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Bali: Tips, Tricks and Take-Aways

Bali With Kids: Tips From Our Six-Week Family Stay

We spent six weeks in Bali with our five children. These are the stories and takeaways from that stay, with a companion film showing some of our family outings around the island.

Our family outings in Bali: temples, a waterfall, and Kecak dance · Full film (6 min 55 sec)

▶Watch full film 6 min 55 sec

The full island-outings film is separate from our Hawaii-to-Bali travel-day video. These films record our earlier family experiences; current entry rules, service details, prices and access conditions should be checked for your own dates.

Want to know why Bali made it on our list?  I saw a friend’s picture on Instagram while she was in Bali, and I’d never seen anything like it.  It was all it took to sell me.  I didn’t even know where Bali was!  We stayed there for six weeks, and here are some of my takeaways:

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Watch our original related video on YouTube

Practical Notes From Our Six-Week Stay

Our separate flight-day film follows the journey from Hawaii to Bali with five children. It provides arrival context alongside these stay notes.

1. Our six-week stay felt affordable to us, but the prices in this section are historical examples from our trip, not current quotes. Our original notes described lodging around $30 a night, meals for a few dollars per person, and a driver around $20–$30 a day. Those are historical examples, not current offers or a guarantee of service. We heard a local describe wages to us, but we cannot generalize from that conversation. Get current lodging, meal, and driver quotes for your dates and agree on the route and price before setting out.

2. We came to love one driver. We used a few drivers during our six weeks and especially enjoyed one who felt like part of the family. Two of our kids threw up in his car; we sometimes spent 8–10 hours together, and he helped with the children crossing the street. We appreciated his stories about local culture and religion. Services and licensing differ, so confirm who is providing a ride, agree on the route and fare in advance, and check current transport guidance.

3. We encountered geckos and other creatures at our lodging. We had lots of geckos around our house, especially at night when things got quiet. In fact, they talk to each other! We also encountered a mouse or two, a rat on the porch, some cockroaches, and a centipede or two at our home. That was our experience at one place, not a description of every stay in Bali. I had to adjust a bit, but I loved Bali the same way when we left!

Scenery and Family Outings in Bali

4. The natural beauty is incredible. We loved the scenery on our visit. Landscapes and local conditions vary across the island, so I would not reduce that beauty to a single explanation.

A Waterfall Outing With the Family

Our island film also follows a waterfall outing with the children and travel friends. It adds another example of the scenery we enjoyed, while current access, water conditions, and suitability need a fresh check for your group.

A waterfall outing during our Bali stay · Scene from our film (20 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 20 sec

Culture and Experiences From Our Stay

5. The culture is rich and vibrant, and they like to share.  Embrace it, and they will share more and more as you show your love for it.

A Lakeside Temple Visit

The island film includes our family by the lake at Ulun Danu Beratan, one of the outings described with the video. This is a glimpse of the setting during our visit, rather than a promise about current access or facilities.

Our family at Bali’s lakeside temple grounds · Scene from our film (20 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 20 sec

Watching a Kecak Performance

The film’s description recalls a Kecak performance with group chanting and storytelling through dance. This short scene shares part of what we saw; check the provider’s current program and arrangements if you want to include a performance in your trip.

A Kecak performance during our Bali visit · Scene from our film (20 sec)

▶Watch scene from our film 20 sec

Do I think we could live in Bali? You bet! We met families who were enjoying life there, and the idea appealed to us. Working, owning property, or running a business requires research into the rules and costs that apply to your circumstances.

However, I don’t feel like it is our place.   We both like a little more modern and a little bit less natural disaster risk!  The volcanos are active, mudslides are real and earthquakes and tsunamis are no joke.  One local told me the Balinese are incredible resilient and they will overcome whatever comes.  I can see that.  They embrace whatever is given and find their happiness there.  It’s a beautiful way to live.

Additional Reading

Best Eats in Bali

5 Reasons You Should Visit Bali with Kids (with Insider Tips!!)

Best Date Nights in Bali