Looking for a destination for your next family trip? Bali is an excellent choice. We loved our family holiday in Bali – so much so that we just returned for the fourth time. From beautiful beaches to the lush rice terraces around Ubud to the culture to the purpose built attractions in Bali for kids, there is plenty here to entertain the whole family.

Bali family holidays are so easy. There is a crazy amount of Bali family accommodation which can make stays very easy. The Balinese are very welcoming of kids, and there is plenty of western style food for fussier palates. There is also plenty of Bali information for kids – such as this guide – to help make your visit a success.

The other big plus is that Bali is incredibly good value. For a few dollars you can easily find something to eat, have a beer or a foot massage. The Bali family resorts are also great value. If you need any more reasons why you should take a Bali holiday with kids, check out my article which will give you 4 more reasons.

Below, you will find our complete guide to Bali family holidays from our Bali holiday blog including everything you need to know to make your Bali family vacation a success!

When to go

Bali has two seasons – a wet and a dry. The dry season runs April – September and is the best time to visit weather wise. The wet season is October – March. In the wet season, there is generally just a huge downpour every day. The first time we visited in the wet season, we generally saw this at night time. The second time, most afternoons and many evenings were wet, so the amount of rain and how much it can affect your plans is variable. There are far more bugs around in the wet season and this can be annoying.

The busiest times in Bali are during the Australian school holidays, especially December and January, and the July/August holiday period in the Northern hemisphere. This means the absolute best time to visit 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.

Getting to Bali

Bali is a popular destination and as such there are plenty of flights into Bali, particularly from Australia and the rest of South East Asia. People coming from further afield may need to connect somewhere else in Asia, such as in Singapore or Malaysia.

If you are on a budget, there are some great budget airline choices from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore or the rest of Indonesia. Check out Air Asia or Jetstar to get started.

On departure you will need to pay a departure tax which is currently 200,000 rupiah (about AUD$20) for all passengers on all international flights. This means kids as well. There are ATMs at the airport if you are running low on rupiah.

ALERT: Click here to download this guide as a PDF to print or keep

Visas

At the moment, most nationalities no longer need a visa to visit Indonesia – and this now includes Australians! Yay!

 

Bali family accommodation – Finding the best family accommodation

Family accommodation in Bali is plentiful. You will have no problems finding something perfect for your needs. There are three main options you will probably look at – Bali family resorts, family hotels in Bali and family villas.

Hotels tend to be the cheaper option with rooms and not much else (although resorts do sometimes call themselves hotels). Family resorts in Bali tend to have multiple pools and restaurants, kids club, gym and many other facilities and may include activities and the option of an all inclusive stay (which means that meals, drinks and other items may be included).

Family villas in Bali can be an excellent option for bali holidays with kids. This generally means an entire house with a private yard which often includes a private pool. Some even come with staff.

These are an excellent option but keep in mind that the pools are rarely fenced and many of the villas are open air meaning there may be no wall between your living area and your pool. This may not be a concern with older kids but can cause headaches for those of us with younger kids. Thankfully, you can hire a pool fence – check out services such as this. Or you can just do what we did and hire a villa that is fully enclosed so that the kids can’t accidentally end up in the pool.

For bookings, we recommend using Booking.com. It has great prices and gives the option to pay later or free cancellation at many hotels.

Where to stay in Bali

The following are our pick for the best family hotels in Bali along with resorts and villas from our personal experiences, online reviews and from people we know.

I have split them up into the different areas in Bali to help you break down where to stay in Bali that will best suit your needs. Bali is a big place and traffic can make movement slow so it’s a good idea to pick a base where you will want to spend the majority of your time. Below are all the major areas as well as the best place to stay in Bali for each.

Legian/Kuta

Kuta is infamous in Australia as the party capital of Bali and that is what you will find here. This is where most of the action takes part in Bali. It is also where much of the budget accommodation choices live as well as some of the biggest hotels. If you want something a little bit quieter but still close to the action, neighbouring Legian can be a good choice.

Hard Rock Hotel

The Hard Rock Hotel is located in the centre of everything Kuta has to offer with the beach just across the road. It is easy to access shops, restaurants, bars everything.

This is a great pick of the Bali family hotels. It has everything you need in Bali with children including multiple pools, a kids’ water playground, water slides, a kids club and kids activities. There are also a range of room types.

Click here for the latest prices and more information.

The Jayakarta Bali Residence and Spa

This resort in Legian is a top choice if you want something budget friendly in a prime location by the beach. It has all the facilities of top Bali accommodation for families with multiple pools, restaurants, bars, a playground, kids playroom and many other facilities.

The location is fabulous as the beach is right in front and there are many restaurants, massage places, shops etc nearby. The location and facilities have been so good that we have chosen to stay here twice.

There are hotel rooms and apartments on offer making this a good family accommodation in Bali choice especially at these cheap prices. However, the rooms are old and in need of refurbishment. They are fine, but do not expect the snazzy rooms you will find in the other options mentioned here.

Click here to see the latest prices or for more information.

Bali Dynasty Resort

The Bali Dynasty Resort is one of the top Bali family hotels. This is because it has just amazing facilities for kids.

On top of multiple pools, there is a 56 metre water slide. Even more exciting for little ones is the water playground and water fun zone. There is also a kids club with an outdoor playground.  There are lots of room types including ones made especially for families.

Click here for the latest prices and more details.

The Flora Kuta

The Flora Kuta is a best place to stay in Bali with kids for people looking for a budget option. The Flora is in a handy location in Kuta and only a 15 minute walk to the beach and not far from Waterbom. It has everything you need for your Bali holiday.

The hotel is home to a pool, kids’ pool, pool bar, restaurant and a cafe. Everything is on the simple side and is aged, but it is a great value option as it’s usually very cheap.

The rooms are simple but nice and connecting rooms are available for families as well as triple room options.

Click here to see the latest prices.

Seminyak

Seminyak is an increasingly popular beach area to stay just up the road from Legian. It is known for being a bit fancier (and pricier) and is a great option if you are looking for the best family villas in Bali – many of these are here.

It’s a nice area. We found everything a fair bit nicer than in Legian with less hassle. Food is generally more expensive but we found it better quality and better value too. We are big fans of Seminyak.

W Retreat and Spa Bali

This fabulous beach front Bali family accommodation offers a range of options from massive suites to pool villas.

For a family, it is hard to look past the beautiful one or two bedroom pool villas. With one of these, you will have your own oasis in Seminyak with a private pool.

The resort also has other amazing pools, including a kids pool, very cool restaurants and bars and organised kids activities.

Click here for the latest prices and more information.

The Samaya Seminyak Villas

This is another great choice for families looking for private pool villas by the beach.

The beautiful one bedroom pool villas are perfect for a small family. The villas are spacious and include extras such as jacuzzi bath tubs.

Additionally the resort has other pools, restaurants and bars. The rates include breakfast and an afternoon tea that you can eat from the comfort of your villa.

Click here for the latest prices and more information.

Nusa Dua

This area is to the south of the airport and a good choice for people who want a nice beach and want to be away from the craziness of Kuta and the surrounding areas.

There are two separate parts – the gated resort area and Tanjung Benoa. If you want to be away from it all pick the former. If you like to still have local shops and restaurants around you, pick the latter.

Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali

We had a fabulous time at this beach front resort located in Tanjung Benoa, the more local part of Nusa Dua. This resort has it all with a huge lagoon pool including kids pool, a great kids club with kids program, water sports, daily activities, tennis courts, an amazing spa and many restaurants and bars. You can be as active or inactive as you like.

One of the best parts about this resort is the all inclusive option – you can choose whether to include all your drinks (including alcohol), food and activities in your room price. This also includes room service which made things so easy for us with our kids.

The other reason why this is one of the best family resorts in Bali is because kids under 5 are free! At the majority of places we needed to pay 50% extra to have our 4 year old in the room with us, but this is not the case here.

If you don’t want the all inclusive option, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, cheap massage parlours and cheap laundry places on the road outside of the resort. It is easy to get to other parts of Bali, especially to places like the great seafood in Jimbaran or Pirates Bay.

Click here to check out the latest prices and see more information.

Samabe Bali Suites and Villas

If luxury is important to you when looking at Bali resorts for kids then you can’t go wrong with the Samabe Bali Suites and Villas. This top class resort is located in Nusa Dua at the top of a cliff with a private beach.

Everything at the resort is just stunning and made for relaxation and recreation. The grounds are beautiful. The infinity pool is fantastic and the kids club, which starts for kids from 2 years old, is great.

The suites and villas are incredibly spacious with views and everything you need for a great stay. The staff are unbelievable and with a butler who will unpack your bags and do your laundry, Bali family holidays do not come easier than this.

Click here to check out the latest prices and for more information.

 

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is at the top of the list of the best family accommodation in Bali. This 5 star option is luxurious and has some great options for families.

There are stunning villas and suites available for up to 6 adults and some include private pools. Guestrooms can be child proofed on request.

There is an extensive “Ritz Kids” activity program which includes involvement in their sea turtle preservation program, a night safari (which involves a tent being set up in your room for the kids) and a mermain program! There is an extra cost for many of these activities.

There’s also a variety of facilities like a pool, a day spa and 6 dining outlets.

Read more and see the latest prices here.

Sanur

Sanur is a great pick for people who want a slower paced version of the Kuta/Legian/Seminyak while being closer to the rest of Bali than when in Nusa Dua. The other reason why Sanur is a popular destination in Bali for families is because the beach is protected by a reef meaning that the water is calm and shallow – making it the perfect spot in Bali for kids.

Griya Santrian Beach Resort

Griya Santrian Beach Resort is a popular choice for family holidays in Bali thanks to its beachfront location and three beautiful pools including a kids pool.

There are a few different room types all immaculate which are big enough for small families.

There is a restaurant with a kids menu and room service is available. The location is great and you can easily walk to many other eating options as well as shops, bars, etc.

Click here for the latest prices and more information

Peneeda View Beach Hotel

This is a great option for families who are looking for a budget option in the Sanur area.

The Peneeda View Beach Hotel is located right on the beach and also close to everything you need in Sanur. It has two pools including a kids pool and a restaurant.

There are a variety of rooms which are very good value. For families who like some space, there is a two bedroom family room for only around $100.

Click here for the latest prices and for more information.

Ubud

Ubud is located inland and known for being the cultural heart of Bali. It’s a beautiful town with fabulous food, attractions and is surrounded by rice terraces. It’s a great place to chill and just hang out as a family with a completely different vibe to the beach towns. It is our favourite place for a family holiday in Bali. You can read more about our time in Ubud here.

Sri Bungalows Ubud

Sri Bungalows Ubud is a fantastic place to stay in Ubud if you are looking for something budget friendly that is centrally located within an easy walk of shops and restaurants.

The location is also picturesque as it is neighbouring rice terraces. The gardens at this hotel are beautiful as is the pool which is right beside the terraces.

There are a range of room types. For families, there is also the option of a two storey room with enough room for 6 people.

Click here for the latest prices and more details.

The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah

If you are looking for luxury and something special for your family holidays to Bali, this could be it!

The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah is one of the best resorts in Bali. There are only 20 villas spread out over beautiful gardens. All villas feature outdoor terraces and rates include such extras as breakfasts, afternoon tea, some laundry, minibar and sunset cocktails. Some villas also feature private pools – perfect for people looking for the best family villas in Bali.

Additionally, the resort features a 28 metre pool. There are private butlers as well as a top restaurant.

Click here for more details and the latest prices.

Lovina

Lovina is a beach area on the North coast of Bali and a great choice if you want a more low key destination that has less tourists, is less busy but there are still some nice things to do. The beaches are nice here but they are black sand beaches, and unfortunately there is some trash (although nowhere near as bad as we saw in the Kuta/Legian area). Lovina is better value than the southern beach areas.

From here, diving and snorkeling trips are popular as well as dolphin viewing. It’s also very close to the mountains in Bali with many nice places to visit. It takes about 3 hours from the airport/southern beach areas to get to Lovina.

The Lovina

This is the best resort in Lovina and comes at a bargain price.

It is located right by Lovina Beach and full of facilities. There is a big pool, kids pool, day spa, water activities and many other options here. There are also restaurants and a free bicycle and buggy service.

The best part, however, is the massive range of suites and villas available which are perfect for families. These range up to 4 bedrooms big and come with kitchens, living areas etc. You can also stay in a villa with your own pool.

Click here to see the latest prices.

Read more accommodation options in our guide to the best family resorts and hotels in Bali.

Click here to find more accommodation options in Bali for all budgets.

Tailor Made Holidays to Bali

If you are nervous about the idea of exploring Bali by yourself or wish to make everything super easy, then a tailor made holiday to Bali could be for you. Shanti Travel can organise a trip perfect for your family with many Bali experts that can customise a holiday to your needs. It can be as active or relaxing as you like. Bali experts will plan your trip and you will have 24/7 assistance available so you don’t have to worry about anything. If you want to explore more of Indonesia, they can also help you with that.

Eating in Bali

It is not hard to find food in Bali. In all the main tourist areas (including those mentioned above), you will have no problem finding a variety of food including Western types. In fact, I have found it harder to find a decent range of Indonesian food than I have to eat food similar to home. This means that if you have children who are fussy eaters then there is no need to worry. You will be able to find something for them.

If you are eating locally, nasi goreng (fried rice) and mee goreng (fried noodle), can be the best option for fussy kids. These are usually quite inoffensive, just be sure to ask for them not spicey if your kids can not handle heat. Sate sticks can be a good option too.

As you might imagine, seafood is a very popular option and found on most menus. Being vegetarian can be tough in the beach areas, although in my experience restaurants are happy for you to order something without the meat (although you are still going to have things like fish sauce in many Indonesian dishes). As a general rule, the food is very good and at a great price.

Ubud is a fabulous area for food, especially for healthy choices as well as vegan and vegetarians. Many restaurants cater to vegans and vegetarians and there is a raw food push here as well. The food we ate here was well and truly above what we ate on the rest of the island.

If you like seafood, head to Jimbaran. The seafood shacks that line the beach here are unbelievable. They will bbq your selections in special sauces (you can chose non spicey). I recommend getting a set meal with a whole lot of options included.

Family friendly restaurants

Here are some personal recommendations:

Kuta – TJ’s Mexican Bar and Restaurant – A range of food and great atmosphere.
Legian – Zanzibar – right by the beach. Seafood options especially good.
Seminyak – Warung Italia – great spot for an Italian fix.
Seminyak – Pantarei Bali – Great Greek food with highchairs and fish ponds. The staff are great with kids and our kids were given bread to feed to the fish on arrival.
Nusa Dua – Crystal Blue Ocean Grill at the Samabe – Great food and service as well as being ocean front and sitting on platforms above a big fish pond.
Jimbaran – Pandan Sari – delicious seafood right on the beach. Get the set meal.
Sanur – Beach Cafe – right on the beach
Ubud – Lemonade – Mexican dishes with some Asian ones thrown in. Super fresh and great for vegetarians.
Lovina – Spice Beach Club – A variety of food options in a prime spot right on the beach. There is also a pool that patrons can use and they have pool and beach towels. There are toys for the kids and lounge chairs by the water. This is a great spot for a meal or just to hang out.

Top 42 things to do in Bali with kids

If you are wondering what to do in Bali with kids, don’t worry! You will not be short of kid friendly activities. There are a crazy amount of things to do with kids in Bali. The following is a list of Bali attractions for kids along with the best kids’ activities in Bali.

Bali is a relatively small place so all these attractions can be visited from the areas mentioned above in a half or full day trip.

1. Get wet at Waterbom Bali

This water park has been voted the best in Asia and is unreal! Check our our full review for our best thing to do in Bali with kids of all ages. We recommend buying tickets beforehand from Klook to save money and time on admission prices.

2. Be pirates for a day at Pirates Bay Bali

Pirates Bay Bali is a restaurant and big pirate boat with plenty of things for small and big kids to do.

3. Discover Bali’s culture and animals at Bali Safari Marine Park

There are many things to do here from an elephant back safari to cultural shows to a water park and fun zone. Good for all ages. We recommend buying discounted tickets here to save you money.

4. Ride an elephant at Elephant Safari Park

This is another spot where you can ride an elephant as well as learn more about these magnificent creatures located just outside of Ubud.

5. Get up close to monkeys at Sacred Monkey Forest

This is a nature reserve and temple complex in Ubud packed full of monkeys. It is great for getting up close with these creatures. However, I do not recommend it for younger kids as the monkeys kept attacking our preschoolers.

6. Visit Lollypop Playland

This indoor playground and water park is located in Seminyak and just brilliant for younger kids with everything you might expect and then extras such as large trampolines and rock climbing.

7. Go jet skiing

If your family loves the water, this can be lots of fun even with little kids. There are lots of places to do this although Nusa Dua is probably the easiest.

8. Visit an active volcano at Gunung Agung

There are viewing platforms where you can get an awesome view of this active volcano in Bali.

9. Go white water rafting

White water rafting is a great option for families with older kids and teenagers. Bali White Water Rafting is a well regarded company.

10. Have a manicure/pedicure/massage

These are readily available and cheap. My daughter has loved getting a manicure and pedicure since the age of 2, so don’t think you need to rule it out because your kids are young.

11. See the animals at Bali Zoo

If you are looking for Bali kids’ activities that involve animals, here’s a good one. They also run a night zoo program.

12. Visit the Elephant Cave in Goa Gajah

This temple and cave is in a beautiful setting outside of Ubud.

13. Play paintball at Bali Paintball Arena

This one is perfect for families with teenagers that want some action.

14. Swim with sharks

Take a 3 hour tour to feed and swim with sharks as well as visit a turtle conservation centre. The money raised goes towards helping their conservation efforts.

15. Cook up a storm at a Bali cooking class.

Kids generally love cooking so a cooking class can be a great thing to do in Bali with family. They are readily available and our 4 year old loved it.

16. Learn to surf

Even younger kids can learn to surf. Rip Curl School of Surf is particularly recommended.

17. Have a family adventure at Green Camp

Green Camp offers 3 and 5 day camp options full of experiences exploring nature. Kids must be at least 5 years old.

 

18. Check out butterflies

Butterflies are always a hit with young kids and you can check them out at the Bali Butterfly House.

19. Play on the beach

There are many beaches in Bali and it is not hard to find one. Sanur is particularly recommended for a family friendly beach.

20. Make a splash at New Kuta Green Park

This is another good water park with a spectacular kids water playground. There are also other attractions here such as a flying fox and paintball.

21. Take advantage of a kids club

If you are staying in a resort with a kids club – use it! Don’t feel bad. Your kids will no doubt love it and it will give you some lovely alone time. If there isn’t one at your hotel, check out Cubby House Kids’ Club.

22. Relax at Banjar Hot Springs

This great spot is located in the jungle surrounded by beautiful gardens close to Lovina. There are multiple pools as well as other facilities such as a restaurant.

23. Go snorkeling

There are many places that are good for a family snorkeling trip in Bali. Blue Lagoon is particularly recommended because of its calm waters, sandy bottom and coral reef.

24. Eat a seafood feast at Jimbaran

There is something magical about eating on the beach here as the sun sets. It is just perfect for kids since they can run and play while you wait.

25. Visit Bali Bird Park

This is a well maintained, small bird park which receives excellent reviews. Try to time your visit for a show or demonstration. You can buy discounted tickets here.

26. Visit a spice farm

This can be lots of fun for kids who get to see and learn more about spices and also often coffee beans.

27. Play soccer on the beach

Plenty of makeshift soccer games start on the beach in the evening. Join a local game or start your own.

28. Learn a new skill at Pondok Pekak Library and Learning Center

This library and learning center has kids and adults books as well as classes where you can learn many different aspects of Balinese art and cultural as well as take Indonesian lessons.

29. Visit a temple

There are temples everywhere in Bali, so it is not hard to find one. You will need to cover your knees and shoulders.

30. Get an adrenalin rush at Bali Treetop Adventure Park

At this park you can zipline through the trees with circuits designed from 4 years old. You can also visit the Bali Botanic Gardens while you are here.

31. Visit Circus Waterpark Bali

This water park is lot of fun. It is not as extensive as Waterbom but does avoid some of the crowds.

32. Visit Peekaboo Cafe in Sanur

This cafe has a massive indoor playground perfect for preschoolers.

33. Take a glass bottom boat ride

Many options exist for this and they are not hard to find. Visit a tour agency or just walking along a beach will get you offers in some places.

34. Go to a Balinese dance show

There are many of these, especially in Ubud. Your resort may put one on as well (we saw one at the Grand Mirage). Our kids loved watching these.

35. Take a rice paddy walk

If you are staying around Ubud, this is very easy. You can pick up a brochure with a hiking path or just set out. You can walk as little or much as you want and still have great views.

36. Go fishing

There are lots of tours where you can go fishing or in smaller towns, you may be able to connect with a local small boat to take you out cheaply and easily.

37. Go shopping

There are a crazy amount of shops in Bali. We found giving the kids a small amount of money to pick their own souvenirs was lots of fun. For older kids, you could teach them the art of bartering.

38. Go on a dolphin tour

Who doesn’t like seeing dolphins? Lovina is a great spot to find one of these.

39. Hang out in your hotel pool

This might seem like you are not taking advantage of your time in Bali but with kids it’s important to have some down time. There are some beautiful hotel pools in Bali. We found pool bars to be quite a hit for our family as well.

40. Hang out at the Spice Beach Club in Lovina

The Spice Beach Club on Lovina Beach is an excellent place to spend a lazy few hours with kids. It’s a great restaurant and bar but what really makes it is the location and facilities. There’s a pool to use, free towel use and some toys for kids. All of this is right on the beach. It’s a great way to relax while the kids are very occupied.

41. Visit the Gili Islands

The Gili Islands, located between Bali and Lombok, are just beautiful. There are many things to do here with kids including a turtle sanctuary, bird park, many beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, open air cinema, the list goes on!

They are just a short fast boat trip from Bali. However, once you add in the drives to the ferries, this isn’t really a practical day trip so I recommend staying at least overnight and ideally a week. You can read our full guide here.

42. Visit Lombok

OK so Lombok is a different island and it’s a bit cheeky for me to list it here. However, we just love Lombok and we think you will enjoy it too! Lombok is very easy to get to from Bali so it is easy to combine a trip to Bali with a side trip to Lombok. Read our full guide to Lombok here.

Christmas in Bali

We spent a fabulous Christmas in Bali in 2015. We chose Bali because we thought that there would be enough Australian tourists that we would be able to get a good lunch like we would have at home – this was very much the case.

We were surprised how Christmassy everything was. We didn’t feel like we missed out at all by having Christmas in Bali. We chose to spend it in Seminyak as we figured that the more touristy areas would have more going on. We ate lunch at Padma Resort which was superb. So much wonderful food – just like we would have at home but more – as well as good entertainment, Santa and clowns to entertain the kids. We were very happy.

Doctor in Bali

Unfortunately, on our latest visit we needed to visit a doctor as our daughter had ear pain.

We went to the Bali Clinic in Seminyak which was quick, easy and professional. For 750,000 rupiah, we saw a doctor quickly and came out with three medications.

Getting Around Bali

It is easy to get around Bali. It is hard to walk very far without someone asking if you need a taxi or transport. There are several main options: hire a car, hire a car and drive, take a taxi or use a shuttle bus. There are also some public bus equivalents (called bemos) which we found useful for getting to Denpasar but they generally do not suit tourists needs.

Hiring a car

You can hire your own car to drive around easily and cheaply. However, it does not cost much more to hire a driver as well and given the road conditions in Bali and the crazy drivers, I would not take this option for a short term stay. Additionally, if you are involved in an accident, you can expect to be held responsible as a foreign driver even if it was not your fault.

Hiring a car and driver

This is a cheap and easy option and you should have no problems finding someone. They tend to hang around hotels and tourist areas. You can then plan your own itinerary and go where you want.

Taxis

In the main beach areas there are no shortage of taxis. Look out for Bluebird taxis which are the cheapest. They should use their meter which will be better value than bargaining for a price with someone else. This is the best option for quick trips.

Shuttle buses

There are shuttle buses (usually vans) that will take you between the main tourist areas. These don’t generally work out to be good value for a family and you are usually better off taking a taxi or hiring a driver and car.

Car seats

Car seats for your kids are not readily available. You will need to bring one from home or rent one for your stay and attach it yourself if this is important to you.

Getting from the airport

From the airport, you will need to pay for a prepaid taxi if you do not have a pick up arranged from your hotel. This is quick and easy although it is more expensive than what you would pay for taxis elsewhere.

Budget

Bali can be as cheap or expensive as you would like. There is a huge variety in costs for everything. For a family of 4, we found about AUD$100 a day on top of accommodation cost is a good budget to do some activities, eat well and have the occasional massage/manicure/pedicure. You could certainly spent a lot more or less than this.

What to pack for Bali

A packing list for Bali is quite straight forward, primarily because Bali always has warm – hot weather. There is no need to bring winter woolies to Bali regardless of the time of year you travel.

If you are wondering what to wear in Bali then most things are fine. Casual wear is what you will see most other tourists wearing. For kids, lightweight clothes that give good coverage for sun protection are the best idea.

There can also be a lot of mosquitoes in Bali, particularly in the wet season, so it is a good idea to keep your kids covered up at times like dusk when the mosquitoes are particularly active. Dengue fever is present at Bali and it is worth remembering that mosquitoes that carry this virus are active at all times of day and night.

There are lots of cheap laundries in Bali, so you can easily get your clothes laundered regularly.

Bali packing list

• 3-5 lightweight, hot weather outfits for all members of the family
• hats
• bathers/swim suits/togs/bikinis/whatever you call them
• beach towels (if staying at a hotel where these are not supplied)
• basic toiletries (these are available on arrival for very cheap so you don’t need to bring many from home)
• nightwear
• suncream
• sunglasses
• mosquito repellent
• mosquito net*
• thongs/flip flops/jandels/whatever you want to call them
• sturdy shoes if you want to go hiking
• warmer clothes for the plane – jacket and trousers
• passports
• credit cards and some cash just in case
• travel insurance details
• panadol/kids panadol
• bandaids

* Not essential but if you want to be extra careful of mosquitoes this could be a good idea. Our daughter was bitten during the night time in excellent accommodation so it happens regardless of where you stay.

Optional

• Laptops and chargers
• phones
• tablet computers
• toys
• drawing books, exercise books, crayons, pencils
• power point adaptors
• guide book
• other reading material

You can also check out our full family packing list.

Mosquito protection

As mentioned above, there can be a lot of mosquitoes in Bali and dengue fever is present. For this reason, I recommend taking some good repellent. If you are like us and don’t want to use DEET on young children, you can try some safer alternatives or a lot of parents have reported success using Simba Natural Mosquito Repellent Sticker on their kids.

For babies, you could look into KidzStuff insect repellant clothes.

ALERT: Click here to download this guide as a PDF to print or keep

Items for babies and toddlers

Deciding what things to pack for Bali for little ones can be very tough – as it can quickly get out of control! The following is our thoughts about particular baby and toddler great.

It is also worth considering hiring some baby equipment once you get to Bali. This is very easy to do and you can hire basically anything you could need – strollers, high chairs, cots, car seats, monitors, safety gates, bouncers – anything at all really. Bali Bubs is one such service that allows you to order online and have it waiting for you on arrival.

The toughest question we usually face with baby gear is whether we should take a stroller or carrier…

Carriers

I always say yes to the carrier – we particularly love travelling with the Ergobaby Carrier. It is so much easier than a stroller in places such as Bali where there is not nice footpaths.

Strollers

However, a stroller can also come in handy, especially if you are visiting attractions such as the Bali Zoo, Bali Safari and Marine Park etc as these have walk ways which are fine with a stroller. For longer outings such as this, I find a stroller so much easier than a carrier. It gets hot carrying around a baby/toddler. Plus, they can usually nap more easily in a stroller.

I particularly recommend the Mountain Buggy Nano or the UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller (if you need one that reclines) as they are super lightweight and easy to carry around at times when you don’t use them. You can also find more recommendations and information in my article about the best travel strollers.

Travel cots/cribs

Most hotels and resorts will be able to supply baby cots. However, keep in mind that this can never be guaranteed and often do not conform to safety regulations that we might be used to. For this reason, we always travelled with our own travel cot. These are lightweight, easy to fold away cots that can fit in your luggage.

We prefer the KidCo Peapod Plus which is like a fold out tent that should last your child a long time (and also makes a fun play tent) or thePhil & Teds Portable Traveller Crib.

Infant car seats

As mentioned above, these won’t be readily available in Bali, you will need to take your own or hire one while here. Alternatively, you can travel without one and just hold your children. If you take this option, I personally find it easier to keep babies in the carrier while in cars to keep them close and under control.

Nappies/diapers

You should have no problems buying regular nappies in Bali. They are readily available. I do recommend taking swim nappies with you.

Formula and bottles

These are also available. However, I recommend bringing your own formula from home. This way your baby has the formula they are used to and there is no stress about trying to find a new formula that your child is happy with. I also like to take a formula dispenser for when we are out and about. It makes things a lot easier.

Mosquito nets

At the very least, I recommend a mosquito net for your stroller so your baby is safe when you are out. The best ones to buy will vary based on your stroller. There are many options here.

Many travel cots already include mosquito netting. If not, or if you are going to use a hotel cot, you can buy an option such as this.

Don’t get stressed out when packing for Bali. If you forget anything, most things are available and at a better price than you would pay at home.

For more information about Bali, check out our individual articles on:

• Ubud
• Our thoughts from our 2 week trip
• Yogyakarta
• Jakarta
• Why Bali isn’t just for bogans
• Best family hotels and resorts in Bali

Also consider reading our full guides to the Gili Islands and Lombok – it is definitely worth considering visiting these nearby islands as well!

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