Things to do in Bali with teenagers

Bali is a tropical paradise known for its beaches, markets, temples and cheap holidays. It attracts people from all around the world and Bali has plenty to offer family travellers. You will find plenty to do in Bali with teenagers, teens, kids and toddlers. No matter how big or small your family is Bali has something awesome for you.

Visiting Bali with kids is a great idea with plenty of value for money food and accommodation wise. You will find water parks, water activities, cultural experiences, sightseeing and much more in Bali for families. Here are some of our top things to do in Bali with teenagers.

Know before you go! Our top Bali travel tips

Travelling to Bali can be an overwhelming experience. The heat is one factor that many are not ready for but this beautiful tropical island is waiting for you to go and relax.

Where to stay in Bali

You’ll never be short of options for your accommodation in Bali. In Bali, you find a range of hotels, apartments and hostels. You will be sure to be able to find something to fit singles, couples, families and groups on every budget. If you’re not keen on any of our picks below or have specific needs, we recommend using Trip Advisor and Booking.com to find the best prices in Bali.

• Luxury: Featuring 2 outdoor pools and a waterslide Bali Dynasty Resort features luxury rooms for families. Within easy walking distance of the markets and restaurants of Kuta. Rooms start at $200USD /$300AUD per night 
• Mid-Range: Traditional style Balinese villas greet you at Hotel Jati Sanur. Comfortable family rooms for 4 with 2 bedrooms, air conditioning and wifi await you. Rooms start from $80USD/$120AUD per night
• Budget: Located in an authentic neighbourhood Harris Riverview features family rooms, 3 pools and a gym. Located a short 5-minute drive from Kuta Beach. Rooms start at $50USD/$75AUD per night.

Bali Airbnb alternative for your stay in Bali

If you prefer a home away from home-style accommodation in Bali then Air BnB is the best choice for you. There are so many options for singles, families and budget-friendly options as well. Check out the map below or search here to find the perfect Bali Airbnb

How to get to Bali

• Ngurah Rai International Airport services flights in and out of Bali. The airport is located in the south of Bali and very near to most of Bali’s main tourist areas. In 2018 the airport handled over 23 million passengers Search Bali flights with Kiwi.com
• Being an island you can get to Bali by ferry from Java. The ferry that transfers between Ketapang in Java and Gilimanuk in Bali is a great way to cross the Bali Strait. Ferries operate 24 hours a day every 15-20 minutes, weather permitting.

Related Post: If you have never been to Bali before we have an amazing guide on tips for the first time visitors. Bali can be a culture shock to many, be prepared.

How to get around Bali

The whole Bali tourism industry is built around locals who work as drivers. You will be able to hire a driver and car for a day from around $40USD / $60 AUD. If you want to make a short trip to the beach or shops your best bet is to use GRAB (The Asian Uber) or a Blue Bird Taxi. If using the Taxi always book it through the app or negotiate the price first, Taxi rip-offs. are common.

Do you need a sim card for your trip to Bali?

Relying on Wi-fi when you are travelling can be hard. Making calls and staying in contact with who you need is a top priority. Plan your trip out and order your sim before you leave home to stop any stress about travelling, data and calls.

Money in Indonesia

The official National Currency in Indonesia is the Rupiah (Rp). The symbol for the Rupiah is Rp. They come in Rp1,000, Rp2,000, Rp5,000, Rp10,000, Rp20,000, Rp50,000, Rp100,000 banknotes as well as Rp100, Rp200, Rp500, Rp1,000 coins. We always recommend exchanging money at a reputable bank and double-check the amount you are given.

All the very best family activities in Bali for teens

Planning a trip to Bali with teens is made easy with our epic guide on activities in Bali for families. Use our knowledge to plan the very best Bali itinerary to make your Indonesian holiday a family travel adventure to remember.

Surfing lessons at Kuta Beach

As you walk along the beach at Kuta you will see surfboards lining the beach right next to plenty of chairs under large umbrellas. Our daughter Marley was keen to give the surfing at Kuta try while we sat under one of those umbrellas watching.

We approached Galih who offered to take Marley surfing at Kuta. We talked price and ended up paying $20 AUD (Rp.200,000) for 1-1.5 hours worth of lessons and surfing. Marley was taught the basics on the beach for about 10-15 minutes like how to stand, how to get up, positioning and balance.

As Marley headed into the Kuta surf she only had eyes for the waves rolling in and the possibility of riding them! With Galih’s help and some determination, Marley was able to stand up at times as the small waves of Kuta pushed her to the shore.

While our youngest daughter was learning to surf Kuta beach our eldest child was sitting on the beach getting a Henna tattoo drawn on her hand. The tattoo lasted for around 10 days before it really started to fade. Willow has very sensitive skin and we had no problems with the ink used on her. Hair braiding was also on offer by many of the sellers on Kuta beach for kids to have done.

Surviving Kuta Beach is a must! For so many first time or even returning visitors to Bali Kuta Beach can be a nightmare. Use our top tips for surviving Kuta Beach to make sure you get some relaxing beach time at the iconic beach.

Professional photoshoot in Bali

Professional photoshoots in Bali are very popular these days. What better way to remember your adventure in Bali than with a professional photoshoot. As our teenagers get older the chance to make these type of family memories get less and less. You will get to choose from Volcanoes or Beaches, temples or villages, sunrise or sunset. There is a memory waiting to be made that suits everyone.

Klook.com

The Bali Swing

What started as one good idea in one spot in Bali has now spawned what seems like a million copies. The Bali Swing attraction where you glide out over the rice fields or high above lush vegetation is everywhere. You just need to look at Instagram or youtube to garnish their popularity. Many differ in height and price.

The swing makes for a great experience for the kids. They loved the freedom and sense of flying that it brings. You will pay anywhere from Rp.150,000 to Rp.250,000 for a go (around $15-$25 Australian dollars.) Try and haggle the price if you think they are receptive. We ended up getting both kids for Rp.150,000 at one spot as the weather was turning bad.

Klook.com

Waterbom in Bali

Waterbom is constantly rated the best waterpark in all of Asia. Visiting Waterbom we had high expectations for a brilliant day out. We hired a cabana near the lazy river area which was excellent and provided us with a shady spot to go back to throughout the day.

Our eldest teen seemed to think it was a good place to have a sleep for a while with the occasional dip into the lazy river. Our tween, on the other hand, was straight at the water slides of which there are many, that go by names such as boomerang, constrictor and super bowl just to name a few.

Waterbom is basically in the main street of Kuta. Expect it to be packed and the lines for the water slides to be long. To spend money at Waterbom you need to get a wristband which is topped up with credit.

You then just swipe your band when buying drinks, food or massages. A visit to Waterbom with a teen in Bali will cost you western prices. Kids over 11 are charged adult prices. For us, that meant a cost of just over $200 AUD for entry and a cabana.

• We also suggest you put a little bit extra on your wristband to spend especially if you are hiring towels. We put Rp.300,000 on our card on entry and that went straight on hiring towels for the 4 of us. Towels are only Rp.10,000 to hire BUT you need an Rp.50,000 deposit on all of them each that you receive when you return them.

• There are top-up stations all over the park though so it is easy to do and you don’t have to return to the entrance to top up. If you have money left on your wristband at the end of the day you just have to go to the ticket booths at the entrance and they will give you your remaining money back in cash.

Do I need travel insurance in Indonesia?
We always say if you can’t afford travel insurance you can’t afford to travel. Get your travel insurance now to protect your epic holiday in Indonesia from any small hiccup.
For Australian travellers, we recommend Fast Cover Travel Insurance
For worldwide travellers, we recommend AXA Travel Insurance

The Secret Waterslide

Way up in the North of Bali around about 3 hours from Kuta lies the secret waterslide. The drive is slow and windy on back roads where you will be dodging dogs, chooks and steep drops till you reach Lemukih Village.

This place is that far north you can see the coastline and Singaraja the biggest city on the north coast. You need to trek through some amazing rice terraces on the way with steep forested mountains surrounding you. The walk alone is something that is pure magic!

You will arrive at a little shack that serves food and drinks while the sound of running water rings in your ears. The river below is where the fun in Bali really begins. A fast flowing down hill stream awaits you. The forces of the water over thousands of years has worn the rocks smooth down into some little pools at the end of the slides.

An attendant will have some tubes waiting for you to sit on so you can head down the slide at full speed! If you are a little unsure the attendant will even go down with you the first few times, maybe even backwards. This was something the girls loved and thought it was fantastic that the attendant was going down with them too! This adventure is best done as a part of a tour with Bali Customized Tour

Tirta Empul

We think it is important for our teen and tween to experience cultural activities while we travel. For teens in Bali this can only mean a visit to Tirta Empul.

Legend has it that the Hindu god Indra created a spring that feeds the temples 13 fountains. The Hindu religion dictates that you bathe in the holy water to guard off evil spirits. This is a truly special cultural event to experience in Bali with teens.

It requires you to put a sarong on and immerse yourself in the cold waters of the bathing pool. When you get to the front you must put your head under the running water to wash the evil spirits away.

There are 13 fountains where this can be done and traditionally you must wash at all 13 of them. This cultural ceremony is unique and cooling on a hot Bali day

We had a driver take us from Ubud to Tirta Empul. He waited the 2 hours while we were inside and then he took us back to Ubud for $25.00 AUD or Rp.250,000

Frankensteins Laboratory

Located in Seminyak is Frankensteins Laboratory. It is a cabaret show, restaurant and bar. Each day they have an afternoon family show that starts at 4.30 pm and runs till 7.30 pm.

This place really gets into the swing of it by having drinks in syringes and even I.V bags. They have some amazing makeup artists on hand to make you look at all types of freaky and deformed. The cabaret characters come out dressed as Jason from Friday the 13th and Freddy Kruger just to name a few.

They happily wander the venue scaring people and posing for pictures. Then the real entertainment begins when they start the dance routines to such hits a Micheal Jacksons ‘Thriller’ and Bruno Mars.

The food and drinks were a little more expensive than most venues but you are paying for the entertainment which was first class and kept our kids in Bali very much entertained for the entire time we were there.

Where is Frankensteins Bali?

Jl. Camplung Tanduk No.6, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361 https://frankensteins-laboratory.com/

Tips for Frankensteins Laboratory in Bali

• Older kids might not find it as fun as the younger ones but it is a great night out

• Get one of the make-up ‘wounds’ Our tween loved it and she still has the plastic to take home as a souvenir.

• If we return I am definitely getting one of the IV bag drinks or the syringe drinks! They looked so cool

• Prices are a little more than your warung or local restaurant. It marketed at travellers so if you are on a budget you may need to put a little away for it

• Get up, dance and have a heap of fun!

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Snorkelling in Bali

In North Bali just off Lovina beach is a reef located in around 10 foot of water. The water is calm without any waves which produce ideal conditions for teenagers to snorkel in Bali. You will be taken out to the reef in a traditional boat and supplied with the masks and flippers.

The sea life in the area is amazing. As you swim around the reef there will be tropical fish everywhere. This was an amazing experience for the whole family in Bali.

Sunset at Seminyak

Of a late afternoon, the beach at Seminyak is transformed with beanbags and tables for watching the sunset on the beach. La Plancha will have rows of beanbags set out, friendly waiters seat you then take your order for food and drinks.

Music makes the atmosphere all that more lively as the sun dances across the water as it slowly disappears behind the ocean. The teenagers will enjoy the party-like atmosphere where everyone is friendly and just looking to relax and enjoy the evening

Transworld Studio Indoor Theme Park

The newest attraction on the scene in Bali is Transworld studio indoor theme park. This attraction only opened in December 2019. The one thing that stands out as you approach the venue is the roller coaster that sticks out of the roof.

The Trans Studio Bali offers an exciting indoor experience in Bali. There are days when it’s too hot to be outside or when a tropical downpour hits. Perched on the top 2 floors of the Trans Studio Mall, is spread over 1,8 hectares of space. The theme park boasts a unique concept with many rides and attractions spread out over 5 different zones for kids and adults of all ages.

We know because we go! How do we keep our teens social when we travel? Our post on how we keep our teenagers social on holiday can help your teens get the most out of a family holiday

Cinema in Bali

Watching a movie is popular with teenagers anywhere in the world. Going to the cinema with teenagers in Bali is a great evening activity. With the unpredictable humid weather in Bali, the cinema is a great backup for your family vacation. You will find a state of the art screens and sound. Below you will find 3 of the best cinemas in Bali. n the Kuta area, there are 4 cinemas (two are Cinema XXI) showing the latest movies in air-conditioned comfort. Most of the movies come in English with Indonesian subtitles or in Indonesian voice over with English subtitles.

• Cinema XXI

• Cinema 21

• Cinemax

10 Pin Bowling in Bali

If you’re looking for a bit of fun, friendly family competition in Bali then 10 pin bowling might be just the activity for you and your teenagers. You can go 10 pin bowling in Bali at a number of different location in the city centre. There are two 10 pin bowling alleys in the Kuta area for family fun in Bali. Nothing beats a bit of sibling and family rivalry as the pins go flying in Bali.

• Strike Bowling

• Paradiso Bowling

Escape rooms in Bali

For those new to Escape rooms, this is a quick run down.

An escape room, also known as an “escape game”, is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategy to complete the objectives at hand.

Escape rooms may consist of a large, single room, or span multiple rooms. Players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms. If your teen likes this stuff it is definitely one of the top things to do in Bali with teenagers.

You will have 60 minutes to solve the puzzle and find the truth. Below you will find a map with locations of Bali Escape rooms.

Bike riding in Bali

Bali bike riding is a popular family activity when travelling with teenagers. Bike riding allows you to experience your location either in town or out in the surrounding areas. You will find bike tours are the best way to go if you want to get an up-close and personal experience of the city. You will either have a guide to point out all the important attractions or a map to follow. The bike tours will take you on a Bali family vacation 2 wheeled adventure. Alternatively, you can find locations that hire bikes and let you explore on your own.

Going to the gym in Bali

Fitness is very important to a lot of teenagers these days. Working out is a big part of a healthy lifestyle. Just because one is travelling it does not mean you need to stop working out.

In Bali, you can go to a number of Gyms that sell passes ranging from a day to a week and a month. You can find a gym in Bali that suits you right here

Drivers and Tour Companies

While we were in Bali we had the pleasure of using a few different services for day tours and transfers. There is so much to see and do in Bali. Don’t forget to visit places like Canggu Denpasar and Uluwatu We recommend the following companies for your use while in Bali.

• Bali Family Tours – for day tours and transfers

• Bali Customized Tours – for day tours

• Discovery Bali Holidays for a day driver and transfers

We recommend Amazon.com for all your travel with teenagers needs!

Restaurant Recommendations in Bali

There is literally a restaurant every few meters in Bali for you to eat at. We won’t go into all the places we ate at while in Bali, but we will recommend a place both in Kuta and Ubud we ate at and loved.

Warung Pak Hadi in Kuta

Warung Pak Hardi serve a Chinese style cuisine with lots of stir fry and rice. There are plenty of seafood options too.

The menu is in both English and Indonesian. They give you a note pad so you can write what you want in Indonesian since the owners English is not so great. Amazing, need I say it again amazing food at this place.

We walked over a kilometre to eat here 3 times while we were in Kuta. Great selection of seafood, chicken, beef and lamb dishes with the best-tasting vegetables anywhere. Also for the vegan’s, there are plenty of rice and noodle dishes with vegetables.

Where is Warung Pak Hardi?

Jl. Patih Jelantik No.100, Legian, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361

Price range at Warung Pak Hardi

We constantly had 4 mains with a Nasi Goreng to share with 1 beer and 3 soft drinks for anywhere between Rp.180,00 ($18.00AUD, $13.00USD, 11.00Euro) and Rp.220,000 ($22.00AUD, $16.00USD, 14.00Euro)

Umah Pizza – Ubud

This place was a hit with our kids in Ubud. I think after eating noodles and rice for 10 days they were looking some comforts of Western food. I can tell you Umah Pizza did not disappoint. Burgers, pasta, pizza, chicken and vegetables were amazing. Not to mention the Oreo dessert pizza with ice cream and whipped cream.

They have a big menu with something for everyone including noodle and rice dishes. The chicken burger was excellent, the carbonara amazing and the chicken fillet with mushroom sauce and mash hit the spot.

Where is Umah Pizza in Ubud?

Jl. Bisma, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia

Price range at Umah Pizza

We found the prices in Ubid a little higher than the Kuta area. We were paying anywhere up to Rp.320,000 ($32.00AUD, $23.00USD, 20.00Euro) for the four of us. In saying that we were having 2 entrees with these meals. Typically a pizza was around Rp.40,000-Rp.60,000, while a chicken burger and spaghetti carbonara were 45,000IDR.

If all else fails you will find the usual fast food outlets in Bali such as KFC, McDonald’s and Burger King just to name a few.

Discover more: If you are looking to get a real sense of food in Ubud join the team from Good Indonesian Food for a walking food tour of Ubud. Taste all the dishes Ubud is known for and even see some of the sites as you walk.

Things to be aware of in Bali

• ATM machines only dispense up to Rp.3,000,000 at a time ($300AUD). Best bet is to bring some cash with you.

• Always ask for a receipt at the small convenience stores they will and do rip foreigners off.

• Get a Grab (Asian version of UBER) or negotiate the price of the cab first, especially if their meter is not working.

• Don’t drink the water, don’t even wash your toothbrush in the water, always use bottled water

• Sunscreen is ultra-expensive and you will need it!

• Mosquitos can be a problem. We choose to bring some Para’Kito wrist bands to keep them away

Airport transfer in Bali

Kuta is located very close to the airport. You will be at your hotel with 5-10 minutes depending on the traffic. If you are travelling further afield like Ubud it will take 1-1.5 hours. If you don’t want the hassle of finding a ride when you arrive in Bali your hotel may offer transfers. You would easily get a grab for around the $5.00AUD mark.

Blue Bird taxis are the most official company. Always check to see if they have a meter in the car that is working and if not negotiate a price first. We transferred from Ubud to the airport for $30.00AUD. As we mentioned above both Family Bali Tours and Marco Bali are excellent for airport transfers in Bali.

We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to visit Bali with teenagers. There are so many things to do in Bali with teenagers that will have you entertained for your families whole stay in Bali. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Indonesia click through to our Indonesia Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.

Family travel with teens and tweens. Travelling with older kids has just as many issues as travelling with younger kids. Use our Travel with Teenagers Destination Guides from all over the world for your next family holiday inspiration.

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Some more travel inspiration for your trip to Indonesia

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