The Ultimate Luxury Travel Guide for Traveling to Bali With Kids
Bali isn’t just a honeymooner’s dream, it’s a destination that delivers on family-friendly luxury, a mix of relaxation and adventure, and unforgettable other-worldly memories with your little ones in tow. Whether your kids are young like mine, or older kids, you’ll love chasing waterfalls with your toddler or watching your big kid learn to surf in the Indian Ocean, Bali has a way of welcoming families with open arms and just the right amount of magic. And I have the ULTIMATE itineraries below for doing Bali as a family.
As a mom who’s done it many times (we go back to Bali every year!), I can promise you: Bali with kids can be done luxuriously, beautifully, and joyfully. Here’s everything you need to know to do it right. (and yes, how to survive the time change!) Read on and as always, reach out with any questions you may have!
Where to Stay: The Best Kid-Friendly Luxury Resorts in Bali
Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Ubud
This jungle gem offers the perfect mix of serenity and stimulation for families. The Mandapa Kids Club is next-level: we’re talking feeding farm animals, nature walks, Balinese crafts, kiddy yoga, and even an organic garden. It’s immersive, mindful, and beautiful, just like the resort itself.
Why the Kids Club at Mandapa is the Best in Bali!
Mandapa’s Kids Club isn’t just a room with toys, it’s an entire village experience designed to immerse little ones in nature, creativity, and Balinese culture. Set along rice fields in the center of the resort, in a lush bamboo sanctuary, this kids club feels more like a jungle treehouse come to life.
- On-site farm animals that kids can feed!
- Organic garden with hands-on gardening activities
- Balinese crafts like bamboo weaving and painting
- Nature-based programming including river play and jungle walks
- Kiddy yoga and mindful movement
- An open-air, screen-free setting
- A beautiful slide inside!
How to get free perks for being a Jetset reader for booking Mandapa (or any other resort in Bali!)
For free breakfast, a $100 resort credit, and a room upgrade (when available!), fill out this contact form and be sure to use the referral code “JETSETCHRISTINA” if you use my referral, my agency partner will reach out with more information and can help book you with all kinds of fun perks for you and the fam (at no extra cost to you, and they don’t charge a fee to book!)
The Ungasan Clifftop Villas – Uluwatu
If you’re dreaming of next-level views, private villas with pools, and butler service, this is your spot. Perched atop the cliffs of Uluwatu, The Ungasan offers family-sized villas that give everyone space to breathe. You also get access to Sundays Beach Club, which is our favorite pure paradise for sandy play, water activities, and sunset dinners by the bonfire. (They do smores every night! and some nights are movie nights on the beach!)
Where to Eat With Kids in Bali
Sayan House – Ubud: A favorite of ours – always so good!
Chupacabras – Ubud: Sunset dining with jungle views and the MOST delicious steak and empanadas. Adult-oriented, but super sweet to kids also! Our favorite.
Donna – Ubud: Great for dinner post Monkey Forest and on a busy street with lots of shopping. Hip and happening – great food and kid-friendly!
Begawan Biji – Ubud: Farm-to-table Asian food with the nicest staff you will ever meet! Delicious!
Ambar bar at the Ritz-Carlton Ubud – this was a great spot with our kids and the japanese food is delicious! There’s not a big kids menu, but they were able to order from the downstairs kids menu so we got things like chicken fingers and fries (as well as all the japanese stuff from their menu!) I loved the seating here and the sunset view and the SUSHI was to die for!
Milk and Madu – Canggu and Ubud: Casual, Kid-friendly menus, playgrounds, and great food for parents.
Sundays Beach Club – Uluwatu: Ride the cable car down to the beach and let the kids roam while you enjoy a cocktail and wood-fired pizza. So fun!
Alchemy – Ubud – a vegan menu with the best juices and healthy options for kids and adults.
What to Know When Traveling Bali With Kids
Do not try to do too much! Traffic in Bali is notoriously slow. It can take HOURS to get from place to place, and even short distances can take a long time, especially with tired kids in tow. Less planning means better vibes and enjoying Bali more!
Bring your own car seat or request one ahead of time. They are not standard in taxis, but if getting transportation through the hotel they will usually have one!
Balinese culture is very family-centered. Locals are incredibly warm toward children, and you will often find staff going out of their way to help you.
Luxury resorts are very accommodating with baby cribs, high chairs, babysitting, and kid-friendly meals.
Nannies are VERY affordable here (around $5 an hour), and can help make your trip easier and more relaxing. I have a nanny agency and I use and trust – just DM me on instagram @jetsetchristina and I’ll send you their info and my favorite nannies we have used!
Stick to filtered purified and bottled water, and only eat in nice, trusted restaurants with young children to avoid Bali Belly.
Driving Times in Bali
One of the biggest things to understand about Bali – especially with kids – is that driving takes longer than expected due to narrow roads, scooters, and tourism congestion. Traffic is one of the worst parts about Bali (but it’s worth it, just plan your itinerary smartly!!!)
Estimated drive times between popular areas:
- Airport to Uluwatu: about 45 minutes to one hour
- Airport to Seminyak: about 45 minutes
- Airport to Ubud: two hours
- Uluwatu to Ubud: about two and a half to three hours
- Seminyak to Ubud: about one and a half to two hours
- Canggu to Ubud: about two hours
- Seminyak to Canggu: about one hour with traffic
Pick one or two home bases during your stay, and plan for fewer transitions. Bali is best enjoyed at a slower pace.
Best Time of Year to Visit Bali
Bali is a year-round destination, but some months offer better weather and experiences for families.
- Dry Season: May through October. Sunny skies and lower humidity make it perfect for outdoor activities and family adventures.
- Wet Season: November through April. You will experience daily rain showers and higher humidity, which can make things trickier with little ones.
Ideal months: June, July, and September strike a great balance of excellent weather and fewer crowds.
Time Zone Adjusting for Babies & Kids
One of the biggest questions I get when it comes to traveling internationally with little ones is, “How do they handle the time zones and time change?”
The truth is kids are often way better at adjusting than we are!! While adults tend to overthink it and push through the jet lag with coffee and willpower, kids (especially babies and toddlers) usually adjust faster because they’re more in tune with their bodies, and it comes naturally to them!
Here’s what has worked best for us when switching time zones:
1. Get on local time as soon as you land (or in the air! even better!)
If it’s morning in Bali when you arrive, do your best to keep everyone awake and outside in the natural light. Vitamin D and getting outside is your best friend for resetting the internal clock.
2. Treat the flight as part of the adjustment.
If you can get your child to sleep on the plane during what would be nighttime in Bali, amazing. If not, don’t stress, they’ll catch up. Kids are resilient.
3. Stick to your bedtime routine.
Bring the lovey. Bring the white noise. Do the same books, bath, bottle or whatever your pre-sleep ritual looks like at home. That sense of familiarity helps signal sleep even in a brand new time zone.
4. Embrace the early mornings.
Odds are, your kids will be up with the sun for the first few days. Instead of fighting it, lean in. Bali is magic at sunrise. Go for a walk around your resort, sip your coffee slowly, and let the day start slow and dreamy. Also, your schedule at home does not need to be your same schedule while traveling! Maybe at home bedtime is 7:30 but in Bali it’s later or earlier, and maybe wake up time is different too, find what works for you on vacation!
5. Be patient.
Everyone adjusts a little differently, but I promise – within a few days, you’ll all settle into Bali time. 
The Best Itinerary for Traveling to Bali with Kids
The Best Itinerary for Bali with Babies and Toddlers (Ages 0 to 3)
- Best areas: Ubud and Uluwatu
- Day 1 to 3: Stay at Mandapa in Ubud. Enjoy jungle walks, beautiful sunset dinners, and slow mornings, sunset dinner at Chupacabras
- Day 4 to 7: Head to The Ungasan in Uluwatu. Relax by the villa pool and spend afternoons at Sundays Beach Club.
The Best Itinerary for Bali with Little Kids (Ages 4 to 7)
- Best areas: Ubud and Uluwatu
- Day 1 to 3: Explore rice terraces, Monkey Forest, and kid-friendly temples, shopping near Monkey Forest, sunset dinner at Chupacabras
- Day 4 to 7: Enjoy the beaches in Uluwatu and pool play at Ungasan.
The Best Itinerary for Big Kids (Ages 8 and up)
- Best areas: Ubud, Seminyak or Canggu, and Uluwatu
- Day 1 to 2: Monkey Forest, Bali Swing, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, maybe go see a waterfall or do the Mt. Batur sunrise hike.
- Day 3 to 4: Surf lessons or yoga classes in Seminyak or Canggu and beach cafes and shopping
- Day 5 to 7: Explore cliffside temples in Uluwatu and Sundays Beach Club, stay at Ungasan.
How to Survive the Flight to Bali With Kids
Before You Fly
Book a night flight if possible to align with your child’s sleep schedule
Choose your seats in advance, think: bulkhead for babies and toddlers, or business class if you can for extra sleeping room!
Bring more snacks than you think you need
Pack new and loved toys and books for entertainment (here are all my favorite travel toys for toddlers, and travel toys for babies)
Download some shows, movies, and playlists ahead of time (we are pretty screen-free for our babies in our house so we love this for a screen-free entertainment option when traveling!)
In Your Carry-On
Extra clothes for your children and for you
Diaper kit with wipes and a changing pad
Any pacifiers or bottles needed
Baby books (here are some of our favorites on amazon)
A comfort item like a blanket or favorite toy
Once you arrive in Bali, it will all feel worth it. A beautiful resort and a cold coconut await you on the other side!
What to Pack for Bali With Kids
Lightweight clothing and swimsuits (our favorite kids swimsuits linked here!)
Reef-safe sunscreen and mosquito repellent ! (my favorite deet-free mosquito repellent is this one)
Travel stroller or baby carrier (we did NOT use our travel stroller at all in Bali, it’s very un-friendly to strollers, but we did use the baby carrier a ton)
Portable sound machine
Diapers and wipes (trust me yours are better than the ones you’ll find in Bali on the ground!)
Baby medications and favorite snacks
A few comfort items from home like a lovey or toys!
Baby Tylenol and any other medicines you may need!
For cute toddler Bali outfits, check out my Shopmy shelf here!
Is Bali with kids a good idea?
Bali with kids is not only possible, it is incredible. From the people to the culture to the nature, the island delivers a magical balance of adventure and relaxation for families. And it will be a trip your family will never forget!
Choose your pace, savor the moments, and do not over-plan! Bali has a way of making you slow down and live in the now. And that is exactly what family travel should be.
