A Different Side of Bali: A Luxury Family Holiday Beyond the Crowds
A recent family booking reminded me why some of my favourite trips aren't about seeing more, but about seeing somewhere differently.
Bali is one of those destinations that can mean something completely different depending on how you travel. There is the Bali of beach clubs, busy streets and well-known hotspots. Then there is another side of the island: quiet rice terraces, rural villages, forested hills, waterfalls and the everyday occurrences of Balinese life.
For one family heading to Indonesia next August, it was this quieter side of Bali that they wanted to discover. Rather than simply following the usual route, w designed the beginning of their trip around Pupuan in West Bali, a beautiful rural area surrounded by rice terraces and countryside. Starting in rural Bali, the family will spend their first seven nights at Dajuma Terrace, tucked amongst the rice fields and countryside of Pupuan. The idea isn't to rush from one sight to the next, purely as a tick box exercise. It’s about having quality time to slowi down and get to know the area.
From their beautiful hotel that they’ll call home for the week, they'll explore the villages and rice paddies around Pupuan Sawah, spend time walking through the countryside, discover local Balinese cooking and explore the waterfalls around Belimbing. Rather than simply arriving at a beautiful hotel and using it as a base for sightseeing, the accommodation becomes part of a much bigger experience of the destination.
Designing a family holiday isn't simply about finding the most beautiful hotel available. Of course, that matters. But the best trips come from understanding how a particular family actually wants to travel. Do they want their children to be involved in everything? Would they rather have a few properly immersive experiences than a packed itinerary? Are they adventurous, or do they prefer a little more comfort between experiences? Do they want to meet local people and understand a destination, or would they rather spend most of their time by the pool?
And perhaps most importantly: what will make this particular family's holiday feel like theirs?
For this family, the brief was clear. They wanted to see a different side of Bali and avoid simply following the most well-trodden route. So instead of designing a holiday around a checklist of Bali's famous sights, we've started with a much more local, rural experience.
Is Bali good for a luxury family holiday?
Absolutely, but I think the key is how the trip is designed. Bali works particularly well for families because it offers such a broad mix of experiences. You can combine culture, nature, adventure, food and beautiful beaches within one trip, with the balance adapted depending on the ages and interests of your children. The official Indonesian tourism board highlights everything from rice terraces and cultural experiences to beaches, hiking, cycling, wildlife and national parks. That variety makes it possible to create a trip that feels genuinely personal rather than simply following a standard Bali itinerary. For one family, that might mean spending time in the countryside before heading to the coast. For another, it might be a combination of Ubud, jungle adventures and a few nights on the beach.
One of the things I increasingly look for when planning family travel is the opportunity to experience a destination away from its busiest areas. That doesn't necessarily mean finding somewhere completely undiscovered. It can simply mean choosing a different base, staying a little longer or approaching a familiar destination from another direction. In Bali, that might mean looking beyond the most familiar areas of the south and Ubud and considering the island's quieter countryside. The reward can be a much sons, you might find yourself walking through rice terraces, stopping in a village, learning how a local dish is made or sitting down for a picnic surrounded by countryside.tronger sense of place. For children in particular, I think these are often the moments that stay with them.
Why August Works so Well for Bali
For families travelling during the UK summer holidays, August is traditionally one of the more favourable times to visit Bali. Bali's dry season generally runs from April to October, although the country's tropical climate means weather patterns can vary and are never completely predictable. August can therefore be a particularly appealing month for families wanting to combine outdoor adventures, countryside exploration and time on the beach. It is also a popular period to travel, which is one reason I would recommend starting the planning process well ahead if you have particular hotels, room categories or experiences in mind.
What I Would Consider When Planning a Family Trip to Bali
If you're thinking about Bali for a future family holiday, I'd start with the experience you want your children to have, rather than with a list of hotels.
Consider:
How adventurous do you want the trip to be?
What do you want to experience as a family?
How much travelling is right for your family?
How much down time will the children need?
What will make the trip memorable?
How we can best prepare for the longhaul flight.
Thinking About Indonesia For a Future Family Holiday?
I design bespoke luxury holidays around the way you actually want to travel. If you're considering Indonesia for a future school holiday, I'd be very happy to talk through what you have in mind and suggest a route that feels right for you and your family.