Bali, the Island of the Gods, is where emerald rice terraces stair-step to the horizon and cliffside temples watch over the Indian Ocean. Hindu traditions infuse daily life here, from dawn offerings to sunset dances, and centuries-old water temple networks still nourish the island’s fields. Families find it easy to slow down: warm seas, kind smiles, and a rhythm that invites you to linger.

Across 30 days you’ll settle into three bases—Ubud, Canggu, and Nusa Dua—so travel stays light and days stay full. Expect easy day trips to waterfalls, UNESCO-listed rice terraces, and reefy islands where manta rays glide. Food runs from warung comfort plates to refined resort dining, with plenty of great coffee, gelato, and kid-approved bites.

Practical notes: Fly into Denpasar (DPS). Dry season is roughly April–October, with warmer seas and clearer skies for snorkeling. ATMs are common, the currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR), and rides between hubs cost about IDR 300,000–500,000 (~$20–$35). Dress modestly for temples, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and carry small notes for market shopping.

Ubud

Base yourself in Bali’s artistic heart for culture, craft markets, and easy access to waterfalls. Ubud pairs family-friendly strolls—like the photogenic Campuhan Ridge Walk—with temples, cooking classes, and cycling through rice terraces. The town center buzzes, but quiet lanes and river-valley hotels keep it serene.

• Top sights: Tegallalang Rice Terrace (sunrise), Ubud Palace and Puri Lukisan art museum, Tirta Empul water temple, Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Tegenungan or Tibumana Waterfall.
• Fun for families: Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest (go early), Folk Pool & Gardens (daybeds, occasional movie nights), easy biking in Penestanan or around Tegalalang.
• Shopping: Ubud Art Market (newly revitalized), Jalan Hanoman for boutiques, craft villages nearby (Mas for woodcarving, Celuk for silver).

Days 1–4: Settle in and see the classics

Start with gentle walks, a palace-and-market loop, and a half day around rice terraces and nearby waterfalls. Photograph golden light over the paddies and sip local kopi at a roastery.

• Coffee & Breakfast: Seniman Coffee Studio (single-origin pours, good pastries), Ubud Coffee Roastery (tiny, aromatic), Alchemy (smoothies and plant-based bowls).
• Lunch: Warung Bintangbali (nasi campur with rice-field views), Milk & Madu Ubud (kid-friendly pizzas and salads), Clear Café (fresh juices, wraps).
• Dinner: Bebek Bengil—“Dirty Duck Diner” (crispy duck, leafy garden), Café Wayan (Balinese classics since the 1980s), Ibu Oka (babi guling; go early before it sells out).

Days 5–7: Water temples, rice terraces, and villages

Dedicate a day to Bali’s ancient water temples and UNESCO landscapes, then bike a quieter countryside loop. Stop at family-run warungs for sate and fresh coconut.

Days 8–10: Adventure and slow living

Mix an ATV-and-rafting combo (best for older kids/teens) with downtime at a pool or yoga class. Save one evening for a dance performance at the palace.

Ubud Activities (Viator picks):

• Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private Guided Tour — a family-friendly day covering Monkey Forest, Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, a waterfall, and coffee tasting; hotel pickup included.

  

• Full-Day Tour to Water Temples and UNESCO Rice Terraces in Bali — see Ulun Danu Beratan, Jatiluwih’s waves of green, and mountain temples with a knowledgeable local guide.

  

• Bali ATV Ride and White Water Rafting — an action combo through forest trails and the Ayung River; great photos, splashes guaranteed.

  

• Ubud Top Attractions: Waterfalls, Temples and Rice Terraces — a flexible circuit ideal for photography lovers and first-timers.

  

Where to stay (Ubud):

• Browse family villas and homestays on VRBO (Ubud) or mid-range hotels on Hotels.com (Ubud).
• Splurge-worthy: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan—jungle immersion with standout kids’ activities.
• Budget social vibe: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel—central, clean, and friendly.

Getting to Bali (for your first city): Search flights to Denpasar (DPS) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical roundtrips from North America run ~$900–$1,400 depending on season; from Asia ~$150–$450.

Airport to Ubud: 1.5–2 hours by car, IDR 350,000–450,000 (~$23–$30). Hotel pickups or prebooked drivers are easiest with luggage.

Canggu

Shift to Bali’s beach-meets-village scene: sunset surf, smoothie bowls, and hip-but-chill cafés. Canggu spreads across Batu Bolong, Echo Beach, and Berawa—each with black-sand shores, family-friendly pools, and lively weekend markets.

• Top sights: Batu Bolong for gentle waves, Echo Beach tide pools, Tanah Lot Temple at golden hour, rice-field lanes for cycling.
• Family perks: Finns Beach Club family pools, playgrounds at Tamora Gallery, easy scooter taxis (or hire a driver) for short hops.
• Shopping: Love Anchor market (weekends), Samadi Sunday Market (organic produce and crafts), boutiques along Jl. Batu Bolong and Berawa.

Days 11–14: Beach days and easy biking

Arrive, drop bags, and walk the sand at low tide. Rent bikes for flat rides past shrines and paddies, stopping for iced coffees and coconut pancakes.

• Coffee & Breakfast: Crate Café (big portions, buzzy), Monsieur Spoon (French pastries), Baked Berawa (sourdough, cinnamon rolls).
• Lunch: Warung Bu Mi (mix-and-match nasi campur), Moana Fish Eatery (island-style grill), TYGR (family-pleasing rolls and bowls).
• Dinner: Milk & Madu Berawa (great for kids, live music some nights), Dandelion (Balinese dishes; friendly bunnies in the garden), Sensorium (inventive Australian-Asian plates; book ahead).

Days 15–17: Temple sunsets and northern day trip

Plan a Tanah Lot sunset and, if energy allows, a day north to lakes and waterfalls for cooler air. Photographers love the morning mist on the rice terraces above Tabanan.

Days 18–20: Markets, surf, and downtime

Try a family surf lesson, browse weekend markets, and claim a cabana at a family-friendly beach club. Evenings are for gelato strolls and ocean breezes.

Canggu Activities (Viator picks):

• Tanah Lot and North Bali Tour: Scenic Journey — a superb route for families to mix coast, lakes, and highland temples.

  

• Experts Bali Driver : Best Bali Private Driver for Tour in Bali — hire a driver by the day to reach beaches, markets, and photo spots at your pace.

  

• Bali Instagram Tour: The Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive) — hit photogenic highlights around the island with door-to-door transport; easy with kids.

  

Where to stay (Canggu/Seminyak):

• Explore villas and apartments on VRBO (Canggu) or hotels on Hotels.com (Canggu).
• Budget-friendly Seminyak base: M Boutique Hostel — clean, social, and close to cafés.
• Family resort nearby (Kuta): Bali Dynasty Resort — waterslides and kids’ club make beach days easy.

Transfer: Ubud to Canggu (Day 11 morning): 1.5–2 hours by car depending on traffic; IDR 350,000–500,000 (~$23–$35). Leave by 9:00 a.m. to arrive before lunch and beach time.

Nusa Dua

For your final 10 days, choose calm seas, broad beaches, and easy day trips down the Bukit Peninsula. Nusa Dua’s lagoon-like waters are ideal for families, while nearby Sanur offers relaxed promenades, kite-flying, and a classic night market.

• Top sights: Geger Beach’s soft sand, Waterblow lookout, Sanur beachfront path at sunrise, day trips to Uluwatu’s cliff temple and Jimbaran Bay.
• Family perks: Gentle swimming, shaded promenades, kid-friendly dining, and boat trips to Nusa Penida for snorkeling with colorful reefs.
• Shopping & strolls: Sanur’s Sindhu Night Market for snacks, beachfront cafés for smoothies and pancakes.

Days 21–24: Lagoons and local bites

Ease into beach days and SUP sessions. In Sanur, cycle the flat promenade and browse the night market for satay, martabak, and fresh juices.

• Coffee & Breakfast: Byrd House (Sanur; bakery and beach club vibe), Soul on the Beach (kids’ menu, feet-in-sand tables), Gourmet & Café Nusa Dua (good espresso).
• Lunch: Pirates Bay (fun pirate-ship setting), Tamarind Kitchen & Lounge (sea breezes, Indonesian plates), Genius Café (Sanur; healthy bowls and juices).
• Dinner: Bumbu Bali (Tanjung Benoa; excellent regional recipes), Massimo (Sanur; handmade pasta and famed gelato), Nusa Dua Pizza (casual and kid-approved).

Days 25–27: Uluwatu sunset and cultural evenings

Head to Uluwatu for clifftop ocean views and the Kecak fire dance at dusk. Cap the night with grilled seafood on Jimbaran’s beach, toes in the sand under lantern light.

Days 28–30: Nusa Penida boat day and last-look shopping

Take a private boat or small-group trip to Nusa Penida for snorkeling (manta sightings are possible), then relax into your final days with spa time and souvenir shopping.

Nusa Dua + South Bali Activities (Viator picks):

• Uluwatu Sunset, Kecak Dance, and Dinner Jimbaran Beach — a quintessential south-coast evening with cliffside views and cultural performance.

  

• Nusa Penida day trip: boat, 4 snorkeling, Manta rays & Land tour — private fast boat, reef snorkeling, and iconic viewpoints, all in one day.

  

• Premium All Inclusive Full Day Tour from Bali to Nusa Penida — upgrade to a roomier boat; great for families wanting fewer crowds.

  

• East Bali Tour: Gate of Heaven, Water Palace, Sleeping Gajah — a photo-forward day to Lempuyang and royal water gardens; start early to beat the queues.

  

Where to stay (Nusa Dua/Sanur):

• Resort and family stays on Hotels.com (Nusa Dua) and villas on VRBO (Nusa Dua).
• High-end treat: The St. Regis Bali Resort — butler service, lagoon pools, and a stellar kids’ club.

Transfer: Canggu to Nusa Dua (Day 21 morning): ~1–1.5 hours by car; IDR 300,000–450,000 (~$20–$30). Aim for a 9:00 a.m. departure to catch a late-morning swim.

Departing Bali

From Nusa Dua to DPS airport takes ~25–40 minutes (traffic dependent). Search outbound flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; leave ample time for security and traffic.

Budget-savvy tips (aligned to your 50/100 budget)

• Mix VRBO villas (for kitchens and laundry) with a few resort nights for pool time and kids’ clubs.
• Eat like a local at warungs (IDR 35,000–80,000 per plate) and save splurges for special dinners.
• Hire a driver for multi-stop days (IDR 700,000–900,000 for 8 hours) and share costs across the family.

Thirty days in Bali lets you live like a local: morning coffees, friendly market chats, and sunsets that feel different every night. From Ubud’s culture to Canggu’s surf and Nusa Dua’s calm lagoons, you’ll leave with a camera full of rice-green and ocean-blue—and a family album of easy days well-spent.