For anyone considering a vacation in Bali with children, you’ll be pleased to hear that it is the perfect destination for the whole family. Not only will the kids love the breathtaking beaches, exciting jungle hikes, and exotic wildlife, but there’s also plenty of family-oriented activities dotted throughout the island that are sure to keep everyone entertained. In fact, there´s something for kids of all ages if you know where to look.

Bali with kids

When choosing a place to stay on the island, you naturally want easy access to its most interesting and exciting sights and adventures—so to help you choose, we’ve selected five destinations that are sure to give you the full experience. Read and to learn about the best places to stay in Bali when travelling with children, and make sure you´re next vacation is one to remember.

Nusa Dua

As one of Bali’s most popular areas for families, Nusa Dua offers everything you might expect from a high-quality holiday resort. Luxury hotels and good food go hand in hand with long days on the beach—the perfect way to unwind. Many of the hotels also provide kids clubs and there’s a 3300m2 beach club and water park called Surf & Turf. For something a little more on the wild side, the Water Blow is a short walk along the beach where the whole family can try and capture the perfect photo of this force of nature.

Highlights

• Surf & Turf Waterpark
• Water Blow
• Nusa Dua Beach

Ubud

A world away from Nusa Dua, Ubud offers families a more authentic Balinese experience. There are still plenty of top-quality kid-friendly resorts, however, many of these are surrounded by rice paddies and jungle temples. The town has a laid-back feel to it that’s perfect for unwinding, and there’s plenty of countryside to explore, including the wild and beautiful Tegenungan Waterfall—with guided tours available to help you an the kids enjoy a true taste of this wild island. Highlights include Pura Lahur Ulwatu Monkey Temple and the Bali Bird and Reptile Park where children get to learn about some of Bali’s native fauna.

Highlights

• Pura Lahur Ulwatu Monkey Temple
• Bali Bird and Reptile Park
• Tegenungan Waterfall

Kuta

Another hugely popular place to stay on the island, Kuta is a hive of activity and is packed full of restaurants and shopping opportunities. The beaches get very busy but there’s also Bali’s most famous waterpark, Waterbom Bali, to fall back on—something which is always a hit with kids of any age. The Bali Sea Turtle Society is also in the area, giving children the chance to learn about these majestic animals that are regular visitors to the island. Perhaps the only drawback of this area is its reputation for big parties, something which has the potential to keep you and the kids up at night if you’re light sleepers.

Highlights

• Waterbom Bali
• Bali Sea Turtle Society
• Balangan Beach

Canggu

Canggu is becoming increasingly popular with families thanks to its quieter beaches, relaxed restaurants, and its proximity to Seminyak—the rather fabulous, high-end resort where you’ll find plenty of shopping, spas, and tropical gardens. Canggu Beach is great for families, although sometimes the waves can be a little rough, so Batu Bolong Beach is probably the better option if you want to spend time in the water. You’ll also find a family-friendly swimming pool at Taman Segara Madu, which is perfect for those days when the sea is too rough or too cold. Finally, check out the Bounce Trampoline Centre on rainy days and get everyone jumping along to the Friday night disco bounce!

Highlights

• Batu Bolong Beach
• Taman Segara Madu
• Bounce Trampoline Centre

Sanur

Another laidback and relaxed resort, Sanur remains undeveloped to a point, and although there are plenty of family villas available, there’s also space to explore Bali from a more rustic perspective. The beach is protected by a reef which ensures the water is calm and shallow enough for even the smallest kids. Additionally, there’s an amazing playground at the Artotel Beach Club that provides plenty of thrills for an entire day. Both the Byrdhouse beach club and the Big Garden Corner will also ensure the kids have space to run around and let off some steam.

Highlights

• Byrdhouse Beach Club
• Big Garden Corner
• Artotel Beach Club