Heading to Bali in May with Two Kids (9 & 2) - Would Love Some Tips

Apra on 16/04/2026 - 12:03
Last edited 16/04/2026 - 13:40 by 1 other user

Hi guys, need some input from the Bali veterans here. We are heading over for a quick 5-day trip this May. Flights are sorted for the four of us (me, wife, 9yo, and a 2yo).

We've decided to base ourselves in Sanur and Ubud but still need to book accommodation. Since this is our first time managing Bali with a toddler, I'm hoping to pick your brains on a few things:

Where did you stay in Sanur/Ubud that worked well for kids?

What travel insurance do you recommend for families?

What's the current best practice for using your phone over there, and what travel card are you using to avoid crazy transaction fees?

How do you usually handle transport with kids in tow?

What are your absolute must-do activities, or things we should entirely avoid?

Would love to hear any other random tips you have for surviving and actually enjoying Bali with little ones. Cheers!

Travel Asia Bali Indonesia

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  • ekto on 16/04/2026 - 12:19
    +6

    Why Sanur/Ubud? As soon as you get off your flight you don't want to spend another 1-2 hours in a car travelling to your destination. For family friendly resorts I would recommend Nusa Dua. About 30/45 mins from the airport.

    Does your CC have travel insurance?

    Sign up to an eSIM in Australia, I would recommend travel kon.

    For transport, download the Bluebird taxi app and add your CC to it so you don't need cash. Otherwise, I would recommend a driver to take you places about 50/100 dollars a day.

    Go to Waterbom aquatic park.

    Random tips:

    -do not eat fresh oysters one day before your flight!
    -If you need to exchange money, only use BMC Bali
    -and just to add like the guy below, Gojek for sure, food delivery app real cheap

    • Gdsamp on 16/04/2026 - 12:59
      +3

      +1 waterbom

      • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 14:15
        +1

        On the itinerary already…thank you

    • Onemoredeal on 16/04/2026 - 13:29
      +3

      Sanur is close to the airport, about 30min, 45 at worst

    • SBOB on 16/04/2026 - 12:49
      +2

      Areas like Ubud are more scenic visiting locations than Nusa Dua though.

      • ekto on 16/04/2026 - 13:24
        +1

        Yes most definitely, however, spending 6 hours on a flight and then having to travel 2 hours by car as soon as you land is not ideal, for me anyway!

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 12:49
      +1

      Thank you for the info. Really appreciate it. Reason behind choosing Sanur is to have nice laid back place, yes it is little far but I will explore the Nusa Dua as you have mentioned.

      • Onemoredeal on 16/04/2026 - 13:21
        +3

        I love Sanur. The beach is flat and very safe for kids, and there is a very long promenade walk. There are excellent restaurants at good prices about. Yes it’s much quieter, that’s why the ex pats live there. If you want more excitement and action, you should stay on the Seminyak and Canggu side , with all the other insta photo younger tourists

        • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 14:14
          +1

          Thank you and exactly this is the main reason behind choosing Sanur.

  • kolorijo on 16/04/2026 - 12:31
    +3

    Grab and/or Gojek app for food and transport

    Klook esim Indonesia https://www.klook.com/en-AU/activity/109371-indonesia-esim-h…

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 12:49
      +1

      Thank you

  • Muppet Detector on 16/04/2026 - 21:53
    +3

    Schapelle Corby said to be careful when transporting Boogie Board Covers,

    • boomramada on 17/04/2026 - 10:18
      +3

      Op is well planned for that, OP got two pram covers :)

  • edisonAU on 16/04/2026 - 12:55
    +2

    Last year April, we (family of 4 with 2 kids: 9 and 13) stayed at Hyatt Regency Bali Sanur, and it was fantastic. You can walk to Icon Bali shopping complex in 30 mins. We have Gojek to call up cars to go anywhere. It is cheap.

    We hire a car + driver for 12 hours for $63AUD via Klook, and he took us to many places including number of places in Ubud.

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 14:19

      Thank you for the great suggestions! We're scouring the web for hotel deals right now. Quick question on transport: we're thinking of hiring a private car and driver for 2-3 days. Do you have any specific companies or trusted drivers you'd recommend?

      • edisonAU on 16/04/2026 - 14:57
        +1

        We use the following company booking on Klook:

        https://www.klook.com/activity/800-private-car-charter-bali/…

        You can pick the number of hours, driver language, male/female driver. There are many options and they are cheap.

        My suggestion is to go to Klook is to just do a search, they will give you a lot of car hire + driver options. Pick the one suitable to your area of travel, as there are surcharges to travel to northern part of Bali, but still very cheap.

        Klook has a strong presence in Bali, with their own shop and lounges at Bali airport (DPS).

        I also used Klook for airport transfer to Hyatt Regency Sanur (and back) as well. Very much stress free.

        • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 15:09

          Thank you so much..

      • Onemoredeal on 16/04/2026 - 15:14
        +1

        They also have a open air electric shuttle bus going that started 6 months ago, on a loop up and down Sanur , they are supposed to only take local tap on cards but you can get away with paying 10k ($80c) per person

        • edisonAU on 16/04/2026 - 15:52
          +2

          That's after our trip last year, so I didn't see it. Having said that, given they have 4 people, probably just easier to call a car via Gojek.

          • Onemoredeal on 16/04/2026 - 16:02
            +1

            @edisonAU: It’s more fun for kids being open air to look around , less so price

    • mogley on 18/04/2026 - 10:57

      5yo and 2yo. Just got back from Hyatt Regency too. Amazing resort, love the beach front and Sanur is great, also have a nice big mall to escape the heat and do some shopping etc.

      But we found the pool to be more suited to older kids. You’re 9yo is probably fine but there is only a tiny toddler pool (ankle high) or adult pools which are around 1.5m deep all around. The kids club was also smaller than others we’ve seen. The resort is also quite sprawling and lush and beautiful so great if you are a couple but was a bit of a trek getting around the resort with kids in tow.

      But the beach out front is shallow and calm and clean which was nice for kids.

      Massage at Nest was also incredible, 10 min walk from the Hyatt.

      Would recommend but just FYI the pool.

  • Ocker on 16/04/2026 - 19:29
    +2

    "Heading to Bali in May with Two Kids (9 & 2) - Would Love Some Tips"

    Hire a live-in nanny for the 5 days, go away by yourselves and take the opportunity to reinvigorate your marriage.

    • onceupon8 on 16/04/2026 - 20:32
      +1

      I agree with this. There are plenty of resorts with kids clubs, and plenty of great nanny's & nanny agencies (Balinese love children) so whilst you can do some things as a family, other times go and enjoy the time with your partner and actually have a holiday.

      • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 21:42

        Sure, thanks for your suggestion.

      • Captain Cardigan on 17/04/2026 - 10:45

        Haven't taken our kids to Bali, only Thailand, but I'd say the experience wouldn't be too different.
        Definitely take advantage of the kids clubs. Also engage with the locals. The staff in our hotels treated our kids like celebrities.

        Even at dinner, the waitresses would love taking our kids off our hands for a few minutes respite. We've got a great photo of our infant son behind the bar!

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 21:41
      +1

      Wish I could do that probably for one day at least, lets see…thanks for the suggestion

  • boomramada on 16/04/2026 - 20:26
    +2

    Throw up bags and anti nausea medication

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 21:38

      Absolutely and also probiotic for the full family..

  • svs500 on 16/04/2026 - 12:46
    +1

    Hire a nanny as a helping hand or to leave the kids with if you are comfortable. Lots of recommendations on facebook groups or DM me if you want.

    Find a resort that has water slides/water park

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 12:51

      Thank you for the tip. I will reach out if needed.

  • sampmel on 18/04/2026 - 05:22
    +1

    Many have suggested to hire a cab for a day trips. Please ensure you plan the itinerary and do not leave it for a driver to plan.
    They take you to the businesses where they get their cut.

    Our driver took us to the places in Ubud, tea plantation, rice fields and swing heavens, all which needed hefty entrance fees and felt like a scam instead of fun.

    • Apra on 18/04/2026 - 17:46
      +1

      Thank you for the heads up.

  • Downvoter on 16/04/2026 - 14:16
    -8

    I’m pretty sure that flights cancelled because of the fuel shortage

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 14:20
      +1

      Hope not..thanks anyways

    • JIMB0 on 16/04/2026 - 14:45
      +13

      Did you mean bail?

    • Apra on 16/04/2026 - 12:47
      +2

      Ok

    • FireRunner on 16/04/2026 - 13:11
      +1

      You know it doesn’t

      • McMaferMur on 16/04/2026 - 15:27
        +1

        he is weirdo ups wiardro

    • Dr Phil on 17/04/2026 - 07:31
      -2

      Avoid Bali belly…dont eat or drink anything

      • Wiadro on 17/04/2026 - 08:56

        i was mine i didnt get sick

      • JIMB0 on 17/04/2026 - 09:21

        BYO food and drink?

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