For any parent looking for a kid-friendly vacation spot, look no further Bali is your destination (even though it is quite far away from North America lol).
We have spent 1 whole month in Bali, and it was an outstanding trip! Leaving this paradise island broke my heart a little bit… the memories that we have created over there will always be cherished and I want you to experience such an incredible trip: so here is our 1-month itinerary in Bali with our 10-year old little girl!
This Indonesian island in the heart of Southeast Asia is filled with captivating sights, lush landscapes, and plenty of activities to keep everyone busy and happy. Whether you are a beach-lover who want to explore golden sands or an adventure-seekers who are eager to discover hidden gems, a one-month journey through Bali with kids will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. So book your tickets and get ready for an amazing adventure!
Day 1 to 4: Seminyak
Our one-month itinerary started in Seminyak. This popular beachside town is the perfect place to start your vacation—it offers something for everyone!
Spend your days here lounging by the pool at one of the luxury resorts or learning how to surf at Kuta Beach. The Potato Head Beach Club is a very fun place to be to watch the sunset and eat a delicious dinner.
You can also explore Seminyak Square and Jalan Legian, two areas packed with eateries, shops and bars.
Seminyak is busy: you’ll see plenty of scooter traffic here. Don’t worry, not all Bali is like this!
Our accommodation in Seminyak was at Kubu Petitenget Suite (51$CAD/night), great location, AC, pool, free breakfast, superb, loved it!
Day 5 to 8: Ubud
From Seminyak it’s time to head inland to Ubud – an idyllic town located in central Bali known for its stunning rice terraces, lush jungles and peaceful vibes.
Take time soaking up all that Ubud has to offer by visiting local attractions such as Abian Desa Rice Terrace (where you can swing above the rice terraces), watch a Balinese dance show in front of the Palace, or visit Saraswati Temple.
We really enjoyed visiting the Kumulilir Coffee Plantation, where we learned and tasted the famous luwak coffee!
Ubud is also a busy place with scooter traffic but don’t worry, this is the last place on this itinerary where it is that busy!
Our accommodation in Ubud was at Sayong House (26$CAD/night), a very spacious room, lovely Balinese decor, AC, pool and free breakfast, loved it too!
Day 9 to 12: Munduk
From Ubud it’s time to explore the country: Munduk. Munduk offers stunning scenery so make sure you take some time here to enjoy nature walks through majestic forests or leisurely hikes up nearby mountains like Mt Batukaru.
Munduk is located in the mountains, so it is a little less hot there (thank you!). There is also more chances of rain. Enjoy! Rain over lush rice fields can be so relaxing!
We had quite some fun taking our pictures in front of Handara Gate 🙂
Also, there are A LOT of waterfalls to see around Munduk. We really enjoyed Bayumala Waterfall, where you can swim in the pristine and refreshing water!
Clinton played golf at the Handara Golf Course, he loved it!
Our accommodation in Munduk was at Amartya Puri Green Cottages (62$CAD/night, for a 2-bedroom villa), gorgeous location, super-friendly staff, AC, pool and free breakfast, amazing, loved it!
Day 13 to 16: Pemuteran
North of Bali is Pemuteran, a lovely place to discover. One very interesting thing to discover here is Karang Lestari Bio Rock: you can snorkel of top of this man-made limestone and see nature taking over in a beautiful way and on top of this low voltage steel structure.
Snorkeling is also a must at Menjangan. You’ll see plenty of fishes here. It is better if you can wear long-swim apparel, because the jellyfish sting there. Emma-Kate and I got stung, and it is not fun lol. One-hour after the sting though, it wasn’t hurting anymore.
Our accommodation in Pemuteran was at Taman Sari Bali Resort & Spa (275$CAD/night) for a very luxurious and spacious 2-bedroom villa, stunning pool, private beach, gorgeous landscape, finger-licking food, AC, free breakfast, and so many activities to do. We LOVED it!
Day 17 to 20: Gili Trawangan
From Pemutera it’s time for another island hopping adventure – this time heading south towards Gili Trawangan & Nusa Lembongan. While both islands have spectacular views over crystal clear waters – they each offer something unique.
On Gili Trawangan (also known as Gili T) kids can have wild fun playing on white sand beaches while adults can relax with yoga classes or wade into deeper waters for some snorkeling adventures around colorful coral reefs!
You can also enjoy day trips to Gili Meno to see awesome huge turtles, and snorkel along the way.
The sunrises and sunsets are breathtaking on Gili T! Emma-Kate rode a horse at sunset on the beach… what an unforgettable experience! There are also a couple of places where, right after dinner, they offer open-air movies! So much fun!
Also, there are no cars nor scooter here: only bikes and horses carriage. It is so much fun to ride bikes around the small island!
The beaches at Gili T are some of the best of Bali: white powdery sand, turquoise crystal clear water.
Our accommodation on Gili T was at Gili Khayangan Villas (172$CAD/night) for a 2-bedroom villa and private pool! It was outstanding! Located in the middle of the small island, both the sunrises and the sunsets are close! A home-sweet-home, away from home. Kitchen, AC, private pool and free breakfast served at the villa, with the best staff, we LOVED it!
Day 21 to 24: Nusa Lembongan
Then move onto Nusa Lembongan where more adventurous activities await – from manta ray tours & paddle board trips through calm lagoons – there is something here for everyone!
Lembongan was one of our favorite part of Bali. It is less touristy, so it was fun to have a slower pace and also more affordable rates.
Snorkelling to see wild manta rays was the highlight of our stay in Lembongan, and actually of all our trip in Bali! There were huge manta rays, and we could get so close to them! (Without touching them of course).
It is also very lovely to drive a scooter around the island of Lembongan and cross the very narrow Yellow Bridge to Ceningan Island which is also very lovely! Locals are growing seaweed in the sea between these 2 islands and it is a very nice thing to see!
Our accommodation on Lembongan was at KiBata Lembongan Boutique Hotel (50$CAD/night) for a 2-bedroom cabana, amazing view of the sea from the infinite pool, beautiful garden all around the property, friendly staff, free breakfast, AC, we had a wonderful time! We loved it!
Day 25 to 28: Uluwatu
Finally end your journey with a visit to Uluwatu – a surfer’s paradise – making it a must visit destination during any family holiday in Bali. The waves are continuously rolling and watching the surfers is a very interesting show. Why not try surfing with your kids?
We also spend some fun and relaxing time at the Banana Lounge, a restaurant and pool adjacent to our villa, at the Jellyfish Villas Bali. The staff is very friendly yet professional, and the food is exquisite. The sunsets from the 2nd floor patio are amazing!
Clinton played golf at the New Kuta Golf Course, and he loved it!
Our accommodation in Uluwatu was at Jellyfish Villas Bali, exquisite place! (330$CAD/night) OMG! We ADORED it! The decor of our 2-bedroom villa was breathtaking, it was also very spacious and luxurious, we also had our own private pool and to add to that the sunrises were so peaceful and magical. All of that made us consider buying a villa and moving there and it is always on our minds
Weather in Bali in February and March
It is supposed to be rainy season in Bali in February and March. Surprisingly, it only rained for 1 day, and only when we were in Munduk. That’s because when the landscape is mountainous, clouds get stuck there and eventually rain lol! So please don’t keep yourself from traveling during those months in Bali: you’ll have more than plenty of sunshine!
The temperature is hot and humid though so, If you don’t do well in hot temperatures, don’t go in February or March. We sweated like crazy lol. Still, we were able to do everything we wanted to, and reorganized our days so we would travel in an AC car or relax in the shade during the early afternoon hot hours.
What to Pack for 1 month in Bali in March
When you’re traveling with kids, it’s important to pack the right things. Here are some essentials:
- Beach gear. You’ll need towels, sunscreen and a hat for each person–and maybe even a long beachwear to swim in if you go snorkelling at Menjangan, near Pemutera, because the jellyfish there stings!
- Special items for kids. If your kids are old enough to bring toys along on vacation (and many parents let them), make sure they have something special that they can’t leave behind at home. A favorite stuffed animal or doll might work well here; if not, think about bringing along something else that will make your child feel more comfortable while traveling abroad (such as headphones).
- We got a little bit sick during our month-long trip. There are drugstore everywhere and the staff speaks english, so you can always buy medicine there. But I suggest bringing probiotics (I never leave on a trip without them), and for water/food poisoning, I suggest Activated Charcoal (that’s what the pharmacist in Bali suggested for Emma-Kate that got sick from brushing her teeth with tap water).
Getting Around Bali
Bali is a very easy island to get around. You can rent a car, scooter or a bike and explore the island at your own pace. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are also plenty of public transportation options available!
Personally, we usually rent our own car, but in Bali it is more usual to hire a driver that will be happy to drive you around, serve as a tour guide (and photographer) at the same time.
Our driver, Imade Sudira, was amazing. If you want to hire him, contact him on Facebook.
Otherwise, you can rent a scooter and discover the island at your own pace independently. We rented a “N-Max”, because that’s the strongest model of scooter in Bali, good for 3 person. It can cost from 12$CAD to 25$CAD per day (negotiable).
Important to Know About Bali
- Time difference: Bali is +12h-13h from North America Eastern coast (depending if it is summer time or regular time)
- Tap water is NOT safe to drink: watch your kids so they don’t brush their teeth with tap water.
- In February and March, there was almost NO mosquitoes. So you don’t have to bring insect-repellent. If exceptionally there is when you go, it is cheap to buy in drugstore.
- Restaurants and marts have toilets you can go to, but some only have squat toilets (especially marts, in remote areas) so be mentally prepared lol.
- Massages are so cheap in Bali! You can get a 1-hour massage at 10$CAD! And you can negotiate your price too. Enjoy!
- Prices are negotiable when you want to buy souvenirs, on massages, renting a scooter, and more. So don’t be scared, they won’t get offended.
Family-Friendly Accommodations in Bali
There are a LOT of accommodation options in Bali (90% of their economy relies on tourism): from hostels, to hotels, to villas, and more.
And you can pay next to nothing, all the way up to very expensive. Most are very clean, provide AC and hot showers. You can see our chosen accommodation in each section above.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Bali
The food in Bali is delicious, and there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants where you can find a wide variety of local dishes and international cuisine. Here are some of our favorites:
- The Warungs (small local restaurants) offer authentic Balinese food at very reasonable prices. You’ll usually be seated on mats or low stools around a communal table with other diners–a great way for kids to practice their social skills!
- For western-style food, you can find it everywhere around the island.
- In Seminyak, surprisingly, there are a lot of restaurants serving food from all over the world from Greek, Lebanese, Indian, and more.
Shopping in Bali
Your best shopping options in Bali are in Ubud and Seminyak.
- Ubud
There are so many different markets in Ubud, but one of the best is Pasar Seni. This market has everything from local handicrafts to souvenirs and gifts. You can find anything from traditional Balinese clothing to wood carvings, paintings and jewelry here. - Seminyak
If you’re looking for high-end boutiques then Seminyak is the place for you! The area has some amazing shopping options including designer stores like Chanel and Louis Vuitton as well as local shops selling handmade goods like textiles or jewelry made by local artists.
Costs of a 1-month trip in Bali
Bali can be super cheap, it all depends on your accommodation and food choices 😉
Here is how much it costs us per day, for 2 adults and a 10-year old little girl 😉
Accommodation: 51$CAD/night
Meals: average of 64$CAD/day (breakfasts were usually included with our accommodation)
Transport: average of 29$CAD/day
Activities: average of 32$CAD/day
Bali is an island of incredible beauty, and it’s one of the best places in the world to take your family. The people are friendly and welcoming, the food is delicious, and there are so many things to do that it will keep everyone entertained for days on end. We hope that this guide will help you plan your trip!
Coming back from this 1-month trip around Bali left me with disturbing travel-blues. My cure: adding a new push pin to my Minimalist Custom World Map, as well as my favorites pictures! Do the same, and coming back home won’t be as hard 😉
