June Family Adventure: Exploring Bali with Four Adults and One Child

A family of four, including a young child, just returned to Australia after an enchanting 7-night, 6-day getaway in Bali. The visa process was smooth; they applied for an E-Visa a week in advance, and the approval came through promptly after the online payment. Upon arrival, the adults breezed through the self-service immigration, while the mother and baby used the paid E-Visa manual channel, which took only a few minutes.

Their accommodation was at The Samata Lifestyle retreats in the serene Sanur area. Given the young child, they opted for a villa-like hotel with only about a dozen rooms, ensuring a more intimate and peaceful stay. They enjoyed a two-bedroom villa complete with a private pool and kitchen. The hotel service was commendable, though they did encounter some mosquitoes and small insects in the room.

For transportation, the hotel arranged their airport pick-up, and they relied on Grab for taxis and booked a car for a day through Klook. If you can speak English, short-distance Grab rides are surprisingly affordable. For instance, a 30-minute ride from the hotel to Bali Zoo in a 6-seater taxi cost around 7-8 Australian dollars one way.

Closer trips to the beach or supermarket were even cheaper, costing about 2-3 Australian dollars. A 10-hour English-speaking car rental through Klook was a reasonable 80 Australian dollars, and a taxi back to the airport cost 15 Australian dollars.

Their activities were a delightful mix of adventure and relaxation. They spent a day at Bali Zoo, visited the Royal Palace and Tirta Empul Temple, relaxed on the beach, and went ATV riding. Another day was dedicated to snorkeling. The rest of their time was spent exploring nearby areas and going to the supermarket.

Bali Zoo, snorkeling, and ATV riding were highlights, while the other attractions were somewhat average. They skipped beach clubs, night markets, and local markets due to the presence of parents and a young child.

When it came to dining, the overall experience was average, with no particularly memorable dishes. The service was slow, and the portions were small, but the prices were not high. A meal for four typically cost between 40-60 Australian dollars.

The fruits in Bali, however, were a real treat—delicious and much cheaper than in Australia. They made three trips to a nearby supermarket called GrandLucky. Rambutan was about 3.5 Australian dollars per kilogram, durian was about 15 Australian dollars per kilogram, and snake fruit was about 4 Australian dollars per kilogram. These tropical delights were a must-buy!

Bali is also famous for its affordable massages, and they did not disappoint. A one-hour massage costs about 13 Australian dollars. The family visited Koa boutique spa, where the Balinese massage was strong and the environment was relaxing. Despite initially intending to book Koashala, a popular spot on Xiaohongshu, the mistake led them to Koa, which was slightly cheaper. The experience was so enjoyable that they returned for a second session during their stay.

For shopping, they visited Living World Denpasar, where they picked up facial cleanser, toner, and lip balm from Sensatia Botanicals. They also bought a locally advertised hair oil called Ellips, adding a touch of Balinese beauty to their daily routine.

Despite our precautions, such as purchasing bottled water from the supermarket and dining at the hotel or reputable restaurants, we still experienced a bout of Bali Belly. We tried local remedies, but they didn’t provide immediate relief.

The local climate is intensely hot, humid, and bathed in relentless sunshine. This environment can be quite challenging, especially for young children and the elderly, making it less than ideal for family travel.

English is widely spoken, and basic communication is generally not a problem. The locals are incredibly friendly and have a special warmth towards children, which made our stay more pleasant.