Bali Day Trips from Canggu with Kids: 11 We’ve Actually Done

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Quick answer: The best Bali day trips from Canggu with kids are Ubud, Tegallalang, Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and Melasti beach, Seminyak, Tirta Empul, Waterbom, Bali Zoo and, for teenagers, an ATV ride near Ubud. Nusa Lembongan and Mount Batur work as a day trip too, but with kids we’d stay one night. Drives take 1 to 4 hours depending on traffic. We use a Grab car for almost all of them.

Canggu has been our base in Bali for years, and from there we’ve done a lot of Bali day trips with our three: Rico Jr (12), Rosalia (6) and Risa Mia (3). This list covers the 11 we’ve actually done, what each kid thought of them, and the ones we’d skip with little ones. We’re honest about the temples too.

Bali day trips from Canggu at a glance

Drive times are what to expect from Canggu in normal traffic. Leave early and they’re shorter, leave at 4pm and they can double.

How we get around on day trips from Canggu

We mostly book a Grab car with a driver for the day or for each leg. A few things we learned the hard way:

• Prices change through the day. The same ride costs a different amount in the morning than in the afternoon, depending on traffic.
• The pickup spot matters. A ride from Canggu to a big mall like Icon Bali in Sanur can cost a lot less than the same ride back. Busy pickup points are more expensive, so watch for that on the return leg.
• Book in the app. A car or scooter booked in Grab or Gojek is much cheaper than a taxi or scooter driver you approach on the street or call yourself.

We compare Grab and Gojek, drivers and scooters in Canggu with kids. If you’d rather not plan anything, organised day tours with hotel pickup are on GetYourGuide and Klook.

Long drives with kids

The drives on these Bali day trips run from 1 hour to 4 hours. Our kids are quite good in the car, but we always pack things to keep them busy: drawing paper, sticker books and reading books for the girls, and an e-reader for Rico Jr. Food is never a problem. There are warungs and cafés everywhere along the way, so ask your driver for a good stop or search Google Maps when the kids get hungry.

1. Waterbom Bali: our kids’ favourite day out

If we had to pick one of our Bali day trips for all three kids, it’s Waterbom in Kuta. It’s about an hour from Canggu, and every one of them had a different best moment there.

Risa Mia spent the whole afternoon going on and off the slides at the new kids’ splash area. Rosalia loved it just as much. And Rico Jr went on all the slides, even the scariest ones. That was a proud moment for us.

Tickets on the official Waterbom site are IDR 495,000 for kids aged 2 to 11 and IDR 610,000 for adults, with a family pass for 2 adults and 2 kids at IDR 2,100,000 (checked November 2026). Under 2s go free. Lockers, towels and food are extra. Children under 6 need an adult with them at all times in the little kids’ area. You can book on the Waterbom website or through Klook.

For more on Waterbom with young kids, see Bali with a toddler and our 1 week in Bali with kids itinerary.

2. Ubud and the Monkey Forest

Ubud is the classic day trip from Canggu, and it works in one day with plenty of time left. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours each way. We usually combine the town with the Sacred Monkey Forest and one of the stops below.

For Rosalia, the monkeys made it. Her words: “Best day ever!”

But the Monkey Forest needs a warning for parents of small children. The young and teenage monkeys want to show who’s boss, and they see little kids as something they can dominate. That’s when they go for them.

With school age kids who stay next to you, it’s a great morning. With a toddler, we’d honestly skip it or keep them in your arms the whole time. Entry is about IDR 130,000 for adults and IDR 100,000 for kids aged 3 to 12 since the April 2026 price change, with under 3s free (checked November 2026, confirm at the gate).

Our full guide is Bali with kids, which covers Ubud as an area to stay.

3. Tegallalang rice terraces

Tegallalang is north of Ubud, so it fits well on the same day. The rice terraces look exactly like the photos, and the kids like walking the paths between the fields.

It gets hot there, really hot. There’s little shade on the terraces, so go early, bring water and hats, and don’t plan a long walk with a toddler around midday. The paths have steps and get busy as the morning goes on. The earlier you are, the better on both counts.

4. Tanah Lot temple

Tanah Lot is one of the closest Bali day trips from Canggu, about an hour away. The temple sits on a rock in the sea, and it’s beautiful to see.

To be honest, the rest of us found it a bit boring. We’re not that fond of visiting temples, and Tanah Lot is more a place you have to have seen once. Rico Jr is the exception. He loves temples. He’s always curious about the what, why and how: who built it, why here, what it’s for. He loves architecture, and temples are his favourite kind.

So whether it’s worth it depends on your kids. Entry is about IDR 75,000 for foreign adults and IDR 40,000 for kids aged 5 to 10 (checked November 2026), plus parking. In busy seasons it gets very crowded and hot. Off season it’s fine.

5. Uluwatu and Melasti beach

Uluwatu is in the far south, 1.5 to 2 hours from Canggu. We combine the cliff temple with Melasti beach and the Goa Mesari area in Ungasan, which makes it a full day with a beach for the kids.

The same temple rule applies here: in high season it’s hot and crowded, so pick your time. For older kids, see Bali with teenagers.

6. Seminyak

Seminyak is the shortest trip on this list, 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. It’s an easy half day, so it’s the trip to do when the kids aren’t up for a long car ride.

7. Tirta Empul water temple

Tirta Empul is the holy spring temple near Ubud, around 2 hours from Canggu. Visitors can go into the water and bathe in the holy springs.

If you want to go in, bring a full set of spare clothes for everyone. There are steps and it gets crowded, so go as early as you can. Entry is about IDR 50,000 to 75,000 for adults and less for kids, with under 5s free. Guides list different prices for 2026, so check at the gate.

8. Bali Zoo

Bali Zoo is in Gianyar, about 1.5 hours from Canggu. We went in March, and it’s a good day out for all ages. Gate prices from resellers in 2026 are around IDR 395,000 for adults and IDR 280,000 for kids aged 2 to 12, with under 2s free and cheaper tickets online. There’s no official price list we could find, so check before you book on Klook or at the zoo.

9. ATV ride in Payangan (teenagers only)

This one was Rico Jr’s best moment of all our Bali day trips. He drove his own ATV and did a wheelie with his instructor.

It’s for teenagers, though. The girls were too young, and we wouldn’t take little kids on a quad. Payangan is north of Ubud, so it combines well with an Ubud day. Family ATV tours with pickup are on GetYourGuide.

10. Nusa Lembongan (better with 1 night)

You can do Nusa Lembongan as a day trip from Canggu: about an hour to Sanur harbour, then the fast boat. But with kids, we’d stay a night. We did, in a place close to where we wanted to be on the island, and it made the trip relaxed instead of rushed.

We booked the fast boat from Sanur last minute and paid about IDR 240,000 per adult. Small kids went free, but the age limit differs per boat company, so check when you buy. The crossing wasn’t long and the kids were fine on it. Book fast boat tickets on Klook, or compare stays on Booking.com. We also stayed three weeks in Sanur itself: see Sanur with kids.

11. Mount Batur (better with 1 night)

Mount Batur is the longest drive on this list, 2.5 to 3 hours each way. We did the drive up to the viewpoints over the volcano and the lake, not the sunrise trek. As a day trip it’s long and tiring with kids, so we booked one night nearby and that worked much better.

Before you go, think about your kids’ ages and whether they’d actually enjoy it. A volcano view is impressive for a 12-year-old. For a 3-year-old it’s mostly a long car ride.

Which Bali day trips we’d skip with young kids

• Monkey Forest with toddlers. It can be dangerous for little kids, as we found out twice.
• ATV rides. For teenagers only.
• Temples in high season. Tanah Lot, Uluwatu and Tirta Empul get very hot and crowded in the busy months. Off season, they’re fine.

If your kids are small, our pick of Bali day trips from Canggu is Waterbom, Bali Zoo, Seminyak and Tegallalang early in the morning. For the youngest, see things to do in Canggu with a toddler for days when you’d rather stay close.

Where to stay for day trips from Canggu

We’ve lived in most parts of Canggu for months at a time: Berawa, Pererenan, Batu Bolong, Umalas, Cemagi and Seseh. Our comparison is in where to stay in Canggu with kids, or search villas on Booking.com.

Between Bali day trips, the kids need beach days. See Canggu beaches with kids and the best family restaurants in Canggu.

What a driver for the day costs

We mostly book Grab rides leg by leg, but for the long trips a driver for the whole day can be easier. You don’t have to find a car back from Tegallalang or Mount Batur, and the car waits with your bags and snacks.

Driver websites and Bali guides list a full day, usually up to 10 hours, at roughly IDR 550,000 to 800,000 for a standard car (checked November 2026). Some include fuel and parking, some don’t, and extra hours cost about IDR 50,000 to 100,000 each. In high season, some drivers charge more. Agree on the total, the hours and what’s included in writing before you go. A tip of IDR 50,000 to 100,000 for a good day is common.

Our day trip bag

• Water and snacks for the car.
• Drawing paper, sticker books and reading books for the girls, and Rico Jr’s e-reader.
• Hats and sunscreen. Tegallalang and the temples have little shade.
• A full set of spare clothes, especially for Tirta Empul and Waterbom.
• Sarongs for the temples, and cash for entry and parking.

Planning a family trip? Our complete guide to Bali with kids covers the best areas, activities by age, food, safety and getting around.

FAQ

What are the best Bali day trips from Canggu for families?

Our favourites are Waterbom, Ubud, Tegallalang, Bali Zoo and Uluwatu with Melasti beach. For teenagers, add an ATV ride near Ubud. Nusa Lembongan and Mount Batur are worth it too, but better with one night away.

How far is Ubud from Canggu?

About 1.5 to 2 hours by car, depending on traffic. Leave early: the drive back in the late afternoon is the slowest.

Can you do Nusa Lembongan as a day trip from Canggu?

Yes, but with kids we’d stay one night. It’s an hour to Sanur and then the fast boat, which cost us about IDR 240,000 per adult booked last minute.

Which Canggu day trip is best for young children?

Waterbom. Our 3-year-old spent the whole afternoon at the kids’ splash area. Bali Zoo is a close second.

Is the Ubud Monkey Forest safe for kids?

For school age kids who stay close, yes. With toddlers, be careful: young monkeys go for small children. Our son was bitten there at 3, and our youngest was nearly attacked. Carry little ones the whole time.

How do you get around on day trips in Bali?

We use a Grab car. Book in the app, because it’s much cheaper than street taxis, and expect prices to change with the time of day and pickup spot.

How much is a driver for a day in Bali?

About IDR 550,000 to 800,000 for up to 10 hours in a standard car, based on driver websites in November 2026. Check whether fuel and parking are included before you book.