Planning day-by-day activities in Bali is critical for families—you want enough structure to feel organized without so much rigidity that you miss unexpected magic. The challenge is balancing beach relaxation with cultural immersion, managing young kids' energy levels, and fitting everything into your timeframe. This guide provides three complete, tested itineraries you can use directly or modify to fit your family's pace and interests.
Before You Start: Important Planning Notes
Pacing Matters: Bali's attractions are spread across the island. Travel times between regions range from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Don't overpack your itinerary—families with young kids need downtime, naps, and flexibility.
Pick Your Base: We've built these itineraries around staying in specific regions (Sanur/Nusa Dua for beach, Ubud for culture). You can do multi-region trips, but this requires hotel transfers and may reduce time for activities.
Traffic Reality: South Bali traffic is congested during peak hours (7–9am, 5–7pm). Morning activities often require 5–6am departures. Accept this reality rather than fight it.
Hire a Driver: For families, hiring a private driver for the day (USD $35–70 for 10 hours) transforms your experience. Removes navigation stress, enables activities during less crowded times, and provides flexibility for last-minute changes.
Book Activities Ahead: Popular activities (Mount Batur sunrise trek, cooking classes, Kecak fire dance) fill quickly. Book 2–3 days in advance, especially during peak season.
Build in Flexibility: Your 3-year-old might have a meltdown, your teen might get sick, or you might discover something unexpectedly magical. Guard at least one "free" day per week for spontaneous changes.
7-Day Bali Family Itinerary (Beach + Culture Blend)
Best For: First-time visitors, families with younger kids (ages 2–8), and those seeking balanced beach/culture experiences.
Ideal Base: Sanur (for calm beaches and central location), or split between Sanur (3 nights) and Ubud (3 nights) for diverse experiences.
Overall Vibe: Relaxed pace with structured activities; minimal rushing; beaches + temples + cultural experiences.
Day 1: Arrival & Settling In
Morning: Arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport. Arrange private driver pickup to your hotel (USD $20–35). Drive takes 30–45 minutes to Sanur depending on traffic.
Afternoon: Check in, let kids decompress from flight. Explore hotel facilities (pool, beach access, kids' club if available). Most families arrive jetlagged; low expectations help.
Evening: Early dinner near your hotel. Local warung or hotel restaurant. Let kids rest and adjust to time zone. Bedtime likely 7–8pm.
Sleep: Your hotel. Allow one night of disrupted sleep due to timezone adjustment.
Day 2: Beach Day & Local Immersion
Morning: Breakfast at hotel or local café. Head to Sanur Beach with stroller/beach bag. Arrive by 8am—beach is calm, uncrowded, water warm (29°C).
Activities:
- Kids swim/play in shallow water (Sanur's reef protection = lagoon conditions)
- Build sandcastles
- Collect shells
- Explore tide pools
- Parent relaxation time
Lunch: Beachfront warung or casual restaurant (approximately USD $15–30 for family). Fresh seafood grilled on-site.
Afternoon: Return to hotel. Kids' nap time (crucial for afternoon energy). Parents: spa treatment (Balinese massage: USD $12–15/hour), book activities for coming days, or rest.
Evening: Sunset cycling ride along Sanur boardwalk (bike rentals: USD $5–8/day per bike). Ice cream or juice stands along the path. Return for dinner.
Sleep: Your hotel. Energy should be recovering; expect better sleep.
Day 3: Cultural Introduction
Early Morning: 5:30am pickup for optional dolphin-watching boat tour in Sanur (USD $30–50 per person). Kids 4+ typically enjoy; younger kids may struggle with early wake-up. Alternative: Sleep in and do land-based activities.
Mid-Morning: If no dolphin tour, explore Ubud Art Market (30 minutes from Sanur). Wander through stalls, browse handicrafts, let kids choose small souvenir. Market chaos can overwhelm young kids; arrive before 9am or after 2pm.
Lunch: Ubud café near market (USD $8–15 per person). Fresh juice and nasi goreng.
Afternoon Activity (Choose One):
- Option A (Easier): Tegalalang Rice Terraces walk (30 minutes from Ubud). Easy, photo-worthy staircase rice fields. Entrance USD $1–2. Kids 3+ can enjoy; stroller-friendly on main paths.
- Option B (More Active): Campuhan Ridge Walk (Ubud, 2km, 1 hour). Scenic valley walk through rice paddies and jungle. Moderate difficulty; kids 5+ best. Stroller-unfriendly.
Late Afternoon: Return to Sanur (1 hour drive). Kids' quiet time at hotel.
Evening: Casual dinner. Rest and prepare for tomorrow's early start.
Sleep: Your hotel.
Day 4: Temple & Nature Day
Morning: Early 5:30am pickup for Mount Batur sunrise hike/jeep tour (USD $50–80 per person) OR sleep in and do gentler temple options.
For Active Families: Mount Batur sunrise trek (1.5–2 hour hike). Jeep option available for families not hiking. Reach summit by sunrise (approximately 6:15am). Stunning volcanic views, cold weather (bring layers), breakfast provided. Kids 8+ handle well; younger kids struggle with timing/darkness. Return to hotel by noon.
For Gentler Families: Sleep in. Visit Tirta Empul Water Temple (Ubud, 30 min away). Sacred spring water temple with stunning courtyards and lotus ponds. Kids enjoy exploring; no climbing required. Entrance USD $4. Wear sarong (provided).
Lunch: Ubud restaurant near temple (USD $10–20 per person).
Afternoon: Return to Sanur. Pool time at hotel. Rest.
Evening: Dinner at hotel or nearby. Early night (you'll be tired).
Sleep: Your hotel.
Day 5: Water Park & Downtime
Morning: Drive to Waterbom Bali water park (located between Seminyak and Sanur, 20 min from Sanur). Open 9am.
Waterbom Details:
- Bali's premier water park with 12+ slides for all ages
- Toddler pools, intermediate slides, extreme slides
- Admission: USD $30–37 per person (kids often 50% off)
- Open 9am–6pm
- Can easily spend 4–5 hours here
- Bring waterproof phone case for photos
Lunch: On-site cafeteria (pricey; consider bringing snacks).
Late Afternoon: Leave by 3pm to avoid afternoon crowds and traffic.
Evening: Relaxing dinner, early bedtime. Kids typically exhausted after water park.
Sleep: Your hotel.
Day 6: Beach & Performance
Morning: Leisurely breakfast. Free beach time at Sanur. No structured activities—let kids play, parents relax.
Lunch: Beachfront restaurant (USD $15–30).
Afternoon: Hotel pool time. Kids' rest/nap. Parents prepare for evening.
Evening: Drive to Uluwatu Temple for Kecak Fire Dance performance (6pm or 7pm show, 1 hour south of Sanur).
Kecak Fire Dance Details:
- Ancient dance performance at clifftop temple with ocean views
- Tells Ramayana (Hindu epic) story through dance and fire
- 6pm show: sunset backdrop (stunning but crowded)
- 7pm show: fire performance in darkness (more dramatic, less crowded)
- Admission: IDR 135,000–150,000 (USD $8–9 per person)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Arrive 30 min early for parking/tickets
- Bring sarong (provided at gate)
- Kids 3+ usually entranced; older kids love the fire performance
Late Evening: Return to Sanur (1 hour drive). Dinner en route or back at hotel. Bedtime.
Sleep: Your hotel.
Day 7: Relaxation & Departure Prep
Morning: No planned activities. Beach time or pool at hotel. Pack for departure.
Lunch: Family favorite restaurant discovered during week.
Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at night market (near Sanur) or souvenir stores. Rest at hotel.
Evening:
- If departing tonight: Pack, have final dinner, arrange driver to airport.
- If departing next morning: Casual dinner, early bedtime, morning airport transfer.
10-Day Bali Family Itinerary (Multi-Region Adventure)
Best For: Families with 1–2 week flexibility, ages 4+, wanting beach + culture + nature experiences.
Base Regions: Sanur/Nusa Dua (3 nights for beach), Ubud (3 nights for culture/nature), Optional: Lovina (1 night for dolphins) or Nusa Islands (2 nights for snorkeling).
Overall Vibe: Active, diverse, lots of drives between regions, substantial variety.
Days 1–3: Beach Base (Sanur or Nusa Dua)
Follow Days 1–3 of the 7-day itinerary above. After Day 3, you'll have:
- Settled into Bali
- Experienced beach time
- Visited first rice terraces/market
- Built confidence for remaining trip
End of Day 3: Pack for Ubud transfer.
Days 4–6: Cultural Base (Ubud)
Day 4 Morning: Drive from Sanur to Ubud (1.5 hours). Check into Ubud hotel/resort.
Day 4 Afternoon: Explore Ubud town. Ubud Art Market, local cafés, wander streets. Let kids acclimate to new location.
Evening: Traditional Balinese dance performance at Ubud Royal Palace (7:30pm). Admission: IDR 100,000 (USD $6–7 per person). Tickets sometimes sell out; book ahead. Legong dance is most famous; watch local gamelan orchestra. Duration: 1–1.5 hours. Kids 4+ typically captivated.
Day 5 Morning: Visit Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Ubud). Entrance: IDR 80,000 (USD $5).
Sacred Monkey Forest Details:
- Sacred jungle temple complex with resident macaques
- 1–2 hour walk through forest; multiple temples
- Kids love monkeys; monkeys are sometimes aggressive toward children
- CRITICAL: Don't bring snacks, water bottles, or shiny objects—monkeys steal these aggressively
- If child is nervous about monkeys, skip or hire guide (USD $20–30 for 2 hours)
- Best visited early morning (7–8am) before crowds
- Stroller-unfriendly on temple paths; baby carrier better
Late Morning: Cooking class (Ubud). Popular option: Karsa Kafe cooking class or Pondok Pekak library classes.
Cooking Class Details:
- Duration: 3–4 hours including market shopping
- Price: USD $40–80 per person (kids often 50% off)
- Learn to make sambal, satay, nasi goreng, coconut desserts
- Shop at local market for ingredients
- Eat meal you prepare together
- Great for kids 5+ interested in food
Lunch: Eat what you cooked in class, or restaurant near cooking school.
Afternoon: Return to hotel. Rest, pool time, kids nap.
Evening: Casual dinner.
Day 6 Morning: Choose one activity:
- Option A - Hiking (for active families): Mount Batur sunrise hike (30 min from Ubud, 2-hour trek). Jeep option available. Price: USD $50–80 per person. Kids 8+ handle well. Return by noon.
- Option B - Gentle Nature (for relaxed families): Tegenungan Waterfall visit (30 min from Ubud). Easy 20-minute walk to waterfall. Swimming in waterfall pool. Admission: IDR 15,000 (USD $1). Popular with families; can be crowded mid-morning.
- Option C - Adventure Activity: Elephant ride or mahout experience at Mason Elephant Park (45 min from Ubud, USD $75–120 per person). Ride Sumatran elephants, learn about conservation. Kids 5+ typically allowed. Ethical concerns exist; research beforehand if animal-sensitive.
Day 6 Afternoon: Pack for next destination or beach transfer.
Day 6 Evening: Early dinner, prepare for Day 7 drive.
Days 7–10: Options for Final Portion
Option 1: Return to Beach (Days 7–10)
Drive back to Sanur or Nusa Dua (1.5 hours). Enjoy pure beach relaxation after Ubud intensity.
- Day 7: Arrival + beach time
- Day 8: Water sports day (snorkeling boat tour USD $40–60, parasailing USD $40–50, jet ski USD $50–60)
- Day 9: Beach day or Nusa Islands day trip (boat tour to nearby islands, snorkeling, swimming)
- Day 10: Final beach time, pack for departure
Option 2: Lovina for Dolphins (Days 7–9)
Drive from Ubud to Lovina (2 hours). North coast fishing village; quieter, authentic.
- Day 7: Arrive Lovina, explore town, relax beach
- Day 8: Early morning dolphin watching boat tour (5:30am departure, USD $30–50). See wild dolphins in natural habitat. Magical experience. Return by 7am for breakfast. Afternoon: snorkeling or waterfall visit (Gitgit Waterfall, USD $30–40 with guide).
- Day 9: Hot spring visit (Toya Devasya Hot Springs, USD $25–30 entry) or relaxation day
- Day 10: Drive back to airport (3 hours from Lovina) OR overnight in Sanur and depart next morning
Option 3: Nusa Islands Adventure (Days 7–9)
Boat trip from Sanur to Nusa Lembongan/Nusa Penida (snorkeling, cliff views, manta rays—but requires good swimmers/comfort level).
Days 7–9: Island hopping, snorkeling, Kelingking Beach viewpoint, Manta Point snorkeling.
Day 10 (All Options):
- Morning: Final activity or free time
- Midday: Pack, lunch
- Afternoon: Drive to airport
- Evening: Departure flight
2-Week (14-Day) Bali Family Itinerary
Best For: Families with generous vacation time, ages 3+, wanting comprehensive Bali experience without rushing.
Base Regions: Sanur (4 nights) → Ubud (4 nights) → Lovina (2 nights) → Sanur (2 nights) → Depart
Pacing: Leisurely; includes multiple rest days; allows day trips from each base.
Days 1–4: Beach Base (Sanur)
Follow 7-day itinerary Days 1–3. Add Day 4:
Day 4:
- Morning: Sanur boardwalk cycling
- Afternoon: Bali Seawalker (underwater walk in helmet) or glass-bottom boat ride (USD $35–50)
- Evening: Sunset at beach, beachfront dinner
Days 5–8: Culture Base (Ubud)
Follow 10-day itinerary Days 4–6. Add Days 7–8:
Day 7:
- Morning: Optional: Tegalalang rice terrace walk (if not done on Day 5)
- Afternoon: Campuhan Ridge Walk (scenic valley walk, 1–1.5 hours)
- Evening: Traditional dance performance or casual evening
Day 8:
Full day flexibility: Waterfall hike, another cooking class, animal sanctuary visit, or pure relaxation day. Or: Day trip to Penglipuran Village (traditional bamboo-construction village, 1 hour from Ubud, USD $30–60 with guide), Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and temples.
Days 9–10: Nature & Dolphins (Lovina)
Day 9:
- Morning: Drive from Ubud to Lovina (2 hours)
- Afternoon: Arrive, explore Lovina town, relax at beach
- Evening: Casual dinner
Day 10:
- Early morning: Dolphin watching boat tour (5:30am, USD $30–50)
- Return by 7am, breakfast
- Afternoon: Gitgit Waterfall visit (30 min from Lovina, USD $30–40 with guide) or hot springs
- Evening: Dinner overlooking ocean
Days 11–12: Beach Return (Sanur)
Drive back to Sanur (3 hours from Lovina).
Day 11:
- Arrival, settle into familiar surroundings
- Afternoon: Beach time, familiar restaurants
- Evening: Relaxation
Day 12:
Full day: Nusa Islands snorkeling day trip OR Waterbom water park (if not visited earlier) OR pure beach/pool relaxation. Evening: Pack for departure.
Days 13–14: Final Days & Departure
Day 13:
- Morning: Last beach time
- Afternoon: Final shopping/souvenir gathering
- Evening: Farewell dinner
Day 14:
- Morning: Packing, checkout
- Midday: Last café visit or beach walk
- Afternoon: Drive to airport
- Evening: Departure flight
Daily Schedule Template (All Itineraries)
Use this structure for each day:
- 6:30–7:00am: Wake, breakfast
- 8:00–9:00am: First activity or beach time (avoid 7–9am traffic by starting early or staying local)
- 12:00pm: Lunch, break
- 1:00–3:00pm: Rest time (crucial for young kids; hotel pool, nap, quiet time)
- 3:00–6:00pm: Afternoon activity or beach time
- 6:00–7:00pm: Return to hotel, freshen up, relax
- 7:00–8:30pm: Dinner
- 8:30–9:30pm: Early bedtime (Bali heat and activity create early fatigue)
Activity Timing by Age
| Activity | Age 2-4 | Age 5-7 | Age 8-11 | Age 12+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkey Forest | ⚠️ Maybe* | ✓ Good | ✓ Great | ✓ Great |
| Rice Terraces Walk | ⚠️ Stroller needed | ✓ Easy walks | ✓ Good | ✓ Good |
| Mount Batur Trek | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Better if fit | ✓ Great |
| Cooking Class | ✗ Too young | ⚠️ May participate | ✓ Great | ✓ Great |
| Waterbom | ✓ Toddler pools | ✓ Multiple slides | ✓ All slides | ✓ All slides |
| Snorkeling | ✗ No | ⚠️ Shallow only | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Kecak Dance | ⚠️ May fuss | ✓ Captivated | ✓ Captivated | ✓ Good |
| Elephant Ride | ✗ Often too young | ⚠️ Minimum age 5 | ✓ Great | ✓ Great |
| Dolphin Tour | ⚠️ Early wake | ✓ Magical | ✓ Magical | ✓ Magical |
| Scuba Diving | ✗ No | ✗ No | ⚠️ Cert required | ✓ Certified |
*⚠️ = May work depending on child temperament/schedule; ✗ = Not recommended; ✓ = Great option
Pro Tips for Smooth Itinerary Execution
- Book Popular Activities Ahead
Mount Batur, cooking classes, performances, and tours fill quickly. Book 2–3 days in advance, especially peak season. - Hire a Driver
USD $35–70 for full day removes driving stress and enables flexible timing. Negotiate through your hotel or apps like GoJek. - Respect Nap Times
1–3pm quiet time prevents meltdowns and preserves family patience. Non-negotiable with kids under 8. - Stay Hydrated
Bali's heat is intense. Drink water constantly. Kids dehydrate quickly; carry refillable water bottles. - Use SPF 50+
UV intensity is extreme. Reapply hourly, especially for water activities. Zinc oxide nose protection works great for kids. - Embrace Flexibility
If your kid gets sick, you're exhausted, or you discover something amazing, change plans. Rigid itineraries create stress. - Don't Do Everything
The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real. You can't see every temple, walk every rice terrace, or visit every beach. Prioritize your family's interests; skip the rest guilt-free. - Download Offline Maps
Google Maps doesn't always work. Download offline maps via Google Maps app before traveling. Critical for navigating between regions. - Keep Cash Accessible
Many activities (temples, markets, small restaurants) operate cash-only or with unreliable card machines. Carry IDR 500,000–1,000,000 (USD $30–60) in small bills. - Schedule Phone-Free Time
As tempting as documentation is, your best memories come from presence. Designate "phone-free" meals or activities.
Final Thoughts
These itineraries provide structure while remaining flexible enough for family realities. Bali's magic isn't in checking off attractions—it's in sunrise temple visits, random conversations with locals, kids discovering something new, and families connecting without daily obligations. Use these guides as inspiration, not requirement. The perfect Bali itinerary is the one your family creates together.