I gathered my family, suitcases and flew to Bali. It was this island that gave her a new home, where children do not get sick, but grow like beautiful exotic flowers, nourished by the sun, vitamins and sea air. Now, having spent almost a year in Bali, the mother of two boys shares her discoveries that will help make life on the island interesting not only for adults, but also for children. And it's not just about the beach.
Two children (3 years and 6 months), 17 hours on the road. It's worth it? Think for yourself: the air temperature is + 28C, the ocean is 10 minutes away, fresh seasonal fruits, the absence of flowering plants that are detrimental to allergy sufferers. The eldest son was 2 years old when we learned what polynosis is. From that moment on, the native birch turned into a forbidden tree, and walks through the fields remained only in books about nature. Endless tests, tests, medications were replaced by bouts of apathy in the baby himself. And we decided to change the place of deployment, at least for a while, in order to restore strength. At that moment, we did not know much about the island and, moreover, whether it was suitable for living with children. Now I can say for sure!
What? Where? How many?
The accumulated travel experience suggested that to begin with it is better to rent a villa for 2 weeks (on booking.com, for example) and at this time find your home.
Renting a home depends on several factors:
- area;
- hotel, guesthouse, separate house (as in our case);
- term (from a year - much cheaper, but you also need to pay the entire amount at once);
- the presence of a swimming pool;
- distance from the ocean.
Generally speaking, the cheapest option (guesthouse) starts from $15-20/day. Superior option - about $ 60 / day. A good villa with a couple of bedrooms and a swimming pool costs $100-150/day. There are also good offers for renting a house with a communal pool. Well, there is no price limit.
Most tourist area- Nusa Dua - beaches with white sand and emerald water without waves. Hotels, motels and hostels stretch along the waterfront. We go there sometimes for a change of scenery.
We live in Canggu/Umalas area. On this moment, it has the most convenient location. The number of cozy, cute cafes and restaurants equals decent quality, and the ten-minute accessibility of the ocean gives this place extra points. There are waves here, and for some this may be a minus, but we are used to and calmly play on the shore, and children enter the water only under the supervision of their parents.
According to friends, the most a budget option, Kuta. Here beginner surfers pass their way "on the foam". A place of endless parties, cheap guesthouses and popular nightclubs.
I advise you to contact an agent who has made more than one deal on the island. But still, this applies to long-term leases from a year. There is a very complex relationship between foreigners and land, it is impossible to buy it by law. Having studied various publics, I settled on the forums on facebook. In these groups you can find answers to popular questions, from renting a house/bike to finding a piano teacher. Search groups for the query "together in Bali" "life in Bali".
"What to do with children?"
I, perhaps, will divide into two groups: “where to send the children?” and “where to go with the kids?”
Group No. 1: kindergarten, circus, football, boxing, karate, gymnastics, trampolines, tennis, swimming - this is the part we have tested for boys, I think it is quite suitable for girls.
Kindergarten
Our area is Umalas/Canggu. Choose from two options:
- Skoebi-do Child Care Center (from 600 rubles / day).
- Alam Atelier (payment immediately for 3 months, 25 thousand rubles / month), and having visited the second, we have been going for 7 months. The indescribable atmosphere of an ideal kindergarten. Teaching in English. The youngest son was sent there, to the group "from 8 months to 1.5 years."
Circus
A real circus as a sports section! We got there by accident and walked regularly for a month, while there were holidays in our kindergarten. Throughout the week, children learn various tricks, tricks, techniques and games, and every Friday they show a reporting concert for parents and everyone. Amazing energy and relaxation for little fidgets. (8 thousand rubles / week, payment for 2 weeks comes at a discount).
Group #2:
- Zoo, bird and monkey parks, rope park, stables, elephant farm, swimming with dolphins, run/skater area, rafting (from 6 years old). Tag #balischildren on Instagram as a reminder.
- Ocean. A sun lounger with an umbrella (200 rubles/day), a couple of spatulas, a bucket, a car - and your children will not be torn off the sand. Still, it doesn't hurt to cool down from time to time. The ocean may seem cool, but even small children quickly get used to it.
- Children's cafes, however, there are few of them: "Chinta" and "Joglo" are personally tested for 5+. There are also interesting places under the tag #balikafestchildren.
About food at home
There are not many large shopping centers in Bali. And grocery hypermarkets can be counted on the fingers. One of them is Carfur. It is easy to find diapers, diapers, mixtures, vegetable purees and hygiene items for children here. But with ordinary cereals and meat in jars, everything is more difficult. We buy oatmeal and rice porridge from Heinz in the Pepito chain of stores. Vegetables and fruits are much cheaper in local markets and 100% tastier.
About the budget
The budget always depends on your needs and what you choose. small or big house, a bike for rent (from 2.8 thousand rubles per month) or a car (from 8 thousand rubles per month), products in a store or on the market. We have a large family, 3 adults and 2 children, respectively, and the costs are higher.
Returning to whether it is worth going to Bali with children and whether it will be boring there, it's up to you. But our experience shows that Bali is perfect place both for wintering and for long-term residence.
[email protected] answered on 04/26/11 at 20:52
"Great" tips for families with children. With all due respect, but why try on for everyone the lifestyle of parents who, from the cradle, carry little ones in shoulder-breast bags, like kangaroos.
The article has a value of 10 percent.
1. The water park in Greenpark, like the entire Dreamland complex, was originally positioned for the local market - well, there is nothing for a normal tourist to do there. They did not assimilate to such an extent as to swim in the same pool with young people in black family shorts, or a Muslim woman in a headscarf.
2. About the beaches - if Padang-Padang can still be advised back and forth, then it’s hard for me to imagine a parent who, with one or two children, will climb all 150 or 200 steps down to Uluwatu. As for the criticism of Jimbaran, this is really where you should really go at low tide - an absolutely gentle one, the absence of waves gives enough space to swim and crawl in shallow water. As for the relative cleanliness of the beaches, then, alas, there is not a single beach in Bali that is always clean. On Padang, the same can nail a mixture of jellyfish with a suspension of sand, and Jimbaran will be perfectly clean from about May to October, if there is no rain. Guys surfers, do not equate everything by yourself.
3. Absence of waves in Amed is a myth. And most importantly, here for the most part pebble beach on which it is inconvenient for an adult to walk, not to mention children. If you want to give your child the opportunity to snorkel, head to the Bali Hai or Quicksilver platform near Lembongan Island.
4. Pro Lovina is a dubious pleasure, considering 3 hours of sawing one way. Suitable for those who come to Bali for a long time, do not have specific plans. Not suitable for those who arrive on a pre-planned route. 0.5% of tourists change plans at the place of stay and leave the place somewhere else with an overnight stay.
5. It is not at all clear about the Monkey forest advice - about monkeys that can simply cripple your child?! Be careful, it's better to write. It is not recommended to visit with small children.
But where are the rave reviews about the magnificent Bird Park with three aviaries for free flight ??? There is also a reptile park here.
Why is there little attention to Safari Park, which shows an excellent modern musical "Bali Agung", which hosts about 170 actors imitating village life on the wall, as well as a dozen elephants, tigers, a flock of ducks, hornbills and many, many others . This is where the carnival of life and the celebration of color are already.
The Antonio Blanco Museum is interesting for children only for its garden, if you do not want to shock them with answers to questions about the details depicted in many of the author's very intimate works. In addition to the Antonio Blanco Museum, there are other museums in Ubud.
More about holidays with children. Karman Kandara Villas has a magnificent beach at the foot of the complex, great for families with children about an hour after the start of low tide + there is an opportunity to treat the child with something other than fried rice.
The Shore Beach Restaurant at Nikko Bali Hotel is open to the public from the outside - multi-level pools, jacuzzi, wide sandy beach, camel rides, fungi in the pool and other pleasures - at your disposal for 180,000 rupees per person.
In general, the choice of activities for families with children in Bali is really great, but be careful when following anyone's advice if you do not have much experience independent travel with a child behind your back, in many hotels Russian guides work either constantly or call in at least once a day, ask their advice, read guidebooks and have a good rest!
Something like this :-) Once again, I apologize if I'm at the wrong address, because there is a specific site and all that, but it seems to me that it is wrong to write about Bali only about Nusa Dua, it is just as wrong to talk only about rest with children of "independent" travelers... Hide.
Amazing! Thanks for the criticism and additions. By the way, you can also publish your article about what you should and should not visit in Bali! The site is open for publications of all users, which is why it is valuable that here you can read different views and opinions, compare and choose for yourself exactly what suits you. I really liked your comment, the only thing is that chauvinism is not clear. You seem to have been living in Bali for a long time - what do you have against Balinese youth or Javanese Muslim women?
Hide.
[email protected] answered on 04/28/11 at 09:08
I have nothing against, except for my own chauvinism, which is exactly the same as that of most of my compatriots. And yet, it is not very clear why it is necessary to show some kind of tolerance for lack of culture, even if you call it "another culture." Indonesia is a secular country, let's start with that. There is a Muslim majority, but the Chinese have all the money. Alas, Muslims are dirty - that's a fact. It is enough to go to the north of Bali to see the difference, where Balinese settlements end and Muslim ones begin. I don't really understand why I should like it? I also do not really understand why on an island dominated by a completely different religion, Hindu, Muslims should demonstrate their faith to the entire public. Just as I am categorically against hijabs on the streets of European cities, it is also not very clear why I should be for them in Bali. I'm sorry whose feelings I'm hurting, but Indonesian Muslims are dirty, very dirty. Even in comparison with the Malay Muslims, they are much dirtier and more uncultured. I'm not talking about everyone, I'm talking about the majority. They also carry out the villas of the houses of both Balinese and foreigners, rip off bags and commit most crimes. What kind of tolerance can we talk about? Last New Year we went with friends to a small hotel in Chandidas. When we drink, we behave culturally. The next day, a crowd of Indonesians from Java arrived, who, in black families, sat in the pool, thumped the beer that poured from the bottles into the small pool, littered everything that could be littered, and neighed like horses. Why should I be tolerant of this? This is not a feature of the country. This lack of culture, due to backwardness, lack of education and other problems of a third country. This can and should be fought, and I hope that someday Indonesia will at least catch up with even Malaysia in terms of its purity. At the same time, I have nothing against the Javanese race, nor against Muslims in general (I really like the museum complex dedicated to Islam in KL). I hope this explains all my "chauvinism". I am also against uncultured Javanese-Lombok and other Muslims, as well as against uncultured surfers, Australians, Germans, Poles and other not the best representatives of the human race :-)
Cheers! And Peace and Love! :-)
P.S. Thank you for the offer to write - we will definitely start soon and write about Bali, about everything connected with it, and we will do it regularly :-) Hide.
It is clear, understandable, I agree that Muslims are not a very clean nation, but, however, Indians in India live in completely unsanitary conditions! Javanese, I think, are different, like the Balinese, and all other nations of the world. For example, we were recently in Lombok and, with my prejudice towards Muslims, we talked with several very clean and hospitable islanders. I think the fault here is not in Islam, but in the fact that Indonesia is a very poor country with a low level of literacy and medicine. If this country had free medicine and education, the situation would be better. And also about your comment about the Bird Park "It's not at all clear about the Monkey forest advice - about monkeys that can simply cripple your child?! Be careful, it's better to write. And it's not recommended to visit with small children. But where are the rave reviews about the most magnificent Bird Park with three free-flying enclosures??? There is also a reptile park.", So about the Bird Park,
there, during a bird show, an eagle planned for the three-year-old daughter of our friend and grabbed the child, there was a momentary panic, the child then began to stutter. So in any case, there are no completely objective and only true judgments and impressions.
Hide.
[email protected] answered on 04/28/11 at 13:09
Here you are absolutely right, as it was said at the end of the very first comment :-)
P.S. If we talk about me, then I was not in India for this very reason, and I do not aspire, and let them ...
P.P.S. And yet, Indonesia is not and never has been a poor country. Country and people are different things. The people - yes, a beggar. The country is rich and even very rich. We have a lot in common with Russia :-) Hide.
Luxury resort hotel Westin Nusa Dua Bali is a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are a 45-minute drive away. Air-conditioned rooms feature a personal safe, tea/coffee making facilities and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The private bathroom comes with a bath and free toiletries.
This family resort offers a wide range of free activities for young travelers, including a 12-meter slide in the fresh water pool and Westin Kids Club. Set in a quiet corner of the garden under the shade of tropical greenery, the Kids Club is more than just a playground for kids. The Westin Kids Club is an interactive environment where children can participate in supervised fun, games and learning activities.
Westin Kids Club gives parents the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved rest, while maintaining peace of mind. If parents know that their children are looked after by professionals and are safe, they have the opportunity to do some kind of adult recreation - yoga, cycling and sailing on a ship.
Toddler area - invites children from 2 to 4 years old accompanied by an adult. This staff controlled area features a shaded play area for toddlers with slides, swings, rideable cars and many other great toys. For quiet indoor activities, there are play tables, LEGO bricks and educational toys for young children. There's also a selection of bunk beds and oversized floor cushions for kids to nestle on when they want to nap.
Children's area - a spacious outdoor playground designed for children from 4 to 12 years old. It offers many fun games and activities such as face painting, pizza making, kite making, fishing, movie nights, stargazing and more.
Recently open area for teenagers is a place where teenagers from 12 years old and older can have fun. This simply designed room features comfortable cushion chairs and personal window seating with Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation PS2 game consoles. This specially equipped area has computers with Internet connection, as well as a rich library and a home theater with wide choice films.
Five-star resort, located in a tropical oasis of 5 hectares among luxurious exotic plants in one of the famous resorts of Tanjung Benoa, in close proximity to sea sports and a 20-minute drive from the international airport. This is the perfect place for families and active rest on the island of Bali.
For guests traveling with children, Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali offers daily entertaining, active and educational games - competitions in children's buggy boats, Balinese dance lessons, decorative painting on banana leaves and much more.
There are 2 children's playgrounds and the Bamboo Kids Club on site for our younger guests aged 3 to 13. Under the supervision of experienced and attentive nannies, your children will not be bored!
InterContinental Bali Resort nestled on the pristine and serene sands of the crescent-shaped Jimbaran Bay overlooking the calm azure waters of the Indian Ocean. The calmly lapping waters of the bay are conducive to early morning walks, family fun on the soft sand and water sports.
Planet Trekkers Club - Special child Center for young guests of the hotel aged 4 to 12 years. The club maintains a dynamic, fun and caring atmosphere, and children can interact with other young travelers.
The Planet Trekkers club is organized as a mini-resort for children with constant supervision and safety assurance, a spacious place for age-appropriate entertainment and fun indoor and outdoor activities with elements of cultural development.
Club interior equipped with air conditioning and an interactive workstation for arts and crafts, an Internet cave where supervised children can use a computer and play games on Wii and Play Station consoles, a soft reading nook and a huge DVD library movie discs and board games, as well as a plasma TV and CD player. Outside, children will find a playground with swings, slides and ladders, a small basketball court and a fully supervised 10m Anak-Anak children's pool.
Planet Trekkers is an exclusive kids club in Bali offering a wide range of daily activities specifically for two age groups: Mini (4-7 years old) and Maxi (8-12 years old). Children from the Mini and Maxi groups participate in a variety of enriching activities, during which they get acquainted with the cultural and artistic heritage of Bali. They make kites, dress up in costumes, dance, play music and learn Bahasa Indonesian. In addition, children can take a bike tour of the resort, learn to cook with the chef and take part in morning yoga classes. The concept of conservation is based on the theme of saving green sea turtles and helps to reinforce children's understanding of this need. During these activities, children feed fish, attend painting classes using recycled materials, actively interact with the Center for the Protection and Study of Sea Turtles, where they learn more about rare species of animals living in the seas of Indonesia, and also participate in the resort's release program. unleash the turtles on Jimbaran Beach.
SPECIAL ADVANTAGES OF THE CLUB:
- Extended opening hours from 9:00 to 22:00 every day and a reasonable price system that includes healthy meals.
- Professional babysitting services for children under the age of four.
- Women's team of club educators and rescuers who specialize in childcare and first aid.
- Modern security system with video surveillance.
- Alert system for parents for their complete peace of mind.
- Unique nature protection theme.
- Traditional Balinese activities that children can take part in: kite making, local crafts, and learning Balinese dance and language.
- The service is free of charge for all Club InterContinental guests.
At Grand Hyatt Bali, located in Nusa Dua, offers spacious rooms with private balconies. Grand Hyatt Bali is a 15-minute drive from Ngurah Rai Airport and a 30-minute drive from Denpasar City. The luxurious and bright rooms at Grand Hyatt Bali feature contemporary décor. Each room has a TV with cable channels.
Grand Hyatt Bali has created conditions for accommodation with children: the rooms provide a branded VIB children's kit with baby care items; there are baby cots. The Camp Hyatt children's center has been opened, where young guests aged 3-13 are offered a range of entertainment (sports games, feeding tropical fish, getting to know Balinese art and much more). The hotel has a water slide. Babysitting services are available (upon request).
Hilton Bali Resort located on a steep seashore overlooking the Indian Ocean. It offers a secluded white sandy beach, 4 connected outdoor pools, free parking and free WiFi. The hotel also offers a free scheduled shuttle service to Bali Collections and Bali Galleria shopping malls.
Guests resort hotel Hilton Bali Resort offers spacious rooms with private balconies that offer breathtaking ocean or tranquil garden views. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms have iPod docking stations and DVD players.
Leisure activities at the resort include camel safaris and for the youngest guests there is a Jungle Camp Kids Club (4-12 years old). Also for the kids there is a wonderful children's lagoon pool and a 30-meter water slide.
Melia Bali The Garden Villas Hotel is located just 11 km from Ngurah Rai International Airport, a 1-minute walk from Bali Collection Mall. The hotel has a tennis court, a fitness center and a children's playground. Guests can rent bicycles and cars. YHI SPA offers a variety of treatments. Free Wi-Fi is available for any order in the lobby bar and restaurants.
The air-conditioned rooms feature a private balcony or terrace overlooking the gardens. A minibar and tea/coffee making facilities are included.
Melia Bali The Garden Villas is the perfect place for a family holiday. The safety of the area and the service of qualified staff create an atmosphere in which parents can relax and children can enjoy every minute of your stay.
Kids Club activities and program
Children 4-7 years old: Fish feeding, Balinese dance lessons, Balinese clothing and temple visits, movies, necklace making, blowing bubbles, canoeing or kayaking, painting and coloring, pool games, park activities, arts and crafts, beach fishing, paintings from sponges, mini-cook, sand castles, visiting resort complex, colorful clothes and kites, kiting, crabbing, indoor entertainment, breaks and movies, mini discos, movie night, children's night out.
Children 8-12 years old: Fish feeding, Balinese dance lessons, Balinese clothing and temple visits, movies, balloon making lessons on the beach, shell collecting, Balinese service lessons, Art Attack, mask making and painting, junior chef, sand castles, DIY art and craft, pool activities, kite making and painting, kite flying, indoor fun, language learning, night mini-disco, movie night, children's night walk.
Bali Dynasty Resort located within walking distance of downtown Kuta and a 10-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Dynasty Bali Resort has a private balcony. Most balconies overlooking the garden or pool are equipped with glass doors. Each room is equipped with satellite TV, a DVD player, a minibar, a safety deposit box and tea/coffee making facilities.
For children the hotel has a 56-meter water slide, a special pool for kids, an outdoor playground in front of the Kupu-Kupu kids club. The kids club is designed like an "enchanted forest" and every day there are a variety of children's activities: arts and crafts lessons, water games, outdoor activities, cooking lessons, showing children's films, fashion shows. Family rooms can accommodate up to 5 people.
Holidays in Bali with children are somewhat different from holidays in many other countries of the world. The thing is that, contrary to the ideas of most tourists and snow-white beaches in the style of a bounty and a relaxing holiday, there are not so many good beaches suitable for children on the island. Many beaches in Bali have dark volcanic sand, and frequent high and low tides make it difficult to enjoy swimming due to high waves, but there are calmer places in Bali.
Flying to Bali with a baby
We recommend buying tickets with one short transfer or without transfers. Take a tablet with you on the flight, download cartoons and games there. Take your favorite treats on the road. It is better to fly at night, so that by morning you will be already in place.
The best beaches in Bali for swimming with children:
The choice of a beach for families with children in Bali largely depends on the nature of the bottom and the waves that usually occur on this beach. There are not so many such beaches on the island, but they exist.
Perhaps the best of all resorts suitable for families with children is Nusa Dua. Unlike most resorts, everything here is more civilized, annoying merchants do not walk along the beaches, everything is clean and many European families with children rest here.
Nusa Dua Beach is considered the elite beach in Bali. White sand, clear water, beautiful sun loungers and parasols, green manicured lawns and a large selection of good hotels and villas make it the most popular holiday destination for wealthy citizens.
Unlike most resorts, there are practically no waves on this beach, since there is a coral reef not far from the coast, which protects the coast.
Nusa Dua has all the necessary infrastructure for recreation, including golf courses, gyms, spa centers and much more. The disadvantage of the resort is a large number of Russian tourists, which somewhat spoils the atmosphere of an exotic holiday.
Another classy resort focused on wealthy tourists. The resort has several cool hotels with a large area where children can play, children's pools.
The second most popular beach for children in Bali is Jimbaran. There is no longer such a European gloss as in Nusa Dua, and there are more waves, so it is best to relax here with school-age children. For them, there is even a children's surf school, where experienced teachers will teach children the basics of this sport. The resort has a developed infrastructure with a large selection of accommodation.
Uluwatu - very popular place for surfers, but at low tide, a natural pool is formed here, the depth of which is about one and a half meters. There is no developed beach infrastructure, but there is clean sand and clear water.
Not far from Uluwatu there is another place popular with surfers called Dreamland. Its name is fully justified. white sand and azure water makes this beach one of the most beautiful in Bali. Swimming with children is best here between high and low tide, as the rest of the time there are quite strong waves and it's time for surfers.
This magnificent beach is located near the village of Candidasa. Its advantage lies in its remoteness from the main resorts of the island, which makes the beach very uncrowded and allows you to enjoy a relaxing holiday and the beauty of the local nature. The disadvantage of the beach is that you have to get to it by car.
Choosing accommodation for families with children
Many of those who are planning an independent trip to Bali with children are interested in where it is better to live, in a hotel or rent a house or villa. There can be no unequivocal answer to this question, so we will consider the pros and cons, and you will determine what is best for you.
The good thing about a hotel is that in addition to accommodation you also get service, but its disadvantage is that there is no homely atmosphere that you could get in a villa. any accommodation other than hotels is better to book.
As for money, a normal villa with modern furniture and appliances can be rented for about $ 150-200 per day, and if you rent for a long time, it will come out even cheaper. In such a villa there will be at least 2 bedrooms, and maybe 3 and 4. If you are not eating with one family, but for example with your friends, then the price difference between the villa and two rooms in good hotel will not be high. If you need a cook or other services, this can be arranged for an additional fee.
What to see?
monkey forest
If you have a desire to observe the life of monkeys in wild nature, then we advise you to go to Ubud to the monkey forest. So besides these animals, there are also many others. Also, you will see many stone statues from Hindu mythology in this forest.
There is an opinion that Bali is not a place for a calm and measured rest. And basically people really come here for vivid impressions, positive and unforgettable emotions. The boundless ocean, black volcanic sand, green rice terraces - the brightness of local colors amazes the eyes of even the most capricious traveler. Of course, you should not go here specifically for the sake of children. But you can take your child to Bali with you.
There is enough sun here, warm sand prevails on the beaches, and delicious fruits and fresh seafood are sold in shops. A lot of vacationers from all over the world and immigrants come to the island, so there are plenty of preschool institutions and educational activities here too. And a large selection of private housing does not create any problems with choosing a place to live. It is only important to properly prepare for traveling with children.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of holidays with children in Bali
visit paradise island with a child has a number of advantages. Firstly, it is the strengthening of the child's immunity, which is facilitated by the excellent ecology, the cleanest air and the proximity of the ocean. In addition, fabulous Bali grows a huge amount of delicious, exotic fruits, most of which are unrealistic to buy and try in Russia. They are able to saturate the growing children's body with all the useful vitamins and minerals.
Secondly, while relaxing in an international place, the child becomes more relaxed and sociable. He can even learn a little spoken English while traveling, as well as try different sports. Regardless of the age of your child, he will not be bored in Bali: there are a large number of different development centers, there are attractions, parks, a zoo, a dolphinarium, a water park and more.
As for the disadvantages of holidays with children in Bali, here we can highlight:
- the presence of a huge number of insects - a mosquito net will save them;
- the likelihood of intestinal infections - hygiene must be strictly observed;
- a long flight to the island, which not every child can withstand.
If you still decide to go to Bali with children, then pay attention to the moment that the best time of the year to relax with a child in Bali is spring, summer or autumn.
In winter, of course, it is not as cold here as, for example, in Russia, but it is still not recommended to come here with children in the cold season. The rainy season lasts until March on the exotic island of Bali. They do not pour all day long, mainly at night. But the high humidity at this time of the year contributes to the appearance of strong fungal formations on the walls, which is not good for any human body.
Which area of Bali is best to travel with children
For families with children, you can choose one of the following areas:
- north of the island, Lovina beach - the place itself is located quite far from the center of Bali, but the water here is clear, and the sand on the beach is mostly gray and black;
- in the port area, in Padang Bai or Sanur - these areas are located at a decent distance from the noisy Kuta and the beaches of Bukit, so many vacationers with children are based here, the water here is quiet and calm, the power of the tides is insignificant, the waves are low, and near the coast - shallow water;
- Bukit Peninsula - in this place of paradise Bali, a rural atmosphere reigns: there are very few cars driving here, there are almost no traffic jams, and the amount of greenery available, numerous representatives of flora and fauna are pleasantly pleasing to the eye, and deserve special attention local beaches- Uluwatu, Pandawa, Nusa Dua and Tanjung;
- Virgin Island - this place is especially suitable for families with children due to its remoteness from popular resorts Bali and a small number of vacationers;
- Jimbaran and Padang-Padang beaches are places worth visiting with an older child, since the waves here are decent and the baby is unlikely to be comfortable among the crowds of numerous tourists.
If you are traveling with a child for a couple of weeks, you can stay in a hotel room. If the duration of the intended trip is more than three weeks, then in this case it is better to rent a small house or a villa with a private pool for the same money.
Separate housing in Bali can be found in two ways:
- in advance, while still at home, via the Internet - in this case, be prepared to overpay $ 200-300 per month for the reservation and realtor services;
- or upon arrival on the island - in 2-3 days of careful searching it is quite possible to find a good house with a pool and with all amenities for $450-600 per month.
When choosing the first option to search for housing, use the world famous Airbnb service. Accommodation on the site is booked on a prepaid basis, but you should not worry too much about this: the landlord will receive money only on the second day of your stay on the island and only if there are no service claims from the tourist.
Having given preference to the second option, upon arrival on the island, take a taxi or rent a scooter and go in search of accommodation with a “for rent” sign on the house. Take a ride around the island, interview local residents, ask about housing in shops and shops. And you will definitely find an acceptable option for yourself. The cost of renting a dwelling in Bali varies from 10 thousand rubles per month for a room in a good home hotel to infinity. Here you can find accommodation for every taste and budget.
For families with children, choose a villa with a private courtyard and a swimming pool if possible. Of course, it will cost a little more than a regular house, but living in it will make your life on the island much more comfortable.
When entering into a rental agreement with the landlord, be sure to specify the following points:
- whether utilities are included in the rent (if not, be prepared to pay an additional $30 per month for water and electricity);
- whether there is Internet in the house (in most cases it is not, but suddenly you are lucky);
- whether the rented premises have all the necessary furniture, utensils and bed linen;
- are all bedrooms equipped with air conditioners, is there hot water everywhere in the house;
- are there any noisy roads and construction sites near the rented house;
- as well as how often the pool and yard area is cleaned.
By the way, the Internet in Bali is very slow. Therefore, if you plan to freelance here on the Internet or communicate with your friends and relatives via Skype or social networks, then you can safely forget about these plans. It is unlikely to succeed.
Ask the owner of the house to find you a housekeeper. Her help with the housework will greatly simplify the conduct of life with children in conditions of high humidity and an abundance of ants. Permanent stay of the housekeeper in the house and help in looking after small children will cost you $110-150 per month, cleaning once a day - about $60 per month.
Transport in Bali
Getting around the island is no less important than finding a place to stay with children in Bali. If you have arrived for a long time, then you cannot do without a rented car or moped. Renting a vehicle here is relatively inexpensive: a scooter - from $55 per month, a car - from $200. With a child, it is still better to choose the second option: in the car, he can sleep during long trips around the island, and also hide from the rain during a tropical downpour.
Renting a car also allows you to save a little on rent and look for a house or villa for living not on the first coastline a little further from the ocean. And also it allows you to move freely throughout Bali. Of course, traffic around the island is very chaotic and dense, but if you have experience driving in major city, then you will not have problems with movement in Bali. Otherwise, it is quite possible to master the local features of driving, but this must be done gradually and very carefully.
Feeding a child tasty and satisfying in Bali and not being left hungry yourself is not a problem. There are plenty of small cafes, restaurants, pizzerias and the usual McDonald's. In catering establishments, a child can be fed with soups, rice and vegetable dishes, chicken, meat, salads, fruits and freshly squeezed juices. The main thing is not to forget to ask the waiter to put less spices in the ordered food. From the local cuisine, children may well like soto ayam - chicken noodle soup and nasi goreng - rice fried with vegetables. A full meal in a cafe will cost 80-90 thousand rupees.
For lovers of homemade food in Bali, there are different grocery stores where you can buy all the necessary products for cooking:
- large supermarkets such as Carrefour in Kuta;
- smaller shops - for example, local retail chains"Nirmala" or "Pepito";
- and mini-marts with a small selection of products and slightly overpriced - "Circle K", "Minimarket" or "Indomare".
In large supermarkets and shops, in addition to products, you can also buy diapers and diapers for children, baby food, toys and hygiene items, and more.
It is most profitable to buy goods on the island of Bali in small local shops or grocery stores. Eggs and milk here cost $1.50, a bag of coffee costs $1, and bacon or sausage costs about $3. Fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the stand-alone fruit stalls. A bag of watermelon, large papaya, delicious bananas and a ripe pineapple will cost about $5.
Where to go with a child in Bali
Even the biggest fans of a measured rest, sooner or later, can get tired of lying corny on the beach under the warm sun. In this case, be sure to visit one of the following fascinating places:
- Monkey Park in Ubud - here you can watch the life of monkeys and other animals in nature, as well as admire the stone statues of Hindu mythology;
- Bird and Reptile Park - in this place you can see about a thousand species of different birds and about three hundred species of crocodiles, as well as admire the chilling show of predators;
- Dolphinarium - not far from the coast of Lovin Beach, you can go boating, gawk at dolphins, and swim with good creatures in a separate pool;
- Elephant Show in Taro - in a fenced park you can watch a unique show of elephants, and after it ride through the jungle on these huge animals and even feed them;
- Butterfly Park - in this unusual place you can meet wonderful world winged insects, about two thousand butterflies of unusual shapes and colors live here.
- Botanical Garden - here you can introduce the baby to all the variety of colors and aromas of the tropics, as well as hang on lianas and jump through numerous trees in the fenced "Feel like Mowgli" attraction.
There is also a separate large zoo in Bali, where an incredible number of animals and birds live on a vast territory of the zoo. The zoo holds organized demonstration performances four times a day, during which zoological garden workers tell visitors about its many inhabitants. In the evenings, a fantastically beautiful fire show is shown here.
There are also water parks in Bali. There are more than enough water attractions here. The largest water park is Waterbom in Kuta. It is better to come here early in the morning so that you can enjoy all the attractions in full and have enough time for this. Children's admission ticket to the territory water park costs $21, adult - $33.
Small water parks are open here at every hotel and supermarket. For example, Bukit has a good mini water park near the Nirmala supermarket in the Ungasan area. It is small in size and there are not very many slides inside, but the entrance fee to the territory is only $5.
There are private clinics and large hospitals in Bali. But treatment without insurance will be very expensive for the parent's wallet. Therefore, before the trip, it is necessary to issue an insurance policy in any Russian company. And it is better to do it where cooperation with International SOS is officially confirmed. Let the insurance remain intact, but you will know that you can count on medical assistance in any situation.
The main problem that may arise when traveling to Bali with children is their acclimatization. But do not forget that the adaptation of the child's body to the new conditions of existence is a purely individual matter, and each child endures it in his own way. Read less before a trip to Bali various horror stories on the Internet, in which parents write that almost the entire rest of their children had a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea. In most cases, the child's body gets used to the new conditions in 7-10 days. Yes, at this time there may be slight stomach problems and a certain increase in temperature. But you should not fall into a panic state and immediately run to the doctors. It is enough to provide the child with a large amount of liquids during the period of acclimatization and limit him from the consumption of exotic, unusual food for the child's stomach. Introduce tropical fruits and various local foods into your child's diet gradually. In the early days, also spend less time in the open sun. And be sure to include lunchtime naps in your daily routine. If all these simple recommendations are followed, the negative consequences of acclimatization will be minimized.
Be attentive to any wounds and bites on the child's body. Even the most harmless at first glance, a mosquito bite can turn into a rather serious problem, especially if the child begins to comb it. Be sure to bring enough of the necessary medications with you, and consult your pediatrician before traveling. By the way, almost all domestic doctors are not particularly enthusiastic about such trips and advise not to take too young children on long trips to exotic countries.
What to take with you
For a trip to Bali, especially for a long time, you should carefully prepare.
Be sure to take a sunscreen with a high protection factor and a first aid kit with you. Of course, you can buy a protective cream in Bali. But by the time you arrive on the island and find a pharmacy or a beauty supply store, your baby's delicate skin will have time to burn. At least one tube or bottle must be taken with you from Russia. You can put in a suitcase and spray "Panthenol" from burns. It will not be worse.
As for the first aid kit, you should not take a lot of medicines in Bali. The minimum pharmacy kit should include the following components:
- antiseptic for wound treatment and antibacterial hand gel;
- insect bite remedy;
- antidiarrheal medicine;
- green and iodine;
- antipyretics and antibiotics (children and adults);
- antihistamine tablets;
- thermometer, plasters and bandages.
When choosing children's clothes and shoes for a trip to Bali, try to take the most comfortable sets (preferably in light colors) made from natural materials - cotton or linen. Take a couple of warm clothes as well. Although the exotic island has a hot climate, it is sometimes cool here in the evenings. Be sure to pack a pair of bathing suits and hats for yourself and for the child in your suitcase. The latter will reliably protect your heads from the aggressive rays of the sun.
If your baby is in infancy, then be sure to take a stroller, despite its size and inconvenience in transportation, or a sling. It is very difficult to carry a baby in your arms in hot weather, and these items are sure to serve you well on the island.
Be sure to download your child's favorite cartoons and children's movies to a flash drive or external drives to play them in the evenings on the island or before bedtime. As mentioned above, the speed of the Balinese Internet is negligible. It will not allow you to fully enjoy watching your favorite videos on Youtube, but will only make you nervous once again.
Summing up, we can confidently note that the island of Bali is quite suitable for families with children: both for short and long periods. The main thing is to properly prepare for the trip, take everything you need with you, plan cultural program stay on the island and choose the right resort for your stay.
