Why I Love Raising My Child in Bali (And What’s Challenging Too)
After five years of living in Bali—including giving birth here and transitioning from single woman to mother—I’ve experienced this island from multiple angles. And while raising a child in a tropical, foreign country isn’t always easy, for me, it’s been an incredibly rewarding choice.
This post is for other women—especially moms or soon-to-be moms—who are curious about what life with a baby or toddler in Bali is really like. I’m not here to sugarcoat it. But I can say this: despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.
What I Love About Raising My Child in Bali
1. The Weather Makes Life Simple
No winter coats. No layering. No wrestling your toddler into ten different outfits. Bali’s warm, humid climate means our wardrobe is minimal, and my toddler grows up barefoot and outside. Plus, the typical winter colds from Europe are far less common here.
2. Tropical Fruit Year-Round
Fresh papaya, mango, dragonfruit, and banana every single day. Healthy snacks are easy and affordable here, and the variety of tropical fruit makes it fun for little ones to explore new tastes.
3. You Can Afford Loving Childcare
One of the most life-changing things about parenting in Bali is the accessibility of quality childcare. Having a nanny who genuinely cares for your child and becomes part of the family is something that felt totally out of reach in Europe.
4. The Culture Is So Warm Toward Kids
In Bali, children are cherished. Strangers will smile, wave, and even offer to hold your baby so you can enjoy a meal. On the beach, other families often invite your child to play. The community support and positive attitude toward children is something I deeply appreciate.
5. So Many Kid-Friendly Adventures
From beaches to waterfalls, water parks, nature schools, outdoor playgrounds, and even movie nights under the stars—Bali is full of experiences that make childhood feel like an adventure. There’s always something beautiful to explore together.
6. The Pace of Life Is Slower
Life here is less structured, less rushed, and less stressful than what I experienced in Europe. It allows space for slow mornings, meaningful moments, and a more present way of parenting.
7. There’s So Much Support for Postpartum Moms
Bali is full of offers that help mothers reconnect with themselves after birth—postpartum Pilates, mama circles, yoga, breathwork sessions, and very affordable massages and facials. You don’t feel as alone in the healing journey.
8. You Can Stay Close to Your Child While Working
Most foreigners living here work online. That means no office commute, no long days apart. Even if you work full-time, you can pop downstairs to give your baby a hug or take a midday break together.
9. You Don’t Need to Cook
Not everyone is a natural chef—myself included! Thankfully, ordering food in Bali is quick, delicious, and affordable. Healthy meals delivered to your doorstep save so much time and energy.
10. Home Delivery for Everything
Whether it’s groceries, diapers, baby wipes, medicine, or last-minute birthday supplies—pretty much anything you need can be delivered to your home with just a few taps on your phone.
11. A Strong Expat Parenting Community
There’s a large and active community of international parents in Bali. From homeschooling groups to playdates, it’s easy to find your tribe and feel supported.
12. More Quality Family Time
Being able to outsource house cleaning, laundry, and even some cooking (if you choose to) frees up time and mental space. It's common here, affordable, and actually helps create local jobs—a win-win.
But It’s Not Always Paradise: The Real Challenges
1. It’s Not Very Walking or Stroller-Friendly
Unless you live in specific areas like Sanur, walking with a stroller is not practical. Uneven sidewalks, narrow roads, and lack of pedestrian infrastructure mean you’re often better off babywearing.
2. Transport Can Be Exhausting
Scooters are common but bring heat, sun, pollution, traffic, and safety concerns. Driving a car is safer but often means sitting in long traffic jams, especially in Bali’s south.
3. Emergency Healthcare Is Limited
There’s no reliable emergency response system. People have reportedly called ambulances—and in about half of those cases, no one picked up the phone. In serious situations, transportation is not always guaranteed quickly. Because of these limitations, having comprehensive international health insurance is essential. I personally use Genki Health Insurance, which gives me peace of mind knowing I can access quality care both here in Bali and abroad.
4. It’s Hard to Find Good Pediatric Care
This is one of the toughest parts for me personally. After giving birth at a hospital specialized in childbirth, my baby struggled with feeding and I suspected a lip and tongue tie. I eventually asked a pediatrician directly, and only then—months later—did they confirm it. None of the hospital nurses, lactation consultants, or earlier doctors had noticed immediately after I gave birth. Because of this, our breastfeeding journey ended earlier than I had hoped.
5. Limited Dairy Products
If you’re used to organic dairy products like yogurt and quality milk from Europe, you’ll miss them here. The selection is limited and not always consistent in quality.
6. International Schools Are Expensive
Quality education is available—but it comes with a price tag. If you plan to stay long-term, school fees are something you need to budget for seriously.
7. Family Feels Far Away
Being this far from Europe means my child doesn’t grow up seeing grandparents, aunts and uncles or cousins regularly. It’s emotionally tough sometimes, especially during milestones or holidays.
8. Festive Seasons Don’t Feel the Same
Christmas with palm trees and no winter chill just doesn’t carry the same magic. The cozy seasonal vibes I grew up with are definitely missing.
9. You Can’t Drink the Water
Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Bali. We use water filters on all faucets and showers, and drink only from filtered gallon bottles. It’s manageable—but something you’ll need to adapt to.
10. Pollution and Waste Are Real Issues
Unfortunately, Bali struggles with air pollution due to traffic and widespread plastic burning. Waste management is a big issue, and you’ll often see plastic trash on beaches, rivers and roadsides—something that’s hard to witness, especially with kids growing up here.
11. Stray Dogs and Tropical Diseases
As a dog lover (I even adopted a Bali dog myself!), I say this with love and awareness: stray dogs are everywhere. Many aren’t vaccinated, and you’ll encounter them in public places and even near your home. As a parent, it’s something to be cautious about to ensure your child’s safety.
In addition to animal-related concerns, there are tropical diseases you may not have had to think about in your home country. Ever since my baby was born, I’ve had a constant fear of dengue fever. Mosquitoes are part of daily life here, and protecting your little one from bites becomes a daily priority. While my child has luckily stayed healthy so far, the mental load of worrying about tropical illnesses is something many parents in this region can relate to. This is another reason I’m grateful for having a flexible plan like Genki Health Insurance, which covers medical needs abroad and unexpected emergencies.
12. Administrative and Legal Hurdles
Raising your child in Bali comes with extra paperwork and legal responsibilities—especially if your child is born here. In our case, it took several months to obtain a birth certificate, passport, and visa for our baby. Be prepared for delays, lots of follow-up, and navigating embassy processes that may not be clearly explained anywhere.
One thing I’m really glad I sorted out early was health insurance. Medical care here can vary in quality, and in emergencies, you often need to arrange transport or even fly to another country for treatment. I personally use Genki Health Insurance, which covers both everyday healthcare needs and unexpected medical situations abroad. Their claims process is straightforward, and it gives me peace of mind knowing my child and I can get the care we need wherever we are.
On the financial side, having a baby abroad can also mean missing out on social support systems that would otherwise be available in your home country. Since I gave birth in Bali and work as a freelancer rather than a salaried employee, I didn’t receive paid maternity leave or child support. I made it work, but it’s something to seriously consider—especially if you're planning long-term life here.
And looking ahead—schooling will be one of our biggest future expenses, compared to the free, high-quality public education my child could access in Switzerland.
Final Thoughts
Bali isn’t a parenting utopia—but for my family, it works. I’ve created a life here that feels intentional, spacious, and deeply connected to nature. I get to raise my child in a warm, welcoming culture, and live slowly enough to actually enjoy it.
It has its trade-offs, of course—but the connection, the daily joy, and the freedom to live life on my own terms? That’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.