So, is Sanur good for families? Straight up—yes. It really is. I’ve been to Bali a few times now, and while places like Canggu and Seminyak have their thing going on, Sanur is the one spot I always recommend when someone asks me where to stay with kids. It’s quieter, easier, and just… makes life less chaotic when you’re traveling with little ones. It’s kinda like Bali’s peaceful aunt—still fun, still warm, but not as wild.
Let me walk you through everything I’ve picked up over multiple visits with my kids (and once with my in-laws—whole other story there). We’ll dig into the beach scene, places to eat, where to stay, and even what the local vibe is like when your toddler’s throwing a tantrum in public. Yeah, it happens.
The Beach in Sanur Is a Total Win for Kids (and Tired Parents)
Alright, first thing's first: the beach. This is usually a deal-breaker when you’ve got small kids in tow, right?
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Sanur Beach is chill. Like, really chill. The waves are super gentle because there’s a long reef offshore that breaks most of them before they reach the shore. So if you're wondering if it's safe for toddlers or younger kids to splash around—yeah, absolutely. I’ve seen two-year-olds waddling into the water without getting knocked over like in Kuta or even Legian. My six-year-old spent three straight hours building a sand castle while I finally drank my coffee while it was still hot. That’s a win.
Oh, and the sand? It’s not that sharp coral-y stuff you’ll find elsewhere in Bali. It’s softer, a little golden, and doesn’t get scorching hot by midday like some black sand beaches.
One thing to note—there’s a long paved beachfront path that stretches for kilometers. We rented bikes with baby seats and cruised along the water every morning. It was kinda our little ritual: beach play, breakfast, then a bike ride before nap time. That path is underrated. You don’t have to deal with cars or motorbikes zipping past, and the views? Unreal.
Kid-Friendly Eats Without the Drama (Or Food Poisoning)
I get it, food’s a whole thing when you’re traveling with kids. Especially picky eaters, or if you're nervous about street food. Sanur is stacked with options that cater to families. There’s a surprising number of cafes where you’ll see high chairs, babycinos, kids' menus, and even indoor play areas.
Let me throw out a few places that saved my sanity:
Three Monkeys Sanur – This place feels fancy, but they were super chill about my kids being loud. The grilled chicken skewers and rice were a hit with both my 4-year-old and my husband. The cocktails helped me survive dinner.
Massimo – Legendary gelato. This spot is Italian-run, so the pasta’s solid and the kids didn’t complain once. That’s rare.
Soul in a Bowl – Great breakfast spot. Banana pancakes? Yes. Almond milk smoothies? Also yes. They’ve got board games and crayons on standby.
Plus, if you’ve got a sensitive tummy in the group, there are lots of places that focus on clean eating, gluten-free, or organic options. I didn’t have to explain ten times what “no peanuts” meant. Most staff spoke decent English, too, which made ordering way easier.
Is Sanur Safe for Families? I’d Say It’s One of the Safest Spots in Bali
Safety’s huge when you're abroad with kids. I’ve stayed in Sanur during both high and low seasons and never once felt sketched out walking around with my kids—even at night.
The traffic is manageable. Unlike Seminyak or Ubud where scooters are zipping past every second, Sanur is noticeably quieter. We walked to dinner most nights or grabbed a Grab (like
Bali’s version of Uber) if the kids were too tired to walk. Sidewalks are... decent. Not perfect, but wide enough and less chaotic than Denpasar or Kuta.
Sanur also has a community feel. People know each other. The locals remember you if you’ve stayed for more than a few days. A little warung owner gave my son a free ice cream just because he remembered us from last time. That kind of vibe makes a place feel safer, y’know?
There’s also decent access to medical care. I didn’t need it (thankfully), but friends of mine did when their kid picked up some tropical bug. BIMC Hospital in Kuta is about 30 minutes away. And there are smaller local clinics right in Sanur that are foreigner-friendly.
Where to Stay in Sanur With Kids—Hotels, Villas, and Everything In Between
Okay, accommodation. We’ve done it all in Sanur—resorts, Airbnbs, and even a little homestay.
If you’re going with younger kids or babies, I’d recommend sticking with the family resorts. Some have kiddie pools, babysitting services, and kids' clubs that actually work. We stayed at Maya Sanur Resort & Spa once, and they had a mini splash zone plus babysitting we actually trusted. The spa’s not too shabby either—so I snuck in a massage while the kids were making crafts.
Fairmont Sanur (which recently rebranded but still has that name locally) is on the high end, but wow, the rooms are massive and perfect for families. You can fit a travel cot, stroller, and still have space to breathe.
But here’s the thing—not everyone wants a resort. If you’re more the DIY type, there are plenty of 2- or 3-bedroom villas tucked into quiet lanes. Some even come with private pools and a staff who’ll cook breakfast. That setup’s ideal if your kids are early risers (like mine, ugh) and you don’t wanna deal with dragging them to a buffet at 7 a.m.
Just make sure the pool has a fence if your kids are small. Some villas don’t. We had to drag a big rattan sofa in front of the sliding glass door one night just to be sure our toddler didn’t sneak out while we were asleep. So yeah—ask before you book.
What’s the Vibe in Sanur for Families? Low-Key, But Never Boring
Sanur isn’t flashy. You won’t find big beach parties or Instagram-model types posing every five steps like in Canggu. And honestly? That’s a good thing.
There’s a mature vibe in Sanur—not boring, just calmer. It’s popular with older travelers, yes, but also with expat families who live in Bali full-time. You’ll spot a few schools, yoga studios, and community events that are actually worth checking out. One time we stumbled on a Balinese dance performance near the temple by the beach walk—it wasn’t even advertised. Just this beautiful, cultural thing happening for the locals, and they were totally welcoming to us joining in.
There's also a night market (Pasar Sindhu) that’s pretty mellow and fun for kids. Not too overwhelming like some bigger ones in Ubud or Kuta. They’ve got skewers, noodles, fresh juices, and little toys. My son got obsessed with this 10,000 IDR bouncy frog that lit up and honestly, it became the MVP of the trip.
We also hired a local guide for a day trip to Tegenungan Waterfall and Ubud’s Monkey Forest. Sanur’s a great base to explore from. Everything is within reach but without the chaos of staying in the middle of tourist central.
Weather and When to Go—Plus What It’s Really Like With Kids in Tow
Sanur, like the rest of Bali, has two main seasons: wet and dry. Dry season runs from about April to October, and honestly, that’s the sweet spot for family travel. Less rain, lower humidity, and fewer complaints about sticky clothes from the kids.
But we’ve visited in December too. Yes, it rained—but mostly in short bursts. And everything was still green and lovely. Plus, prices drop a bit and it’s less crowded. We brought rain jackets and just leaned into the slower pace. Not the worst tradeoff.
It gets hot, though. Like, sweat-through-your-shirt-before-breakfast kind of hot. So pack light cotton clothes, a good hat for the kids, and sunscreen. Loads of it. We also packed one of those little rechargeable fans. Best $20 I ever spent.
Oh—and don't forget mozzie repellent. Sanur’s not as buggy as some inland spots, but you’ll still want to spray up at dusk, especially with kids.
Stuff You Might Not Expect But Will Totally Appreciate
So here’s some random stuff I didn’t expect to matter—but totally did.
First, there are loads of local spas that are kid-friendly. I booked a massage one afternoon and they had a little play corner. Like, how thoughtful is that? I got 60 minutes of peace while the kids colored and played Duplo blocks.
Second, the WiFi in Sanur is surprisingly decent. I know, weird thing to mention, but if you’ve got to take a Zoom call or the kids want Netflix during a rainy afternoon—it’s nice to not be stuck with dial-up speeds.
And lastly—there’s this weirdly high number of turtles in Sanur. Not in the wild, but at the Turtle Conservation and Education Center on Serangan Island, which is like 20 minutes away. They let kids release baby turtles back into the ocean. My daughter still talks about that experience like it was a religious awakening. So yeah—check that out.
So, Is Sanur Good for Families? Honestly, I’d Go Back Tomorrow
If you’re after wild nights, all-night parties, or high-end fashion stores, Sanur probably isn’t your thing. But if you’ve got kids, especially young ones, and you just want a place that’s safe, walkable, friendly, and relaxing—Sanur ticks all the boxes.
We’ve been three times now. Each time, I’ve left feeling more rested than frazzled. That’s saying something when you’re traveling with kids.
Sure, it’s not perfect. There’s the odd stretch of beach that’s a bit rocky, and some hotels are dated. But nothing major that ruins the vibe. The important stuff—safety, calm beaches, good food, welcoming locals—it’s all there.
So, is Sanur good for families? Heck yeah it is. It's where I actually got to enjoy Bali instead of constantly managing meltdowns and dodging scooters. I’d pick it again in a heartbeat.