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.
Skye Gilkeson
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 jet lag 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.
Nusa Dua
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
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 there are always plenty of things to do for kids and adults. But, be prepared for the crowds.
Legian
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.
Seminyak
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
Canggu
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.
Ubud
Escape to the jungle and the famous