Is Bali good for kids?
Yes, and it's one of the easiest family destinations in Asia: most Balinese are very gentle and adore children, villas and hotels with pools are affordable, and distances are fairly short. You just need to pick the right area, sort out a few formalities and slow down to match the heat.
Before you fly, every child, babies included, needs a passport valid for at least six months. Kids also pay the visa and the Bali tourist levy (150,000 rupiah, about US$8.50), just like adults: see Do I need a visa for Bali?. For health, check that vaccinations are up to date and pack mosquito protection: see What health precautions do I need for Bali?. And make sure the whole family is covered: see Do I need travel insurance for Bali?
Where to stay with kids:
- Sanur and Nusa Dua: calm water sheltered by the reef, clean beaches. Ideal with toddlers.
- Ubud: rice terraces, monkeys, dance shows, all kinds of craft workshops. Great from around age 7, but there's no beach. Just outside Ubud, Tirta Empul often makes a big impression: the purification ritual is intriguing, and young children easily grasp the idea of water washing away bad feelings.
- Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu: surf beaches with waves and currents. Swim only between the flags, where lifeguards are watching. Best if you want the kids to try surfing, or prefer a more resort-style holiday. See Where should I stay in Bali?
What kids (usually) love:
- Waterbom in Kuta, Bali's big water park: around 450,000 rupiah (about US$25) per adult and 330,000 (about US$18.50) per child aged 2 to 11. Book ahead during the Australian school holidays.
- Bali Bird Park in Batubulan and Bali Zoo in Singapadu, both on the road to Ubud, plus Taman Safari in Gianyar.
- The Ubud Monkey Forest: keep kids close, with no food and nothing dangling from bags. Be warned, though, that the monkey a child imagines and the real thing can be two very different animals: for little ones, the visit sometimes turns out more stressful than fun (speaking from experience…).
- A first surf lesson on Kuta's gentle waves: see Can you learn to surf in Kuta?
- A Kecak dance at sunset, rice terraces, a jungle waterfall to swim in (Tibumana, near Ubud, is the best fit).
How it works on the ground:
- In the car: car seats are rare. Ask for one when you book your driver, or bring a folding booster seat.
- A pram or stroller is (very) impractical: narrow footpaths where they exist at all, holes everywhere, open drains. A baby carrier is far more useful.
- Nappies and formula are sold in convenience stores (Indomaret, Alfamart) and supermarkets, but bring your child's usual formula for the first few days, or for the whole trip if you're only staying a week or two.
- Villa pools often have no fence or alarm, and are sometimes literally in the middle of the living room: check before you book.
- Bottled water, including for brushing teeth. Don't let kids touch stray dogs, and even less the monkeys (rabies risk).
- Childcare: most upmarket hotels offer a nanny by the hour.
Verdict: with toddlers, Sanur makes a great beach base, with one or two day trips. With older kids, spend a few days in Ubud and finish your stay in the south.
Tip: plan one outing a day, in the morning, and the pool in the afternoon: the heat and the drives tire kids out fast, and a well-rested child gets far more out of temples and waterfalls alike.
Information checked in October 2026; prices and entry rules may change, so check before you go.