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Semicuratedlife

Bali, Travel
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February 4, 2023

What exactly is an Eco Resort?

Recently we stayed at Bali Eco Stay, an amazing eco resort in Bali tucked away in an area far off the typical tourist trail. We stayed there 8 years ago for our honeymoon and were so excited to come back for a second stay with our kids and mother in law in tow. 

 

This place has had a place in our heart since we first stayed there. Not only for the gorgeous setting and amazing hospitality, but also for how much they care about the land and community. The property is run by westerners, but all staff who work there are from the local villages and actually own the resort itself. They were all so welcoming to us, and even invited us to a ceremony happening in their village and dressed us in appropriate ceremony wear. 

 

 

 

The food was all grown on site in the permaculture gardens. It was fun to stroll through and see where our food came from. I think it is so good for kids to see this as well. As a bonus, there is a massive swing anyone can use for a dramatic view of the gardens.

The swimming pool isn’t your typical swimming pool. There are a few options for a cool dip. Bali Eco Stay has its own waterfall where you can swim around at the bottom and enjoy a brisk shower from above! If that is too much of an adventure for you, they’ve also created a 25 meter lap pool in one of the streams, which our kids loved.

There is a local grandfather who comes in to to teach classes such as kite making and wood carving – I definitely want to do this next time we go. We also loved taking a cooking class and learning how to grind spice pastes together by hand to create the unique tastes in Indonesian and Balinese cooking. 

Staying at a resort like this isn’t for everyone. There is no air conditioning and very little in the way of walls. I found it more than cool enough to sleep but the noises from the nature surrounding you can be quite loud at night. There were also a lot of ants. The resort has done their best to mitigate this issue by offering air tight containers for food and reminding you to shower after massage since the ants love the coconut oil they use (my husband didn’t get this memo and woke up with many ant bites…) 

 

 

10 things we appreciated about staying at an eco resort:

  1. Open air with cool breezes – no need for air conditioning.
  2. They are involved and invested in the local community.
  3. They grow their own food.
  4. They only serve food grown on site.
  5. The bathrooms have special soaps that don’t harm the waste water gardens.
  6. The drinking water comes from their own natural spring.
  7. No swimming pool. Take a dip in the natural swimming hole.
  8. Most of the power comes from the on site waterfall.
  9. There is a private waterfall
  10. You leave appreciating and feeling closer to nature than you have in awhile

Does this sound like a place you would stay? What appeals about it to you or what turns you off? 

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Family Travel Guides & Tips to Keep Parents Sane Bali Guides in Link Below👇👇👇 💌 alison@semicuratedlife.com
  • After 3 years living in Bali and staying at MANY places, here are 5 more we’d stay at again:

📍Save this post for your next trip to Bali with kids! 

1. Bali Eco Stay. We first stayed here 10 years ago on our honeymoon and it was just as great with kids. If you want to see firsthand what sustainability and working with the local community looks like, stay here. Think meals prepared with ingredients from the property and handicraft classes taught by a local grandfather. There is no pool, just swimming in streams and the on-site waterfall. Heaven. @baliecostay 

2. Rimba by Ayana. Besides the largest indoor/outdoor kids club in Bali, this place has so much to do. Pools, tram rides, elevators to the private beach, cultural dinners and an amazing spa - you’ll never need to leave the resort for everyone in the family to have a good time. @rimbabyayana 

3. Munduk Moding Plantation. We loved our stay here in a working coffee plantation. There is a slew of activities each day from horseback riding, guided plantation tours, cooking classes and even making crafts out of recycled plastic. The pools and hot tubs have amazing views over the rest of Bali. @mundukmodingplantation 

4. Coral View Villas. This is the perfect base for families to explore Amed. The beachfront villas are perfect for families and the snorkeling off the beach is world class. There is no kids club here but our kids couldn’t care less, spending their time running around the gardens, splashing in the pool and treasure hunting on the beach. @coral_view_villas 

5. Subak Tabola Villa. If you want your family to experience the true magic of Bali, book a stay here for a couple nights. Located in Sidemen, one of the most beautiful countrysides in all of Bali, you’ll be able to wake up early with Mama Ati to participate in daily prayers and join school children in the afternoon to make traditional offerings or learn Balinese dance or try your hand at gamelan music. @subaktabola_villa
  • Who else has taken their kids on a rush hour train in Tokyo 😅

It’s cultural, right?! 😂
  • When I first moved abroad I felt like I needed to keep so much of our lives from America the same. Cooking familiar dishes, keeping up the same pace of life… 

But so much has changed these past few years. I’ve learned to slow down, to find ways to make life easier and that allow me to spend more time with my family. Food delivery has been a godsend.

Follow @semicuratedlife for more on how we’re living the American Dream OUTSIDE the United States 🇺🇸
  • Planning a trip to Bali with kids? 😅✨
I’ve been there—literally. After 3 years of living in Bali with two little ones, I’ve created the guide I wish I had when we first arrived.

This isn’t just a list of cute cafés and tourist traps—it’s a comprehensive, parent-approved playbook for making your Bali trip unforgettable (and actually enjoyable 🙌).

✔️ 125+ kid-friendly activities
✔️ Where to stay by region + budget
✔️ Emergency info, rainy day plans, diaper brand recs & more
✔️ Created by a real mom who’s explored every corner of the island

Whether you’re coming for two weeks or two months, this guide will help you skip the overwhelm and focus on making memories. 💛

The link for my Bali guide is in my bio! 👆🏼

#balifamilytravel #baliwithkids #travelwithkids #familyadventure #momswhotravel #balitravelguide #bali2025 #familyvacationplanning
  • Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
  • And snacks. Snacks all over the place. People handing out snacks as you walk down the terminal 😂
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@semicuratedlife
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•
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After 3 years living in Bali and staying at MANY places, here are 5 more we’d stay at again: 📍Save this post for your next trip to Bali with kids! 1. Bali Eco Stay. We first stayed here 10 years ago on our honeymoon and it was just as great with kids. If you want to see firsthand what sustainability and working with the local community looks like, stay here. Think meals prepared with ingredients from the property and handicraft classes taught by a local grandfather. There is no pool, just swimming in streams and the on-site waterfall. Heaven. @baliecostay 2. Rimba by Ayana. Besides the largest indoor/outdoor kids club in Bali, this place has so much to do. Pools, tram rides, elevators to the private beach, cultural dinners and an amazing spa - you’ll never need to leave the resort for everyone in the family to have a good time. @rimbabyayana 3. Munduk Moding Plantation. We loved our stay here in a working coffee plantation. There is a slew of activities each day from horseback riding, guided plantation tours, cooking classes and even making crafts out of recycled plastic. The pools and hot tubs have amazing views over the rest of Bali. @mundukmodingplantation 4. Coral View Villas. This is the perfect base for families to explore Amed. The beachfront villas are perfect for families and the snorkeling off the beach is world class. There is no kids club here but our kids couldn’t care less, spending their time running around the gardens, splashing in the pool and treasure hunting on the beach. @coral_view_villas 5. Subak Tabola Villa. If you want your family to experience the true magic of Bali, book a stay here for a couple nights. Located in Sidemen, one of the most beautiful countrysides in all of Bali, you’ll be able to wake up early with Mama Ati to participate in daily prayers and join school children in the afternoon to make traditional offerings or learn Balinese dance or try your hand at gamelan music. @subaktabola_villa
4 days ago
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•
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Who else has taken their kids on a rush hour train in Tokyo 😅 It’s cultural, right?! 😂
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
@semicuratedlife
@semicuratedlife
•
Follow
When I first moved abroad I felt like I needed to keep so much of our lives from America the same. Cooking familiar dishes, keeping up the same pace of life… But so much has changed these past few years. I’ve learned to slow down, to find ways to make life easier and that allow me to spend more time with my family. Food delivery has been a godsend. Follow @semicuratedlife for more on how we’re living the American Dream OUTSIDE the United States 🇺🇸
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
@semicuratedlife
@semicuratedlife
•
Follow
Planning a trip to Bali with kids? 😅✨ I’ve been there—literally. After 3 years of living in Bali with two little ones, I’ve created the guide I wish I had when we first arrived. This isn’t just a list of cute cafés and tourist traps—it’s a comprehensive, parent-approved playbook for making your Bali trip unforgettable (and actually enjoyable 🙌). ✔️ 125+ kid-friendly activities ✔️ Where to stay by region + budget ✔️ Emergency info, rainy day plans, diaper brand recs & more ✔️ Created by a real mom who’s explored every corner of the island Whether you’re coming for two weeks or two months, this guide will help you skip the overwhelm and focus on making memories. 💛 The link for my Bali guide is in my bio! 👆🏼 #balifamilytravel #baliwithkids #travelwithkids #familyadventure #momswhotravel #balitravelguide #bali2025 #familyvacationplanning
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 

The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! 

We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
@semicuratedlife
@semicuratedlife
•
Follow
Many of you have asked why we’re leaving Bali and moving to Portugal. 🇵🇹 The main reason why is that we want to be closer to our families. It is currently a minimum travel time of 30 hours to get to our families in the US. We’re looking forward to being able to pop back for a few days here and there when we want to or need to! We’re also feeling really sad about leaving Bali. We love our life and community and friends here. Starting over again feels daunting but being clear on the reasons we’re doing this makes us know we’re doing the right thing. I’ll be posting more about our move and the process of it all here so stay tuned for more in the coming months. ❤️
1 week ago
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•
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And snacks. Snacks all over the place. People handing out snacks as you walk down the terminal 😂
2 weeks ago
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