Bali With Kids: My Honest Review After Two Weeks On the Island

I’m going to start this off with complete honesty: other than Hannah, our 12-year-old, no one in our family actually wanted to come to Bali.

We’ve been travelling full-time for a while now, seen a lot of places, and Bali was one destination we’d quietly avoided. But as travel agents, we didn’t want our opinion shaped by hearsay or old reputation. We needed to understand Bali properly, for ourselves, and for the families we help plan trips for.

Because the truth is, we meet just as many Bali-haters as Bali-lovers. Some families come here every single year and absolutely adore it. Others swear they’ll never return. And we wanted to see it through our own fresh eyes instead of assuming either side was right.

Bali’s Reputation: The Good, The Complicated, and The Realities

Australians in particular have a long history with Bali. It’s close, the flights are cheap, the accommodation and activities are extremely affordable, and there are literally as many Westerners on scooters as locals.

But Bali also has a more complicated reputation: things like Bali belly, the party scene, drink spiking, strict drug laws, Schapelle Corby, and of course the Bali bombing. All of that forms part of its story.

So mums naturally ask:
Is Bali safe? Is it appropriate for kids? Should families come?

And depending on who you ask, you’ll get wildly different answers, usually strong ones. So here’s my honest take, after two weeks on the ground with four kids.

1. Is Bali Good for Families? (My Short Answer: Yes… If You Choose Well)

Bali can be wonderful for families, but your experience will completely depend on:

• Where you stay

• Why you're going

• How you organise your days

I’ll do a separate blog post breaking down family-friendly areas (because location truly makes or breaks your trip). But in short:

Choose carefully.
Some areas are amazing for families, some are party central, and some are beautiful but far from everything.

2. Know the Type of Trip You Want Before You Book Anything

This is the number one thing that will shape your entire experience.

Ask yourself:

• Are we coming for homeschooling/worldschooling experiences?

• Are we wanting beach time and relaxation?

• Are we here for wellness, yoga, fitness, and detoxing?

• Do we want touristy attractions (Waterbom, zoo, safari, etc.)

• Or a mix of everything?

Knowing this ahead of time helps you:

• choose the right area

• choose the right accommodation

• plan your days realistically

• avoid losing half your budget on drivers and travel time

We didn’t choose our location well, and we spent a lot on transport: around $70 AUD for a full-day driver (10 hours), and $1.2k+ for minibus hire. It adds up quickly.

3. Worldschooling Considerations (Sanur Families: This Is For You)

If you’re coming for community, connection, or a longer stay, Sanur is where a lot of the worldschooling and long-term families base themselves.

There are several Facebook groups where you can connect with worldschooling families, but as a guide Sanur is a popular spot for families and one you might like to consider … I have connected with a mum who lives in Bali and she has a WhatsApp group called Sanur Circle, where families connect, organise catchups, and share resources and events. It’s friendly, helpful, and a great starting point if your kids are craving friends.

4. Food & Bali Belly: What We Actually Do

Our family follows the same basic food and health rules we use everywhere in the world:

• Choose your accommodation location wisely

• Avoid street food

• Stick to reputable restaurants

• Use fresh, whole foods where possible

• Cook for yourselves when you can

• Only use clean, drinkable water (and explain this clearly to the kids)

• Be cautious with ice if you’re unsure

And one more big one: speak up.

When we arrived at our villa, I didn’t feel great about the state of the pool, the kettle, or even the water filter. Instead of staying quiet and hoping for the best, we raised our concerns kindly but clearly, and within hours, they had people there to clean, fix, and replace what was needed.

It’s worth asking yourself: Do I want to avoid making a fuss, or do I want to avoid having sick children? I think most mums know which one is the lesser of two evils.

We do pay a little more for safer food and water, and we’re completely okay with that. It’s so much easier than nursing four unwell kids on what’s meant to be a holiday.

5. Shopping in Bali: What Mums Should Know

If shopping is your love language, then staying in the touristy areas will suit you best. But here’s my honest mum comment:

Balinese people are lovely, genuinely kind and warm, but during our stay, they were definitely more forward with money requests, upsells, tips, and extras. Tourism is down, so it’s understandable, but it can be overwhelming for kids.

Because of this:

• We avoid markets

• We prefer fixed-price stores

• We look for locally made, natural, and organic products

Many cafes and boutique shops have beautiful selections of handmade items (skincare, soaps, toys, clothing, homewares), all with fixed pricing. These are worth seeking out on Google Maps.

6. If You Want All the Tourist Attractions… Stay Nearby

If you’re planning:

• Waterbom

• Ubud Monkey Forest

• Bali Zoo

• Bali Safari

• Beach clubs

• Shopping

• Nusa Dua activities

• Sunset dinners

• Markets

• Fancy restaurants

… then choose your base accordingly. Bali traffic is no joke. You don’t want to spend two hours in the car for a two-hour activity.

I’ll do a detailed “best areas for families” post soon that breaks this down clearly.

So… Do I Recommend Bali for Families?

Yes.
But not blindly.

I don’t dislike Bali. I don’t discourage families from coming here, not at all. But like any destination, your experience depends on how well you plan before you arrive.

If you:

• Choose the right location

• Know why you’re coming

• Set your travel goals early

• Understand the food and health considerations

• Budget realistically for transport

• Know where the family communities are

… then Bali can be a wonderful holiday.

For us? It’s been a learning trip, one we’re glad we did. The kids have enjoyed themselves and the rest of us appreciated the new perspective. And we’ll take what we’ve learned to help families plan better, safer, smoother trips.

If you’ve got questions or want help choosing the right Bali area for your family, feel free to reach out always happy to help another mum plan a stress-free holiday.

Bali With Kids: Quick Answers

Is Bali good for families with kids?

Yes, if you choose well. Your experience depends on where you stay, why you’re going and how you organise your days. Some areas are amazing for families, some are party central, and some are beautiful but far from everything.

Where do worldschooling families stay in Bali?

Sanur is where a lot of worldschooling and long-term families base themselves. There are Facebook groups for worldschooling families, and a WhatsApp group called Sanur Circle where families organise catch-ups and share resources and events.

How do you avoid Bali belly with kids?

We avoid street food, stick to reputable restaurants, cook for ourselves when we can, only use clean drinkable water and are cautious with ice. If something at your accommodation isn’t clean, like the pool, kettle or water filter, speak up.

How much does transport cost in Bali?

We paid around $70 AUD for a full-day (10-hour) driver and $1.2k+ for minibus hire. Bali traffic is slow, so base yourself near the activities you want to do.

What should families know about shopping in Bali?

Expect more requests for tips, upsells and extras. We avoid markets and look for fixed-price stores, cafes and boutiques selling locally made, natural and organic products.