- April to October is dry season and the best time to visit Bali.
- The beach towns of Kuta and Legian form one long strip of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and cafés. It’s party central and while fun, can prove to be too rowdy for some. Further north along this strip, Seminyak is quieter and more upscale. The best shoppig in Bali is found in these towns.
- Nusa Dua has a large variety of kid-friendly resorts set amidst stunning beaches.
- Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali. Surrounded by small villages, rice paddies, and enchanting green forests it makes a great base for exploring the island. It’s also the best place to shop for art and local crafts.
STAY AT
CONRAD
Located on the coast of Nusa Dua at Tanjung Benoa, Conrad is perfectly suited for families travelling with small children. If the variety of pools and gardens and a stunning beach right at your doorstep don’t provide enough entertainment, there is the Kuru Kuru Kids Club with a host of fun activities. The hotel also offers a babysitting service for date night.
AMANUSA
Overlooking the rolling fairways, Amanusa is a great option for families who like to be on their feet. Guests enjoy priority reservations at the Bali National Golf Club. There’s also all-hours tennis on the floodlit courts, or kayaking and snorkeling along the beautiful coastline.
THE LEGIAN
The Legian has been the recipient of various hospitality awards and you’ll understand why the minute you step inside this gorgeous hotel. Relax by the poolside or lounge on the beach and enjoy traditional Balinese hospitality while the kids run around the vast gardens or build castles in the sand.
RELAX AT
THERMES MARIN BALI
Need some me-time? This lavish cliff-top spa will provide the ideal setting for it. Luxuriate in its aqua-tonic pool, indulge in La Mer facials or soak in a mineral lava bath, lulled into relaxation by the lapping of the waves outside.
EAT AT
KU DE TA
Leave the kids with a sitter and enjoy a night out at this fabulous fine dining establishment with views that will leave you awed.
METIS
A one-stop with a courtyard, lounge, gallery and boutique serving up delicious French cuisine.
WARUNG SOPA
The restaurant’s rural setting in Ubud makes it the ideal place for a leisurely family lunch. Large open fields replete with tire swings add to the rustic charm of the place. The Japanese-Indonesian fusion fare – all vegetarian – has earned rave reviews.
ARAVINA RESTAURANT
Located at the Bali Equestrian Centre in Canggu, Aravina is elegant yet kid-friendly, offering pony rides, play areas, swings and a sand-pit for the little ones and an array of mouth-watering dining options for you.
THE PIRATES BAY
Looking for something fun and different? This pirate-themed restaurant in Nusa Dua, comprising a huge relic of a pirate ship, tree-houses, a pirate kitchen and treasure hunt activities, should fit the bill.
BALI FOR KIDS
SUPERCAMP AT GREEN SCHOOL
Green Camp customizes great programmes for the entire family or just for kids from ages 6–17 introducing them to local Balinese culture, whilst imparting knowledge about the environment and sustainability in creative and fun ways. They offer day as well as overnight camps. Book ahead via greenschool.org.
MARCY’S SURF COACHING
Want to ride the waves? Located on Legian Beach, Kuta, Marcy’s is one of best surfing coaches available in Bali, offering one-on-one services for ages 3 and up.
CYCLING TOURS
Cycling tours are a great way to discover Bali’s peaceful and scenic countryside. Start in view of the Mount Batur volcano at Kintamani, and wind through lush valleys, Balinese villages, past century-old temples and rich green rice fields. Gentle itineraries can be planned to suit children.
NIGHT SAFARI @ BALI SAFARI AND MARINE PARK
Journey through the African Savannah in a caged tram and watch the wild animals come alive in their natural habitat. You can feed the zebras and the giraffes and watch the lions and tigers as they hunt.
SHOP AT
MAGALI PASCAL
Magali Pascal embodies French elegance with high-end design. Easy to wear pieces and greatly inspired by the Parisian “Bourgeois Bohème”.
PRISONERS OF ST PETERSBURG
Prisoners of St Petersburg is a small but packed full of goodies boutique in the heart of fashionable Seminyak. It’s one of those shops where your eyes can’t take in everything fast enough. The selection of vintage designer sunglasses is pretty amazing and there are so many other great accessories to choose fromyou can spend hours looking and trying things on.
JOY JEWLLERY
If you’re into beach, boho chic, you need Joy jewellery on your bod. Cute, 925 sterling fine silver charm bracelets are seen on all the lucky lovelies swanning around Bali’s coolest, new haunts. Themed around love, luck, peace or friendship, you can choose your own selection for bracelets en-masse piled high with ribbons, angels, buddhas or colourful beads throughout.
CARGA
Chic homewares and pretty objects in rattan, batik, teak, leather and wax can be found at the upscale Carga in Seminyak. Prices are surprisingly reasonable, given how unique the pieces are. From candles to ceramics, vintage prints to linens and even furniture, the range is extensive and trendy.
UBUD ART
The Ubud Art Market, locally referred to as “Pasar Seni Ubud” is located opposite the Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace and is open daily. Here you can find beautiful silk scarves, lightweight shirts, handmade woven bags, baskets and hats, statues, kites and many other handcrafted goods.
