I give the kids monkeys, safari animals and a water park, and give you rice terraces, temples and calm beaches. It suits families who want Bali's culture without long, tiring days.
Bali Safari ParkWaterbom Bali water parkKecak fire dance at UluwatuBest in Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
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Hotels, 5 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.
Day 1 Arrive and meet the monkeys
13:00Land at Ngurah Rai Airport, transfer to UbudPick up a SIM or eSIM and some rupiah before you leave the terminal.Ngurah Rai Airport · about 1.5 hrs · 100,000 to 150,000 IDR per person (car for a family of four)
15:00Check in and pool timeLet the kids swim off the flight.Central Ubud · about 1.5 hrs · FreeArrive by car
16:30Sacred Monkey Forest SanctuaryHold small children's hands, keep food and hats in a bag and never feed the monkeys.Monkey Forest Road, Ubud · about 1 hr · 80,000 to 100,000 IDR adults, about half for childrenWalk or Grab, 5 min
18:30Early dinner at Clear CafeRelaxed, colourful cafe with smoothies kids love and lots of vegetarian dishes.Jalan Hanoman, Ubud · about 1.5 hrs · 120,000 to 200,000 IDR · Order: Nasi goreng, veggie curries and fresh juicesGrab, 5 min
Tip: Bring mosquito repellent and a light rain jacket, Ubud gets short showers.
Day 2 Safari day
08:30Drive to Bali Safari ParkBook tickets online the day before for a better price.Ubud to Gianyar · about 40 min · 50,000 to 100,000 IDR per person (car shared)
09:15Bali Safari ParkSafari tram ride past lions, tigers and zebras, plus animal shows and a small fun park. Hats and sunscreen.Gianyar · about 4 hrs · 750,000 to 1,100,000 IDR adults, less for childrenArrive by car
13:00Lunch inside the parkThe park's restaurants have Indonesian and Western food with vegetarian choices. The restaurant beside the lion enclosure is a hit with kids.Bali Safari Park · about 1 hr · 150,000 to 250,000 IDR · Order: Nasi goreng or mie gorengWalk inside the park
14:30Back to Ubud and restAfternoon nap and swim.Central Ubud · about 2 hrs · FreeCar, 40 min
17:00Ubud Palace and the art marketShort walk around the palace courtyard, then pick up a sarong or a wooden toy at the market.Jalan Raya Ubud · about 1 hr · FreeGrab, 5 min
18:30Early dinner at Bebek BengilGarden pavilions with space for kids to move. Good vegetarian options too.Jalan Hanoman, Ubud · about 1.5 hrs · 150,000 to 300,000 IDR · Order: Crispy duck, or gado gado for vegetariansGrab, 5 min
Tip: Keeping one driver for the whole day is easier than booking rides with children.
Day 3 Rice terraces, then to the beach
08:00Tegallalang Rice TerracesTake the short paths only, steps can be slippery for little legs.Tegallalang · about 1.5 hrs · 20,000 to 50,000 IDR
10:15Check out and transfer Ubud to Nusa DuaLong-ish drive, so pack snacks and water.Ubud to Nusa Dua · about 1.5 hrs · 100,000 to 150,000 IDR per person (car shared)From the hotel
12:45Lunch at Bumbu BaliChef Heinz von Holzen's long-running restaurant, the best place to try real Balinese cooking. Good vegetarian options, and they will make dishes milder for kids.Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua · about 1.5 hrs · 200,000 to 350,000 IDR · Order: Rijsttafel sampler or a vegetable curryCar, 10 min from the toll road exit
14:30Check in and restPool time and a nap.Nusa Dua · about 2.5 hrs · FreeCar, 10 min
17:00Nusa Dua BeachCalm, shallow water behind the reef, great for children.Nusa Dua · about 1 hr · FreeWalk from the hotel
18:30Early dinner at Bali CollectionOpen air shopping centre with many restaurants, including Indian and Middle Eastern options.Nusa Dua · about 1.5 hrs · 150,000 to 300,000 IDR · Order: Pick from Indonesian, Indian or Middle Eastern menusHotel shuttle or Grab, 5 min
Tip: The drive south uses the toll road over the sea near Benoa, kids enjoy the view.
Day 4 Water park day
09:30Waterbom BaliOne of Asia's best water parks, with slides for every age and a lazy river. Rent a gazebo if you can.Kuta · about 5 hrs · 550,000 to 650,000 IDR adults, less for children
12:30Lunch inside WaterbomSeveral food outlets in the park, with vegetarian choices. No outside food is allowed.Kuta · about 1 hr · 100,000 to 200,000 IDR · Order: Nasi goreng, wraps or pizzaInside the park
15:00Back to the hotel and restEveryone will be tired. Rest by the pool.Nusa Dua · about 2.5 hrs · FreeGrab, 25 min
18:00Seafood dinner on Jimbaran BayTables right on the sand as the sun sets. Choose your fish, prawns or squid by weight, ask the price per 100 g before ordering. Corn, rice and vegetables come with it.Jimbaran Beach · about 2 hrs · 250,000 to 450,000 IDR · Order: Grilled fish or prawns with sambalGrab, 25 min
Tip: Take swimwear, a towel and a waterproof phone pouch to Waterbom.
Day 5 Waves, cliffs and the fire dance
09:00Water Blow, Nusa DuaWaves crash into the rock and shoot high into the air. Stay behind the railings.Nusa Dua · about 45 min · free to small fee
10:00Beach and pool morningEasy morning, the evening is late for kids.Nusa Dua · about 2.5 hrs · FreeWalk back
12:30Lunch at the hotel or Bali CollectionEasy lunch close by, Indian and Middle Eastern menus are here.Nusa Dua · about 1 hr · 100,000 to 200,000 IDR · Order: Indonesian or Indian lunchHotel shuttle
13:45Rest at the hotelNap time before the evening out.Nusa Dua · about 2 hrs · FreeShuttle back
16:15Uluwatu TempleTemple on a 70 metre cliff. Sarongs are given at the gate. Monkeys here grab glasses and phones, hold on to them.Uluwatu · about 1.5 hrs · 50,000 IDR adults, less for childrenCar, 40 min
18:00Kecak fire dance at UluwatuA chorus of men chanting around a fire, telling the Ramayana story as the sun sets. Kids love the monkey king.Uluwatu · about 1 hr · 150,000 IDR adults, less for childrenWalk inside the temple area
19:30Dinner on the way backLate for small kids, so keep it simple, eat at your hotel or Bali Collection.Jimbaran or Nusa Dua · about 1 hr · 150,000 to 250,000 IDR · Order: Mie goreng or a mild curryCar, 40 min
Tip: Keep a driver for the Uluwatu evening, taxis are hard to find after the show.
Day 6 Last swim and fly home
09:00Breakfast and last swimSlow start, pack after breakfast.Nusa Dua · about 2 hrs · Free
11:30Souvenir shopping at Bali CollectionGifts, clothes and snacks in one easy, shaded place.Nusa Dua · about 1 hr · free to browseShuttle, 5 min
12:30Lunch at Bali CollectionLast Indonesian meal, or Indian food before the flight.Nusa Dua · about 1 hr · 100,000 to 200,000 IDR · Order: Nasi campurWalk
14:00Check out and collect bagsAsk for a late checkout when you arrive.Nusa Dua · about 45 min · FreeShuttle, 5 min
15:00Transfer to Ngurah Rai AirportShort, easy drive on the toll road.Nusa Dua to airport · about 30 min · 50,000 to 75,000 IDR per person (car shared)Car from the hotel
Tip: Pay the 150,000 IDR per person Bali tourist levy online before you fly in, children are included.
Where to stay
Ubud, Central Ubud · nights 1 to 2Close to the Monkey Forest and an easy drive to the Safari Park.
Champlung Sari Hotel budget · about 900,000 to 1,400,000 IDR a night Old favourite right opposite the Monkey Forest, simple rooms and a quiet pool, walk to everything.
Alaya Resort Ubud mid · about 1,800,000 to 2,800,000 IDR a night Calm rooms looking onto rice fields, yet a short walk to the cafes and the palace.
Maya Ubud Resort and Spa luxury · about 4,500,000 to 7,000,000 IDR a night Big jungle resort with a river spa and a riverside pool, free shuttle into town.
Nusa Dua, Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa · nights 3 to 5Safe, calm beaches, big family resorts and close to the airport.
Bali Tropic Resort and Spa mid · about 1,300,000 to 2,000,000 IDR a night Long-running family beach resort with calm water out front and plenty of pool space.
Novotel Bali Nusa Dua mid · about 1,400,000 to 2,200,000 IDR a night Good value family rooms, a kids club and a free shuttle to the beach and Bali Collection.
The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali luxury · about 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 IDR a night Right on the calm Nusa Dua beach, with a big kids club and several pools.
Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.
What to eat
Balinese rijsttafelat Bumbu Bali, Tanjung Benoa Many small Balinese dishes, the best introduction to the island's food.
Bebek goreng (crispy duck)at Bebek Bengil, Ubud Ubud's famous dish in a garden setting kids like.
Grilled seafoodat Jimbaran Bay beach cafes Dinner on the sand at sunset.
Smoothie bowls and veggie curriesat Clear Cafe, Ubud Easy, healthy food with lots for vegetarians.
Nasi gorengat Almost everywhere Fried rice that every child will eat. Ask for no chilli.
North Indian thaliat Indian restaurants at Bali Collection, Nusa Dua A safe, familiar meal for picky eaters, with halal options.
This is an early nights trip. Nusa Dua is quiet and resort based, and Ubud winds down by 22:00. Bali is mostly Hindu, so halal is not the default. Indian and Middle Eastern places in Seminyak, Kuta and Nusa Dua are the easiest halal picks, and pork-free menus are easy to ask for.
Why it is planned this way
I put the Safari Park in the morning, the animals are awake and it's cooler for the kids.
Every afternoon has a rest at the hotel, so nobody melts down before dinner.
I picked Nusa Dua for the beach part because the water is calm, unlike Kuta or Seminyak.
Your last night is in Nusa Dua, only 30 minutes from the airport.