If you travel with kids that are in school you have to come during school holidays of course, which is in most cases during high season. July and August, end of the year; the weather is really nice with lots of sun, and little rain.The very best time to visit Bali is May, June and September, just before and after the more expensive high season. April is also great. During those months it’s dry season which means it is less humid, expect more sunshine, beaches are clean, and room prices and villa rentals can be 30-50% cheaper than during high season (July, August, Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Easter).
Click for more info on the seasons, climate, weather and the best months to come to Bali.
Sanur and Nusa Dua are great for families with small children as it has a peaceful white sand beach fronting a calm section of the Indian Ocean that allows safe swimming. Atmosphere is calm here and walking around with a stroller easy to manage.
Seminyak and Canggu are great areas for children too, yet the sea is more rough and sometimes dangerous. In Canggu the lack of sidewalks can be a challenge. If kids are old enough to surf or learn how to surf, these areas are perfect for a more active holiday. The Canggu Club has a Water Park, Trampoline Centre, a Ten Pin Bowling, and Kids Club. Both Seminyak and Canggu have many restaurants, interesting shops and beach front clubs. Kuta and some parts of Legian are more for youngsters and party goers. Ubud is also recommendable for families with kids. The monkey forest is a fun highlight, but watch the monkeys, they can be a bit “cheeky”.
More info on Bali’s destinations
Depending on the age of your kids some activities might be more suitable than others. However, there is plenty to do and enjoy for all age groups.
Have a look at the list of our selected activities and see what is suitable for your kids. We stopped promoting all the animal activities since they all got a bad rating from World Animal Protection.
Although the situation at the airport in Bali is improving, it can still be quite a hassle to get into a car or cab that takes you to your hotel or villa. Particularly if you are traveling with kids, luggage, strollers, etc. If your accommodation does not include airport transfer you can pre-book your car online with bali.com at a fair price and enjoy a hassle free arrival with a driver who understands you, comes with a clean car that works and is big enough. Baby seats are available on request.
Book your Airport Shuttle Online
Even though Bali is small, walking is not always easy, particularly not with children, strollers, etc. With kids it’s always advisable to play it safe in Bali. You can hire cars with drivers for 5h or 10h, rent a car without a driver (bring intern. driving license or get one here online), or grab a metered taxi service. We suggest to choose Blue Bird which is the most reliable and trustworthy metered taxi service. Or you can get a Grab-Car or Go-Car. Those app-services (GoJek and Grab) work really well, but are not always available. In some areas they are banned.
If you use a stroller, Seminyak, Sanur, Ubud and Nusa Dua are what we would call “stroller-friendly” because most roads have sidewalks. Even though Canggu is a great destination for example , it is hard and sometimes stressful to walk from A to B.
More information on Driving & Transport
If a family member needs special medication, avoid immigration questions by bringing a letter of the doctor and keeping the medication in its original package. There are several pharmacy chains operating in Bali which do give a good service and know what they are doing. Medicine is often very cheap compared to other countries.
Bali has well equipped hospitals and emergency doctors, located primarily in the south. In case of an emergency, staying in a more remote area, can become a real challenge.
We strongly advise that you do not travel without insurance. Emergency care can become expensive really quickly. Do check your coverage before you travel as some policies do not cover injuries caused by certain activities such as trekking, scuba diving or paragliding. Often, if you pay your travel expenses with your credit card, a travel insurance is included. You can check with your credit card company for details.
Strollers & Equipment
There are a few companies where you can rent equipment such as strollers, baby cots, high chairs etc, during your holiday.
Watch the dogs and monkeys
Make sure that your children don’t come into contact with street dogs, no matter how cute they seem as some have questionable health conditions. This caution also applies when you visit the monkey forest. Make sure that your kids don’t do anything that could upset the monkeys, like chasing after them, showing teeth or holding them. Keep the smaller kids close to you and better not allow the monkey to sit on them.
Babysitters
Bali people are the most child loving people so don’t be surprised when the hotel or villa staff will dote on your children all through the day. If you would like a set of extra hands or take a break for some adult activities then most hotels can assist you in arranging a babysitting service.
Sea & Waves
Weather, wind and tides can change drastically the conditions of the sea at any given time. Always watch your kids playing on the beach and particularly never leave them out of sight when they are near or in the water. Some strong currents might occur, and some waves can be pretty powerful.
Sun Protection
The sun is strong in Bali. And even if it’s cloudy there is enough sunlight getting through that can cause sunburn. Bring your sun protection from home, as in Bali it is quite expensive.
Beach Chairs
If you are not staying at a beach hotel you can usually rent beach chairs for a few hours or a day for IDR 50,000 to 100,000 which makes your stay at the beach with your children much more convenient. Particularly at the beaches in Kuta, Legian Seminyak, and Canggu.
Diapers
In the more touristic areas it is easy for you to find diapers in the convenience stores that line the streets of Bali and of course also at the pharmacies (Apotek). In the more remote areas it might be more difficult. Prices might be slightly more expensive that what you are used to.
