Balinese food, Indonesian food

Family-friendly Restaurants in Ubud

Warung Wardani

Warung Dedari

Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner)

Cuisine: Balinese food, International

Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique

Price Range: SGD 100 - SGD 200 per person

Cuisine: Fine Dining, Balinese food, French cuisine

Family-friendly Restaurant in Sanur

Warung Mak Beng

Cuisine: Balinese food, Seafood

Family-friendly Restaurant in Nusa Dua

Price Range: SGD 20 - SGD 40 per person

Things to do in Bali

Bali offers a plethora of exciting and diverse activities for visitors of all ages. From stunning beaches to vibrant cultural experiences, Bali has something for everyone. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, this enchanting island has it all. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, explore ancient temples, indulge in mouthwatering cuisine, or engage in thrilling water sports. Here are some of the top things to do in Bali, ensuring an unforgettable experience for you and your family.

Learn to surf

Learn to surf in one day and catch the Bali waves at Kuta Beach, Jimbaran Bay or other beautiful Bali shores - perfect for beginners. Available in group or private classes.

Price range: From SGD 17

Location: Various beaches

Bali Safari and Marine Park

Experience a safari adventure and get up close with various animals, including lions, elephants, and zebras.

Location: Gianyar

Waterbom Bali

Enjoy a day of water fun at this popular water park featuring thrilling slides, lazy rivers, and water playgrounds for kids.

Price Range: SGD 40 - SGD 70 per person

Visit the Bali Zoo to see a wide range of animals, participate in feeding sessions, and even have breakfast with orangutans.

Price Range: SGD 50 - SGD 80 per person

Bali Bird Park

Explore a beautiful park filled with exotic birds from around the world, watch bird shows, and interact with friendly parrots.

Bali Hai Cruise to Nusa Lembongan

Hop on a cruise to the beautiful island of Nusa Lembongan, where you can enjoy water activities, beach clubs, and a BBQ lunch.

Location: Benoa Harbour

Bali Seawalker at Sanur Beach

Discover the underwater world without diving skills by walking along the ocean floor with a helmet providing a constant supply of air.

Price Range: SGD 150 - SGD 250 per person

Please note that prices are approximate and may vary. It's recommended to check the websites or contact the activity providers directly for the most up-to-date information on prices, availability, and any age restrictions.

Diaper changing facilities & Nursing Rooms in Bali

Baby changing rooms are rare in Bali. Hence, it’s a good idea to bring a diaper bag with all the diaper essentials, such as portable changing pads, wet wipes, diapers, and extra set of clothes, wherever you go. Nursing rooms are uncommon in Bali, so nursing moms should consider bringing their own nursing covers for privacy.

Time For An Adventure!

With its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, and wide range of family-friendly activities, it’s no wonder that Bali is on your family’s travel bucket list. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and get ready for an incredible family getaway to Bali, where lifelong memories are waiting to be made.

Explore the World with Josh & Cherie

Looking for your next adventure? Josh & Cherie Explores has got you covered with more lifestyle and fun-filled articles. So gear up and start planning your next activity today at https://www.joshandcheriebooks.com/blog !

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The Ultimate Bali Itinerary: How To Plan The Perfect Trip To Bali

Planning a trip to Indonesia and looking for the best Bali itinerary? Whether you’re only spending 5 days, one week, 10 days, or two full weeks, I guarantee this Bali trip travel guide will be extremely helpful!

Bali is truly one of my favorite destinations in the world and a place I’ve called home several times. But planning a trip to Bali can be a bit intimidating as there really are so many amazing places to explore!

There’s no need to wonder why Bali has become one of the world’s most visited and popular vacation hotspots. It has jaw-dropping landscapes, lush rice terraces, stunning beaches, serene temples, cute monkeys, scenic waterfalls, wild nightlife, and unforgettable sunsets.

Bali really does have a little something for everybody, and I guarantee that if you follow this Bali travel itinerary, you will fall in love with this island just as much as I have!

While tourism in Bali has exploded in recent years due to the popularity of Instagram, it definitely lives up to the hype because there is a LOT more to this island than what you see on social media. Don’t let the annoying Bali IG couples + IG influencers deter you from planning a trip here because it is a must-visit destination in Southeast Asia!

Tip: Add something unique to your Bali travel plan by choosing to go glamping in Bali  instead of staying at a hotel.

Check out my Instagram page  for more holiday inspiration!

Whether you’re only spending a few days, two weeks, or even an entire month, this Bali Itinerary guide will go into loads of detail about what to expect about visiting this island, the best things to do, what to pack for Bali, when to go, insider travel tips, and loads more.  

So without further ado, let’s get started!

WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT BALI?

Bali is an incredible destination to visit year-round, and if you’ve only got limited time off work, I would say book that ticket no matter what! Being located in Southeast Asia, the weather in Bali is exceptionally tropical, so you can expect hot and humid temperatures pretty much every day, but there are two main seasons – the wet and dry months.

The rainy season in Bali is from October to April, and the dry season is between May – September.

That said, traveling to Bali during the rainy season is NOT an issue. I LIVED in Bali in December & January (known as the wettest months of the year), and I barely even noticed the rain.

Yes, some days were worse than others, but more often than not – every day was beautifully sunny blue skies and perfect beach weather.

According to Bali.com, “ The best time to come to Bali is April, May, June and September, just before and just after high season. It’s still the dry season, it’s slightly less humid, and room prices and villa rentals can be 30-50% cheaper than during high season. Many shops offer sales and promotions, restaurants are less crowded in those mid-season months, and in general, Bali is a bit more relaxed. October is not too bad either, still much less rain than November (usually, check the rainfall chart).”

I agree with that statement for sure, but traveling to Bali during Christmas time & New Year’s Eve can be an incredible experience. I spent Christmas Day lounging at a day club and absolutely loved it!  

IS BALI A DANGEROUS PLACE TO VISIT?

Absolutely not! Bali is completely safe to visit, and I’ve honestly never felt like I was in any danger while there. While just like a vacation to anywhere in the world, you want to make sure you’re traveling wisely and acting responsibly.

The only dangerous or unsafe behavior I’ve heard of is from “motorcycle thieves or purse-snatchers.” These are people that will try and grab purses or backpacks from people while riding on the back of a motorcycle. But as long as you pay attention to your belongings, nothing bad will happen.  

What I will  say in this section, though, is that you NEED to be extremely careful if you decide to rent a scooter in Bali. I’d say that’s actually the most dangerous thing on the island! I drive very cautiously when riding my moto , and I’ve never been in an accident (knock on wood), but I’ve had several friends end up in the hospital with serious injuries.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t let that stop you from enjoying the feeling of exploring the island on two wheels. The scooter rides through rice terraces are one of my favorite things about living in Bali, and it’s a great, cheap, and efficient way to experience Bali. Just make sure the person driving is confident and skilled. You should also avoid driving during peak traffic hours.

Best Bali Trip Travel Insurance

I never travel anywhere without booking a travel insurance policy . This is essential for all Bali visitors!

So I’ll repeat…

Please, do NOT visit Bali WITHOUT Travel Insurance!

It’s unfortunately all too common that people come to Bali, get into a scooter accident, and end up needing a lot of medical attention. This, as you can imagine, is not cheap, and while the Bintangs and good vibes are, don’t expect medical treatment as a foreigner to also be of great value! These bills will add up, and sometimes they won’t even operate before they know you’re covered.

I’ve had at least 4 friends now get in serious accidents, but only half of them had travel insurance to cover their needs. Trust me – especially if you plan on driving or getting on the back of a moto (which you most likely will), you’ll want peace of mind to make sure you’re covered.

You also need to consider other issues that could arise, such as theft, boat sinking or water damage, or catching dengue. Trust me when I say these warnings aren’t to scare you, but real-life examples I’ve seen during my time in Bali.

I highly recommend HeyMondo due to its extensive range of cover for all situations and trip lengths. Their fair pricing and handy app allow you to manage any claims within the app and access free assistance online. This means you don’t need to rack up an expensive phone bill in Indonesia, where the charges are steep!

Nowadays, I would never travel without insurance again, especially after hearing so many of those (expensive and dangerous) horror stories from other travelers I’ve met. So, whether you need a single trip cover for two weeks in Bali or an affordable annual cover for multiple trips worldwide, be sure to buy your travel insurance before you travel, knowing that HeyMondo has your back.

Still, planning your trip? You can always get a no-commitment travel insurance quote now, so you know how much extra to budget for your vacation!

WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR A TRIP TO BALI? A BASIC PACKING LIST

One of the things I love about Bali is that you really don’t need to bring all that much — especially if you’re just on a quick 10-day or two-week holiday. Also, shopping in Bali is fantastic. You’ll want to bring back a separate suitcase filled with souvenirs and clothing.

Here are a few items I think are essential for your travels to Bali!  

• Clothing: You’ll want a couple of pairs of shorts, swim trunks, t-shirts, sandals, and comfortable adventure shoes. Add one or two fancier outfits for dinners or nightlife too. Everyone will have different styles or preferences, but my main clothing tip would be to keep it light. Quick-drying clothes will be helpful, mainly because you will sweat up a storm.  
• Portable charger: Anker PowerCore Portable Charger  is one of the smallest and lightest power banks available. I carry this with me everywhere I go because I’m using my iPhone a bit more than I care to admit! Well, when you’re exploring Bali, you’ll definitely want a portable charger.
• Microfiber towel: This Rainleaf MicroFiber Towel  is budget-friendly and stylish. Plus, a quick-drying towel is a must for visiting Bali. You’ll find yourself hiking, sweating, and swimming often – and you’re really going to want one of these. I just bought one of these myself, and it’s the #1 best seller on Amazon!
• Quality sunscreen: The sun is super intense in Bali, and you’ll be out in the sun often during this Bali itinerary. So, make sure you buy some decent sunscreen before you get to Bali because it costs SO much more out there for some reason. I personally use this Neutrogena Lightweight & Water Resistant SPF,  and I love it!
• Mosquito repellent: Unfortunately, mosquitos are flying all over the place in Bali. And you really want to protect yourself when you go on long adventures. I recommend this Mosquito Repellent Bracelet . If you’re just shopping around Seminyak or chilling in Canggu, I wouldn’t worry too much, but if you’re out in nature, definitely put some on!  
• Go Pro: The GoPro Hero 11 is my favorite adventure camera, and I’m truly blown away by the hyper-smooth stability that the GoPro Hero 11 offers. You can take some epic images with this, and it’ll also be perfect for all the underwater or snorkeling shots you’ll want. For the aspiring content creators out there, combine it with a TELESIN Dome Port  for some unique, fun, and creative shots!
• Waterproof phone case: No matter what kind of phone you have, you really want to protect it during your trip. This itinerary is pretty active, and if you don’t have a supportive phone case, like the JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone , I bet you’ll be paying for some phone repairs!  
• Power adapter: Last but certainly not least, this Universal Power Adapter  is just a basic travel essential that you’ll want to pick up one of these before your trip to Bali. I personally love this one and would definitely recommend it!  

THE ULTIMATE BALI TRIP ITINERARY | PLANNING A TRIP TO BALI

Alright, let’s dive into my guide for my extensive Bali holiday itinerary!

10 DAYS & TWO-WEEKS IN BALI ITINERARY

The way I’ve set up this 10-day itinerary is that it’s all focused on Bali. But if you have a full two weeks, I’ve included a trip to the Gili Islands too.

I think it’s best to do it this way because when you book round-trip boat transfers to Gili Trawangan, you can have them drop you off directly at the airport, depending on your schedule. You can book day trips or rent scooters to explore nearby attractions when you’re based in one place for a bit longer.

One thing I think is important about traveling around Bali is avoiding checking in and out of hotels and Airbnb’s every couple of days. That’s why I’ve put at least 3+ nights in each place, and you’ll get a better feeling for the area.  

The full itinerary is below, but here’s an overview of my recommended route so you can start planning:

• Uluwatu (3 Nights)
• Canggu (3 Nights)
• Ubud (4 Nights)
• Gili Islands (3-4 Nights for Two-Week Itinerary)

You might not have the time, energy, or money to do everything on this Bali itinerary, but I wanted to include as much information as possible. So without further ado, let’s get down to the day-to-day itinerary activities!!

BEST PLACES TO STAY ON THIS ITINERARY FOR BALI

Bali is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous luxury resorts and private villas but also has an extensive variety of mid-range hotels and backpacker hostels. It depends on your budget and how much you want to spend. I’ve compiled a fun selection of my top recommended accommodation for each destination on my Bali itinerary. I know you’ll enjoy your stay at any of the options below:

WHERE TO STAY IN ULUWATU

Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu : Consistently reviewed as one of the best values in Bali, get treated like royalty here without breaking the bank. There’s a gorgeous sun terrace with a swimming pool, extremely clean and comfortable rooms, and impeccable service!  

Six Senses Uluwatu : This brand new 5-Star Luxury Resort in Uluwatu will certainly provide an unforgettable stay, but rooms here are costly. Its cliffside location, delicious cuisine, and immaculate attention would make for an exceptional first hotel on the island.    

Home-Bience  Hostel : If you’re a backpacker on a tight budget in Bali, look no further than staying here at Home-Bience Hostel. While it has a shared kitchen and barbeque facilities, you can also get a varied breakfast at an affordable rate too.

WHERE TO STAY IN CANGGU

Theanna Eco Villa and Spa : Top-notch luxury at bargain prices! Once you step foot inside this eco resort, you’ll fall into a state of complete tranquility. It’s consistently rated and reviewed as the best hotel and resort in Canggu, with excellent value for money and world-class service.

Kosone Hostel | Alternative Beach : I was living in Canggu when this opened (early 2019), and I’d say it’s the best hostel in Canggu! It’s got a fabulous pool with a swim-up bar, DJs spinning music all day, delicious food, comfortable beds, and rooftop jacuzzis. Do I need to say anymore? Trust me – if you’re a backpacker in Canggu, stay here!  

WHERE TO STAY IN UBUD

Hanging Gardens of Bali | Ubud’s Premiere Luxury Resort : This is the jungle resort of your dreams! “Located just 30-minute drive from the Ubud’s town center and nestled deep in the heart of Ubud’s rich rainforest preserve, this enchanting five-star luxury resort on 3.2 hectares has 44 private suites and individual villas.”  

Visesa Ubud Resort : This best-seller luxury resort has fantastic prices for the comfort you’ll receive. The villas are absolutely stunning, the staff goes above and beyond, and it has pretty much everything you look for in a resort in Ubud. Delicious food, gorgeous views, shuttle services to the center, and a full spa await you.

Wayan’s Family Hostel Ubud : If you’re looking for an excellent but cheap hostel in Ubud, look no money than this charming family-run guesthouse. It has a magnificent backpacker atmosphere, is a beautiful property, and you’ll fall in love with the staff!

WHERE TO STAY ON GILI TRAWANGAN

Pearl Of Trawangan Resort : There are tons of beautiful resorts on the Gili Islands, but this is easily my favorite! It has an unbeatable beachfront location near the main promenade. The stunning property would be an excellent pick for your time in paradise!!

Gili Castle (formerly known as Gili Backpackers) : This is where I worked when I lived on Gili T, and I’ve got nothing but fond memories of this backpacker hostel! They organize awesome parties and pub crawls, which make it easy to meet fellow travelers. There is a pool with a rock climbing wall, and all the facilities are comfortable. I’d highly recommend staying here for young travelers on a budget.

BALI ITINERARY DAY 1: INTRODUCTION TO BALI = ULUWATU BLISS (3+ NIGHTS)

Honestly, there is no better place to begin your Bali vacation than down in Uluwatu , which is at the southern tip of the island!

It’s my personal favorite area in Bali, world-famous for its surf competitions, has a really fun nightlife scene, and is undoubtedly the best part of the island for watching the sunset. Uluwatu is a place that will certainly leave an impression and will keep you coming back for more! Here you can spend your days relaxing on the beach, swimming in infinity pools, lounging at day clubs, surfing gnarly waves, or riding a scooter along epic coastlines.  

It also has a perfectly relaxed atmosphere that I absolutely love, and I could easily see myself living in Uluwatu for a couple of months sometime in the future. There really is no shortage of amazing things to do in Uluwatu , which I’ve discussed for day 2. Since it’s your first day on the island, take the evening to relax at your resort, enjoy a lovely evening meal, and hopefully conquer any jet lag you’re feeling.  

If you’re up for it, you could enjoy dinner and cocktails your first evening having dinner soaking up the vibe. I recommend one of Jimbaran Bay’s cliffside restaurants or candlelit dinners on Jimbaran Bay, about a 15-20 minute drive from Uluwatu.

“Perched atop distinctive rock formations along Jimbaran’s pristine sunset coast, Rock Bar Bali is widely respected as one of the globe’s most popular sunset, cocktail, and entertainment venues. Showcasing unparalleled views from 14 meters above the Indian Ocean, Rock Bar is accessible via AYANA’s dramatic cliffside inclinator. Featuring a glamorous sunset vibe, and a seductive after-dark ambiance, listen to premier international DJs as they heighten your experience from a custom DJ booth carved directly into the cliff face”.

BALI ITINERARY DAY 2: ULUWATU BEACH EXPLORATIONS & NIGHTLIFE

Everyone will be different, depending on how you want to spend your Bali vacation. Do you want to treat this as a relaxing holiday, or are you more adventurous? Do you want to be surrounded by people and experience luxurious beach clubs, or do you prefer solitude and exploring quieter areas?

No matter what kind of traveler you are, I’ve listed a few of my favorite activities in Uluwatu and the south coast of Bali, and I’m sure this will keep you super busy.

ULUWATU HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

• Visit the Uluwatu Temple: “This one of six key temples believed to be Bali’s spiritual pillars, and is renowned for its magnificent location, perched on top of a steep cliff approximately 70 meters above sea level.”  After your tour of the Uluwatu Temple, I’d also suggest checking out the Kecak Fire Dance if you’re there simultaneously. It’s a unique cultural fire and traditional Balinese dance show that is definitely a superb experience.
• Watch the professional surfers at Uluwatu Beach: There are tons of different bars and restaurants to choose from, but sit back, grab a Bintang (local beer), and watch from above while these pros amaze you with their skills.  
• Explore all the beautiful beaches around Uluwatu: You’re spoiled for choice here with beaches like Suluban Beach, Padang Padang, Dreamland Beach, Bingin Beach, Melasti Beach, Green Bowl Beach, and Pandawa Beach.
• Never miss a sunset. Uluwatu is home to the most magical sunsets practically every evening, so make sure you plan accordingly! Find an infinity pool, rooftop bar, or restaurant terrace, and soak it up!
• Check out a day club: Sundays Beach Club, Finns Beach Club, OMNIA, Karma Beach Club, etc. Honestly, there are tons of epic places to spend a day, but they can be a bit pricey if you’re a backpacker on a budget!  
• Sunday nights at Single Fin: This is one of the most legendary parties on the island, but they only really happen on Sunday night. Don’t get me wrong, Single Fin is an awesome bar & restaurant every night of the week, but definitely, don’t miss the Sunday night party.  
• Spend Saturday nights at Padang Padang Beach: There’s a really cool beach party every Saturday night with reggae and electronic music, lively crowds, and a unique location!  
• Rent a moto to explore it all easily: Uluwatu is one of the best areas on the island to adventure around on a moto! You can rent one for as little as $4 per day, the roads never seem too busy, and it’s just a great feeling!  
• Enjoy a meal at Cashew Tree: This will always be one of my favorite restaurants in all of Bali! They’ve got deliciously healthy smoothies, a large menu, and affordable prices. It’s a backpacker favorite as well, located nearby Bingin’ Beach.  

Check out my article about the best things to do in Uluwatu for more information. All I know is that it’s simply a breathtaking area of Bali, and it might just be hard to leave.

BALI ITINERARY DAY 3: NUSA ISLANDS DAY-TRIPPING

Located just a short 20-30 minute speedboat ride off the coast of Bali are three idyllic islands: Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, and Nusa Penida.

They are all absolutely gorgeous and have unbelievable beaches, landscapes, and some of the best snorkeling or scuba-diving in the country. I’ll talk about this at the bottom of this article, but a substitution would be spending several days on one of these islands if you care a lot about these water activities.

I think it’s a really fun and fantastic day trip since it’s just off the coast, and you can see a lot and still make it back to Uluwatu for sunset cocktails — that is if you have the energy!

There are tons of options, but here are a few of the best sellers. It really just depends if you’re more into beaches, viewpoints, swimming, or snorkeling.

BEST OF NUSA PENIDA PRIVATE FULL-DAY TOUR

Review: “Climb aboard a fast boat at Sanur Beach and cross the sea to Toyapakeh on the small island of Nusa Penida. Meet your local host on arrival and begin your private day tour. Visit the famous Kelingking Beach for the chance to take photos of the most beautiful spot on the island. Marvel at the cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean, and then continue to Pasih Uug (Broken Beach) and the natural pool of Angel’s Billabong. Experience the peace and quiet of one of the less visited spots on Nusa Penida before going to the popular beach at Crystal Bay, known for its great diving and snorkeling opportunities.”  

Price:   $33

Read Reviews & Check the Availability

FROM BALI: SNORKELING DAY TRIP TO NUSA LEMBONGAN

Review: “Discover an island paradise off the south coast of Bali and snorkel at 3 different spots around the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida in the Indian Ocean. Marvel at the wide variety of tropical fish and live coral flora and fauna.”

Price:   $68

FULL-DAY SNORKELING TRIP TO NUSA PENIDA & MANTA POINT

Review: “Nusa Penida is a perfect spot for snorkeling and exploring marine life as you’ll see on this full-day trip. Spot the ocean sunfish, or mola mola and the great manta rays on some of the most amazing drift dives in Indonesia. Board the boat at Sanur Beach for the ride to Nusa Penida and your first snorkeling session of the day at Manta Point. Marvel at the majestic manta rays, which grow up to 6 meters in length. Take some time to enjoy a swim or to relax on the boat, before your second snorkeling session. Afterwards, savor a delicious lunch on the boat.”   

Price:  $132

Check out this epic YouTube Video about Nusa Penida for some travel inspiration!

BALI ITINERARY DAY 4: CANGGU CHILLIN & BAR HOPPING

In only a few short years, Canggu has quickly become popular and overthrown Seminyak as “the place to be”  in Bali. It’s changed drastically since my first visit in 2015. Since then, it has   become a digital nomad hotspot loaded with trendy cafes, co-working spaces, yoga studios, beach clubs, funky bars, surf camps, and thousands of people enjoying the Canggu lifestyle!   

I was fortunate to live in Canggu for a couple of months this year, and it really is a must-visit in Bali. Here’s what you should add to your Bali itinerary for 4 days.

CANGGU HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

• Eat at as many different cafes as possible: Canggu is easily one of the top “foodie hotspots” I’ve ever visited in my entire life. There are literally dozens of places you should try! A couple of my personal favorites are Milk & Madu, The Shady Shack, Motion Cafe, Peleton Supershop, Cinta Cafe, and Milu by Nook.
• Take a surfing lesson: If you’re new to the sport, Canggu can be an excellent place to learn the basics of surfing! While the waves can be a bit rough on some days, the surf camps are awesome in Canggu and will be a great way to spend a couple of hours. Take this tour  as an introduction to the sport.
• Watch the sunset every night on the beach: There are tons of different little local bars & restaurants along the beach, and they tend to put out bean bags and tables during the sunset. Grab a coconut and a beer, and watch the sky change colors to gorgeous orange and pink hues.
• Relax & swim at Alternative Beach Pool & Hostel: This venue is becoming super popular in Canggu. It’s got a perfect temperature pool, decent food options, and a nice sandy vibe hence the name.
• Spend a luxurious day at Finns Beach Club: If you’re not on the strictest budget, why not book a daybed at Finn’s for an easygoing day at a gorgeous venue?
• Stop by AMO Spa for one of their famous facials, relaxing massages, and an Epsom salt jacuzzi session: I’m sad I didn’t discover this place sooner because it ended up being one of my favorite spots in Canggu. The sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and cold plunge circuit are an outstanding endorphin rush!
• Go Canggu nightlife bar hopping: There are plenty of places to visit whether you go for drinks at Old Man’s, cocktails at La Brisa, or find your way to the hidden bar in the supermarket along the  “Canggu shortcut.”  Other really awesome bars I enjoy are The Lawn (awesome pool included), Pretty Poison, and Deus Ex Machina! You can check out this article about the best bars in Canggu for more information on the nightlife!

Check out this epic YouTube video for some more Canggu Travel Information & Inspiration!

BALI ITINERARY DAY 5: SURF, EAT, REPEAT & TANAH LOT TEMPLE SUNSET

Spend another day exploring everything (mainly the cafes) that Canggu has to offer. Do some yoga, surf, hit a co-working space, cross-fit, join a beach clean up, and more!

For sunset, I’d recommend renting a moto and driving down the road (only 20-25 minutes) to the Tanah Lot Temple . It’s one of Bali’s most important landmarks, famed for its unique offshore setting and sunset backdrops. It’s an ancient Hindu shrine perched on top of an outcrop amidst constantly crashing waves.

There’s a small entrance fee of 60,000 IDR ($4 USD), and you can easily spend an hour or two walking around the coastline and enjoying the scenic views.  

BALI ITINERARY DAY 6: SEMINYAK SHOPPING, DAY CLUBS & NIGHTLIFE

Continuing on with this Bali trip planning, I’d recommend making the short drive from Canggu down to Seminyak for a day of shopping and beach clubs. Seminyak is one of the fancier and more developed regions on the island and is full of awesome things to do, places to eat, and fantastic souvenir shopping!  

Now, on this itinerary, I’ve only listed one day in Seminyak because the last time I visited, I felt it was starting to get a bit too overcrowded. Still, you could easily stay here for several days and explore everything this place offers.

SEMINYAK HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

• Souvenir shop til’ you drop: For me, I think the Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta area is the best for buying all your souvenirs in Bali. Just remember to haggle, or the locals will take you for a ride. Most prices in all the souvenir stalls are negotiable!
• Visit Potato Head Beach Club: I’ve visited the world-famous Potato Head several times, and it remains one of my favorite spots in Seminyak! It’s a gorgeous beachfront property, has tons of fancy daybeds and loungers, and the food is absolutely delicious! While Potato Head Beach Club is a bit costly (for Bali standards), it’s worth stopping by for a swim, a meal, and a beer. There’s a lively atmosphere, and it can be a great place to meet people – especially around the swim-up bar.
• Relax on bean bags and under umbrellas at La Plancha Seminyak: One of the most colorful bars & restaurants on the beach you’ll ever see. During sunset, they’ve got a fun DJ spinning, decent prices, and an overall fantastic vibe you’re guaranteed to love!
• Pool party at Mrs. Sippy: This is the largest saltwater pool and one of the best pool party hotspots in Bali! Sippy regularly has international DJs come to perform (I saw Pete Tong there earlier this year), and you’ll love watching people jump from the high platform all day long.
• Grab a cup of coffee at Revolver: If you’re a coffee snob, you have to try a cup from Revolver, known to be the best coffee in Seminyak!
• Party it up at the Legendary Nightlife: Kuta & Seminyak are two areas that are quite popular for their bar and nightclub scene. Here are a few of my favorite spots: Motel Mexicola, SkyGarden, Ku De Ta, Cocoon, Woobar, and JENJA.

SEMINYAK TOURS

Seminyak balinese cooking class & market tour.

Review:   “Learn how to cook authentic Balinese dishes with your friendly and experienced local chefs in Seminyak. Join this fun cooking course and bring back some Balinese recipes and newly acquired skills from this 4.5-hour cooking class.”   

Price:   $35.00

Read Reviews & Check the Availability  

BALI ITINERARY DAY 7: UBUD CAFES, MONKEYS, TEMPLES, AND YOGA

Now that you’ve gotten plenty of time to explore Bali’s popular beach areas, the time has come to make the hour’s drive up to the cultural and spiritual capital of Bali.

Many people plan a trip to Bali and immediately add Ubud to their itinerary. That’s because there is truly something magical in the air at Ubud. The minute you step foot in this town, you will slowly start to feel your stress & worries float away.

Ubud is also a fantastic jumping-off point for adventuring around the rest of the island.

UBUD HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

For your first day in Ubud, though, here’s what I would suggest crossing off your bucket list!

• Try out trendy cafes, vegan eats & smoothie bowls: Ubud is another incredible destination for food, and you could easily spend 3 days here eating at as many places as possible and still only scratch the surface. A few of my favorites you MUST TRY are ZEST, Sayuri Healing Food, Alchemy, KAFE, and Clear Cafe.
• Get up close and personal with monkeys: Well, strolling through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is the best place to do it. Just be careful. The monkeys at this magical sanctuary  aren’t always as friendly as you’d hope! It’s centrally located in town, super cheap, and a super fun way to spend an hour.
• Legends of the Hidden Temples: Rent a moto, and explore as many of the beautiful temples in the Ubud area as possible. There are literally dozens, and all of them are gorgeous. A few top picks are Pura Tirta Empul, Pura Taman Saraswati, and Goa Gajah!
• Do some Y-O-G-A: There are some fantastic yoga studios in Ubud, and even if it’s not your thing, I’d recommend trying it out. My first experience with Bikram yoga was in Ubud, and it was a sweaty experience I’ll never forget.  
• Ubud Art Market and beyond: Strolling around downtown Ubud has some really fantastic shopping opportunities. You can find some awesome stuff from the traditional art market, souvenir stalls, and trendy fashion stalls here.

 UBUD TOURS

Ubud balinese cooking class at an organic farm.

Review: “Discover the culinary secrets of Bali at an exclusive cooking class at an organic farm in the lush tropics surrounding Ubud. Visit a local market and experience everyday life, before preparing a regular or vegetarian meal with the help of a chef.”  

BALI ITINERARY DAY 8: TEGALALANG RICE TERRACES, BALI SWING & CAMPUHAN RIDGE WALK

Ubud still has so many places to teach you about Balinese culture and beauty, like the Tegalalang Rice Terraces and the famous swings that almost every influencer has taken pictures at while visiting Bali. These are all ideal for your second day here.

HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

• Visit the rice terraces: Located just a quick twenty-minute scooter ride from downtown Ubud is the Instagram-famous and undeniably gorgeous Tegalalang Rice Terraces . It’s one of the most stunning tourist destinations in Bali and will certainly impress you with its sprawling views of lush green valleys, rice paddies, and towering palm trees! It’s completely free to walk through, but I would bring money for any Bali swings you want to do, coconuts, cold drinks, meals, etc.

• Catch the rice terrace sunrises: If you’re willing to wake up early, watching the sunrise & witnessing the light rays shine through the palm trees is a sight you must see to believe! It’ll be one of the most peaceful ways to start your day, and then you can spend the next 3-4 hours exploring the area. If you head there around mid-day, though, expect big crowds and intense humidity (which can make for some sweaty explorations)!

When you’re done hiking around the rice terraces, I’d recommend picking one of the restaurants up at the top for a bite to eat! It’s a pretty epic place to enjoy a refreshing smoothie bowl & fresh coconut water!

• Terrace River Pool Swing: A few minutes from the main rice terraces is this super fun zip-lining and Bali Swing mini-amusement park called Terrace River Pool Swing . It’s also free to walk through and take photos, but you’ll have to pay if you want to do any of the activities. My friend Vanessa and I spent a good hour here and loved it!  

• Campuhan Ridge Walk: The Campuhan Ridge Walk is the best-known Ubud hiking trail and is a fantastic place to stroll during the sunset (or any time of the day, really). The sparse crowds and the aesthetically rich vistas will remind you why people worldwide come to Bali. The trail starts at the historical origin of Ubud, the confluence (or Campuhan) of the Wos Rivers. You’ll get some epic hilltop views as you stroll along the nice paved trail and will be surrounded by Ubud rice fields and a deep gorge with a river rushing through it. It’s only about 1.5 kilometers long, so it is popular as a place to work up a sweat. If you’re not too exhausted after exploring the rice terraces, I would say this is an absolute must-do in Ubud!  

Check out this video for a bit of travel inspiration and what to expect!

BALI ITINERARY DAY 9: MT. BATUR SUNRISE HIKE & SPA RELAXATION RECOVERY

Admire the panoramic view of the three volcanoes of Mt. Agung, Mt. Abang, and Mt. Rinjani in Lombok in the majestic sunrise over the clouds from the crater of Mt. Batur!

For adventure travelers, I’d highly recommend waking up super early and beginning the trek to the top of Mt. Batur to witness one of the most magnificent sunrises you will ever see!  

Fair warning, though, this hike is known to be a bit intense and is not for the faint-hearted. Unfortunately, this is one of the few main activities I haven’t gotten the chance to do myself yet, but everyone speaks so highly of it!

There are a few different tours to choose from, and it just depends on what piques your interest the most! Read through some of their itineraries, and browse through all their company reviews.  

• Mount Batur Sunrise Trek with Breakfast
• Mount Batur Sunrise Trek with Hidden Waterfall
• Mount Batur Sunrise Trek & Hot Springs

“Head up the mountain along a less-crowded hiking trail that follows the volcano’s eastern slope. During the ascent, you’ll trek along a 3-kilometer-long trail. The trail is of moderate difficulty, and passes through lush tropical jungles. On reaching the top you’ll enjoy breakfast cooked by steam from the volcano. Sip hot tea or coffee at leisure while watching the magical sunrise. Afterwards, your trek continues to the main crater rim of the volcano, at 1,717 meters above sea level. Take a different route down the mountain, starting from the southwestern crater rim. The journey ends with a chance to soak in the crystal-clear waters of a hot spring to soothe away any aches and pains you may have.”  

UBUD SPA RECOVERY HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

After an early morning wake-up and a long day of climbing up a volcano, you will be ready for a little bit of #self-care and pampering! Ubud was the first time I booked a full-day spa package, and the overall experience blew me away.

I only paid $120 USD, but I received a body scrub, 60-minute massage, herbal bath, healthy lunch, manicure, and pedicure!! It was called DIVINE PAMPERING!!

• Relax at Tasku Spa: Countless different spas in Ubud would be perfect, but I went to Taksu Spa | Ubud’s Premiere Wellness Center  for my spa treatment. They didn’t pay me to say this or anything. I just loved my experience and would highly recommend it to fellow travelers! If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, though, you can visit any of the smaller massage parlors spread around the town!

BALI ITINERARY DAY 10: HANDARA GATE, LAKE BATAN & ULUN DANU BERATAN TEMPLE & SEKUMPUL WATERFALL

Next up on this ultimate Bali itinerary is to book a day trip, hire a private driver, or rent some scooters and explore north Bali! There’s quite a lot to see up there, and it will definitely be a pretty solid day of adventures.  

NORTH BALI HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

• Handara Gate : Make a quick stop over at this iconic “Bali Gate,” which is actually the entrance to a golf course. It’s a perfect photo opportunity and is a breathtaking view of green scenery and the gigantic exotic traditional Balinese gate as your backdrop.

• Lake Beratan: This is where you’ll visit the majestic Ulun Danu Beratan Temple sitting on a small island on the lake, just as you’ve seen in the postcards and Instagram shots of Bali. This lakeside temple was constructed in honor of Dewi Danu, the lake goddess, formed by a volcanic eruption 30,000 years ago.

• Sekumpul Waterfall: Quite commonly called the best waterfall in Bali. It’s just a 40-minute drive from the lake and is the perfect place to spend a few hours! Just don’t forget your GoPro!  
• Banyumala Twin Waterfall: “This stunningly beautiful waterfall is perfect for a quiet and peaceful afternoon in the arms of Mother Nature. The natural pool is inviting with its translucent turquoise waters. Swim in tranquility, listen to the thunderous roar of cascading waters, and take in the sights of the vibrant greenery. Although no picture will ever do this natural wonder justice, that shouldn’t stop you from that perfect Instagram shot!”
• Rent a scooter: If you’re confident on a scooter, I would 100% recommend you explore by yourself. The roads are all really scenic, and I loved my experience just whippin’ around the North. It’s higher elevation, which means it’s less hot, and the way the clouds sit upon the hills is majestic!  

NORTH OF BALI TOURS

Northern charm: lake bratan, handara gate, waterfall & swing.

This tour company offers a trip that goes to most of these places and would be a great way to see everything with a professional guide. The price includes all entrance fees (which can actually add up) and has excellent reviews!  

HIRE A CAR WITH A PRIVATE DRIVER FOR 10 HOURS

I remember when I first visited Bali and discovered you could hire a car with a driver to take you anywhere you wanted to go for less than $50! It’s such a fantastic deal, especially if you’re traveling with a significant other or a group of friends!  

Price:   $45.00

BALI ITINERARY DAYS 11-14: EXPERIENCE PARADISE ON THE GILI ISLANDS

Now, if you’ve got more than 10 days in Bali, this is where I’d suggest sailing over to the Gili Islands — one of my favorite destinations in Indonesia! I actually spent a few months living on Gili Trawangan working at a party hostel back in 2015, and it was one of the highlights of my time backpacking through Southeast Asia.

A trip to the Gili Islands is a trip to paradise! The color of the water here will honestly leave you speechless, and I’m just obsessed with the fact that pretty much anytime you go snorkeling/ scuba-diving out there, you’ll be swimming with turtles. There is top-notch nightlife, incredible restaurants, a relaxed atmosphere, gorgeous villas, and the most jaw-dropping sunsets every night!!

Here is a quick breakdown of every island:

• Gili Trawangan = Party Island
• Gili Meno = Honeymoon Island
• Gili Air = Best of Both Worlds / Family Friendly

To get to the Gili Islands, you’ll need to talk to any travel agent in Ubud to organize the hotel pick-up and transfer schedule. You can pick various times, but I’d recommend doing the earliest one possible. It’s a couple hours’ drive to the port and then another couple of hours to the islands!

GILI ISLANDS HIGHLIGHTS & THINGS TO DO

• Go snorkeling or scuba-diving every day: The water is crystal clear here, and you can see some pretty awesome marine life just off the shores of each of the three islands! For scuba divers, make sure you chat with some of the dive centers to discuss the best dive sites!
• Watch the sunset every night: Grab a cocktail or a coconut at one of the many beach bars, and watch while the sky dips beneath the horizon in the future and lights up the sky in pretty much every color of the rainbow.
• Party it up: Gili Trawangan is easily one of the best party islands in Southeast Asia , and you can find yourself bar hopping every night if you want to.
• Bike ride around the island: There are no cars on the Gili’s, so I’d recommend renting a bike for at least one day and riding all the way around the island!  
• Enjoy a psychedelic experience: You may or may not be interested in this, but you can buy magic mushrooms in Indonesia quite easily! They’re readily available at many beach bars and shops, and they’re a super fun way to spend a few hours!    

ARRIVAL AT BALI DENPASAR AIRPORT

Once you’ve landed in Bali, successfully made it through immigration and customs, and collected your bags – you’ll need to get your transportation sorted to your first hotel. I must warn you that Bali’s worst part is the Ngurah Rai International Airport !  

You will be harassed by countless people asking you for a taxi, which can be overwhelming after a long-haul flight. That’s why I’d strongly suggest booking a Bali Airport Private Transfer beforehand!   

There are tons of different Bali transfer companies, and most hotels will offer this service (but charge way too much), but I really love this one through Get Your Guide – Bali Airport Private Transfer ! I’ve personally used this service before, and for only $18, it’s a pretty fantastic deal!

It’s really nice to have this all handled before arriving at the airport because it makes for a stress-free arrival! Most Bali car drivers are super friendly and are happy to chat about their favorite things on the island, food, etc.

BEST ITINERARY FOR BALI SUBSTITUTIONS

Alright, so I know I just went over so much information, but now I’m offering up a few other possible Bali itinerary ideas! The truth is that every traveler is a bit different, and there is no right way to spend 10 days or two weeks exploring Bali!  

• Spend more time on the Nusa Islands: With fantastic marine biodiversity, rugged landscapes, and pristine beaches – taking the ferry over to the Nusa Islands and spending 3-4 days over here would be a great option.
• Book a few nights at Mt. Kintamani instead of Ubud: This is a really gorgeous part of Bali, and you wouldn’t believe some of the gorgeous resorts up there. It’ll also make the sunrise hike a lot easier, and you could even attempt to do it on your own to save money!

• Relax & slow down in Sanur: This sleepy coastal town was one of the very first places I visited in Bali, and I honestly loved it. While it may not have the gorgeous coastlines like in Uluwatu or the trendy cafes in Canggu, it’s definitely a comfortable spot with some lively resorts, beautiful white sand beaches, and a nice relaxing vibe. There’s great souvenir shopping, an awesome night market, and overall a solid place to spend a few days!  

BALI ITINERARY TRAVEL TIPS

Bring an international driver’s license.

Fair warning – there’s a good chance that you will get pulled over while driving around Bali! The local cops in Bali are, well… they can be rather CORRUPT. Not all of them, but there’s a huge issue with cops extorting cash from tourists!  

I’ve been harassed almost every time I drive around Bali (for longer-distance trips), but if you have the proper paperwork and an International Driver’s License , you shouldn’t have any problems. Most of the time, they are just security checkpoints on major roads.

If you do get pulled over and they are giving you a difficult time… just try and BRIBE THEM. Hand them over a 50,000 IDR bill, and then show them an empty wall! Simply drive off, and see if that works.

BE CAREFUL WITH THE MONEY EXCHANGE PLACES

They are notorious on the island for scamming tourists, so my recommendation would be to just use the ATMs to get your money. Also, make sure you bring a credit card with no international withdrawal fees! Most tour agencies, restaurants, and bars accept credit cards these days!

DON’T TRUST THE MONKEYS

If this is your first time traveling through Southeast Asia, you might not understand how evil monkeys can actually be! Don’t have any loose jewelry around them, don’t smile at them, don’t look at them directly in the eyes, etc. Just be super cautious with them!  

Check out these YouTube videos below for First Time Travelers to Bali!

HOW TO GET AROUND IN BALI

Use a rideshare app.

There are three main Rideshare apps in Bali: UBER, GOJEK, and GRAB! Download all three of these before landing, and you’ll always be able to find a ride. I’ve never had any issues using any of these platforms, and it is definitely the easiest way to get around. You can even call a MOTO GoJek, and they’ll offer you a helmet, and you sit behind them!  

RENT A SCOOTER

Scooters are an extremely popular way for travelers in Bali to explore the island. Especially around Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud – it makes a huge difference if you have your own moto !  

HIRE A PRIVATE DRIVER

For $40-$60 per day, you can Hire a Private Driver (depending on how long you hire for)! For example, if you’re booking a taxi from Uluwatu to Canggu, why not just hire the driver for the entire day, and go explore as much as possible? It really just depends on how you want to spend your days!  

INTERESTED IN SCUBA DIVING?

If you’ve found yourself with some more time to gallivant around Indonesia, I’d highly recommend booking a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo. So you can visit the wondrous Komodo National Park  and experience some of the world’s most unbelievable marine biodiversity and scuba-diving.  

I’ve now visited Komodo two different times, and it is a remarkable destination that deserves a place on every traveler’s bucket list! Komodo National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve!  

The color and clarity of the water are stunning, the landscape is completely gorgeous, and getting up close and personal with Komodo Dragons is an experience you’ll never forget. But the real magic begins when you strap on your fins and snorkel mask and start exploring the underwater scenery!

It really is the best snorkeling and scuba-diving I’ve witnessed in my life! It’s also one of the best places to do a liveaboard in Southeast Asia, as the prices are relatively affordable (compared to other popular scuba destinations).  

Check out these Komodo National Park liveaboards to view dates, prices, and availability to see if you can squeeze one into your Bali itinerary!

• Adelaar Liveaboard (Bali – Komodo)
• Moana Liveaboard
• Indo Aggressor (Komodo National Park)

PURCHASE THE BALI LONELY PLANET & POCKETBOOK

No matter how long your Bali vacation is, I’d also recommend picking up one of the Bali Lonely Planet Travel Guide Books ! They are honestly loaded with insider tips, restaurant recommendations, and fun day ideas! I know I’ve gone into a  lot of detail in this post (so maybe you should bookmark this for your trip), but these are always handy!  

PLANNING A TRIP TO BALI, INDONESIA & SOUTHEAST ASIA?

I’ve spent a lot of time backpacking around this marvelous region of the world, and I’ve written a rather large amount to help you figure out your ideal upcoming vacation! Look through some of my favorite articles below, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions about my Bali itinerary travel guide!

Further Reading:

• The Ultimate Ubud Itinerary | 3 Days In Bali’s Hidden Paradise
• Top 12 Music Festivals In Bali To Experience This Year
• The Ultimate Backpackers Guide to Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
• 17 Amazing Things To Do On Gili Trawangan
• The 7 Best Places to Eat on Gili Trawangan
• Komodo Island Trip Review | Sailing from Lombok to Flores
• The 5 Best Places to Trip on Magic Mushrooms in Southeast Asia
• The 15 Best Places to Party in Southeast Asia
• 20 Best Beaches In Malaysia | Beach Resorts & Islands
• The 20 Best Beaches In Vietnam | Epic Islands, Beach Resorts + Hotels
• The 20 Best Beaches in Sri Lanka
• Thailand Itinerary | 10 Days In The Land Of Smiles

THANKS FOR READING MY BALI ITINERARY TRAVEL GUIDE!!

Share this bali trip planner with your squad.

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Looking for sample itinerary on your trip to Bali? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox35Xqg55OI&t=755s

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Hi! This guide has been really useful. But I would love some advice on how to book some of the hotels, trips etc, And can I do this with a flight included? I am a 53 year old female who will be travelling alone and as you may have guessed I have only ever been on package holidays before but would love to do Bali on a multi hotel basis to ensure I see as much as possible in either 2 or 3 weeks. Look forward to some replies – all advice welcomed xx

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A Family Travel Blog

Bali with Kids

By Eric Stoen on March 24, 2015 • Last Updated January 18, 2023 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my Disclosure here .

I’ve now traveled to Bali with my daughters three times the past few years. My oldest daughter was 9 and 10 during our trips. My youngest was 9. Per my post on the best places to go with kids at every age , Bali is perfect for 9-10 year olds, and for all the same reasons that adults like it, except for the partying! There’s the Hindu-based spirituality, the stunning landscape of terraced rice paddies, the monkeys, the arts and the beaches. Plus the weather’s always warm.

Bali with Kids: The Logistics

There are no non-stop flights from the US to Bali, so you have to travel through…somewhere. There are a lot of options. We’ve now done it three different ways:

I didn’t want to take my daughter out of school for more than a week, so we planned six days on the island, a day for a layover somewhere and two travel days. I chose to route via Sydney, even though no airlines would let me do it all as one ticket. There were a few reasons for choosing Sydney. First, it worked well to fly out after school on Friday to maximize the vacation time, and the United flight to Sydney left LA at 10:40pm. Second, since I have frequent flier status with United, this was a way to hopefully get us upgraded for as much of the journey as possible. Third, price-wise it was one of our best options, especially since I was hoping for upgrades. And fourth, Sydney is a great city and it’s always enjoyable to go through there, even if it’s just for a day. I’ve previously warned against using multiple tickets on one trip , but I took the chance booking LA-Sydney on United and Sydney-Bali on Virgin Australia, and it all worked out great. In Sydney we had roughly three hours to clear immigrations and customs, check in with Virgin Australia, go back through immigration and security and get to our gate. We made it with about an hour to spare. And yes, United upgraded us for both of the 13-14 hour flights.

Coming back, we took a red-eye from Bali to Sydney on Friday night, spent 24 hours in Sydney, and then flew back to the US Sunday morning. I hate those overnight flights, since Qantas’ seats are uncomfortable for sleeping, and the flight’s not long enough to sleep well anyway.

The second trip my daughter and I were on our around-the-world trip , coming from Dubai. We flew from Dubai to Yogyakarta on Emirates, spent a day/night at Borobudur , and then took a short/cheap Air Asia flight direct to Bali. Continuing on, we did the red-eye to Sydney again, but opted for business class this time. We still didn’t sleep well. Seriously, avoid the Qantas red-eye if you can.

My youngest daughter and I did it completely different. We flew from LA-Auckland on Air New Zealand, which is a nicely-timed overnight flight, and then spent 30 hours or so in Auckland, going to see a U2 concert while we were there. We then flew Emirates from Auckland to Bali non-stop. From Bali we continued on to Singapore on a cheap Air Asia one-way ticket, and then 24 hours later flew ANA from Singapore to LA via Tokyo. I love Singapore for layovers , and this one worked out well.

Activities with Kids in Bali

Every trip we spent roughly half of our time in Ubud (Bali’s cultural/arts center) and half at the beach – generally Seminyak and Jimbaran – and did roughly the same things. We spent a lot of time in Ubud, walked around rice fields, swam below waterfalls, saw Balinese dances, did yoga, got massages, and spent a lot of afternoons/evenings at the beach. Here are our favorite things to do in Bali with kids:

The Monkey Forest

We’ve now been to the monkey forest in Ubud five times in three trips. My daughters love it. The first two trips we were able to purchase bananas in the forest. My daughter loved holding the bananas up high and letting the monkeys climb up her to get them. It’s stressful walking through the forest hiding bananas, since the monkeys are intimidating, but overall it was a fun, unique experience.

Our last trip however we discovered that they no longer sell bananas in the monkey forest. It’s far more relaxing without monkeys coming after you! My daughter still wanted to get up close, though, so she sat down at one point and just waited. After two minutes two monkeys started climbing on her (good) but very quickly they got annoyed and one bit her (bad). She still loved the experience, but you probably shouldn’t encourage your kids to get monkey bites in Bali!

Kite Flying

We bought a large pirate ship kite on the beach in Seminyak for 140,000 Rupiah (US$11) and after putting it together with help from the hotel staff and the kite seller, had a great time flying it for hours. The wind was perfect – not enough to be blowing sand around, but easily enough to keep the kite aloft.

Hiking through the Rice Terraces

Our first trip we had a driver from our hotel drive us around the central part of the island, and about half an hour from Ubud we arrived at the Tagalalang Rice Terrace. It’s become fairly commercialized there, but luckily there were no other tourists around and we had a great time hiking as far as we could, down one side of the valley and up the other side.

Our last trip, we had our driver take us by the Rice Terrace on the way from Ubud to Seminyak mid-way through our trip. It’s a little out of the way, but was still fun. It’s definitely gotten even more touristy, with swings and Instagrammable signs, but mid-November we still had the terraces largely to ourselves. And we got lunch at a small cafe overlooking the rice terraces, and it was one of our best meals of the trip.

Most of our hotels offered complimentary yoga, and we’ve taken advantage of it several times. Our best experiences: standard (but hot) yoga overlooking the rice fields at Chedi Club; and anti-gravity yoga at Four Seasons Jimbaran.

There are a lot of waterfalls in Bali. Go to at least one! Our last trip it worked out really well to stop at the Tibumana Waterfall after the rice terraces on the way to Seminyak. There weren’t many people there and it was an easy walk up/down for my 9-year-old. The water was perfect.

Seminyak felt a lot like a European beach town, with similar brands, but the Ubud area is still charming with a lot of unique crafts, antiques, batik, and markets. We typically take an extra duffel and fill it up, and our last trip we actually shipped two things home – ceramics from Gaya Ceramic and a large Buddha statue, purchased in Ubud and shipped from Seminyak.

Plunge Pools

At virtually all of our hotels (see below) we’ve had private plunge pools. It’s remarkably kid-friendly – having the opportunity to go swimming anytime in the privacy of the villa. We always take advantage of it to cool off in the hot weather.

Fish Feeding and Fish Spas

Our first hotel in Seminyak had koi ponds throughout the property and we were able to get fish food from the bell desk and feed the fish as often as we wanted. We did it each morning. And in Ubud at least once a day we head to the fish spas with tanks of gara rufa fish that eat the dead skin off of your feet. It’s slightly ticklish at the beginning but we love it, and our feet are very smooth by the end of our trips!

A Balinese Dance Performance

There are dance performances in Bali every night, both at hotels (especially larger hotels) and at temples throughout the island. Simply talk to your hotel about what dance to see (Legong, Kecak, etc…) or stumble upon a temple where they’re selling tickets out front.

The sunsets from Jimbaran and Seminyak are always amazing. We typically don’t go to the beach clubs, but there’s always a fun vibe with music coming from the clubs, locals playing football, people surfing, and perfect reflections.

Where to Stay in Bali

We’ve now stayed at or visited eight resorts in Bali. Our thoughts:

Tanah Gajah (Ubud) – formerly the Chedi Club Tanah Gajah

The good: We loved our Tanah Gajah villa with a private pool, the Balinese architecture/ landscaping and elephant theme, and the setting right in the middle of rice fields. The service was excellent. The food was great and the restaurant was very kid-friendly. My daughter took advantage of the free yoga and we loved the free daily laundry service. The bad: There were no kid-sized robes or slippers in the room, and no list of nearby family-friendly activities. They gave my daughter a stuffed elephant at check-out after I asked if we could pay for the one in the room, but that was the only kid-friendly touch. Although we loved the resort, I wish they had done more to make kids feel welcome.

Note: after I sent the above comments to the hotel, they responded that there should have been an activity list in the room and sent me their standard kid-friendly list, which is great. They also are switching the stuffed elephant gift to check-in, and they have ordered kid-sized robes and slippers. How great is that? With those changes, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the hotel to families going forward.

Four Seasons Resort at Sayan (Ubud)

In 2018 Four Seasons Resort at Sayan was named the top hotel in the world by Travel+Leisure. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s a beautiful property, overlooking the Ayung River, and as with most Four Seasons properties there’s a good balance between luxury and kid-friendliness. The villas only sleep three, but they also have family suites that can sleep up to five. The pool isn’t as kid-friendly as other Four Seasons where we’ve stayed, but we had a private plunge pool so we didn’t need to use the main pool. There’s a great kids club including a treehouse fort, and the Rice Farmer for a Day Experience is excellent – one of our favorite resort activities ever. An added bonus is the location, very close to Gaya Ceramic . We toured Gaya’s studio and workshop and viewed a ceramics class for young kids (roughly 8-12) that my daughter really wants to return for.

Komaneka at Monkey Forest (Ubud)

Our previous trips we had stayed outside of Ubud (at Chedi Club and Four Seasons Sayan) and used the hotel shuttles to come into Ubud several times. Our last trip we decided to stay in the middle of Ubud instead. Our verdict – mixed. We liked being able to walk to the monkey forest, fish spas and lunch/dinner. But we missed the beautiful setting of the resorts outside of the city.

Komaneka at Monkey Forest was nice. The service was excellent, our massages were great, and breakfast was very good. Our villa and plunge pool were good – not as nice as Chedi Club or Four Seasons, but far less expensive. Unfortunately the rice field next to the pool was dead (already harvested) when we visited – bad timing.

Kayumanis at Jimbaran

Kayumanis at Jimbaran is perfect. We had an amazing two-villa complex with a private pool. The hotel’s restaurant (Resto Jimbaran) is beautiful, and I had one of my favorite meals ever there. And my daughter absolutely loved Cuca next door for other dinners. The beach is only a one-minute walk away. Probably my favorite hotel in Bali.

The Legian (Seminyak)

I was extremely disappointed in The Legian . It’s nice, and probably deserving of its spot as one of the top resorts in Indonesia…but not if you have kids. If you have kids, they let you know that your kids aren’t really welcome. Seriously, I hadn’t even checked in yet when I was handed a letter stating that kids aren’t allowed in one of the pools, that they need to be accompanied at all times around the hotel, pool and beach, and that kids should only eat at the earlier dinner seatings. I’ve never seen anything like that, and it spoiled our entire stay. It’s too bad because otherwise we liked the hotel, the fish feeding, the location, the beach and pool, the DVD selection and the breakfasts.

Note: I heard back from the General Manager of the Legian. He apologized that the check-in letter came across as restrictive, and noted that the hotel usually has kid activities like painting classes but did not have any the week we were there because of the Nyepi holiday and lower occupancy. While I appreciate the response, I don’t feel that the level of kid-friendliness should depend on what week you book a stay. If the Legian has any kid guests at all, it should maintain kid activity offerings. When we were at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, we had the only kids at the resort that week, but they made it clear that they would open the kids club and arrange activities just for us anytime we wanted them. I wish the Legian had done the same.

Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach

This was a decidedly mixed stay. I booked and paid for a villa with a private plunge pool, but Hotel Indigo notified me a week before our stay that they no longer had a villa for us, and they downgraded us to a suite. They did give us a partial refund.

The hotel itself is nice. Our suite was large. Breakfast is excellent. We didn’t love either of the hotel’s restaurants for dinner. We did enjoy the location, right across a small road from the beach, and the resort’s main pool.

Service was excellent. I asked about packing/protecting a statue I purchased and the hotel sent two employees with a lot of tape and bubblewrap to the room to wrap it up. And when my daughter came down with Bali Belly (most likely from a non-resort restaurant in Seminyak) and wasn’t doing well, the hotel had a doctor come to our room. He administered an IV and provided very good care. She was better within three hours.

The Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay

We checked into the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay just for a day, but what a day. We loved the villa with private plunge pool, the kids’ club activities, the kid amenities, the beach and the food (both lunch and dinner at Sundara were excellent). I got an amazing 90-minute Balinese massage as well. And every employee we spoke with seemed genuinely happy.

Friends invited us one night to dinner at Taman Wana, a collection of five villas, where they were staying. I loved the concept of a private villa with a concierge, and the villas were gorgeous. This would be a great alternative to a hotel for a family or a group of friends who otherwise would require multiple hotel rooms.

Where to Eat in Bali

We’ve dined at dozens of different restaurants over the years. Breakfasts have virtually always been at our hotels, but we usually escape and try local places for lunch and dinner. The places that stand out:

Dining in Ubud

Our favorite restaurants in Ubud are Kafe (for everything), Oia (for Greek) and Sugriwa’s Warung (for Indonesian).

For dessert we love Tukies Coconut Shop . Get the chocolate cake with coconut ice cream!

Dining in Jimbaran

In Jimbaran our favorites are Kayumanis Resto and Cuca .

Is it crazy to go to Bali from the US for just a week? Maybe a little, but only because of the jetlag. Otherwise the flight schedules typically work out well for us, and it’s a more interesting alternative to Hawaii or Mexico for a family vacation in the sun. It’s a small world. Take your kids everywhere!

More from Travel Babbo

March 25, 2015 at 4:32 pm

Great blog post as always! Bali looks amazing and you captured such amazing pictures. One week is a bit too less especially given the jet lag but it looks like it didnt bother you that much. Bali has always been on my list,think it needs to move up!

March 26, 2015 at 6:32 pm

Agree – we would have loved to have stayed another week or two. But there are so many incredibly cool places in the world and only so many school breaks, so I like to add in a few more one-week trips every year, even if they are to places nine time zones away! I see the world as being very, very small, with nowhere too far away for a quick trip.

March 29, 2015 at 6:37 am

I have to say I wasn’t overly enamoured with Bali, but I can imagine it is a whole new experience travelling with a child! Glad you both had an awesome time.

March 29, 2015 at 7:09 am

We’ve never visited Bali for the travel blog. But the husband’s been and stayed at the FS Jimbaran Bay (work trip for his day job) and I was absolutely green with envy when he took me on a little skype tour of his villa. It’s so stunning, and we definitely want to go back and enjoy a real holiday there!

March 29, 2015 at 10:40 pm

There was a corporate group at the FS Jimbaran Bay last week and I was thinking about what a cool destination that would be for work!

March 29, 2015 at 7:46 am

Very interesting side to Bali, normally people only talk about the party and then nightlife so it’s always interesting to see another point of view

March 29, 2015 at 10:41 pm

Yep, with three kids I no longer explore anywhere for the parties or nightlife!

March 29, 2015 at 8:56 am

Thanks so much for this article! My husband and I want to take our kids to Bali. It’s also good to know that Legian is not a good place for kids.

March 29, 2015 at 10:43 pm

Yep, the Legian definitely didn’t make kid guests feel welcome.

March 29, 2015 at 2:11 pm

What an awesome experience for a kid! With experiences like this in her young life she’s bound to grow into an amazingly well rounded adult. You must be thrilled and proud!

March 29, 2015 at 10:46 pm

Nine years old, 6 continents, 25 countries and 240,000+ United lifetime miles. Travel is the best education – I can’t imagine it not having a positive impact on her?

March 29, 2015 at 8:15 am

Great post. I haven’t been to Bali yet but I’d love to go after this article. Also, I totally love the photo with a kite.

March 29, 2015 at 10:42 pm

Thanks! That kite photo was one of my favorite shots from the trip and I was surprised that it didn’t get as many likes on Instagram as others from Bali.

March 30, 2015 at 4:50 am

What a fun trip!! Smart girl for picking Bali 🙂 Looks like a great adventure and a wonderful time!

March 30, 2015 at 3:42 pm

I really love those photos of your little girl in the beautiful scenic landscapes! I love the photo of her flying the kite with those reflections on the beach! Stunning shot!

March 30, 2015 at 10:13 pm

Oh Bali… I loved it so much. The rice terraces were so beautiful. It’s so awesome you were able to experience that with your daughter.

March 30, 2015 at 11:41 pm

I’m soooo jealous of your daughter right now! hehe minus the monkey part… I don’t think I’d love that was much as she did! ^_^ Plunge pool looks AMAZING

June 1, 2015 at 6:39 am

Bali is an incredible destination, you will find a lot of things to do and to discover! From the rice terraces to the beautiful beaches you will be impressed by how this place is wonderful. If you are planning to go there I suggest you to contact Balijetaime, this is a villa rental company and they have villas for every budget! You can also have a look on their website which is very complete

January 6, 2016 at 9:26 am

I have two kids, 12 & 10. I would love to do something similar, but I’m afraid of the cost. Could you please give us a rough idea of what all of that costs? Thanx!

January 6, 2016 at 2:48 pm

Hi Matthew. Costs are different depending on when you go. You don’t say where you’re traveling from, but airfare is usually the most expensive part of a trip. I travel hack to get plane tickets free whenever possible, but flights from the US to Asia are very inexpensive right now – as low as $684 from LA to Bali in February. Once you get to Bali you can stay anywhere that fits into your budget. Of our favorite things to do, only number 6 (plunge pools) was hotel-specific, and that’s easy to forgo. The first time I went to Bali I think I spent around $100/night for hotels. This time it was more since I wanted to stay in the hotels I mentioned, but once you have your cheap-flight dates go to TripAdvisor, search for Bali hotels on those dates and check out the prices. Split your time between Ubud and a beach area. Total, for three of you, if your dates are flexible and you’re in the US, you could do a week in Bali including air for close to $3000. People pay more than that for a week at Disneyland (with tickets, food and Disney hotels), and spend more than that a year at Starbucks.

January 7, 2016 at 11:41 am

Great info/details. Thanx!

October 14, 2016 at 6:03 am

Hi Eric, I have a question. We’re considering Bali for a family trip (loved those pictures ;)), but wondering what’s the best way to travel around on the island. Years ago we did a round trip with the private driver there, but now I’m just thinking of picking two places to stay (Ubud + beach) and do day trips from there. I remember that driving was very chaotic. How did you do it? Thanks!

October 14, 2016 at 8:11 am

Yep, we always split our time between Ubud and the beach (Jimbaran, Legian or Nusa Dua) and hire drivers for shorter trips from those places, either though the hotels or independently. I don’t know of a better way to do it? It seems like everyone in Bali is a driver or has a brother who’s a driver, so it’s always easy to go anywhere.

December 22, 2016 at 2:04 am

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this post! Beautiful images, beautiful place. Already been in Bali for 3 times and must say it’s great place for families with kids. This year we booked it for our honeymoon. Can’t wait!

March 3, 2019 at 4:03 pm

Hi. What was your average budget for your trip in Bali?

March 6, 2019 at 9:40 am

I don’t remember our exact budget. The greatest expense is usually airfare, which is highly variable depending on the season and where you’re coming from. Second is the hotel, and in Bali you can pay anywhere between $10/night (hostels) and $1,000+. Likewise, food is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. Private drivers are around US$50 for 8 hours.

October 30, 2021 at 1:45 am

Love each and everyone of your articles/blog. Personally, do you prefer the FS Sayan or FS Jimbaran Bay? What about your kids? ~ From a curious mom with 2 girls ☺️

October 30, 2021 at 3:38 pm

Definitely FS Sayan. They’re both nice properties, but Sayan is more interesting. Jimbaran has the beach, but it’s kind of a hassle walking up and down between the beach and the rooms – or waiting for the little shuttles. Sayan doesn’t have the same climbs. Both have the FS kids clubs and great service.

November 4, 2021 at 8:56 pm

Thank you so much for replying all the comment 🙂 I am planning to visit Bali in April 2022.

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Our Two Week Bali Holiday with Kids

Bali needs no introduction. It is known the world over as an exotic Indonesian island perfect for a vacation. It is a particular popular spot for us Australians, despite the fact that it has a reputation of being full of bogans .

It is popular for good reason. Bali has lots to offer visitors from its beaches to its food and culture to the purpose built tourist attractions. It is especially a great option for families. The Balinese are very family friendly and children are made to feel welcome everywhere.

J and I have been to Bali two times before we had kids, although I was pregnant with S the second time and terrible morning sickness ruined the experience. We had a fabulous time the first time though and we were excited to repeat the experience with a third visit.

Our itinerary

Day 1: We flew from Kuala Lumpur and headed straight for the Grand Mirage Resort in Nusa Dua for two fantastic days. We barely left the resort but were busy swimming, eating (great all inclusive package), ocean kayaking and other activities.

Day 3: We moved on to the southern resort part of Nusa Dua and stayed at the absolutely amazing Samabe Bali Suites and Villas . Here we relaxed, had massages, did a cooking course and just unwound after the busy couple of months leading up to our trip.

Day 5: We headed to Legian for three nights. We loved staying in this area previously and were excited to return. We visited Waterbom Bali , had massages and had a fantastic seafood feast at Jimbaran.

Day 8: We transferred to a village near Ubud in a lovely Airbnb home with private pool surrounded by rice terraces. Bliss! Our days quickly transformed into a routine of pool time, a visit to Ubud, nap/work, more pool time, delivery dinner, movies. My mum also joined us here.

Day 13: We flew back to Malaysia to start our new life in Penang !

We ate some fabulous meals in Bali, particularly in Ubud and on our resort stays in Nusa Dua. The seafood dinner in Jimbaran was also awesome – here seafood shacks line the beach and the kids can play in the sand while the sun sets. It’s a perfect spot and I am annoyed we didn’t go here on our previous trips.

Jimbaran seafood shacks

There is a massive variety in Bali and it is not hard to eat Indonesian or Western food. However, I was surprised how hard I found it as a vegetarian. It was easy in Ubud (and was also easy for my vegan mum), but elsewhere options were few and far between. In Legian, often the only choice was fries or asking for something without the meat.

We were disappointed by the food in Legian. We remembered it being super delicious with cheap prices and generous serving sizes. We did not find any of these things to be true this time.

Our budget was AUD$80 a day plus accommodation with less when we were in the all inclusive resorts. I was surprised to find that this was not that easy. However, we did have the occasional massage and drink. The dinner at Jimbaran was fabulous value at about 400,000 rupiah (about AUD$40), but combined with the taxi rides was hard on our budget.

Legian was particularly bad value with restaurant prices much higher than we found elsewhere. The accommodation was also expensive and it actually became cheaper for us to pay for two hotel rooms because of all the extra charges for kids. We were also in Bali during a peak time though.

Also ensure that you budget for a visa on arrival which currently costs US$35 (also payable in other currencies at bad rates – it was AUD$48), although there is talk of this stopping soon. There is also an airport departure tax of 200,000 rupiah (about AUD$20) for all passengers on all international flights which is not included in your ticket price.

Enjoying the pool at Samabe Bali Suites

The kids loved Bali. Why wouldn’t they? Their time was filled with pools, manicures, adventures and fun food. They loved having our own pool and going to kids club (yay!) when we were at the resorts. Waterbom was also a massive hit, particularly the Funtastic playground.

Our verdict

We had a great time in Bali. Our goal had been to relax after the crazy months leading up to our departure and we achieved this without a problem.

We visited in January which is the rainy season. It did not rain all that much while we were there and it did not affect us. It was very humid though – the weather seems very pleasant and cool in Malaysia by comparison.

The other negative part of the season was all the bugs. They were everywhere. S and I were eaten alive and this stopped our enjoyment at times. Eating outside could become very unpleasant with flies and bugs all over us and eating inside was not always an option. This problem also made us appreciate the good quality accommodation we stayed in where the bugs were taken care of quickly and efficiently.

Legian beach – this photo does not do the amount of trash justice

However, Legian was a big disappointment. The beach was absolutely filthy – just covered in trash. Apparently this is an annual event which happens every December – March. The food we ate was not very good and over priced. It was not how we remembered at all, and I can’t see us coming back to this part of Bali.

Our other stops were fabulous. The resorts in Nusa Dua were great – next time we will base ourselves there. Ubud is just a lovely area which is so different to the beach parts of Bali. We could have easily spent a lot longer here especially with our beautiful house with the pool.

My favourite spot in Ubud

Will we go back? Of course, we love Bali and it is a great place to holiday with kids.

You can also read our complete guide to planning your Bali family holiday.

Have you been to Bali? What did you think?

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The Ultimate Itinerary For Bali With Kids: Best Time To Travel, Things To Do And Much More

Bali is not just an island with parties and people in their twenties getting drunk. It is so much more than that. If you haven’t been there you probably know about it from the media and Instagram, which doesn’t paint a full picture of this beautiful island and its rich culture. It is important to choose the best time to travel to Bali . Plan your trip ahead, especially if you are traveling with a big family or a group of friends.

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There is so much to see and do for all ages, plus all the amazing beaches where you can swim, relax, or enjoy water sports.

Best time to travel to Bali

Different sources will tell you differently about the best time of year to travel to Bali, but one thing is for sure, the island is gorgeous at any time of the year. However, if you want to make sure that you visit Bali in the dry season you should plan your trip between April and October.

Bali has only two seasons, rain and dry. The only thing that is slightly different between these two seasons, except for the resin, is humidity. The temperature during the year is always between the mid-80s and low 90s.

Summer is amazing for those who like sunbathing and chilling on the beach in Bali. It is also a great time for surfing, sailing, and all the other fun water activities because there is almost no wind and rain is very rarely happening in these months. Low humidity is perfect for hiking and exploring nature too.

If you ask yourself when is the best time to travel to Bali, Indonesia regarding crowds and prices, you should know that the busiest times are during July and August, during Easter Holidays, Christmas, and New Year. Consider coming to Bali in April, May, June and September, just before and just after high season, if you want to have a peaceful and relaxing vacation.

If you like visiting festivals and meeting locals, you can plan your trip around one of these four festivals: Bali Arts Festival (June-July), Nusa Dua Festival (June-July), Bali Kites Festival (July-August), and Indonesia Independence Day (August).

Cheapest Months in Bali

The cheapest months to visit are from November to March when Bali gets a huge amount of rain. In January there are barely any days without at least a drizzle. A combination of rain, mosquitos, and high temperatures and humidity do not sound like an ideal time. It also decreases visibility in water when snorkeling and diving. In the end, it all comes to the reasons for your trip and what kind of trip you want to have.

Where to Stay in Bali with Kids

Choosing the best part of Bali for families is very important. Take into consideration how close the beach is to the hotel, what there is to do there, and if there are any kid-friendly activities available. You will probably stay most of your time in Bali in this one location, and it should fit your needs.

1. Jimbaran

Jimbaran is a beautiful beach town with a central location, close to the airport and Kuta’s shopping district. You will have stunning beaches, amazing local food, and family-friendly hotels close by if you stay here.

2. Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is a place to be if you want a quiet and relaxing vacation. Most of the hotels here are luxury hotels and villas with amazing amenities. Most of the beaches are not crowded and you can find a private place for your family. Only stunning Pandawa Beach gets more visitors because of its impressive beauty.

3. Seminyak

Seminyak is a very touristy area, but also has a lot to offer because of it. It is a popular place to stay, with busy streets, a lot of hotels and beach clubs. The location is great and not too far from the airport, and there are also many boutique shops and popular restaurants that attract visitors year-round.

Ubud has scenic beaches, amazing sunsets, and beautiful hotels. But, it is also a cultural, artistic, and holistic center of Bali. It is surrounded by attractions, including the green cascades of the Tegalalang rice terraces that are only a 25-minute drive from here.

Canggu is the best place for surfing in Bali. You never have to go far from the shore to catch a wave, and even night surfing is available in a local beach club. Here you will find a lot of villas offering long stay and affordable cafes and restaurants, which is why Canggu is the favorite spot of digital nomads in recent years.

How to get around Bali with Kids

With so many purpose-built attractions for kids and things for the whole family to do, you might want to explore Bali outside of your neighborhood. Bali is an excellent family location, and Balinese people are very friendly and always happy to accommodate families.

Getting to Bali is easy, because it is such a popular destination and there are numerous flights from all around Asia and Australia every day. If you are coming from other parts of the world you will probably have a connection in Singapore or Malaysia, but the flight is going to be more affordable than to some other destinations. For budget-friendly options check out JetStar and AirAsia. Please note that all the passengers on international flights, including kids, have to pay a departure tax of 200,000 rupiahs (about USD$14).

Once you are in Bali it is easy to get around. You can find taxis on every corner, and they will often stop you and ask you if you need a ride. Other options are to hire a car, rent a car, or use a shuttle bus. If you feel adventurous and want to try public transportation, bemos are something like a city bus and you can get to different parts of Bali with them.

Hiring a car versus renting a car is better because the roads in Bali are not very well maintained, and also if you get into an accident you will be held accountable as a foreigner even if it wasn’t your fault. So if you want a stress-free holiday better skip on driving by yourself. To make sure that you have car seats for your kids you would need to bring them from home because they are often not available here.

How Much Time to Stay in Bali with Kids

Choosing the best time to travel to Bali is as important as how much time to stay in Bali. If you can take longer time off work it is highly advised to stay longer in this beautiful part of the world. With so many hotels and villas accommodating longer stays this is the easiest place to check if your family likes longer vacations .

In theory, 7 days are enough to see all the main attractions in Bali. You can get a car and drive around every day, but this way of vacationing might be too stressful for your little ones. If 7 days is all you have then book accommodation in the central part of Bali, so you don’t lose any time on transfer from the airport and between the attractions.

Two weeks trip sounds much better, especially if you like to take it easy and spend a lot of time on the beach. Best beach destinations in Bali are Jimbaran, Canggu, Ubud, and Denpasar. Nusa Dua, which is often considered the best place for families, also has a stunning beach.

Things To Do in Bali With Kids

The Indonesian island offers an alluring retreat with its kid-friendly resorts and beaches, reasonably priced food, and adventure-loving landscape. Your kids will be begging you to take them back after your first visit to the island.

Try Kids Yoga and Take them to Spa for Relaxation

Kids yoga is provided by many studios and hotels as an activity and it is a great place for your kiddos to try yoga for the first time. This calming experience might help them discover a new love for physical fitness.

Spa for kids is an opportunity for you and your little ones to relax and have an amazing experience together. In Bali, spas are not reserved just for adults, and meny resorts like Westin, Holiday Inn, or Conrad offer spa treatments designed for kids too.

Bounce Bali

Bounce Bali is an ideal place to visit on a rainy day. This fun facility located in the Finns Recreation Club is air-conditioned, and it has 360 degrees of trampolines. All frames and springs are covered in safety pads, and you can let your kids bounce as much as they want and not worry about them getting hurt.

Website: https://bouncebali.com/

Surfing and Snorkeling

Surf lessons are the best way for your kids to experience waves in a safe manner. There are plenty of schools out there, but not all of them are kid-friendly. Wisely choose the one that offers lessons for children. For the best surfing visit Canggu, Balangan, and Padang Padang.

Snorkeling in the Pacific ocean is a once in a lifetime experience. In Bali, good snorkeling is usually a little further from the beach, and most of the tours will take you to the best snorkeling locations by boat. You can admire the marine life, including sea turtles, at the Gili Islands or Nusa Penida.

Visit The Bali Treetop Adventure Park

The Bali Treetop Adventure Park is an eco-adventure park with a zipline offering exciting tours for the entire family. The visitors get to climb trees, go from one treetop to another by ropes and zipline, and enjoy beautiful views of Bali Botanical Gardens.

Visit Pirates Bay Bali

Pirates Bay Bali is a themed open-air restaurant and cafe where your kids can enjoy a treasure hunt, zipline, and exploring of a pirate ship. The ticket includes welcome drinks, snacks, treasure hunt properties, pirates guide, pirates bandana, pirates treasure pocket, and lunch meals.

Website: http://www.thepiratesbaybali.com/

Monkey Forest

Monkey Forest is a popular tourist attraction in Ubud. It is a beautiful green area filled with monkeys that are very friendly and entertaining for kids. Make sure not to have any loose items or food on you when visiting, because monkeys will try to steal it from you.

Website: https://monkeyforestubud.com/

Try Water Sports

Water sports in Bali include banana boats, parasailing, jet-skiing, swimming with sharks, and so much more. Older kids can try diving or snorkeling, and adventure for the whole family can be a submarine tour. Planning activities in advance is a great way of organizing your trip and making sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Go to the Safari Marine Park

Bali Safari Marine Park is a fun, educational experience with over 1000 animals you can see, including the Komodo Dragon, Orangutan and the Bali Starling bird. Sign up for Agung Show, Night Safari, or Breakfast with Lions, for the best experience.

Website: https://www.balisafarimarinepark.com/

Don’t Miss the Volcano

Gunung Agung active volcano is a natural landmark of the island. You can hike Mount Agung in Bali if you want to see this massive crater and stunning views from the top. It is a full-day hike and difficulty is considered hard, so maybe not the best option for small kids, but definitely something you can do with teenagers.

Things to Eat in Bali

For fussy eaters, there are many western-style restaurants where you can have a family-friendly meal, but if your kids are up for a culinary adventure, Indonesia is a fascinating place for trying out new tastes.

• Babi Guling is a famous dish from Balinese cuisine. It is a stuffed spit-roasted pig with a spicy mix that often includes turmeric, coriander seeds, lemongrass, black pepper, and garlic.
• Gado Gado literally translates to “mix mix”. It consists of a rich blend of vegetables such as potatoes, long beans, corn, bean sprouts, spinach, bitter gourd, chayote and cabbage. Other toppings are tempeh, tofu, and hard-boiled eggs.
• Mie Goreng is common street food. It is a noodle dish with chicken, prawns, veggies, and distinctive egg ribbons in a sticky, savory-sweet sauce.
• Laklak is a sweet dish you must try. It is a little pancake filled with grated coconut and melted palm sugar. The main ingredients are rice flour, water, coconut milk, suji leaf extract, baking powder, salt, grated coconut, and brown sugar.
• Es Campur is a perfect summer refresher. This refreshing and sweet dessert is made with fruit cocktails, tapioca pearls, coconut, grass jellies, and served with shaved ice, syrup, and condensed milk.

Knowing all this you might be already planning your outfits for the trip. Get your family excited about the trip by making a date out of planning, so everyone can contribute to the plans. Start with choosing the best time to travel to Bali and with what everyone wants to do. Next thing is to start counting days to your trip.

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Bali with kids

Asia , Bali , Destinations , Indonesia

Bali is a wonderful place to bring the family for a holiday.  I travelled when my kids were 12, 8 and 4, and we spent 7 days there.

Here is the itinerary that I put together that is suitable for families with young children. Click the links for details.

Check-in at  Komea Villa  and enjoy its private pool.  In the evening, enjoy a sunset dinner on Seminyak Beach at Breezes .

DAY 2: UBUD AND KINTAMANI

A full-day tour starting with a Barong and Kris Dance, followed by Ubud ‘s batik, wood carving and silver factory.   Head out to Kintamani to see Mount Batur volcano and a coffee plantation with a chance to try Kopi Luwak. Stop by the famous Rice Padi Terraces at Tegalalang before returning to Ubud for a Balinese dance performance at the Water Palace .

DAY 3: ULUN DANU   AND  TANAH LOT SUNSET

On this Bedugul full-day tour, visit the Royal Temple before heading high above ground to Pura Ulun Danu . Have lunch overlooking a rice terrace at Pacung . Watch a stunning sunset at Tanah Lot while sipping on fresh coconut. DAY 4: ULUWATU AND JIMBARAN BAY

Depart in the late afternoon for Uluwatu to see the Kecak Fire Dance at sunset, followed by a seafood dinner on the beach at Jimbaran Bay . 

DAY 5: BALI SAFARI AND MARINE LIFE PARK

Check-out of the villa and visit Bali Safari and Marine Life Park . (Check for discounted tickets ) Watch an excellent balinese theatrical show at Bali Agung in the park. Check-in at the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta.  

DAY 6: KUTA

Fun at Kuta Beach and the giant sand-based swimming pool at the Hard Rock Hotel.  Explore the shops and restaurants in the area.

Day 7: Goodbye

Planning a Trip to Bali

Transportation.

The best way to get around is to hire a car with a driver. It costs about 500,000 Rp (about USD44, or SGD 55) for a 10-hour full day tour, and 350,000 Rp (about USD30 or SGD 38) for about 5-6 hours.  We got a driver from  www.balidiscoveryexperience.com based on my sis’ recommendation. The owner of the website assigned me his brother, I Ketut Suwendra, who also happened to have his own website ( www.discoverbalidriver.blogspot.com ) and email ( [email protected] ).  We got a good 6-seater car  with a decent car boot space that could fit all of our bags.  You may also want to check for discounts for English-speaking tours on Voyagin (Bali tours) .

Accommodations

These are the four popular locations in Bali to consider:

• Kuta – A popular tourist location which tends to be crowded.  It has one of the best beaches, with a fantastic view of the sunset.  There are also plenty of shops and eateries within walking distance.
• Seminyak and Canggu – A quieter area north of Kuta with a variety of villas. Has several good beaches.
• Ubud – Away from the beach, in central Bali. Tend to be cooler as it is on higher ground. Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali with lots of artist workshops and galleries. There are a number of balinese performances in the evening.
• Sanur – On the opposite coast where you can watch a sunrise in front of the beach.

We stayed in two different accommodations:

• Komea Villa  – a beautiful Balinese Villa with a private pool located in the Balinese countryside away from the touristy area.  I chose it because the design was authentic and not just a typical modern bungalow.  Plus, it was amongst the more affordable villas in Bali at the time of booking.  I booked it through Booking.com (Komea Villa) .
• Hard Rock Hotel Bali in Kuta.  It had a Loft room that could accommodate the 5 of us comfortably.  While most rooms are available for booking on Booking.com (Hard Rock Hotel Bali) , I could only book the Loft room directly from the Hard Rock Hotel Bali website .

Attractions in Bali for the family

Other than Kintamani, Ubud, Bedugul, Uluwatu and Jimbaran Bay covered in my itinerary,  there were other attractions that we considered:

• Lovina Tour overnight 2-day tour – it includes watching dolphins and snorkelling at Lovina Beach, Banjar hot spring and Gigit water fall
• Submarine cruise – Go into a real submarine cruise and see the corals ( www.odysseybali.com )
• Bali Marine Walk – Literally walk on the ocean bed and admire the undersea world ( www.bali-marinewalk.com )
• Nusa Dua beach – for water sports
• Waterbom Bali – a water park in Kuta. Search for  discounted tickets
• Besakih Tour – Bat Cave and mother temple
• Bali Bird Park ( www.bali-bird-park.com ). Search for discounted tickets
• Bali Treetop Adventure ( www.balitreetop.com ). Search for discounted tickets
• Other adventures like Elephant ride and Scuba Diving

Discounted Tours/Tickets

If you do not want to go for a private tour, you can also find a lot of group tours in Bali. Here are some with discounts:

• Bali Sunset Tour: Uluwatu and Tanah Lot
• Full Day tour: Kintamani Volcano and Ubud’s Village
• Bali Safari and Marine Park
• Snorkelling in Nusa Lembongan

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About The Author

Rosie is a mummy to 3 kids. She enjoys going on travel adventures with her family. Her trips are free-and-easy, family-oriented and mostly budget-friendly.

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• Things To Do In Double Six Beach For A Perfect Getaway

Double Six Beach is surely one of Bali’s most well-known spots. Situated in the well-liked resort town of Seminyak, it is the home to one of the island’s most recognisable hotels, the Double Six Luxury Hotel. The Double Six Beach is well-known for its gorgeous, fine, golden sand, the ocean’s crystal-clear turquoise seas and its incredible surf. Whenever travellers visit Seminyak, they have the Double Six Beach on their list not just to unravel and unwind, but to witness the breathtaking sunsets as well. Besides that, the bars and clubs in the neighbourhood offer a great atmosphere for visitors to mingle during the lively evening scene. Also, there are some of Bali’s top fine-dining establishments nearby.

Activities To Indulge In Double Six Beach

If you are considering visiting the stunning beach of Double Six Beach, our guide will help you get ready for the trip by providing you with all the information you want. Here are the best things you can do in Double Six Beach.

1. Enjoy the Evening Ambiance

Image Credit: Dosseman for wikimedia commons

The evening is when a really good atmosphere embraces you at Double Six Beach Kuta. Things calm down a little in the early evening when locals, visitors and expats gather to watch the breathtaking sunset over the ocean. Double Six comes alive until the wee hours of the morning when the neighbourhood’s nightlife takes over. However, be advised that they can become quite hot during the heat of the day. Double Six Beach Kuta can be called a surfer’s heaven. When here, the main attraction on Double Six can be just watching the surfers battle the waves that rush into this beautiful coast. The waves can be powerful too so if you are not into surfing, it’s best to stick to beach activities to enjoy your time.

Duration: 4-5 hours

Best time to do: Evening and night

Must Read: Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati

2. Double Six Beach Surfing

Image Credit: Pexels

Double Beach Six Surfing is one of the main reasons behind the popularity of this spot. Many surfers gather here for drinks and to socialise. It is one of the top surf places on the island. The greatest time to get in the sea is during the push because the waves could be more impressive at low tide and can get very close up at high tide. We suggest you be cautious of the riptides, as this beach occasionally experiences extremely powerful currents. Usually, you are good to go during the day and early evening. Some guides can help you if you are new to surfing. You do not need to carry your board because many surf shops and schools are nearby.

Duration: 3- 4 hours

Best time to do: between low and high tide

3. Horse Riding

Beaches and horse riding are a lovely affair to take advantage of during your travels. And this activity is a no-brainer when you are at Double Six Beach. If you have always desired to ride a horse on a beach, you can get plenty of options here. Seminyak offers you a fantastic chance to fulfil your wish to ride a horse near the beach and click some Insta-worthy photos. On the beach, you may rent horses and a guide from the area will make sure you have no problems while riding. To make things more perfect, you may hire the horse and then hire a photographer to click great photos, making your trip memorable.

Duration: 1 hour

Best time to do: Day and evening

Suggested Read: Bali Bird Park

4. Watch The Sunset

Image Credit: Rendy Chandraditya S for wikimedia commons

Some beaches help you enjoy water activities like nothing else. Then, some beaches make you realise and appreciate the beauty of nature through sunsets and sunrises. Double Six Beach is from the latter category. An ideal and simple thing is to sit on your towel on the sand and grab a lemonade drink while glaring at the colour play in the sky of the evening. There are breathtaking views of the Double Six Beach Sunset that will surely imprint beautiful memories in your mind. If you want to avoid the crowd, you can always go up to the rooftop of the Double Six Luxury Hotel. The location offers unobstructed views of the horizon.

Best time to do: Sunset

5. Enjoy The Nightlife & Spectacular Accommodations

Image Credit: Cameron Kennedy for wikimedia commons

Double Six Beach comes alive at night with various bars and clubs lining the shore. Visitors can enjoy a range of entertainment options at Double Six Beach, including bustling nightclubs and laid-back beach bars. It is an excellent spot for a night out with regular live music events, DJ sets and themed parties. There are 66 clubs along the beach’s shoreline, which can be a justified explanation for the beach’s name. The lodging options vary from luxurious villas to budget-friendly guesthouses. There are many places to stay in Seminyak and the nearby neighbourhoods that are just a short stroll from the beach. Double Six Luxury, Hotel Indigo Bali Seminayak Beach and Royal Beach Seminayak Bali are well-known lodging options close to Double Six Beach.

Duration: 2-5 days

Best time to do: Night

Suggested Read: Romantic Resorts In Bali

6. Visit Pandora Experience Escape Room

Image Credit:Divergent43 for wikimedia commons

Visiting the Pandora Experience Escape Room in Bali is a unique and exhilarating activity to consider when looking for things to see around Double Six Beach. In this immersive escape room experience, players must solve several puzzles and tasks in a themed setting to leave within the allotted time. The chambers are designed to mimic various scenarios, such as becoming stuck in a haunted house or trying to figure out a mystery in a lab. The puzzles aim to test players’ problem-solving, creative and collaborative skills. This great team-building game works well for families, friends and groups of all ages.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Best time to do: during the day

Exploring Nyaman Art Gallery

Image Credit:Afrogindahood for wikimedia commons

To take a break from the breeze of the waves, you may consider visiting the nearby Nyaman Art Gallery. The well-known art gallery is located in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. It showcases many modern artworks, including installations, paintings, sculptures and photos, created by domestic and foreign artists. The spacious, modern decor of the gallery provides the perfect setting for appreciating and admiring the artwork. A vast array of services about art are also offered, such as interior design, sourcing art, art installations and art consultancy. The Gallery is open daily, and visitors are encouraged to peruse the collection and enjoy the calm surroundings.

Best time to do: During the day

Further Read: Balinese Cuisine

The list of things to do at Double Six Beach will surely tickle your adventure hormones. It is suggested not to defy them. The beach offers much more thrills and chills than you imagine. The only way to experience it is to plan your trip to Bali You will surely be able to enjoy once in a lifetime experience, doing all the listed activities at Double Six Beach.

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Cover Image Source: Peridone for wikimedia commons

Frequently Asked Questions About Double Six Beach

Are there good restaurants at Double Six Beach?

From small cafeterias to luxury hotels, there are all sorts of restaurants at Double Six Beach. You can enjoy the typical Balinese cuisine or go for Mediterranean meals at these places. Many restaurants also offer unobstructed views from their terrace seatings.

What is the location of the Double Six Beach?

Double Six Beach is located near the end of Seminyak Beach, towards the southern Seminyak area. Seminyak is a popular vacation town that draws a youthful, fashionable clientele and is conveniently located near other major.

What makes beaches in Bali so famous?

Bali is well-known for its stunning beaches of various kinds, from rocky areas with amazing surf waves to serene beaches with warm sand. The island is also home to charming settlements like Kintamani, terraced rice fields and verdant mountains.

What makes Double Six Beach so famous?

The beach is famous for its prime location to enjoy breathtaking sunsets. Besides, a vibrant nightlife and luxurious accommodation options make it popular.

What is the best beach in Bali?

Double Six Beach is one of the best beaches to enjoy your time in Bali. however, there are plenty more beaches too, such as Nusa Dua Beach and Sanur Beach that are equally worth your time.

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From Work Trips to Family Vacations: The Tech Gadgets I Can’t Travel Without

By Johnny Jet | https://johnnyjet.com/

May 30, 2024

I travel a lot. Before kids, I traveled approximately 100,000 miles and visited about 20 countries each year. These days, with two school-aged kids, my travel has slowed down somewhat, although we still travel every chance we get!

Every time I pack my bags for a trip, I find it hard to believe that there was once a time when we traveled completely disconnected, without small computers in our pockets and what amounts to a small tech store in our bags. But here we are and like most of you, I can’t imagine traveling without a small but essential stash of tech gear. Here are some of my favorite gadgets for travel:

Vacation Travel

It's rare that I ever take a vacation since travel is my business but when I do switch into vacation mode (once in a blue moon), I turn off my laptop, ignore my email and use my phone for the fun stuff that’s usually just a distraction while I’m working.

BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 5K + Stand

Whether I’m playing games or watching videos, a wireless power bank is essential ... because who wants to leave the pool to go juice up their phone? The BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Power Bank 5K + Stand wirelessly charges an iPhone 15/14/13/12 device and delivers over 19 hours of extended video playback for iPhone 13. It also has a handy kickstand to prop up the phone while it’s charging so you can still use it to watch and play.

BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Official MagSafe Charging 15W

Don’t you just hate fussing with all kinds of wall chargers, cords and cables? If you prefer to streamline your charging situation, you’ll love this flat wireless charging pad. It’s slim and lightweight, so it’s easy to pack and take with you on any vacation. You’ll be able to charge your Apple devices like your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at the same time. I love that you can charge your Apple Watch flat or in ‘Nightstand Mode’, which turns the watch on its side so you can use it as a clock (but hopefully not an alarm clock when you’re on vacation!)

Family Travel

My wife and I have a strategy for airplane travel with our kids that hasn’t failed us yet. Our kids aren’t allowed to use their iPads at home but when we get on an airplane, it’s an iPad free for all! My wife sits down with the kids the night before our trip and downloads the TV shows, movies and games they’d like to play, and we can pretty much guarantee our fellow passengers total silence from our kids for the duration of the flight!

SoundForm Mini Wired On-Ear Headphones for Kids

Headphones are a travel essential and these headphones are specifically designed with little ears in mind. They have a volume cap, so the sound won’t get too loud, they have easy to use controls and of course, they’re durable enough to withstand being dropped.

RockStar™ 3.5mm Audio + USB-C Charge Adapter

When we take long flights, the kids’ iPads don’t always make it until landing. With this handy adapter, we can charge their iPads and keep their headphones plugged in, all at the same time, so there’s no interruption to their viewing experience.

Work Travel

When I travel solo for work, it’s a completely different experience than when I’m traveling with my family. I typically work for the entire flight, late into the night at my hotel and again on the flight back. So, there are a few work-related things I never travel without:

USB-C Multimedia Hub

This USB-C multimedia hub is an amazing little device to always have in my bag. It allows me to connect multiple devices to my laptop, using a single cable. For instance, this hub offers USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, ethernet and SD card ports that can connect to all kinds of other devices, like monitors, projectors, SD cards, thumb drives and more. It’s like having an entire office in my bag.

ScreenForce True Privacy Screen Protector for MacBook Pro / MacBook Air 13"

Another must-have when I’m traveling for work is a privacy screen like this ScreenForce True Privacy Screen Protector. I’m always surprised how many people don’t use these on airplanes, in the airport or in a lounge. Anyone walking by or sitting beside or behind you can read everything on your screen if you don’t use a privacy screen. This screen protector is easy to apply, remove and reuse and provides full screen, anti-glare, two-way privacy so only you can see what’s on your screen, whether that’s confidential or sensitive information or that game of Spider Solitaire you just can’t quit!

These are just a few of the travel tech gadgets that always make their way into my bags when I travel and each one makes my trip better, more organized and stress-free!

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