Ubud Family Travel Guide with Kids
Ubud is Bali’s lush cultural heart – rice terraces, temples, yoga, markets, and kid-friendly adventures all within stroller distance of smoothies and good coffee. This guide helps you decide if Ubud belongs in your family’s Bali base plan (and how to make it actually relaxing).
Quick links for busy parents
- ✈️ Check flights to Bali (DPS) Compare family-friendly times, prices, and routes.
- 🚗 Compare Bali car rentals Filter for car seats and airport pick-up options.
- 🛏️ Browse family stays near central Ubud Villas, guesthouses, and hotels walkable to Monkey Forest Road.
- 🌿 Ubud tours & day trips Monkey Forest, rice terraces, swings, temples, waterfalls.
- 🛡️ Family travel insurance (global) Flexible coverage for Bali trips with kids.
Is Ubud a good base for families?
Ubud is where Bali slows down enough for you to actually notice the fragrance of frangipani, the sound of gamelan from a temple courtyard, and your kids laughing as they chase bubbles on a car-free lane. It’s green, walkable in pockets, and filled with cafes that understand what “picky toddler” means.
Compared with Seminyak and Canggu, Ubud trades beach time for culture, jungle views, and day trips. Many families split stays: a few nights in Ubud for temples, rice terraces, and swings, then a beach hub for sand and sunsets.
If your family likes markets, art, gentle nature walks, and cafes with smoothie bowls and strong coffee, Ubud will feel like a soft landing. If your kids are ocean-obsessed and hate car time, Ubud is better as a 2–4 night add-on, not your only base.
In the Ultimate Bali Neighborhood Guide we show exactly how Ubud pairs with Sanur, Nusa Dua, Seminyak, and Uluwatu so you can build a simple, kid-friendly circuit.
Ubud at a glance
Who Ubud is best for
- Families who love culture, nature, and calm evenings more than nightlife.
- Kids who enjoy animals, markets, craft classes, and “adventure walks” to rice terraces.
- Parents who want yoga, spas, and good coffee within a short walk of their stay.
- Digital nomad families who need cafes with Wi-Fi plus kid-friendly menus.
Who might prefer the beach hubs
- Families that want daily sand and waves in front of their stay — look at Sanur, Nusa Dua, or Seminyak.
- Teens who care more about surf, malls, and beach clubs than temples and rice fields.
- Anyone who gets carsick easily – Ubud’s day trips mean more time in the car.
Quick vibe check
- Vibe: Artsy, spiritual, green, busy but slower than the coast.
- Noise: Roosters + scooters + ceremonies; quiet lanes exist if you choose carefully.
- Price level: Mid-range overall, with both budget homestays and luxe jungle resorts.
- Stay length: 2–5 nights works well for most families.
- Pair with: Sanur, Nusa Dua, or Seminyak to balance jungle and beach.
Where to stay in Ubud with kids
Ubud isn’t one single neighborhood. It’s a central town surrounded by pockets of villages and rice terraces that all market themselves as “Ubud.” Where you stay changes your experience completely, especially with little legs and strollers.
Central Ubud (Monkey Forest Road & side streets)
This is the most convenient area for families who want to walk to cafes, shops, Monkey Forest, and the market. Streets are busy and narrow, but you can often do entire days without needing a car. Noise levels are higher, so look for rooms facing gardens rather than the street.
- Good for: first-timers, short stays, families without car seats, tweens/teens.
- Consider: traffic, scooter noise at night, and fewer big grassy play spaces.
Penestanan & Sayan (leafy fringe with rice views)
West of the center, Penestanan and Sayan feel more village-like with narrow paths, steeper terrain, and rice-field views. Expect small shops, warungs, yoga spaces, and more birdsong than motors. You’ll rely more on short taxi rides into town, but you gain calm and more space.
- Good for: repeat visitors, longer stays, kids who like pools more than pavement.
- Consider: steps, slopes, and paths that aren’t stroller-friendly.
Nyuh Kuning & southern pockets
South of Monkey Forest, Nyuh Kuning feels like a tucked-away village, still walkable to central areas via Monkey Forest or the main road. It’s a sweet blend of local life, homestays, cafes, and calmer streets, with enough shops and massages for easy “naptime breaks” for parents.
- Good for: families wanting a softer, greener feel but still near the action.
- Consider: the walk back up into town can be hot and hilly with small kids.
Best family stays in Ubud
Once you know which pocket of Ubud feels right, it helps to have a few stays that already work well for mixed-age families, pools, and early bedtimes. These options give you space to breathe, easy meal solutions, and a good home base between day trips.
- The Westin Resort & Spa, Ubud – resort-style pool, kids’ spaces, and a calm jungle setting that works well for families who want everything on-site.
- Maya Ubud Resort & Spa – villas, big pools, and lush grounds that feel like a “jungle retreat” without being too far from town.
- Alaya Resort Ubud – stylish and central, walkable to Monkey Forest and cafes, with enough comfort that parents feel like they’re on vacation too.
How to search for stays (and keep your sanity)
Use filters like “family room,” “crib,” “pool,” and “air conditioning” and always skim recent reviews from other families.
- Start your search around central Ubud, Monkey Forest Road, and Nyuh Kuning using Booking.com’s accommodation filters.
- Look for phrases like “quiet at night,” “walkable to cafes,” “connecting rooms,” and “easy with kids” in recent reviews.
- Once you shortlist a few stays, layer them into your bigger route using the Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide.
What to do in and around Ubud with kids
Think of Ubud as a hub for half-day and full-day adventures: Monkey Forest in the morning, a pool break at midday, then evening dance at the palace. Or a day trip to rice terraces and a waterfall with a driver, coming home to an easy dinner and early bedtime.
You’ll find a full breakdown in the Ultimate Bali Family Attractions Guide, but here are Ubud-centric highlights most families enjoy.
Core Ubud experiences
- Meet the macaques at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (with strict “no food in pockets” rules).
- Stroll the Ubud Traditional Art Market for sarongs, baskets, and kid-chosen souvenirs.
- Watch a traditional dance performance at Ubud Palace in the evening.
- Walk a section of the Campuhan Ridge at golden hour for views without a long hike.
- Join a family-friendly craft or dance class at Pondok Pekak Library & Learning Centre.
Day trips from Ubud
Many classic Bali experiences are easiest to reach from Ubud: rice terraces, swings, coffee plantations, and waterfalls are all within roughly an hour’s drive. Booking a private driver or guided tour means car seats, snacks, and naps can all happen without stress.
- Browse curated family-friendly options via Ubud rice terraces & swings tours.
- Look at gentle sunrise or mid-morning options in the Mt. Batur “easy” category if you have older kids or teens.
- Combine a short waterfall stop, rice terraces, and lunch in one day so you’re not doing multiple long drives.
15+ verified Ubud spots parents actually use
These are real places in and around Ubud with functioning websites or official pages at the time of writing. Use them as anchor points when you plan your walks, meal stops, or “bribe with ice cream” breaks.
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary – central Ubud forest with temples, macaques, and shaded paths.
- Ubud Traditional Art Market – souvenirs, textiles, and a peek at local daily life.
- Clear Café Ubud – bright, wellness-leaning menu with plenty of kid-friendly options.
- Folk Pool & Gardens – swim-up vibes, poolside daybeds, and family-friendly food in the center of town.
- Bali Buda Ubud – wholesome café and shop on Jl. Raya Ubud with smoothies, bakery, and pantry staples.
- Seniman Coffee Studio – specialty coffee, tastings, and calm corners for a parent caffeine reset.
- KAFE Ubud – beloved neighborhood café with big menus, kid-friendly dishes, and eco-minded ethos.
- The Yoga Barn – yoga classes, wellness sessions, and retreats in a leafy compound near central Ubud.
- Pondok Pekak Library & Learning Centre – children’s books, Balinese arts classes, and cultural workshops.
- Watercress Ubud – brunch, live music, and easy crowd-pleasers near Monkey Forest.
- KAFE kids & juice menus – helpful if you have little ones with specific preferences.
- Love Bali tourism levy portal – official site to pay the Bali visitor levy before arrival.
- Bali Government Tourism Office – official updates on entry rules and advisories.
- Bali Tourism Board – island-wide travel information and official links.
- Bali.com travel guide – practical visa, weather, and region overviews if you’re still deciding where to base.
- Ultimate Bali Family Attractions Guide – connects Ubud with waterfalls, swings, Mt. Batur, and beach days.
- Ultimate Bali Logistics & Planning Guide – up-to-date info on visas, airport arrivals, car seats, and more.
Eating in Ubud with kids (without stress)
Ubud is one of the easiest places in Bali to feed a mixed-diet family. You’ll find smoothies, pizza, nasi goreng, vegan brownies, and chicken satay on the same street. Most cafes are used to kids wandering between tables and will happily adapt dishes.
Look for menus with smoothie bowls, pancakes, fried rice/noodles, and simple grilled chicken or fish with rice. Many spots also offer fresh juices without added sugar – perfect for cooling kids down after a hot walk.
For more polished dinners, book a table and eat early, especially with younger kids. Lunch is usually the most relaxed time to enjoy “grown-up” meals with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
Sample Ubud family day (no overloading)
This loose outline keeps heat, nap windows, and meltdowns in mind. Adjust times around your kids’ natural rhythms and your home time zone.
- Morning: Early breakfast, then head to Monkey Forest right after opening to beat both heat and crowds.
- Late morning: Walk or taxi up to the palace and market area, explore a little, then stop for smoothies and snacks.
- Midday: Pool and rest time back at your stay. This is when parents can tag-team yoga, massage, or a quiet coffee.
- Late afternoon: Short walk along Campuhan Ridge or a calm lane near your villa for golden-hour photos.
- Evening: Early dinner nearby, then an optional dance performance if your kids still have energy.
When you’re mapping multiple hubs like Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, and Sanur, use the Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide to connect these single-day plans into a 5–10 day itinerary.
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