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Bali Family Travel Guide
Bali is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations. While Bali is more attractive to the young adults in the 18 to 30 years bracket rather than places like Fiji or other pacific islands, there are a large number of resorts that provide for families. Relax in the sun or spend your days shopping, sightseeing or on the water. This page contains details on Bali that may be valuable to families. A listing of Bali Facts and a description of the main accommodation areas in Bali. A link to the Bali accommodation page where all family resorts are listed with details on the family facilities is provided. Once you've found a resort that you think you like you can visit the web site for that resort to find details on accommodation, meals, charges etc.
Bali Facts
Currency: Rupiahs, divided into 100 sens. Notes - 10000,
5000, 1000, 500, 100 Coins - 100, 50, 25, 10, 5. Make sure you
exchange money only with licensed money changers.
Language: The national language is Bahasa Indonesia, however
English is widely spoken.
Travel times: Approximately 6 hours from Australia's east
coast.
Climate: November to March are the wetter months. The high
temperatures are usually between 29 and 32 degrees year round with
the low from 17 degrees (January-April) and up to 22 degrees
(August, September). The humidity is very high and can be very
uncomfortable. The higher humidity occurs from December to March.
Passport: needs to be valid for 6 months.
Getting around: Taxi's are available in all areas as well as
mini buses (Bemos) and are reasonably priced. You can also hire
motor bikes and bicycles. Taxis and Bemos are a very cheap way to
travel around Bali but make sure you agree to a price prior to
travel. You can hire a car and driver for the day for about AUD$40.
Departure tax: 100,000 Rp (approx AUD$20)
Kuta
Kuta is the most famous of all of the tourist locations in Bali. It has a huge shopping centre with department stores, boutiques, CD shops etc. There are also plenty of hawkers to pester you into buying their wares. The accommodation in Kuta is generally in the budget area, and is probably not the best choice for families (with the exception of the Hard Rock Hotel). The beach at Kuta is a surf beach and can become crowded. Kuta is mainly a place for shopping and partying.
Tuban
Situated next to Kuta, but much quieter. The beach is protected by a reef, making swimming a lot safer than Kuta. This area has the largest range of well priced family accommodation available. There are family restaurants, a water park and the Kuta centre shopping mall only a short walk from most resorts.
Legian
Quieter than Kuta and offering a better standard of shopping, restaurants and bars. Ideal for families with a good choice of quality hotels, mostly on the beachfront. The beach is much quieter and there are less hawkers around.
Seminyak
Not far from Kuta is Seminyak. Much more an up market area with trendy restaurants and bars. More an area for couples rather than families and this is reflected in the number of resorts offering family facilities.
Tanah Lot
About 30-40 minutes by car north of Kuta. The hotels in this area are luxury accommodation and there is only a limited number of family friendly resorts to choose from. There are plenty of shops nearby so there's no need to travel to Kuta.
Sanur
Sanur is situated about 20 minutes by car from Kuta, and is a quiet, relaxing alternative to the busy Kuta. There are still plenty of local shops and restaurants. Beautiful white sandy beaches but watch for the reefs at low tide. Less hawkers to bother you and a fantastic range of quality family friendly accommodation to choose from.
Nusa Dua
Very classy area with luxurious five star resorts. The shopping and restaurants aren’t as abundant here but it's only about 30 minutes by car to Kuta. Beautiful sandy beaches and plenty of family friendly accommodation, but at the higher end of the price scale.
Tanjung Benoa
Just to the north of Nusa Dua is Tanjung Benoa. It is very quiet but only 10 minutes by car to the shopping and restaurants of Nusa Dua. There's a wide range of water sports available from a couple of family friendly resorts.
Jimbaran Bay
Ten minutes drive south of Kuta is the fishing village of Jimbaran Bay. Beautiful, safe beach and the seafood beachfront restaurants are very popular. Some nice family resorts to choose from.
Lombok
About two and a half hours from Bali is the island of Lombok. This island doesn't have the hustle and bustle of Bali and boasts some fantastic beaches. There are a number of family resorts available, providing a host of water sports and family activities.
Bali Links
Bali Accommodation
Bali Packages
Australian Government Travel Advisory
New Zealand Government Travel Advisory