Family Friendly Bali: Where to Stay - Pros and Cons by Area!
Bali's diverse neighbourhoods each offer a unique atmosphere for families. To help you decide where to stay with kids, here's a guide that breaks down the pros and cons for each area in Bali.
Kuta:
Kuta is close to attractions like Waterbom Park & Trans Studio and has many family-friendly resorts featuring excellent kids' clubs. However, it’s some people’s least favourite part of Bali. Occasional haggling and limited appeal beyond the tourist hotspots may impact your experience if you choose to stay here for the entirety of your vacation.
Pros: Proximity to key tourist attractions and family-oriented resorts.
Cons: Occasional haggling, limited appeal beyond touristy attractions. Rubbish-filled beaches in the wet season due to the strong currents.
One of our favourite family friendly resorts in Kuta is Truntum Hotel!
Legian:
Nestled between bustling Kuta and trendy Seminyak, Legian provides budget-friendly accommodation options and is a great middle-ground for families eager to visit Kuta's attractions but who want to stay elsewhere.
Pros: Affordable, strategic location for exploring the best of Kuta and Seminyak.
Cons: A lot of Aussies drinking a lot of Bintang.
For family accommodation that won't break the bank in Legian check out Suriwathi! Bali Mandira Beach Resort & Spa is also popular!
Seminyak:
Renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, Seminyak is a food enthusiast's paradise. It also has a beautiful beach with unforgettable sunsets. However, Seminyak can get very expensive over 7-10 days, and it’s more of a surf beach, so it's only suitable for strong swimmers.
Pros: An excellent choice for those seeking a sophisticated and culinary-focused experience. While expensive, the dining experiences in Seminyak are still cheaper than back in Aus!
Cons: Not ideal for budget holidays. Waves in this area can be big, making it less for young children to swim.
One of my favourite family friendly resorts in Seminyak is The Courtyard!
Canggu:
Although Canggu lacks family-orientated resorts, it offers plenty of villas and excellent family-friendly facilities at Finns Rec Club, including a water park, bowling, and a trampoline centre. It has a great cafe culture, particularly for those who eat vegan or gluten-free. However, traffic congestion and limited footpaths mean you are often required to walk on the road.
Pros: Ample villas, facilities at Finns Rec Club, vibrant cafe culture with vegan and GF options.
Cons: Zero family-friendly resorts, extreme traffic congestion, limited footpaths.
Check out Bali Family Villas for Family Friendly Villas in Bali!
Uluwatu and Jimbaran:
The Bukit Peninsula offers breathtaking clifftop views, great surfing, and high-end beach clubs. However, in our opinion, it is not the best area for kids as it caters more to honeymooners and couples.
Pros: Breathtaking clifftop views, great surfing, high-end beach clubs.
Cons: More of a couple’s vibe. Consider a day trip to experience tourist attractions like GWK, Uluwatu Temple, and dinner on Jimbaran beach instead.
Ubud:
Nestled in the jungle, Ubud offers a remarkable cultural experience for families with its rice terraces, temples, markets, nearby waterfalls, as well as it's well-known monkey forest.
Pros: A great change of scenery vs. the beach, more cultural experiences, opportunity to see UNESCO sites.
Cons: It has evolved over the years and lost some of its former tranquility. Traffic can be challenging, getting to and from Ubud, and it lacks the sterotypical family-friendly resorts.
Sanur:
Once a well-kept secret, Sanur has become a favourite for families. And despite its nickname, "Snore," it offers many restaurants and a flat, beachfront path perfect for strolling with prams.
Pros:
Calm, sheltered bay ideal for children swimming, an abundance of beachfront restaurants offering diverse dining options, close proximity to the airport, making it a convenient starting or ending point for Bali adventures, and does not typically attract tourist surcharges.
Cons: It may be too quiet for those seeking a bit of hustle and bustle, and it’s a 40-ish minute drive to some of the main attractions, so factor in travel time for day trips.
Our current go to for accommodation in Sanur is Sagara Villas and Suites. We've stayed in both the villas and hotel rooms, and both represent excellent value!
Nusa Dua:
If you seek a luxurious, all-inclusive resort experience with great kids clubs, Nusa Dua is an excellent choice. Boasting pristine, well-maintained beaches, Nusa Dua offers a gated community ambience, ideal for a relaxing vacation.
Pros: The perfect plonk and drop holiday.
Cons: Nusa Dua won’t provide the authentic Balinese cultural experience some travellers seek.
The water play area at The Grand Mirage is good for smaller kids, and the lazy river at The Courtyard Marriot is popular for older kids.
Sidemen, Candidasa, Amed:
Venturing off the tourist trail, these areas all offer an authentic glimpse into Bali's past, and these hidden gems are yet to be spoiled by mass tourism.
Pros: Provides a chance to immerse in Balinese culture, explore stunning snorkeling spots, wander through lush rice fields, visit ancient temples, and admire breathtaking viewpoints.
Cons: It lacks the range of amenities and activities found in more touristy areas and may not be suitable for those seeking vibrant nightlife or extensive dining options. In these areas, you will not find a heap of Western food, taxis, or Go Jek (Bali’s version of Uber Eats).
We love Cepik Villas in Sidemen, and both Candi Beach Resort & Sagara in Candidasa! Click the above links to see independent reviews!
Munduk:
Like Sideman, Candidasa, and Amed, Munduk offers families an off-the-beaten-path escape, ideal for those seeking authenticity and a quieter pace away from the hustle and bustle when not exploring.
Pros:
Proximity to ATV experiences, and waterfall hikes (suitable for kids 5+). Cooler temperatures for tranquil evenings with red wine and board games by the fire.
Cons:
No kids clubs, limited range of western restaurants, and tourist amenities.
Want a more detailed overview? Head on over to this blog post.
Also, if you're travelling to Bali with kids, remember to grab a Bali Travel Diary & Activity Book.
They're great for the plane, provide screen-free entertainment at dinner, and make a fantastic keepsake that you can look back on in years to come!
Bali Junior Travel Diary (for kids aged 3-6)
Bali Senior Travel Diary (for kids aged 7-10)
Kindest,
Kirstin - Travel Writer & Founder of My Big Adventure Kids Travel Diaries.
