After landing at Ngurah Rai International Airport, allow roughly 1.5–2 hours for immigration, luggage, and the drive to Ubud; December traffic can make the journey longer, especially around Kuta, Denpasar, and Gianyar. A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest option with a 20-month-old, particularly if you need a child seat—confirm this in advance, as it is not always standard. Ask the driver to take the main airport–Ubud route and drop you directly at your hotel. Once checked in, keep the afternoon gentle: hydrate, unpack, and bring a baby carrier for the evening rather than relying on a stroller on uneven pavements.
When everyone has rested, head to Ubud Market for an easy 45-minute first look. The market usually operates from around 8:00am into the evening, though individual stalls vary; browse slowly and save serious shopping for another day. From here, Ubud Palace is only a short walk away along Jalan Raya Ubud. Spend 30–45 minutes exploring the ornate gates, courtyards, and carved stone details—arrive before dusk so you can see the architecture clearly. With a toddler, keep valuables close and expect crowded, narrow paths; a carrier is much more practical than a stroller in this part of town.
For dinner, settle in at Pison Ubud, a casual café-restaurant convenient for families and suitable for an early meal. Budget approximately IDR 100,000–200,000 per adult, depending on drinks and dishes; ask for a less spicy preparation if needed and confirm whether high chairs are available. After dinner, take a short taxi or pre-arranged car toward Campuhan Ridge Walk—the entrance is near Warwick Ibah, and the paved ridge section takes about 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. Go only if your child is still comfortable and there is enough daylight: use a baby carrier, not a stroller, and carry water, mosquito repellent, and a small torch for the return. Turn back before the path becomes dark, then return to your hotel for an early night.
Start early at Saraswati Temple, ideally around 8:00am, before central Ubud becomes busy. The temple is best known for its lotus pond and intricately carved entrance; allow about 30 minutes, and dress with shoulders and knees covered. From here, it is a short walk along Jalan Kajeng to Puri Lukisan Museum, which usually opens around 9:00am. Spend roughly 1–1.5 hours in its shaded garden galleries, where the collection gives a gentle introduction to Balinese painting and sculpture. A stroller may be manageable in parts of the museum, but a compact carrier is easier on uneven paths.
Continue on foot toward Ubud Traditional Art Market for a relaxed late-morning browse, allowing about 45 minutes. The market is generally active from around 8:00am, though stalls and bargaining are liveliest later in the morning. Look for woven bags, batik, children’s clothing, and small wood or silver pieces, but compare prices at several stalls and bargain politely. For lunch, keep it light and early in central Ubud—something simple such as rice, noodles, or fruit—because the afternoon class is outside town. Arrange a private car through your hotel for the trip to Tegallalang Ubud Cooking Class; allow 30–45 minutes depending on traffic, and confirm in advance that the class can accommodate a 20-month-old, including a high chair, shade, and a parent taking turns participating.
Plan about three hours at Tegallalang Ubud Cooking Class, usually starting around 1:00 or 2:00pm. This is a good opportunity to learn about Balinese spices and preparation without trying to force the toddler to follow the full session—bring snacks, a change of clothes, and mosquito repellent, and ask whether ingredients can be adapted for a young child. Your driver can wait or return at an agreed time; a round-trip arrangement is much easier than finding a ride from the rural area afterward. Head back to central Ubud before the evening rain and allow a quiet break at your hotel before dinner.
For the evening, reserve Locavore NXT well ahead, confirming its current seating policy and whether a toddler is welcome at your chosen time. The tasting-style meal is a special occasion rather than a quick family dinner, with roughly 1.5 hours needed and prices commonly around IDR 500,000–1,000,000 or more per adult depending on the menu. Request an early seating and a table with space for a stroller or high chair; if the restaurant cannot accommodate young children, verify its policy before paying a deposit. Take a short taxi or pre-arranged car rather than walking after dark, as central Ubud’s pavements can be uneven and crowded.
Leave Ubud around 7:00am with a private driver; the road to Tegalalang Rice Terrace usually takes 30–45 minutes, and arriving early is worthwhile in December before the humidity and tour groups build up. Use the short viewpoint route rather than attempting the longer valley walk with a 20-month-old—there are uneven steps, narrow edges, and little shade, so a carrier is much easier than a stroller. Entry is commonly around IDR 25,000–50,000 per person, though local fees can change. From Tegalalang, continue about 10 minutes to Uma Ceking, where you can spend roughly an hour enjoying the valley scenery and taking photos around the swing area without committing to the longer walks; expect entrance or photo-area charges from about IDR 50,000–250,000 depending on what you choose.
Drive approximately 25–30 minutes to Tirta Empul Temple in Manukaya, arriving around midday or early afternoon. Allow an hour for the courtyards and holy spring pools; modest clothing and a sarong are required, with rentals generally available at the entrance. The purification bathing is optional and not especially practical with a toddler, so simply viewing the temple is perfectly worthwhile. Afterward, continue for around 35–45 minutes uphill to the Kintamani viewpoint in Penelokan. Give your driver a specific roadside viewpoint or restaurant rather than stopping randomly, as visibility can change quickly in the clouds; allow 45 minutes for Mount Batur and the lake if the weather cooperates.
Finish at a Kintamani restaurant overlooking Mount Batur, ideally choosing a table on a sheltered terrace because December showers are common. Many places offer a buffet or straightforward Indonesian dishes at roughly IDR 100,000–200,000 per adult; confirm whether drinks and service are included before ordering. This is a long but manageable day by car, so ask the driver to return directly to Ubud after the meal, usually taking 1.5–2 hours depending on rain and traffic. Keep snacks, water, a change of clothes, and the child’s carrier handy—the mountain air is cooler, while the terrace paths and temple grounds can be slippery.
After breakfast in Ubud, take your pre-arranged private car to Sanur, allowing about 1–1.5 hours and leaving around 8:00–9:00am. December traffic can slow the final approach, so ask the driver to drop you at your Sanur hotel even if the room is not ready; most hotels will store your luggage and let you use the pool or facilities. Once settled, head to the Sanur Beach promenade for an easy late-morning walk. The paved beachfront path is one of Bali’s most stroller-friendly seaside routes, with plenty of shade and benches; allow about an hour and avoid the hottest stretch around noon.
Continue south or north along the promenade to Sindhu Beach, where the water is generally shallow and calmer around low tide. It is a good first beach stop with a toddler—bring sandals, a change of clothes, and sun protection, as the sand can become very hot. Spend roughly an hour here, then return to the hotel for lunch and a proper nap rather than trying to fill the afternoon. A short taxi or hotel car ride back from the beach usually takes 5–15 minutes, depending on your hotel’s position.
After your child’s rest, visit Sanur Night Market in the Sindhu area in the early evening, ideally around 5:30–6:00pm before it becomes crowded. Browse the inexpensive food stalls and choose freshly cooked rice dishes, noodles, satay, or simple soups; budget approximately IDR 40,000–100,000 per person. Keep cash in small notes, use hand sanitizer, and choose stalls with a steady local turnover. Finish with a relaxed dinner and gelato at Massimo Italian Restaurant on Jalan Danau Tamblingan, about a 5–10-minute walk or short taxi ride away. It is family-friendly and useful for a gentle first night in Sanur; expect approximately IDR 100,000–250,000 per person, and go early if you want a quieter table.
Start at Sanur Beach around 6:00am for sunrise. The beachfront promenade is flat and stroller-friendly, and the water is usually calm enough for a gentle walk with your toddler—though bring a carrier as some sections can be uneven. Spend about 45 minutes watching the fishing boats and colorful jukung boats come in; December mornings can be cloudy, but the light over the water is still lovely. Walk or take a short hotel-arranged ride north along the beachfront to Blue Lagoon Coffee Sanur for breakfast, allowing around 10 minutes by car depending on your hotel’s position.
Settle in at Blue Lagoon Coffee Sanur for roughly an hour. Budget approximately IDR 75,000–150,000 per person, and ask for a high chair if available. After breakfast, arrange a short Grab, taxi, or hotel car to the Bali Seawalker Sanur meeting point; confirm the exact pier and check-in time the day before, as operators may adjust schedules with sea conditions. Allow about 1.5 hours including briefing and transfers. The experience is generally for adults, so one parent should remain with your 20-month-old onshore; confirm the operator’s age, supervision, and waiting-area rules before paying. Keep valuables at the hotel and bring reef-safe sunscreen, water, and a change of clothes.
After the seawalker activity, have lunch near your hotel and keep the middle of the day slow—December heat and humidity can be tiring for a small child. In the afternoon, head south to Mertasari Beach, around 10–20 minutes by car from central Sanur, depending on traffic. Spend up to two hours under the shade, letting your toddler paddle only at the edge while an adult watches continuously; tides and currents can change, and the beach is not a substitute for a supervised swimming pool. Bring a mat or sarong, as shaded seating is limited. For sunset, stay in the Mertasari area and dine at Soul on the Beach. Arrive around 5:00pm to secure a comfortable table and enjoy the changing light without rushing bedtime; budget approximately IDR 150,000–300,000 per person, with drinks and service charges extra. Confirm opening hours and reserve ahead in December, then take a hotel car or Grab back rather than attempting a long walk with a tired toddler.
After breakfast in Sanur, take your pre-arranged car to Nusa Dua, allowing 45–75 minutes via the Bypass Ngurah Rai road; December traffic can make the approach slower. Ask the driver to stop at your hotel first for luggage storage or early check-in, then continue to Bali Collection in the BTDC area. This open-air shopping complex is an easy first stop with air-conditioned shops, cafés, toilets, and plenty of space for a stroller. Allow about 1½ hours, keeping the pace relaxed after the transfer. Most outlets open around 10:00am; prices vary, but it is convenient for drinks, snacks, and practical holiday items.
From Bali Collection, a short car ride—or roughly 10–15 minutes on foot in the heat—brings you to Museum Pasifika. Open daily from approximately 10:00am to 6:00pm, it is a compact, air-conditioned museum with Balinese, Indonesian, and wider Pacific art; an hour is enough with a toddler. Entry is usually around IDR 100,000–150,000 per adult, with children’s rates varying. Have lunch nearby before heading to Nusa Dua Beach, where the sheltered shoreline and paved promenade make this one of Bali’s easier beach stops with a young child. Spend about two hours under an umbrella or in the shade, but check the tide and supervise closely even in the generally calm water. Late in the afternoon, take a short car ride to Waterblow for 30–45 minutes. Stay firmly behind the barriers—the waves can surge suddenly—and use a carrier rather than relying only on a stroller around the rocky approach.
Finish at Kayuputi at The St. Regis Bali Resort, a polished beachfront setting for dinner. Reserve ahead and mention that you are travelling with a 20-month-old; the restaurant is formal but accustomed to families, and an early booking around 5:30–6:00pm usually works best. Expect approximately IDR 750,000–1,500,000 or more per person before drinks and service, depending on the menu. Allow extra time to pass through the resort entrance, and arrange your return car in advance rather than relying on an immediate app pickup.
Start around Geger Beach at 8:00am, when the sand is quieter and the December sun is still manageable. The sheltered bay is a good choice with a 20-month-old: the water is generally calmer than Bali’s open-ocean beaches, though check the tide and stay close to shore because conditions can change. Allow about two hours for paddling, sand play, and a relaxed stroll. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, drinking water, and a carrier—the access path and sand are not ideal for a stroller. Parking is usually available nearby for a small fee, and a short taxi or hotel car ride from the BTDC resort area is easiest.
For lunch, go to Nusa Dua Beach Grill, close to Geger, around 11:30am before the busiest period. It is casual and open-air, with seafood, grilled dishes, and Indonesian food; budget roughly IDR 150,000–300,000 per person. Confirm the day’s opening hours and road access with your driver, as beach-area operations can vary in wet-season weather. After lunch, return toward the resort district for the Devdan Show at Bali Nusa Dua Theatre. The performance runs about 1.5 hours and is visually spectacular, but the loud music, lighting, and dark auditorium may be tiring for a toddler—choose an aisle seat near an exit and check the December schedule, age policy, and showtime before booking.
After the show, take a gentle break at the Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort beachfront, allowing roughly 1.5 hours. Access to pools or facilities depends on the hotel’s day-pass policy, so arrange this in advance; otherwise, use the beachfront area only where permitted and treat it as a quiet sunset stop rather than assuming resort access. December showers are common, so keep this flexible and carry a change of clothes for your child. Finish at the Bali Collection food court, a convenient evening option in the BTDC complex, with casual Indonesian and international choices costing about IDR 75,000–175,000 per person. It is stroller-friendly by Bali standards, and you can walk or take a short hotel car ride back afterward; aim to leave before 8:00pm so your toddler can wind down before bedtime.
Have breakfast at your Nusa Dua hotel without rushing, then take a final one-hour walk along the resort beachfront. The paved paths are generally manageable with a stroller, although a lightweight carrier is useful where sand or uneven paving begins. Keep this outing gentle in December’s humidity: enjoy the gardens, watch the small fishing boats, and return to the hotel for a final bathroom stop and luggage collection. Check out according to your hotel’s policy, usually by noon, and ask reception to store your bags if your flight is later.
For a relaxed final stop, head to Bali National Golf Club, a short drive within Nusa Dua. Its landscaped grounds offer a quieter contrast to the beach, but access for non-golfing visitors can vary, so confirm with the club or your hotel before setting out. Allow about an hour and avoid treating this as a full sightseeing visit with a toddler; the main value is the calm, manicured setting and an easy final pause. A short taxi or hotel car ride should usually cost around IDR 50,000–100,000, while a pre-booked car can wait with your luggage.
Leave Nusa Dua for Ngurah Rai International Airport about 3.5 hours before an international departure—earlier if travelling on a weekend or during a busy December period. The drive is often 30–60 minutes via the airport road, but traffic around Jimbaran, Kuta, and the airport approach can become unpredictable. Arrange a private transfer through the hotel and reconfirm the pickup time, number of bags, and whether a child seat is available; many Bali cars do not provide one, so bring your own if needed. Keep passports, snacks, diapers, and a change of clothes in your hand luggage, and allow extra time at the airport for check-in and security.