Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by Ariana Svenson
Bali is an excellent first-time international family holiday destination. There are many why family holidays to Bali are the best. Bali, known as the island of the Gods, is an Indonesian island located in the Indian ocean. With an active volcano, ancient temples, a tropical climate, rich culture, and white sandy beaches, Bali family holidays are a good option for the entire family.
So if you’re wondering is Bali good for families, here’s why you should do Bali with kids. This small island is one of the most beautiful places in the world. With many family friendly resorts, Bali is the perfect place for young children, older children, and adults alike. Spend your free time relaxing by the swimming pool, enjoying water activities, going on a Bali safari, learning the local customs, and just generally having a good time. A Bali trip with family is something you will never forget!
This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.
Why Family Holidays to Bali are the Best
#1 Bali is Easy
Since Bali Indonesia was first visited by international tourists back in the 1920s, it has entranced visitors. As such, Bali also has a lot of established tourism infrastructure. So wherever you go in Bali, the local people are likely to be well-equipped with dealing with foreigners.
In short, this makes Bali an easy place to visit, especially for a first-time family holiday destination. Bali family holidays are easy, even if you aren’t an experienced world travel family.
If you have never been to Bali this is what you need to know for your first visit to Bali.
#2 Bali is Beautiful
Bali is overlooked by the stunning volcano, Mount Agung. With blue waters, beautiful beaches, and lots of humid, warm air, Bali is a beautiful place for a first time family holiday destination. Bali has Rice terraces that go up to the skies, palm trees, frangipanis; and that’s just scratching the surface! It’s a truly gorgeous place to take your first international family holiday.
Bali is beautiful for its natural scenery, and beautiful for the nature of its people. There is just something about Bali that captures your heart Because Bali is so charming, it makes a wonderful place to visit for the first time as an international family holiday destination. Bali with kids is not only fun but beautiful.
I should add, not only are Bali holidays beautiful, but there are so many great things to do and see – take a look at our Bali Bucket List.
#3 Accommodation for Every Budget
In the same way that Bali is easy because the tourist infrastructure is set up, Bali also has accommodation for every budget. By this, I mean there are five star hotels catering to every whim, there are the trendy cafes in Seminyak, and there are gorgeous boutiques in Legian. There are party places in Kuta and more sedate family hotels in Sanur. So there are accommodations for everyone, whether it’s a one star backpackers or a five star hotel.
If you are looking for a drop dead gorgeous, Bucket List, one in a life-time stay check out The St. Regis Bali Resort. Or the Hanging Garden Of Bali Hotel in Ubud. Another one we would love to stay in is the Padma Resort Ubud which gets rave reviews as a family oriented resort!
Whatever your dream, you find your ideal type of accommodation in Bali. We’ve covered Bali accommodations in our post, The Best Bali Family Hotels.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, another option we’d like to explore is the Green Camp, which offers three-day courses in the environment.
While Bail is very touristy, you can also get off the beaten track by heading up north where there is still a wide range of accommodation options. We loved Munduk, and you can read our post about Bedugul and Munduk For Families here. Ever wanted to stay in a restored rice storage house? Take a look at our review of the Puri Lumbung Cottages. So in Bali, there’s something for everyone, which is why it makes a great place for a first time kid-friendly, family holiday destination.
#4 Bali Has Got Something for Everyone
You’re going to find that Bali has something for everyone. Family holidays to Bali truly offer something for everyone. Whether you’re a culture lover, or an adrenaline junkie, or if you are just a family looking for some cool things to do, Bali will have something you LOVE!
For example, one of the most popular places on Bali for kids is Water Bom Park. It’s like a rite of passage for children visiting Bali! (Along with girls having their hair braided!)
For adventure lovers, there is also the Bali Botanic garden with its high Trees Adventure course which we covered in our post about Munduk here. For the outdoors lover you can go hiking at Mount Agung, or at various places amongst the rice paddies, like Jatilweh or try the Campuhuan Ridge Walk. Downhill mountain biking is another very popular option for adrenaline lovers, and there are lots of options out of Ubud. Here is a great tour for mountain biking.
Bali is also relatively small (though don’t let the distances deceive you – sometimes due to traffic it takes a long time to travel anywhere!) and so its possible to base yourself in one location and then make day trips to others. Here are some ideas of how to plan a day trip to Uluwatu.
If your more culture is more your thing, there are plenty of temples to visit. Some of the more famous ones like Besakih or Ulan Danu at Bedugul. I love to sit and breathe in the atmosphere or soak up the faith. There are also some great cultural performances in Bali, especially in Ubud where there is a daily performance program. We especially loved the Kecak dancers.
Ubud has some great yoga places, some of which offer family friendly yoga. And… if you’re interested in cooking – there are some great Balinese cooking schools. Ketut’s Bali Cooking Class gets some good reviews for including kids. Check here for more information.
Finally, if you like coffee why not give Kopi luwak a go! It is civet coffee, which means it includes partially digested coffee cherries … pooped out by the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus).
#5 There’s Something for Every Taste
By taste, we mean something for every palate -and when you’re traveling with small kids you know how important it is to be able to find foods that kids will like. Or, in our case, even eat. If your kids are a bit adventurous you can stretch them a bit. So what we love about Bali is that you can get fish and chips, chicken nuggets, spaghetti Bolognese, for example.
If you children are interested in trying different cuisines there’s always great Indonesian food. Though if you’re staying in a resort you have to look a bit harder as resorts really do cater for western palates. If you’re staying in budget accommodation or in a village then it is super easy to find delicious Indonesian or Balinese food. YUM! Make sure you try the local restaurants as they are a popular choice and offer a good value. Even though it is easy to stay in the tourist areas, venture out and you will find some great food.
Here is a great 9 day Bali travel itinerary to whet your appetite and see the wide range of things you can do and see.
#6 Bali is Cheap
Unless you’re staying at the St. Regis Bali or the Amankila or plan on the best hotels and a luxurious stay, for most people Bali is a very affordable option. You can eat a meal for twenty dollars for a whole family in a local warung, or you can eat some amazing Western style cuisine for whole family for maybe $50. Check out our list of Best Ubud Restaurants for Families for some ideas of where to eat!
In Australia a basic lunch costs between $30 & $50 so being able to eat a full meal for $50 makes Bali is an exceptionally affordable place to visit. Bali is certainly not the cheapest Asian destination because it is so touristy, but it is certainly a very affordable option. You will be sure to have a great experience if you choose Bali as your next family holiday destination.
#7 It is Cheap to Fly to Bali
Especially for Australians – Bali is a cheap flight.
If you are very interested in visiting Bali, you should check out our post about how to book cheap and affordable flights.
For Australians Bali is an exceptionally affordable flight destination. If you live in Perth, Western Australia, like we do, you can find flights for about $250 Australian return (for a family of four, that’s $1000 for flights). You won’t even pay that for flights within Australia! In fact, the cheap flights to Bali are even cheaper than the fuel for a four-day road trip within Australia!
#8 Bali is a Short Flight From Australia
If you are considering Bali as your first international family holiday destination you might be nervous about how the young ‘uns will cope on an airplane. Another reason Bali is great for first time travelers is that the flights are pretty short and doable.
From Perth (where we live) flights are just under 4 hours (like 3 hours 45 minutes! That is closer than Adelaide). For Eastern States flights are about 6.5 hours from either Sydney or Melbourne.
That’s the kind of flight that you can easily keep your kids entertained on and, and is a great place when you’re starting out in your international travels to wet your feet. Go to Bali for a short holiday and discover what it is like to travel with kids.
#9 English is Widely Spoken and Practice Your Indonesian
In Bali English is widely spoken which makes it an easy first destination when traveling with kids. But – even better – if your children are learning Indonesian at school as a second language (like ours are!) it also makes a very logical destination. Being this helps them to grasp the idea of a second language, and how a language works and how to communicate using basic phrases.
That our children are learning Indonesian was certainly a reason why we have loved taking a short trip to Bali!
Is Bali Good for Families?
Bali is one of the best places for a vacation with family as it has beaches, eminent flora and fauna, and is loved by kids. A trip to Bali is a great way to utilize your holidays with your family. A Bali trip with family is something you will never forget.
Is it Safe to Travel to Bali with Kids?
We have found on each of our visits that a Bali trip is one of the best destinations for family travel, and even for travel with toddlers or babies. What is this? From the friendly locals, to beautiful Bali family resorts, you are never short of options and help to make the most of your trip to Bali with a baby.
Is it Cheaper to go to Bali or Phuket?
Many who have travelled to Bali, as well as Phuket, will instantly say that Bali is cheaper. In many ways, they are correct, from flight rates to accommodation to transportation and entertainment. If you are travelling under budget and still crave to enjoy a holiday in a tropical paradise then Bali is your place!
However, Phuket is a wonderful holiday destination as well. We have been there and loved it. Check out our Best Things to do in Phuket with Kids.
First Time in Bali or Asia? Here are Some Other Ideas:
In general Asia is a superb place for first time travelers. Here are 10 Amazing Destinations in Asia for First Time Travellers.
Interesting Facts about Bali for Kids
Off The Beaten Track Bali with Kids
A Guide to Traveling to Bali with Kids
The Verdict – Why Family Holidays to Bali are the Best
As you can probably tell we have absolutely adored our time in Bali as a family. No matter where in the world you are coming from, we think family holidays to Bali are the best. There is something to be enjoyed by everyone on a Bali trip with family. If you are looking for a fun and easy holiday with kids, start planning your Bali family vacation now.
Like It> Pin It> Why Family Holidays to Bali are the Best
[…] Bali is a great first family holiday destination! Take a look at our post 9 Reasons Why Bali Is A Great First-Time Family Holiday Destination. […]