The following content is shared by group member Fish Lee:
Key Takeaways: Four tested tips for a summer family trip to Bali with kids—① Visa on arrival at the airport had no long wait; paying in USD gets change in Indonesian Rupiah. ② Traffic jams all day are the norm, so don’t overpack your itinerary. ③ The weather is comfortable but UV rays are strong—sunscreen is a must. ④ Resort pools tend to be deep, so bring floaties or other flotation devices for kids.
Taking from the group, giving back to the group. Just returned from Bali and want to share our travel experience. On this trip, we experienced everything from arrival and transportation to weather, activities, and food. I hope these insights help with your travel planning.
Smooth Arrival
We opted for a visa on arrival and flew to Bali with China Airlines. After landing, the immigration process went very smoothly with almost no waiting time. The immigration officers were efficient and friendly. We paid the visa fee in USD, and they gave us change in Indonesian Rupiah—simple and straightforward.
Traffic in Bali
Traffic in Bali is terrible, with congestion pretty much all day. So, it’s best not to pack your itinerary too tightly, or you’ll end up exhausted. We prepared well before the trip, but we still had to adjust our plans flexibly to avoid traffic delays ruining the experience.
Comfortable Weather
The weather in Bali is very comfortable. Although the sun is strong, it doesn’t feel as harsh on the skin as Taiwan’s heat. That said, you can still get sunburned easily, so be sure to take sun protection measures, including applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and a hat.
Resort Pool Depths
Swimming pools at Bali resorts are generally deeper than those in Taiwan, which is a noticeable difference. If you’re traveling with children, parents need to pay extra attention to their safety. It’s recommended to bring arm floats or other flotation devices to ensure kids can play safely in the water.
Editor’s note: You might also consider Bali pool float rentals!
Baby Turtle Release at The Westin Resort
A chance encounter with a baby turtle release at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua (Photo by Fish Lee)
Quick Reference: 🐢 Complete Guide to Turtle Watching in Bali: From Kuta to Sanur, Must-Visit Turtle Conservation Spots for Families 🌴
During our trip, we stayed one night at The Westin Resort in Nusa Dua. When we woke up in the morning, we happened to come across a baby turtle release event, which felt incredibly meaningful. We had originally planned to visit the Turtle Center in Kuta, but this experience fulfilled that wish ahead of time, leaving us deeply satisfied.
這次我們有一天入住了努沙杜瓦的威斯丁酒店。早上起床後，恰巧遇到了小海龜放生的活動，覺得非常有意義。原本我們計劃去庫塔的海龜中心，但這次提前實現了這個願望，讓人感到非常滿足。
Hard Rock Hotel’s Kids Club
Hard Rock Hotel is truly an excellent choice for families with children. One day, we let the kids join the full-day Kids Club activities while we adults went shopping at the nearby department store and enjoyed a spa. Not only did it give us a peaceful day, but the kids also had a blast. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta for the last three days. The Kids Club is very popular, so I recommend booking in advance. The hotel provides a WhatsApp contact, and you can also email to reserve. If your itinerary is set, it’s safer to book ahead since cancellations are allowed before 10 AM. I booked upon arrival and was lucky to snag the last spot.
Hard Rock is very suitable for families with kids (Photo by Fish Lee)
It’s worth noting that the Hard Rock Kids Club has different activities each day. While photography isn’t allowed inside, the best part is that lunch is provided, so kids can happily spend the whole day there (cost: 250K IDR per day). This gives us adults time to relax on our own.
More recommended resorts with Kids Club:
Delicious Food
The food in Bali is absolutely delicious—we didn’t have a single bad meal this time. However, since kids can be sensitive to spice, I suggest asking the staff if a dish is spicy when ordering, to avoid any dining issues. There are plenty of restaurants near Hard Rock Hotel, and every one we tried was great. Within walking distance, you’ll find two department stores and many dining options, with Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, KFC, and McDonald’s just out the back door. I honestly think the fries at KFC in Bali are especially tasty.
(Editor’s note: Jamie Oliver Kitchen in Kuta is a chain Italian restaurant by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver in Indonesia, known for fresh ingredients and friendly service. It won Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice award. Here’s a dining voucher)
Thrilling Whitewater Rafting
Rafting, OMMA Day Club (Photo by Fish Lee)
Quick Reference: Bali Rafting Guide (FAQ)
We also tried whitewater rafting in Ubud, and it was a blast. With so many options available, we simply asked our driver to book it for us, and he found a reputable operator. I recommend choosing the full 2-hour trip rather than the 1-hour one for a more complete experience. We had two younger kids with us—one just over five and the other seven—and they both had a great time. The rafting activity lasted about two hours; we left our villa in Ubud at 9 AM, and after a simple lunch, we wrapped up around 1 PM. Getting to the rafting spot required a long downhill staircase, but our kids managed it at their own pace without any trouble.
Top-rated rafting bookings on Klook:
Read more: Omma Dayclub Guide & Official Site
Diverse Destinations
This time, we explored three areas. Nusa Dua is probably the most laid-back spot, perfect for relaxation. Ubud, on the other hand, is known for its waterfalls, volcanoes, jungles, palaces, and temples—ideal for photography and immersing yourself in Balinese culture.
Read more: Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa: Bali’s Premier Luxury Destination – 40 Accommodations, Dining, and Activity Map Guide Complete Ubud Guide: 100 Ways to Deeply Explore Ubud | Discover Its Charm
We visited quite a few places (Photo by Fish Lee)
Although Kuta Beach is crowded, it wasn’t as bad as I imagined—the layers of waves were actually quite soothing.
Fun Hair Braiding Experience
The hair braiding experience in Bali is a lot of fun and really adds to the vacation vibe. I saw many foreign kids with colorful braids, so I took my children to try it too—it was truly special.
We got our braids done on the street near Jamie Oliver’s restaurant at Kuta Beach. This street is lined with many SPA shops that offer braiding services, with sample braids displayed outside. I thought they would use a lot of hair gel to hold the braids in place, but they didn’t. When removing the braids, you just need to cut off the fake hair part—it’s quite convenient.
Two braids like this take about half an hour (Photo by Fish Lee)
Update: 2026/06/10
Must-See for Family Travel:
- Bali with Kids: Travel Tips for Babies, Toddlers & School-Age Children
- 🎮 ZONE OUT Bali: Kuta's Coolest Virtual Reality Adventure Base!
- Hikaria Ubud: Immersive Light & Art Show in the Night Jungle
- AeroXSpace Adventure Sanur: Massive Indoor Playground
- Top 15 Bali Family Resorts with Water Slides & Kids' Pools
- Devdan Show Nusa Dua: A Spectacular Cultural Performance for All Ages
- Bali Sea Turtle Guide: From Kuta to Sanur, Family-Friendly Conservation Spots
- Mookiland Park Bali: Bali's Largest Kids' Play Paradise
- Marine Safari Bali Guide: Newly Opened Ocean Wildlife Park
- Titi Batu Ubud Club: A Perfect Day of Fitness, Play & Relaxation for Families
- Bali Nanny Hiring Guide: How to Find a Babysitter & What It Costs
- Clip 'n Climb Sanur: Bali's Hottest Indoor Climbing Adventure with 25 Walls
Convenient Car Charter Service
This time we opted for a car charter service (driver + Chinese-speaking guide). We hired a guide who speaks Chinese, which not only solved the language barrier but also made our trip more relaxed and enjoyable. For example, the adults enjoyed three SPA sessions—once the guide looked after the kids at our villa, and another time he took them out to eat, allowing us to fully unwind during the SPA.
Recommended Car Charter Driver and Guide
Driver Edy, the minibus we used during our trip (Photo by Fish Lee)
Our private driver Edy and his team, along with our Chinese-speaking guide Ani, are highly recommended. The driver’s driving was steady, and the guide spoke fluent Chinese, answering many of our questions while being great with kids and photography. If you’re unsure what to eat, they can offer excellent recommendations.
Reviews of driver Edy and Chinese-speaking guide Ani see here
This trip to Bali was absolutely delightful—the scenery, food, and service all left a lasting impression on us. I hope these tips help with your travel planning.
Do you think Fish Lee and their itinerary are amazing? Go ahead and plan your own Bali free-and-easy trip! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community group as well!
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