🧸Indonesia with Kids

1. Health & Safety

• Vaccinations & meds: Depending on where you travel (big cities vs. remote islands), bring mosquito protection (dengue is more common than malaria in touristy areas). Pack kids’ mosquito repellent and after-bite cream. We didn't have a mosquito net with us, but we would have been glad to have one!

• Check out https://www.healthytravel.ch/page?id=114CBA46-B0E4-4BA1-92AE-4A63D2912A8A for vaccinations infos and more!

• Check out our travel essentials with first aid kit: https://4stuffedbackpacks.my.canva.site/travel-essentials

• Food & water: Stick to bottled water (including for brushing teeth). For sensitive tummies, avoid raw veggies, ice cubes, and street food unless freshly cooked. Always carry a few snacks in case food options are too spicy. Fortunately, we never had any problems.

• Sun protection: The sun is strong year-round - hats, UV shirts, and a good sunscreen are musts.

2. Transport

• Car seats & seatbelts: These are not common in taxis or private cars. If safety is a priority, consider bringing a travel booster seat (we didn't).

• Long rides: Distances can be deceiving — a 50 km trip can take hours. Pack entertainment and snacks for buses, ferries, or private drivers.

• Scooters: We always rented scooters, but often they didn't have helmets for children. Drive slowly and stay close to the side of the road.

3. Culture & Etiquette

• Indonesians love children! Expect lots of smiles, cheek-pinching, and even strangers asking for photos with your kids. It’s usually well-meaning, but if it feels too much, a polite “no thank you” works.

• Teach kids simple greetings like “Terima kasih” (thank you) or “Selamat Pagi” (good morning) - locals adore it when kids interact.

4. Food for Kids

• Most warungs (local restaurants) offer rice, noodles, chicken satay, fried rice (nasi goreng), or fried noodles (mie goreng) - all kid-friendly, just ask for "no spicy").

• Western options (pizza, pasta, burgers) are widely available in tourist spots like Kuta and Bali.

• Always carry a backup snack (banana, crackers) for picky eaters.

5. Accommodation

• Many homestays & guesthouses are super family-friendly with open spaces for kids to run around.

• Double-check if they have mosquito nets or air-conditioning, especially in hotter regions.

• Sometimes we had to rent two bungalows next to each other that we all fit, so bring your baby-phone.

6. Activities Kids Love

• Beach days (calm bays like Sanur, Selong Belanak, or Gili Islands).

• Rice fields & jungle walks - safe if you bring good shoes (we had trekking sandals from teva)

• Animal encounters (turtles in Gili Asahan, Black Monkeys in Tetebatu, Whalesharks in Sumbawa).

• Waterfalls - not everytime for swimming and some require steep hikes, check out our guides.

7. Practical Tips

• Always carry tissues or wet wipes (many toilets don’t have paper).

• Bring chash - in rural area they don't accept credit cards.

• Download Google Translate for quick communication with locals.