Last Updated on May 31, 2026 by 4flyinghippos@gmail.com
When I think back to our Bali trip now, I realize something interesting:
We saw a lot.
We covered iconic places.
We had an amazing time.
But if I were planning Bali today—with kids—I would change almost everything.
And honestly? That perspective might help you plan your trip better too.
This wasn’t a perfectly optimized itinerary. It was a real trip—filled with beautiful moments, long drives, spontaneous stops, and a few “I’d do this differently now” realizations.
So if you’re planning Bali, here’s our actual experience.
✈️ Day 1: Arrival in Bali + Slow Evening in Kuta
We arrived in Bali and stayed somewhere in Kuta (Don’t remember the name as it was booked by an agent but it was a mid-range Hotel) for the first part of the trip.
After checking in, we kept things simple:
- relaxed at the hotel
- took an evening walk
- explored the nearby beach area
And honestly, that was the perfect way to start.
Bali can feel overwhelming after landing—traffic, humidity, crowds—so I’m glad we didn’t overplan the first day.
💡 What I’d change with kids:
Book a good property where they can feel more involved and Keep Day 1 completely relaxed.
🌿 Day 2: Ubud Day Trip — Beautiful but Extremely Packed
This was one of those days where we tried to fit “all the famous Bali things” into one itinerary.
We started early and headed towards Kintamani Highland
🌋 Lunch With a Volcano View
One of my favorite memories from the trip was having lunch at a restaurant overlooking Mount Batur volcano
That combination of cool breeze, mountain views, and Balinese scenery felt very different from the beach side of Bali.
It’s still one of the strongest memories from the trip.
The travel from hotel to Kintamani took 2 to 2.5 hours. Exhausting but Worth It.
🌾 Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The rice terraces were exactly what you imagine when you think of Bali:
lush greenery, layered landscapes, tropical views everywhere.
It was beautiful—and definitely worth visiting.
📸 Bali Swing
Next came the famous Bali Swing experience.
At that time, it felt exciting because everyone visiting Bali seemed to do it.
But looking back now?
This is probably one of the first things I’d skip while traveling with kids.
There were long queues, a lot of waiting around, and honestly, it felt more photo-focused than experience-focused.
💡 What I’d do instead with kids:
Spend that time at a resort pool or nature walk instead.
🐒 Monkey Forest
We then visited the Monkey Forest in Ubud.
This was one of the more enjoyable stops because it felt interactive and different from just sightseeing.
The forest itself is beautiful, shaded, and atmospheric.
☕ Coffee Plantation Experience (Kopi Luwak)
We also visited a coffee plantation and tried the famous Kopi Luwak coffee.
At the time, it felt like a “must-do Bali experience.”
But today, I would probably skip it.
Not because it was terrible—but because:
- it wasn’t very engaging
- it added more travel time
- and with kids, I don’t think it would be worth the energy
Ubud Royal Palace
We also explored the area around the Ubud Palace and the nearby Ubud Art Market.
The palace itself is relatively small, but the traditional Balinese architecture and central location make it worth a quick stop while exploring Ubud
🛍️ Shopping at Ubud Art Market
Before heading back, we explored the streets of Ubud and did some shopping.
This part was fun—busy little lanes, souvenirs, cafés, local stores everywhere.
But by the end of the day, we were exhausted.
And this is where I realized something important:
⚠️ Ubud should not be rushed.
Trying to do it as a day trip while staying elsewhere makes the experience much more tiring.
💡 What I’d do differently now:
Stay at least 2 nights in Ubud itself.
🌄 Day 3: Ulun Danu + Tanah Lot Temple
This was probably the most scenic day of the trip—and also the longest.
🛕 Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
We started the morning at Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.
And honestly?
This might have been the most visually beautiful place we visited in Bali.
The temple surrounded by the lake, the misty weather, the mountains in the background—it almost feels unreal.
We spent quite a bit of time here:
- boating
- walking around
- enjoying the views
There was also a famous photo spot nearby that people often call the “Gate of Heaven,” where almost everyone was stopping for photos.
Unlike some overly hyped places, this area genuinely felt peaceful and scenic.
💡 Would I visit with kids?
Absolutely yes.
This is one of the few places I think works beautifully for both adults and families.
🌅 Tanah Lot Temple at Sunset
After lunch, we drove toward Tanah Lot Temple.
The drive itself felt long because these locations are not very close to each other.
But reaching Tanah Lot during sunset made it worth it.
The waves crashing around the temple, golden light, and dramatic coastal setting made it feel iconic in a completely different way from Ulun Danu.
There were also plenty of small shops and local stalls around the area.
🔥 Evening Fire / Kecak Dance
Later in the evening, we watched a local fire dance performance.
This added a cultural element to the trip and made the evening feel memorable rather than just another sightseeing stop.
💡 Would I still include this with kids?
Yes—but only if the kids can comfortably stay out till evening.
🐢 Day 4: Uluwatu + Turtle Island + Relaxation
By this point in the trip, we had already done a lot.
So this day felt slower and much more balanced.
🐢 Turtle Island Experience
We headed to Tanjung Benoa Beach which is popular for it’s Water Sport Activities. From there we took a Glass Bottom Boat to visit the Turtle Island, where there were turtles and other animals.
And interestingly, this is one experience I would still keep in a family-focused Bali itinerary.
Kids would probably enjoy this far more than:
- coffee plantations
- shopping stops
- or long scenic drives
🌊 Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple felt very different from the other temples we visited.
Unlike the calm lake setting of Ulun Danu or the dramatic sea setting of Tanah Lot, Uluwatu stands high on cliffs overlooking the ocean.
The views were incredible.
🏨 Last Evening in Bali
In the evening, we simply relaxed at the hotel pool.
And looking back now?
That slower evening ended up becoming one of the best parts of the trip.
Not because it was “iconic.”
But because it finally gave us time to actually enjoy Bali.
👨👩👧 What I’d Change If I Did Bali With Kids
Looking back now, my Bali itinerary would look very different.
❌ What I’d Skip
- Bali Swing
- Coffee plantation visits
- Overpacked sightseeing days
- Too many long drives in one day
✅ What I’d Prioritize Instead
- Staying in Ubud for a few nights
- Booking a good resort with open spaces and pools
- Slower days with fewer activities
- Waterbom Bali (probably the one place kids would be genuinely excited about)
- Turtle Island experience
- More relaxation, fewer checklists
💡 Biggest Lesson From This Trip
Pre-kids travel often becomes:
- more places
- more movement
- more “covering attractions”
But family travel changes your priorities completely.
You stop asking:
👉 “How much can we see?”
And start asking:
👉 “What will everyone actually enjoy?”
And honestly, that shift probably creates better trips.
Our Bali trip wasn’t perfect.
It was packed.
Some days were exhausting.
Some places felt rushed.
But it was also beautiful, memorable, and full of experiences I still think about today.
And maybe that’s the best way to describe Bali:
not as a checklist destination—but as a place that feels different depending on how you choose to experience it.
If I return someday with kids, I know the itinerary will be slower, calmer, and far more resort-focused.
And honestly?
I think I’d enjoy that version even more.