For many Taiwanese families, Bali is the first destination to take their children abroad—airfare is not too expensive, the climate is warm, and hotels have pools, which sounds perfect. But when you actually start packing, you’ll find problems popping up one after another: Can you buy formula in Bali? What cold medicines should you bring? Does the brand of diapers matter?
This article combines our years of experience taking children to Bali with practical information used by families on the island, compiling a preparation list to ensure you can set off with peace of mind.
Pre-Trip Planning: Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Itinerary Planning
The biggest pitfall when traveling with young children is ‘thinking we’ll figure it out when we get there.’ Although Bali has abundant tourism resources, many things that young children need are not readily available or require special effort to find. It is recommended to:
- Confirm flight options (the impact of long-haul direct flights vs. layovers on young children can be significant)
- Confirm if accommodations provide cribs and have children’s play facilities
- Plan daily itinerary pace in advance, not too rushed, as young children need nap time
Budget planning is also crucial, as traveling with children incurs more expenses than adults, especially for medical and baby supplies, which can be more expensive if purchased on the island compared to Taiwan. Extended Reading: How Much Cash Should You Prepare for a Bali Trip?
Choosing the Right Accommodation: Half the Success of Family Travel
Bali has many family-friendly hotels that offer cribs, Kids Clubs, children’s pools, and kids’ meals. If you’re traveling with toddlers, it’s recommended to prioritize villas with fenced pools or private pools for added safety.
Additionally, Bali offers rental services for baby and toddler equipment (bookable on Klook), including car seats, strollers, cribs, swim vests, and pool fences. If you don’t want to lug bulky items on the plane, renting locally is a cost-effective option. Check out this recommended family-friendly resorts in Bali
Recommended family accommodations in Bali
Further reading: Bali Family Fun: Top 15 Resorts with Water Slides
Further reading: Recommended 13 Family-Friendly Resorts in Bali: Best Choices for Family Vacations in Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Jimbaran, and Uluwatu
Bali Accommodation Recommendations: Spacious Family Rooms! 13 Top Resorts with Quad Rooms Explained
Traveling with Kids and Elders: Recommended Areas, Dry Season Weather, and Accommodations
Must-See for Family Travel:
- Bali Family Day Trip Guide: Explore the Safari & Flamingo Beach Club
- 55 Family Activities in Ubud: The Easiest Way to Enjoy with Kids!
- Interactive Alpaca Picnic: A Nature Classroom for Kids
- Bali's Hottest Indoor Adventure: Clip 'n Climb with 25 Climbing Walls
- Newly Opened 2025: Marine Safari Bali Guide
- 🎮 ZONE OUT Bali: Kuta's Coolest Virtual Reality Adventure Hub!
- Complete Guide to Family-Friendly Attractions in Bali: Over 100 Activities for Families
- The Enchanted Rainforest: Hikaria Immersive Light & Art Experience in Ubud, Bali
- 18 Recommended Bali Family Resorts: Best Choices for Family Vacations and Relaxation
- The Temple of Heaven Show for All Ages
- The Firefly Garden: Bali's Most Brilliant Eco Conservation & Tourism Destination
- ATV Jungle Adventure for Elementary-Age Kids and Up
The Flight Challenge: Packing for Toddlers
Flying can be the most stressful part of traveling with young children, but proper preparation can significantly reduce the pressure.
Flight aids: For children aged 1-3, consider bringing an inflatable footrest to allow them to lie flat, or a ride-on suitcase that doubles as a bed (like JetKids). Note that not all airlines permit these, so check beforehand. For infants under one year, you can request a bassinet seat, but this needs to be arranged weeks in advance.
Moisturizing on the plane: The cabin air is very dry, remember to bring baby lotion and saline nasal spray to keep your baby’s nasal passages moist. Ear pressure changes significantly during takeoff and landing, breastfeeding or giving a bottle is the most effective way to relieve discomfort. For older children, candy can help.
Luggage packing tip: Prepare a small bag with multiple pockets filled with snacks, small toys, stickers, and little books. Let your child slowly explore and search through it - the process of discovery itself can pass a lot of time.
Baby carrier: A good natural-material carrier is very practical for moving around airports and Bali. Many places in Bali aren’t stroller-friendly, so a carrier offers much more flexibility.
Baby food and formula: How much to bring, can you buy locally?
This is a major concern for many mothers. Honestly, Bali isn’t a place where you can’t find anything, but there are definitely some pitfalls to avoid.
Formula: If your baby requires special formula (hydrolyzed protein, hypoallergenic), strongly recommend bringing enough supply as options are very limited on the island. Regular formula can be found in supermarkets and pharmacies, with common brands including Nutrilon, Lactogen (Nestlé) and Enfamil, which also has a lactose-free version. Australian organic brands Bellamy’s (cow milk) and Karihome (goat milk) are available but priced higher.
Baby food jars: Recommend bringing enough meat purees, especially turkey, which is almost impossible to find in Bali. Some imported supermarkets (like Pepito) occasionally have Heinz or Bellamy’s fruit purees, but mostly vegetable and fruit flavors, priced about double what you’d pay in Taiwan. If your baby is still in the puree stage, buying a blender and making food from local ingredients might be more practical.
Dairy products: Overall dairy quality in Bali isn’t ideal, often high in sugar or expensive. If your child is used to yogurt or kefir, consider bringing starter cultures to make your own. Plant-based milk options are plentiful though, and lactose-free milk brand Milk life is available.
Health food stores: Bali Buda is a chain of organic health food stores across the island where you can find various grains (including buckwheat which is rare in Taiwan), gluten-free and dairy-free products, making it a great supply stop for families with young children.
Diapers and Hygiene Products
Diapers: The brand selection is quite different from Taiwan. The better options are Korean and Japanese brands like Genki, Makuku, and Merries. Some places also carry biodegradable Ecoboom. Note that the Merries sold on the island are mostly locally produced in Indonesia, and the quality differs. The authentic Japanese-made white packaging is only available at a few outlets (like Clandy’s or Bali Hypermart) and can also be ordered online via Shopee/Tokopedia. Swim diapers are almost exclusively available online, so it’s recommended to bring enough from Taiwan.
Size Tip: Many diaper brands run narrow, so consider sizing up.
Other Baby Products: Offline stores include Balonku, Genyc, and Mothercare for baby supplies. For baby furniture, visit Informa. For tableware and storage, check out IKEA (available in-store or via their app, with delivery options).
Special Skincare Products: If your child requires specific shampoos or creams for skin conditions (e.g., Mustela), it’s best to bring them from Taiwan, as the island has limited brand options.
Hats: Sun hats for toddlers are essential. Bring your trusted hat from home—while Bali’s markets offer cheap hats, many are made with thick materials and have poorly designed straps that slip off easily.
Medications: Prepare This List Carefully
Pharmacies in Bali mostly sell generic drugs. Brand-name medications are available but cost two to three times more, and many require prescriptions. If your child requires long-term medication, make sure to bring enough.
Other recommended medications to bring:
- Digestive: Gas relief medication (like Gas-X), probiotics, intestinal adsorbents, digestive enzymes
- Wounds: Disinfectant spray, healing ointment, band-aids, liquid skin adhesive
- Throat & Cold: Throat anti-inflammatory spray, throat lozenges, saline nasal rinse, fever and pain relievers
- Eyes: Artificial tears or anti-inflammatory eye drops
- Nose: Saline nasal spray, decongestant
- Allergies & Insect Bites: Antihistamines (like cetirizine / Zyrtec), itch-relief gel
- For Kids: Teething gel, nasal aspirator
- Other: COVID/flu rapid tests, thermometer
The most important point: Remember to purchase travel medical insurance before departure. The quality of private hospitals in Bali is decent, but the costs are very high. Without insurance, unexpected medical expenses can be financially devastating.
You can refer to “21 Essential Items to Bring to Bali” and “Taking Your Baby to Bali: Precautions for Bringing Pork and Chicken Baby Food”.
Babysitting Resources: You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone
Many Taiwanese parents are unaware that Bali has a well-established babysitting industry, widely used by expat families and travelers. If you need a break or someone to care for your child while you’re busy, finding a babysitter in Bali is easier than you might think. How to find one? What should you consider? What are the costs? Check out our guide “Bali Babysitting Guide: How to Find the Right Babysitter and Cost Overview”.
5. Choose Child-Friendly Attractions/Activities:
Bali offers plenty of activities suitable for young children, but be careful not to over-schedule—kids need regular naps, and more than two attractions in a day can lead to meltdowns. Here are some child-friendly options. You can refer to these attractions Xiao Jie has enjoyed:
Must-See for Family Travel:
- Complete Guide to Family-Friendly Attractions in Bali: Over 100 Activities for Families
- Safe and Easy Baby Rafting (River Floating)
- The Enchanted Rainforest: Hikaria Immersive Light & Art Experience in Ubud, Bali
- Jungle Kids Bali | Nuanu's Kids Club: The Best Play & Learning Space for Kids
- The Temple of Heaven Show for All Ages
- Best Beachside Family Destination in Bali: Sanur Guide | 45 Dining & Activities
- Bali Family Attraction: Ultimate Guide to Waterbom Bali Water Park in Kuta 🌊
- Magical Bali Journey: Experience the Underwater Magic of Varuna Show at Bali Marine Park
- 20 Tips for Family Travel with Kids in Bali
- Bali Family Day Trip Guide: Explore the Safari & Flamingo Beach Club
- Bali Family Resorts: Top 15 Resorts with Water Slides and Playgrounds
- Bali Family Travel Guide - Sanur Edition
How to Experience These Activities?
We recommend booking these activities in advance on Klook:
- Beach Horse Riding, ATV, Swings, Waterfall Tour (mix and match)
- Bali Safari & Marine Park Bali Safari Tickets
- Bali Water Park Waterbom Tickets
- Ayung River Rafting & Cycling Combo Experience
- Ubud Baby Tubing + ATV + Swings
- Bali Pirate Dinner Cruise Experience
- Trans Studio Discount Tickets
- AeroXSpace Tickets
It’s recommended to book these activities in advance on Klook for potential discounts and to avoid queuing on-site.
Additional Tips:
- Bring your child’s favorite toys and activities on the plane to keep them entertained.
- Ensure your child stays hydrated and protected from the sun in hot weather.
- Teach your child to respect local culture before visiting temples or other religious sites.
- Learn some basic Indonesian phrases, such as ‘thank you.’ Check out Xiao Jie’s video tutorial on pronunciation.
Popular Outdoor Activities in Bali
- 庫塔海灘衝浪課程
- 高空熱氣球擁抱阿貢火山絕景
- GWK神鷹文化公園優惠門票
- 烏魯瓦圖的滑翔傘飛行體驗
- 全亞洲排名第一的水上樂園 Waterbom 門票
- 峇里島烏布叢林瑪利歐賽車 Jungle Cart Bali
- 努沙杜瓦海灘水上活動大全
- Bali Safari 野生動物園要怎麼玩樂、夜宿攻略
Bali is truly ideal for traveling with toddlers—as long as you’re well-prepared. Nowadays, most basic necessities can be found in Bali, though brand options are limited, some items require online ordering, and some are more expensive than in Taiwan. Bring essentials like baby food, special formula, regular medications, favorite hats, and a few familiar toys from home—everything else can be managed locally.
Having familiar items helps children adapt more quickly, and thorough preparation ensures a more relaxed experience for adults.
留言討論