Bali with Kids: A handy holiday guide
Bali
Explore Bali with your family
The natural wonders and cultural attractions of Bali as well as warm welcoming locals ensure many families become repeat visitors. Beyond resort life and beautiful beaches, there’s plenty of fun to be found in Bali.
From the ‘yummy’ food to the beautiful Balinese people; from beaches and pools and Waterbom Park to playgrounds and games; from the zoo and safari marine park to the ‘monkey forest’ and from learning the culture to learning the language, here’s the lowdown on Bali for kids!
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Bali with kids: A family travel guide
Bali is a tropical playground where the clocks are decidedly set to island time. Aussie visitors feel a kindred spirit with the laid-back lifestyle on Bali that keeps them coming back time after time. There is a diversity of experiences, from shopping, surfing, lounging, retreating and serenity-seeking, to exploring and indulging.
Bali is home to some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world. The friendly locals have a strong sense of spirituality, are proud patriots and go out of their way to make visitors feel comfortable.
Bali is great value for money where affordable flights and accommodation packages are available in abundance and the cost of living while on the ground is staggeringly cheap. Meals are inexpensive, even at upscale resorts and restaurants, with shopping and entertainment reasonably priced. Even better, spa treatments are cheap enough to indulge in guilt-free each day.
Getting there
Bali is a manageable international flight from Australia – around six hours – which can be taken overnight to maximise time on the ground. Plus, a well-equipped international airport and cheap transfer options make for a pleasant transition into holiday mode.
When to go
The best time to visit Bali is between April to September, when the humidity is lower and the rain is light and infrequent. The island has a constant tropical climate, the temperature averaging 30˚C, with its central mountain area cooler than the coast.
How to get around Bali with kids
There’s a variety of transport available – including public minibuses and bemos (three-wheeled pick-ups with seats down the side). Metered taxis are super cheap in Bali, but agree on a fee before the journey. It’s also easy to negotiate with drivers of private vehicles, like if you want them to wait for you or if you need a bigger car.
Hiring a car with a driver is an economical and easy way to organise family trips but make sure there’s air-conditioning. A certain level of advance planning helps with travelling with a large family group, and booking bus transfers for arrival, departure and planned day trips is a godsend. Taxis work fine for everything else.
What to bring on a Bali holiday
Strollers are a must for littlies as days can be hot and walking is tiring. A toddler’s chair restraint is also useful to keep little ones safe when high chairs are not available. You can buy nappies there, but bring your own if you are particular about brands. Swim nappies may be more difficult to find, so best to bring a supply.
Keep a good stock of hand sanitiser to ensure the kids stay healthy (this can be purchased in Bali). ‘Pure wipes’, which are tablets of compressed wipes that expand to full size when water is added, come in handy for cleaning and also for keeping necks cool.
If catering for kids of different ages, it is a good idea to bring a small supply of activity books and a portable DVD player to keep older siblings amused while younger ones sleep. DVDs cost around $1 each in Bali and there is no shortage of appropriate movies for children.
Top family destinations in Bali
Bali’s capital Denpasar has the biggest market on the island.
Just north of it, located at the base of the mountains lies Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali, as famous for its carvings and handicrafts as its natural wonders. In Ubud older kids will also love whitewater rafting down the Ayung River past isolated villages and amazing jungle scenery. Stops along the way include the way to see silverworks, woodcarving, batik factory and the famous monkey forest at Sangeh.
In the south are the popular areas of Kuta, Tuban, Legian and Seminyak, famous for their beaches. In Kuta and Legian, most nights families can enjoy a choice of cultural performances and interesting night markets. The beaches of Sanur are protected by reefs, making it ideal for watersports. Tuban’s beach is a more tranquil option for the little ones.
Nearby is the area known as Southern Bali comprising Nusa Dua, Sanur and Tanjung Benoa where many of the five-star resorts and restaurants are located. For more reasonably-priced restaurants, go to Tanjung Benoa.
Family attractions in Bali
Bali offers a diverse range of organised activities including white water rafting, cycling tours, treetop adventures, canyoning, an elephant safari park, bird and reptile parks, day trips to nearby Lembongan Island, dolphin cruises and a lot more.
Shopping
Shopping in the local markets is always great, with an endless supply of cute outfits, novelty bags and toys for kids – all incredibly inexpensive, especially if you have the bargaining gene.
The Balinese adore children so there are great clothes for kids and teens available at the markets. Bargaining is popular here but if you start the process you must purchase – after an offer’s been made, it’s a big insult not to.
Even without haggling, you can shop yourself silly (at amazingly cheap fixed prices) in department stores including Arta Sedana in Sanur, and Matahari or Ramayana in Denpasar.
Dining
World-class restaurants line the streets to tempt foodies with everything from fresh seafood and fusion to complex Balinese dishes. All along the beach, as well as in the main street, there are small restaurants that serve a range of cuisines, including local and western. There are plenty of kid-friendly options and an evening meal for a family of two adults and two children is very affordable.
Wellness
Bali is a destination for self-discovery with an ages-old healing tradition that allows you to relax and reset. The benefits of acupuncture have been hailed by locals for centuries and yogic meditation is practised daily by many, making Bali the perfect base for travellers looking for a restorative escape at one of many meditation and wellbeing retreats scattered on the island.
Culture
Bali’s rich culture and heritage is visible everywhere. There are over 20,000 temples on the island and spirituality and community is integral to Balinese people. Colourful festivals and ceremonies are calendar fixtures and traditional Balinese dance, music, drama and local cooking classes allow visitors to immerse themselves in the culture.
Natural wonders
Bali has show-stopping natural beauty. Picturesque rice terraces, soaring volcanoes, pristine crater lakes, green hillsides, sacred caves, lush tropical forests and a dramatic coastline inspire awe, while the tropical beaches are a visitor favourite.
Where to stay in Bali with kids
Kids’ clubs are available in major hotels and many also offer family rooms with children’s discounts. However, the growing alternative of holiday villas usually feature two to three bedrooms, a great option for multi-generational as well as family holidays.
Live like royalty in a private villa staffed by a personal cook, driver and butler, for far less than you think. Your money goes further in Bali, where you can splash out on a stay at a five-star resort with all the bells and whistles – opt for an all-inclusive resort – or snag a private villa in Seminyak or Ubud.
Babysitting services are available at most hotels and the Balinese are known to be great with kids. In fact, their sense of humour, gentleness and love of children are an intrinsic element of any family holiday to Bali.
“My daughter had a taste of this each time she returned to her room after it had been cleaned and discovered the stuffed toys on the beds and cot had been arranged in a different manner.“ – Jane Milojevic
Local lingo
Good morning – selamat pagi. (S’LAH-maht PAH-ghee)
Good afternoon – selamat siang (S’LAH-maht SEE-yang)
Good evening – selamat sore (S’LAH-maht soh-ray)
Good night – selamat malam (S’LAH-maht MAH-lahm)
Please – tolong (TOH-long)
Thank you – terima kasih (TER-ri-mah car-see)
Table of Contents
Opening image: A family at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay.