Best of Bali & Nusa Penida for Families - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bali, Transfer to Ubud, Traditional Dance at Ubud Palace

Welcome to Bali! A private driver will welcome you at Denpasar Airport and drive you to your hotel in Ubud, where you can get settled in after your flight. Considered by some to be the "spiritual heart of Bali," Ubud is surrounded by terraced rice paddies and jungle. After giving your kids a chance to rest after the long journey, explore the surrounding area with a relaxed walk. On even the shortest stroll around Ubud, you'll come across many pretty little temples that you can check out.

In the evening, if your family has enough energy, make your way to Ubud Palace, where you can catch a traditional dance performance. The palace grounds are an enchanting setting for the colorful show, which provides your kids with an interesting introduction to Balinese culture. 

Day 2: Ubud Cultural Tour & Monkey Forest

After a good night's rest, it's time to get out and explore Ubud! Your first stop is the wonderful Monkey Forest, where kids will be delighted to meet the resident long-tailed macaques. The monkeys live freely here, especially around the temple of Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegai, and the whole family will love watching their playful antics—though make sure to keep your belongings close, as the monkeys can be cheeky! As well as encounters with playful primates, the forest is a cool, shady place to take a walk, and the carvings at the temples are impressive, too.

Next up is the Goa Gajah temple, which translates to "Cave of the Elephant." This religious sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflects Bali's blend of Hindu and Buddhist cultures. In case your kids feel frightened by "Boma," the intimidating character at the entrance, you can reassure them that it's there to scare evil spirits away! Continue to Tirta Empul in the village of Manukaya. This Hindu temple is dedicated to purification, and its name means "sacred source" in Balinese. The waters of the pools come from the Pakerisan River and are believed to be purifying and magical. 

Day 3: Ubud Cycling Excursion, Visit Artisan Villages

Today you can let your kids burn off some energy on an active tour. In the morning, head out to the countryside near Ubud for an electric bicycle ride past rice fields, temples, and traditional houses. Your guide will lead you down roads and small paths surrounded by wild jungle and verdant rice fields. Go at your own pace and stop wherever you need, perhaps in little villages where you can explore the local markets and get a close-up look at how the locals live.

In the afternoon, visit the village of Mas, which is famous for its traditional wood carving. Enter the artisans' workshops to see them at work. You won't look at the carved buildings across Bali the same way again. Later, visit the village of Celuk, where silver jewelry and decorative items are crafted. These villages are great places to pick up souvenirs, as whatever you buy here will have a personal story attached.

Day 4: Ayun River Rafting, Tegenungan & Kanto Lampo Waterfalls

Today you'll experience Bali's beautiful interior landscapes from a different perspective as you raft down the Ayung River, Bali's longest river. You and your kids will have great fun paddling, splashing, and bouncing down the river on a series of rapids, all surrounded by tropical jungle. Don't worry if you or your kids have never rafted before, as you'll get a full safety briefing, and all gear is provided. At the end of the trip, refuel with a buffet lunch.

Later on, it's time to visit some of Bali's gorgeous waterfalls. There are dozens of cascades you can visit just around Ubud. One of the most famous is Tegenungan, in the village of Tegenungan Kemenuh. You and your kids can swim here but take care as the cascade is powerful, especially after rain. Continue on to Kanto Lampo, near Gianyar, where stairs lead up to four waterfalls, and you can swim in the natural pools surrounded by lush scenery. It's the ideal way to relax after this morning's excitement.

Day 5: Boat Transfer to Nusa Penida

Say goodbye to Ubud today as you make your way to Nusa Penida. Located just 15 miles (25 km) southeast of Bali, this is the smallest of Indonesia's three Nusa Islands, and its small size belies a paradise of lush jungle, crystal clear waters, and crowd-free, white-sand beaches. A driver will pick you up in the morning and transfer you to the jetty at Sanur, where you'll board a boat that will take you to Nusa Penida, a trip of less than an hour. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to relax, enjoy the beach, or let the kids nap.

Day 6: West Nusa Penida Beaches Tour

In a part of Indonesia famous for its beautiful beaches, Nusa Penida offers some of the prettiest. Today, you and your family will spend the day exploring some of the best beaches in the west of the island. 

Start at Broken Beach, on the west coast. This quiet cove takes its name from the archway that spans across the bay. Admire the views, then continue to Angel's Billabong, where you can watch the waves crash against the cliffs. Note that although some people swim here, it's not recommended, especially for kids. Finally, head to Crystal Bay, a quiet little stretch of sand. It's the perfect setting for a sunset cocktail or fruit juice and some family chill-out time in an idyllic location.

Day 7: Snorkel With Manta Rays

Today, you and the kids will embark on a very special snorkeling tour. Nusa Penida is known for its beautiful underwater world, and its seas are home to manta rays that are visible year-round. After boarding a boat, you'll sit back and relax as your captain takes you to the best snorkeling spots of the day, depending on the conditions and the ages and abilities of the kids. Stop at the famous Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, and GT Point, and dive into a memorable adventure in the Indian Ocean. As well as manta rays, you're also likely to see turtles, coral, and many species of colorful fish. 

Day 8: Transfer to Sanur, Sukawati Art Market, Bats at Goa Lawah Temple

Leave Nusa Penida behind this morning and return to Bali's mainland. You'll take a fast boat back to Sanur, where you'll check into your hotel. After some time settling in and relaxing, head out to the Sukawati Art Market, which is a great place for all ages to shop. You'll find everything from fruit and spices to souvenirs of all kinds. Local artisans come to sell all kinds of textiles, baskets, and paintings. Give your kids a chance to practice their bargaining skills while picking out their own souvenirs to take home.

After a fun shopping excursion, continue to the cave temple of Goa Lawah, famous for the hundreds of bats that live inside. Curious kids will love spotting the nocturnal creatures hanging upside down to sleep and flying around the cave's interior.

Day 9: South Bali Beach Tour, Fire Dance at Uluwatu Temple

A vacation in South Bali wouldn't be complete without plenty of time lounging on beaches, and this is exactly what you and your kids will do today. On your last full day, soak in all of the sea, sand, and sun that you can on a beach-hopping trip. Your driver will take you to some of the best beaches of the Bukit Peninsula, the southern part of Bali, including Padang Padang, Thomas, Green Bowl, and Pandawa. You can spend as long as you like at each beach and visit as many or as few as you like. Let the kids choose their favorite and settle in for a relaxed afternoon.

Finish the day with a visit to the clifftop Pura Luhur Uluwatu to take in a spectacular sunset. This grand sea temple is located on a cliffside, and you can walk around it to enjoy the landscape and surrounding scenery. As night falls, stay for the grand spectacle of a Kecak show at the temple, also known as fire dancing. This dramatic Balinese dance is performed by around 50 people and narrates stories from the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. Kids will love the music, costumes, and drama of the performance, and it marks the perfect way to end your Indonesian adventure.

Day 10: Depart Bali

It's time to say goodbye to Bali today. Depending on the time of your flight, you may have time to spend the morning on the beach or to enjoy a last leisurely breakfast or lunch overlooking the sea. In good time for your flight, your driver will pick you up and drive you to the airport in nearby Denpasar. Safe travels!

Looking for more inspiration for your family trip to Indonesia? Check out these other Indonesia itineraries, explore other ways to spend 10 days in Indonesia, or discover the best tim to visit Indonesia.