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Things to do in Jimbaran with kids
Amazing sunsets, five star resorts, unbeatable seafood and fabulous beaches make Jimbaran a great place to stay when visiting Bali with kids. It is only 15 mins drive from the airport so perfect for a short stopover or if you are arriving after a long flight. The cost of a taxi from Bali Airport to Jimbaran is only around £4 but the airport queues can be pretty overwhelming, especially after a long flight with kids, so we recommend pre booking via your hotel if possible.
Jimbaran is a pretty small area and the focus is on relaxation and eating – the seafood BBQs on the main stretch of beach are amazing! Most hotels will have great pools to keep the kids entertained, some will even have kids clubs to keep them busy. It’s easy and cheap to hire a driver for the day to take you into the busier areas of Seminyak, Kuta and Ubud. Traffic in Bali is notoriously busy around cities and tourist areas. It should take around 20 mins by car to get to Seminyak or Sanur (via the toll bridge) but we found it was over double that when we were driving – perhaps this is simply because we didn’t know the best routes!
There’s not much in the way of nightlife around Jimbaran and most places close at 11pm. We didn’t find this a problem as we either headed back to the hotel bar or straight to bed but just to warn the party goers amongst you. Kuta or Seminyak tends to stay awake a lot later!
Not to miss in Jimbaran with kids
On the days you want to spend in and around Jimbaran here are our top tips on things not to miss and how to keep the kids entertained.
1. Watch the sunset.
One of the main reasons people visit Jimbaran are the amazing sunsets. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the mix of colours painting the sky as the sun goes down over the sea. You can view it from one of the many rooftop bars in the area or the main beach which comes alive after 6pm with locals dining at the many fish restaurants along the seafront.
2. Eat, Eat, Eat
Jimbaran is perhaps THE BEST place in Bali to try seafood. There are so many BBQ restaurants located along the beach you will be spoilt for choice. They burn coconut husks to cook the fish so it can get a bit smoky. Especially if you’re staying in one of the hotels near the beach. But the taste is fantastic. Arrive at around 5pm to find yourself the best spot on the beach, order yourself a feast and relax for the long haul. You can also eat inside if you need the air con. It’s great food, a great atmosphere and well worth the visit to Jimbaran for this alone. We ate at the Menega Cafe which looked to be the busiest and was brilliant but there are plenty of others to choose from.
After you’ve had your fill of seafood, be sure to save room for a husk of corn from one of the many beach vendors pushing their carts along the beach. They cook it on little open fires on demand and then drench it in sweet or savory butter, it’s heaven!
3. Jimbaran Town
Take a trip into the main town of Jimbaran which is very small with a few bars, coffee shops and restaurants. It’s a typical Balinese society with tiny stalls, masses of mopeds, stray dogs and friendly locals at every corner.
Everyone is very helpful which we found all over the Island. Whilst we were in Jimbaran town, we struggled to cross the main road. A local walked out and stopped traffic for us. Then simply walked away with a grin and a wave!
You will also find several day spas (both high end and ultra good value) and walk-in massage parlours in the town. We visited a couple and all were extremely child friendly and very cheap. We had a 45 min full body massage for about £6 and it was amazing!
4. Jimbaran Fish Market
Try to get up early on one of the mornings and head to the Northern end of the bay to visit the famous Jimbaran Fish Market. The catch arrives every morning between 6am and 9am. You can pick up some amazingly fresh seafood along with most of the restaurants along the beach front. You can have your purchases grilled in the market for a small fee. Kids will love being involved in the choosing and cooking process. Be warned, it does smell as fishy as you would expect!
5. Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran beach is a great place to spend a day. There are plenty of bars and restaurants and a beach club if you want towels and loungers. The sea is some of the safest in the whole of Bali. As the sun goes down, local kids play in the waves and enjoy the warm waters. Whilst others start games of beach football or cricket. The sand is pretty perfect for building sandcastles or burying parents!
Bali is a long way to travel so if you’re worried about the distance make sure you read my tips on long haul travel with kids to make your holiday as stress free as possible.
Have you been to Jimbaran? Make sure you tell us about your favourite places