Bali with a Baby or Toddler: Practical Family Travel Tips

Bali works well with babies and toddlers because you can make the trip as relaxed or active as you want. You don’t need to move around every day, and in many areas you can build your routine around pool time, short outings, naps and easy meals.

Here’s what makes Bali especially practical with young children:

• Flexible accommodation: Bali has many villas, resorts and family-friendly guesthouses with pools, kitchens, gardens and space to relax.
• Welcoming locals: Balinese people are usually very warm toward babies and toddlers, which makes restaurants, taxis and daily moments feel easier.
• Easy slow travel: You can stay several nights in one place and explore with short morning trips instead of full-day sightseeing.
• Simple food options: Many cafés and restaurants can prepare plain rice, noodles, eggs, fruit, grilled chicken or other toddler-friendly meals.
• Nature and outdoor time: Beaches, rice fields, waterfalls and gardens give toddlers plenty to see without needing complicated activities.
• Good value for comfort: Compared with many other long-haul destinations, Bali makes it easier to book spacious accommodation with a pool or extra room.

💛 Crew Moment: One of our favorite Bali memories was hiking to a waterfall with our toddler on our back and our baby in the carrier. But just as often, the best moments were slower ones: beach play, pool time and watching the sunset while the kids played nearby.

The best time to visit Bali with a baby or toddler is usually April, May, June, September or October. These months are outside the wettest season, generally less crowded than July and August, and more comfortable for slow family travel.

Bali’s rainy season runs roughly from November to March. You can still have sunny mornings, but heavy showers, cloudy days, mud and more mosquitoes can make travel less comfortable with little ones.

If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, we’d avoid the wettest months if you have flexibility. If rainy season is your only option, choose accommodation with a pool, air conditioning, indoor space and easy restaurants nearby, so you’re not dependent on full-day outings.

The busiest months are usually July and August, plus Christmas and New Year. July and August are still very doable with kids, especially if you book early and stay in family-friendly areas.

Christmas and New Year are less ideal with babies and toddlers because they combine higher prices, bigger crowds and rainy season weather.

Bali is hot and humid year-round, with temperatures often around 27–32°C. For babies and toddlers, the heat matters more than the exact month. Plan activities in the morning, avoid the strongest midday sun, and choose accommodation with air conditioning.

We usually travel during the summer holidays ourselves, so yes, peak season can work. But if you’re flexible, April, May, September and October are easier months for a relaxed Bali trip with young children.

Choosing the right base makes a huge difference when traveling Bali with a baby or toddler. With young children, we’d focus less on ticking off every famous area and more on short travel times, easy meals, safe pools, air conditioning and enough space to rest.

For a first Bali trip with little ones, we’d usually choose Sanur, Nusa Dua, Ubud or Uluwatu as the main bases. Other areas can work too, but they depend more on your travel style.

• Sanur: best as a relaxed first stop with toddlers because of the beach path, calmer water, easy restaurants and family-friendly atmosphere.
• Nusa Dua: best for resorts, calm beaches and an easy family holiday with a baby.
• Ubud: best for rice fields, nature and culture, but bring a baby carrier because sidewalks, steps and uneven paths can be tricky. Read our Ubud with Kids guide for more practical tips.
• Uluwatu: best for sunsets, villas and quieter family days, but choose beaches carefully because some have steep stairs and strong waves. Our Uluwatu with Kids guide covers the easiest beaches and family-friendly areas.
• Canggu: best for cafés, playgrounds and family facilities, but traffic can feel chaotic with little ones.
• Lovina: best for a quieter north Bali experience, but only if you’re okay with longer drives. See our Lovina with Kids guide if you want to explore North Bali.
• Nusa Lembongan: best for a slow island break, but keep the boat crossing, bumpy roads and limited medical facilities in mind. If you’re considering it, read our Nusa Lembongan with Kids guide.

For specific hotel and area recommendations, read our full Where to Stay in Bali with Kids guide.

With babies and toddlers, we usually look for accommodation with:

• a pool close to the room
• air conditioning
• enough space for naps and downtime
• a fridge or small kitchen
• easy restaurants nearby
• a baby cot or high chair if available
• safe outdoor space

We often choose villas or small family-friendly stays over large resorts, because they give us more space, flexibility and a more local feel. But if you want an easy final stop, Bali also has plenty of comfortable resorts.

We also travel with a lightweight Deryan travel tent. It’s useful when there’s no baby cot available, and it also works well for naps at the beach or by the pool. It folds up small, which makes it easy to bring on longer trips.

With a baby or toddler, we’d avoid moving too often. Around 3 to 4 nights per base usually works well: long enough to settle in, but not so long that the trip feels stuck in one place.

For a relaxed first trip, you could combine Sanur, Ubud and Uluwatu or Nusa Dua. If you have more time, add Nusa Lembongan or Lovina for something different.

With a baby or toddler, we’d keep your Bali itinerary simple. Instead of moving every two nights, choose 2 or 3 comfortable bases and plan short outings from there. This gives you enough variety without making the trip feel rushed.

For a relaxed first Bali trip with young children, this route works well:

• Sanur: 3–4 nights
  A gentle first stop with calm beach walks, easy restaurants and a relaxed family atmosphere. It’s also practical after a long flight or before taking the boat to Nusa Lembongan.
• Ubud: 3–4 nights
  Great for rice fields, nature, temples and slower mornings. Stay somewhere with a pool and bring a baby carrier for uneven paths and steps.
• Uluwatu or Nusa Dua: 3–4 nights
  Choose Uluwatu for sunsets, villas and a more relaxed feel, or Nusa Dua if you want resorts, calm beaches and an easy final stop.

If you have more time, you can add 2–3 nights on Nusa Lembongan for a slower island break, or Lovina if you want to explore North Bali. With very young children, we’d only add these if you’re comfortable with longer transfers or boat travel.

Want to build your own Bali route without piecing everything together from scratch? Our Bali & Lombok Itinerary Guide with Kids explains the main family-friendly areas, what to do in each place, how long to stay, and the easiest ways to travel between them.

Getting around Bali with a baby or toddler takes a bit of planning. Distances can look short on the map, but traffic, narrow roads and winding routes can make travel days feel longer than expected. With young children, we’d keep transfers short where possible and avoid moving too often.

For realistic travel times and transport options, read our full Getting Around Bali with Kids guide.

For short rides, we often use Grab because it’s easy, clear and usually cheaper than arranging transport on the spot. For longer transfers or day trips, a private driver is usually the easiest option with babies and toddlers.

A private driver gives you more flexibility: you can stop for snacks, diaper changes, naps or a quick break when the kids need it. This is especially helpful on longer routes, like Uluwatu to Ubud, Sanur to Lovina or Ubud to North Bali.

Tip: We usually arrange an eSIM before arrival, so we have data as soon as we land. You can use our Airalo discount link for 15% off if you want to set this up before your trip.

Car seats are not commonly used in Bali and are rarely available in standard taxis or Grab cars. Some private drivers can arrange one if you ask in advance, but you shouldn’t count on it automatically.

We personally don’t recommend bringing your own car seat unless you know you’ll use it often. It’s bulky and can be difficult to manage with luggage, strollers and transfers. If car seat safety is very important to you, arrange a private driver with a car seat before your trip.

Scooters are everywhere in Bali, but we don’t recommend using them with babies or toddlers. Traffic can be chaotic, roads can be uneven, and insurance may not cover you if you don’t have the right license.

For families with little ones, Grab, private drivers and walking short distances are much safer and more comfortable options.

A baby carrier is often more useful than a stroller in Bali, especially for temples, waterfalls, beaches, rice fields and areas with uneven sidewalks.

That said, a lightweight travel stroller can still be useful in places like Sanur, Nusa Dua, some parts of Ubud, airports and larger resorts. We usually bring both: a stroller for naps and easy walks, and a carrier for day trips and places with steps.

If you visit Nusa Lembongan, you’ll usually take a fast boat from Sanur. The crossing is short, but the sea can be rough depending on the weather.

With babies and toddlers, choose a reliable boat company, avoid traveling in bad weather and keep a change of clothes, wipes and a plastic bag in your daypack. Our daughter got seasick on the crossing once, so now we always prepare for that just in case.

💛 Crew Moment: On our crossing to Lembongan, our daughter got seasick. Since then, we always carry motion sickness tablets for kids, and we keep a plastic bag in our daypack just in case. A towel or extra clothes can also come in handy. Better safe than sorry!

You don’t need to pack everything from home when traveling to Bali with a baby or toddler. In popular areas like Sanur, Ubud, Canggu, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu, you can find many basic baby items in supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores.

That said, some things are easier to bring from home, especially if your child needs a specific brand, formula or product.

Diapers, wipes, basic baby food and formula are available in popular areas. Larger supermarkets and pharmacies usually have several brands and sizes, so you don’t need to pack everything from home.

We would still bring enough diapers, wipes and formula for the first few days, especially after a long flight.

Some items are easier to pack before your trip, especially swim diapers, baby-safe sunscreen, mosquito repellent, familiar snacks, baby carrier, medication and comfort items. We’ll cover this in more detail in the packing section below.

Traveling Bali with a toddler is usually easier when it comes to food. Many restaurants can prepare simple meals like plain rice, noodles, eggs, fruit, grilled chicken or boiled vegetables.

We’d still bring a few familiar snacks for travel days, long drives and tired moments, especially if your toddler is picky with food.

♥️ Crew Tip: We often ask restaurants for a simple toddler-friendly meal, even if it’s not on the menu. Most places are happy to help with plain rice, chicken, fruit or mild noodles.

Bali is generally safe for families with babies and toddlers, especially in popular areas like Sanur, Ubud, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu and Canggu. The main things to watch are traffic, heat, food and water hygiene, mosquitoes, pool safety and strong ocean currents.

Yes, Bali can be safe with babies and toddlers if you plan carefully and stay realistic. Choose comfortable accommodation, avoid overpacked travel days and keep a close eye on young children near roads, pools and the ocean.

We never felt unsafe traveling Bali with little ones, but we did adjust our pace. With babies and toddlers, comfort and safety matter more than seeing every highlight.

Pharmacies are easy to find in most tourist areas, and many common medicines are available locally. Still, we’d bring your child’s usual medication, a thermometer, plasters, antiseptic wipes and baby-safe fever medicine from home.

Before traveling, check with your doctor or travel clinic if any vaccinations or extra precautions are recommended for your family.

Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. We’re also careful with raw salads, ice cubes and food that looks like it has been sitting out for a long time.

For toddlers, simple cooked meals are usually easiest: plain rice, noodles, eggs, fruit, grilled chicken or boiled vegetables. Most restaurants in family-friendly areas are happy to keep food mild and simple if you ask.

Bali is hot and humid, so plan most activities in the morning and avoid the strongest midday sun. Use baby-safe sunscreen, sun hats, UV swimwear and plenty of shade.

Mosquitoes are common, especially around sunset, rice fields and jungle areas. Use child-safe mosquito repellent, dress kids in light long sleeves in the evening and consider a mosquito net if your accommodation is open-air.

♥️ Crew Tip: In greener areas like Ubud, rice fields or garden villas, mosquitoes can be more noticeable in the evening. Sometimes the main bed has a mosquito net, but the baby cot or toddler bed doesn’t. Check this before you arrive, and consider bringing a small travel mosquito net if your child still sleeps in a cot or travel bed.

Many villas and hotels in Bali have pools, but not all are fenced. Always check the pool setup before booking and stay close when children are swimming.

The ocean can be rough in some areas, with strong waves and currents. For toddlers, choose calmer beaches, check conditions before swimming and don’t assume every beautiful beach is safe for paddling.

Roads and sidewalks can also be tricky. Traffic is busy, pavements are uneven or missing in places, and scooters can come very close. A baby carrier is often safer and easier than a stroller in busy or uneven areas.

The best things to do in Bali with toddlers are calm beach mornings, rice field walks, easy waterfalls, pool time, family-friendly cafés, Waterbom Bali and Bali Safari.

Bali has plenty of easy activities for toddlers, and many of them also work well with a baby in a carrier or stroller. The best days are usually short, flexible and close to your accommodation. Plan one main activity in the morning, then leave space for naps, pool time and easy meals.

Beach mornings are one of the easiest things to do in Bali with toddlers. Choose calmer beaches like Sanur, Nusa Dua or parts of Nusa Lembongan, where little ones can play in the sand, paddle near the shore and enjoy the beach without huge waves.

Go early, bring shade and keep expectations simple. With babies and toddlers, one or two relaxed hours can be enough.

♥️ Crew Tip: If you visit a beach with bigger waves, consider bringing or buying a small inflatable pool. We used this a lot in Bali, so our little ones could splash safely in the shade while we still enjoyed the beach.

Rice fields are great with young children because there is plenty to see without needing a big activity. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are one of our favorite options because the views are beautiful and you can choose a short, easy walk.

A baby carrier is useful here, especially if paths are uneven or muddy. For toddlers, keep the walk short, bring snacks and don’t expect them to walk the whole route.

Bali has many waterfalls, but not all are practical with toddlers. Gitgit Waterfall and Tegenungan Waterfall can be easier options depending on where you’re staying, while Sekumpul Waterfall is much more adventurous.

We visited Sekumpul with toddlers, and it was one of the most beautiful waterfall experiences we’ve had in Bali. But it’s not the easiest option, so only do it if you’re comfortable with steps, slippery paths and carrying little ones when needed. Read our Sekumpul Waterfall with Kids guide before you go.

Pool time is one of the best toddler activities in Bali. A villa or hotel pool gives your child a place to cool down, play and burn energy without needing another transfer.

For babies, a shaded pool area or a small inflatable pool can make hot afternoons much easier. This is why we always try to book accommodation where the pool is close to the room.

Bali has many cafés that work well with young children, especially in areas like Uluwatu, Canggu, Sanur and Ubud. We loved places where the kids could move around a bit while we had coffee, lunch or an early dinner.

Good options include Ohana in Uluwatu, The Cashew Tree in Bingin, and family-friendly cafés around Ubud with gardens, high chairs or play space. These places are perfect for slow mornings, early dinners or a break between activities.

If you want a more structured family day, Waterbom Bali or Bali Safari can work well with toddlers. Waterbom is great if your toddler loves water play, while Bali Safari is usually more exciting for animal-loving kids.

With babies, we’d keep these visits short and plan around naps and heat. With toddlers, go early and don’t feel like you need to stay the whole day.

Planning a family day out? You can check tickets for Waterbom Bali, Bali Safari or private family-friendly day tours in advance, especially in peak season.

For more detailed activity ideas, read our full Things to Do in Bali with Kids guide.

Packing for Bali with a baby or toddler is mostly about staying comfortable in the heat, being ready for pool and beach days, and having the right items for travel days and naps. You can buy many basics locally, but a few things are much easier to bring from home.

For babies and toddlers, we’d especially pack:

• swim diapers
• UV swimwear and sun hats
• baby-safe sunscreen
• child-safe mosquito repellent
• a small first-aid kit
• familiar snacks or pouches
• a baby carrier
• lightweight clothes
• comfort items for sleep
• a few small toys or books

For a more complete overview, read our full Bali packing list for kids. We split it into practical sections for babies, toddlers and older kids, so you can quickly see what to bring from home and what you can buy in Bali.

If you’re preparing for the flight too, our carry-on packing list for kids covers the essentials we bring for long flights, airport days and travel delays.

Want the checklist as a printable PDF? Download our free Bali packing list for kids and keep it handy while packing.

Bali is one of the easiest long-haul destinations we’ve visited with a baby and toddler, as long as you keep the pace slow and choose practical bases. It’s not always effortless, especially with the heat, traffic and uneven sidewalks, but the combination of villas, pools, welcoming locals and relaxed family-friendly areas makes daily travel much easier.

• 👶 Best with a slow pace: Bali works well with babies and toddlers if you plan around naps, heat and short travel days.
• 🏡 Choose comfort: Villas or family-friendly stays with pools make a big difference.
• 🚗 Use easy transport: Private drivers and Grab are usually the easiest ways to get around.
• 🎒 Bring a carrier: A baby carrier is often more useful than a stroller.
• 🏖️ Keep activities simple: Beach mornings, pool time, rice fields and easy cafés often work better than full-day sightseeing.
• 🛒 Pack a few key items: Diapers, wipes and basic baby essentials are easy to find, but bring swim diapers and specific formula from home.

Personally, we think Bali works best with young children when you don’t try to see everything. Choose a few comfortable bases, plan one main activity in the morning and leave enough time for slow afternoons by the pool. For us, that’s when Bali felt easiest and most enjoyable with little ones.

👉 Read our complete Bali with Kids guide for a full overview of family destinations
👉 Explore the best things to do in Bali with kids across the island
👉 Check the best time to visit Bali with kids before planning your trip
👉 Traveling further? Read our guides to Lombok with Kids, Borneo with Kids, Malaysia itinerary with Kids and Thailand with Kids

Download our Bali & Lombok Family Itinerary Guide with realistic travel routes, family-friendly stays and practical travel tips for both islands.

📱 Follow Little Passport Crew on Instagram and Pinterest for more family travel tips, Bali updates and real travel experiences with kids.

Enjoy your time in Bali with your little ones 🌴
Little Passport Crew