Why We Chose Bali for a Family Getaway
We usually never spend too much time in one place. It was like that before we became parents and it hasn’t changed after our baby came into the world. But this time it was different. We wanted to book long holidays to have some rest. Usually we go somewhere and want to see as much as possible. We just can’t miss any attraction and if it’s a short stay we love to make the most of it. However, Bali seemed like a perfect place to relax and we thought that Bali with kids seemed like a piece of cake. Let’s go there, sightsee a bit and finally have some rest. That was our point of view.
Our Bali Trip at a Glance
We booked 11 nights there, that is long I think :) So we spent 10 full days in Bali. As we usually do, we stayed in a hotel that was like an apartment so it had a separate kitchenette and living room. Our room had a view of the swimming pool and the hotel was within a walking distance to the local beach.
When Our Dream Vacation Took an Unexpected Turn
To not beat around the bush – very quickly. Traveling to Bali with kids turned out not to be a piece of cake for us sadly. On the second night our toddler (at that time he was a bit over 1,5 years old) started vomitting. And that was the fast end of our dream holidays. The night was tough and we had to ask the hotel staff to come and change our bed in the middle of the night.
VOMITING, HIGH FEVER AND DIARRHEA
During the upcoming days the symptoms changed a bit and our son quickly stopped vomitting. He got very high fever (reaching 39 °C) and a horrible diarrhea. The afternoon before getting sick we ordered food from a restaurant on the Gojek app. Besides, we ate at the hotel restaurant exclusively, so we thought maybe ordering from an unknown restaurant was a mistake. But we will never find out how he became sick for sure. The scenario we were afraid of before going on a trip to Bali happened: our little son got Bali belly.
THE DIAGNOSIS: E. COLI EPEC AND NOROVIRUS
After the night when he started vomitting we contacted our insurer. They made an appointment for us with a doctor and we managed to get a hotel visit. The fever at that time wasn’t that high yet and the doctor prescribed some medicines and advised us to reach the hospital if our son got worse.
In the evening the fever reached 39 °C, which is my red line, and we contacted the doctor again. We found out that we would have to wait a couple of hours for a visit. However, they told us that they would be able to come again in the middle of the night. We didn’t want to wait till the morning as the diarrhea was getting worse as well, out of two reasons. The baby was still very small and we were afraid he would get dehydrated quickly, and we thought that maybe at the hospital we would find out the diagnosis faster and that in the middle of the night our boy would be able to get some rest he needed.
ARE HOSPITALS IN BALI GOOD?
The hospital we went to was very well-maintained. There were not many people at that time and we didn’t have to wait long for an appointment with the doctor. I am not exactly sure how long but I’d say that we spent around 1.5 hours there maximum. We found out that our son hadn’t got dehydrated and didn’t have to be hospitalized and he had a stool test. We could go back to our hotel and wait for the test results as they were able to send them by e-mail.
On the next day the diagnosis came: E.coli EPEC and norovirus. The doctor told us that we can wait with the antibiotic but if our son didn’t get better or got worse, we would have to start administering it. Luckily we made it without antibiotics.
BALI BELLY – HOW LONG DID RECOVERY TAKE?
The full recovery took long because the diarrhea took 2 weeks. However, it wasn’t that bad all the time. Vomiting lasted only one night, fever only a couple of days, and diarrhea was the longest but still it got better day by day. The best thing was that our baby didn’t lose his appetite and was drinking plenty of water during the day.
Medical Care in Bali: The Best Healthcare Experience We’ve Ever Had
Unfortunately we have some experience with our son being sick during travels already and we can honestly say that medical care in Bali was the best. Doctors in Bali seem very experienced with Bali belly and handle it quickly. The doctor that came to our hotel brought the medicines with him already and we didn’t even have to reach the pharmacy. We know they can do infusion drips for adults and the best thing is that they speak English very well.
It is super easy to make an appointment with a home visit, which makes things even easier. We really suggest getting a good insurance just like we did because we didn’t pay anything for the medical care. I mean we paid and then we claimed after coming back but we got the full refund. Also the insurer handled the visit so we didn’t have to search on our own and the huge plus is that the visit is usually within the next few hours and we didn’t have to wait long to see a doctor.
COSTS AND INSURANCE
Things We Managed to See in Bali
And finally we can get to the more pleasant point :) As you can see traveling to Bali with kids can be unpredictable :) But luckily we still managed to see a bit. During the worst days when our son had fever, we just stayed at the hotel of course. We managed to see something on the first day before he got Bali belly and right at the end of our stay when he was finally getting better.
WATER BLOW, NUSA DUA
Water Blow was our first stop and the only thing we managed to see before our son got sick (right before the second night). We enjoyed watching the waves crashing against the rocks. To get there we also had to walk through a park and there was quite a lot of walking, so if you consider this Bali attraction with small kids and still use a stroller, don’t hesitate to take it. The place is windy so it is good to take some head cover for the baby as well.
After reaching Water Blow it is hard to come back because you just want to wait for the next big wave to explode and then again and again. You need to be lucky to go there right in time because sometimes the waves are not big. I think for us it was something in the middle: we saw big waves, however as we were searching for this attractions we noticed that they can be much bigger. Still the view was impressive and we enjoyed this place a lot.
GWK CULTURAL PARK
GWK Cultural Park is a breathtaking cultural oasis nestled in the southern part of Bali, famous for housing one of the tallest and most majestic monumental statues in the world. It was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and his mythical bird Garuda. The park hosts traditional Balinese dance performances, offers the possibility to explore lush gardens and catch some of the most spectacular sunset views on the entire island. The park is beautiful, and by the way I want to mention that the greenery is amazing on the whole island. Of course the park has this big wow factor but even everywhere you go, you can enjoy the green landscapes even right after you go outside the airport. Our family of 3 was discovering the park after the sunset, as we headed to see the Barong Dance first that is scheduled at 6:00 pm.
THE INCREDIBLE BARONG DANCE PERFORMANCE
The Barong Dance is scheduled at 6:00 pm and takes only 30 minutes. You can see the show at the Amphitheater located in GWK Cultural Park. It is performed only every Wednesday to Saturday. If you want to see the show, make sure to come a bit earlier just in case. As we reached the park, we had to look for the Amphitheater for a bit and were not sure where it was. Luckily we got inside 5 minutes before the show. It wasn’t crowded when we came (our trip to Bali took place in late September), but I am not sure what it’s like during the high season. If you want to check more information about the park and performances, I suggest visiting their official website. The website is very clear, you can see the map, check out the events and buy tickets there.
IS THE BARONG DANCE SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN?
As I mentioned, we didn’t have to wait long for the performance to start. And just as it started I thought that the music and the characters of the show could be a bit scary for the baby and probably we would have to leave soon. I couldn’t be more wrong :) At least not for our baby.
We first sat upstairs, but when the show started he quickly wanted to move to the front (the whole audience was concentrated in the middle of the Amphitheater and only us were in the right wing, so we had space to move). We went to the front and our son was dancing along to the music and a couple of times he wanted to go on the scene so I had to hold him :) We just loved the show and when it ended, the audience could finally go on the scene to make photos. Our son even gave a high five to the Barong creature and he didn’t want to leave until everyone else left the amphitheater.
We also enjoyed the show and honestly think that it was our best attraction in Bali. We are very glad that despite all the difficulties, we managed to go and see it.
GARUDA WISNU KENCANA STATUE
After the show it already got dark and we went for a walk to see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue. It looks impressive and the views in the park are breathtaking even after the sun goes down. Nearby you can also see the Garuda Statue and Dewi Lakshmi Statue. It is a great attraction for everyone who wants to explore Bali with kids. I think that going there in the evening or morning time is probably the best as it would be too tiring to walk around in the afternoon to see all the statues, especially with a toddler.
TURTLE CONSERVATION AREA
We went to see the Turtle Conservation Area because it was nearby our hotel. It was the last day in Bali and the day before we went to GWK Cultural Park (which took about 1 hour each way) so we didn’t want to go far with the baby again. He was so much better during the last days but still tired after the sickness. It was a small attraction but enjoyable. There are actually a couple of places in Bali where you can go and see the turtles. We saw the turtles that were rescued and cared for while waiting for the right time to be released back into the wild. Another great place to see when in Bali with kids. Even our little son could feed the turtles and had great fun doing it.
THE BEACH NEAR OUR HOTEL
We could spend our time there when we simply wanted to go out for a bit and have a walk. The beach near our hotel was cosy but rather an average one when it comes to the views. It was not crowded there and our hotel organised evening events frequently (like for example a beach fire show). During daytime we liked going to the beach and watching airplanes as they were very low to the ground and we could see them often.
Getting Around Bali With a Toddler
At the time of our trip our son was 1 year and 9 months old and we were still using a stroller. Each place we’d visited we took it with us and it was easy to get around with it. In GWK Cultural Park there are elevators and we used them instead of stairs. Taking our stroller to Water Blow was also a great idea because otherwise there would probably be too much walking for such a little one.
When it comes to sidewalks we only used the one near our hotel and that’s why we can’t say much about how easy it is to use a stroller in this area. The problem that is common in all of Asia — and Bali as well — is stray dogs, so that’s a huge disadvantage when being with a toddler around them as it might potentially be dangerous. Same with our beach, there came some stray dogs there from time to time and it felt a bit uncomfortable, especially since these dogs are usually big.
One tourist really wanted to play with one of these dogs and it turned out not to be a good idea as the dog didn’t want to leave her later and was biting her bag and scratching her leg. Then the dog got out of control, jumped on someone else and started stealing kids’ toys from the sand and running around. If you are travelling to Bali with kids, be aware of the stray dogs. Rabies is still existent in Asia and any scratch or bite should be treated at the hospital.
Private Drivers and Transportation
It is super easy to order a car via the Gojek app when in Bali. However, there is no option to request one with a baby car seat. The problem in Bali is that getting literally anywhere by car takes forever. The reason is complex: Bali faces overtourism, roads are narrow, single-lane routes leave no highway alternatives. An interesting fact is that you can get stuck in a traffic jam also because of daily religious processions that rightfully take priority. We were lucky when leaving our hotel on our way to the airport as our driver knew that one street was completely blocked by a religious procession and he chose another route. Thanks to him we skipped the traffic jam.
Food Safety in Bali
Bali belly is real, but we won’t discourage you from going there with kids. The truth is that we can get sick anywhere, right? The thing we would do differently would be to double-check the hotel restaurant and its reviews before booking a stay. Because when you plan your trip to Bali with kids, especially with little ones, you should be aware that Bali belly happens frequently. That’s why I think it is good to prioritize food safety. Our advice would be to book a hotel that has an excellent restaurant with only positive reviews and stick to it for the whole stay. At least that is what we would do if we ever go back again. If the restaurant is clean and has a huge selection of meals, that is even easier for you as you don’t have to think about where to eat daily.
Mosquitoes in Bali
Mosquitoes are common in Bali and the best protection would be to get a mosquito net with you. Recently I wrote a post on Toddler Essentials for Travel: What to Pack with a Toddler and I think it might be useful to check it. I described what types of mosquito nets we use when travelling in Asia. Living in Asia for a couple of years, I can say that repellent sprays are usually not really helpful unless you go for DEET, which can have some side effects. However, we never used it. Mosquito repellent plug-ins or electric liquid mosquito repellents are not very efficient either.
FAQ: Bali With Kids
Is Bali safe for toddlers?
Bali is a beautiful destination but it comes with risks for little ones. Bali belly is real and it happens — it happened to us. Stray dogs are another concern as rabies is still present in Asia. That said, we wouldn’t say don’t go — just be very careful about food and get good travel insurance.
What should I do if my child gets sick in Bali?
Contact your travel insurer first — they can arrange a hotel visit within hours. If the fever is high or symptoms are getting worse, go to the hospital directly. Don’t wait till morning. The hospital we visited was clean, well-maintained and doctors spoke excellent English.
Are hospitals in Bali good?
Better than we expected, honestly. We had a great experience — short waiting times, experienced doctors and fast diagnosis. They handle Bali belly cases all the time so they know what they’re doing.
How much does medical care in Bali cost?
We paid around 8,600,000 IDR in total (roughly $482 USD) — that covered medicines, hospital visit and a full stool test panel. Our Polish travel insurance from TU Europa reimbursed everything.
Is the Barong Dance suitable for toddlers?
We were convinced our son would hate it — loud music, intense costumes. We were completely wrong. He danced through the whole show and didn’t want to leave after. Definitely worth going with little ones.
How many days do you need in Bali with kids?
We had 10 full days and honestly even without the illness we think that’s a good amount. There’s a lot to see but getting anywhere takes forever due to traffic — factor that in when planning.
Final Thoughts on Traveling to Bali With Kids
We don’t regret going to Bali with our toddler but the experience was difficult enough for us that we don’t think of going back there soon. But it is not like we would tell anyone considering traveling to Bali with kids not to go there. Maybe we would only advise them to be super careful about the food as that is probably the most risky part + the most annoying part would be the time you need to spend in transportation to get to any attraction. Besides, Bali has many attractions that we managed to see and that were incredible, and even more that we would really love to see if our travel had taken a different turn — plus the green paradise that is everywhere you look.
And how about you? Have you ever visited Bali with kids or are you planning to and have some thoughts you’d like to share?