Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team In Bali, choose the school first and the house second: Ubud to Sanur, about 25–30 km, takes 90–120 minutes in the 4–7 pm window, so a school on the wrong side of the island can cost hours each day. There is no rail or school-friendly transit to fall back on. Shortlist a school, then rent only within a short drive of it, and do a test run at drop-off and pick-up times before signing anything.
Bali's international schools are scattered from Sanur on the east coast to Abiansemal near Ubud and Umalas near Canggu. Where you live decides how long your children sit in traffic, so for families the school is the anchor.
This page is for parents relocating with children of any age. The main trade-off: the areas with the widest school choice (Umalas, Canggu) also have heavy traffic and high rents, while calmer Sanur offers fewer schools but the best hospital access.
At a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Young kids and healthcare | Sanur | Bali International Hospital, IB school, early-years center |
| French or British curriculum | Umalas & Kerobokan | Lycée Français, ProEd, Sunrise School |
| Active families, older kids | Canggu | Canggu Community School to Year 13, IB Diploma |
| Nature-focused schooling | Ubud & Abiansemal | Green School, The British School of Bali |
| Lower school fees | East Denpasar (Kesiman) | Dyatmika's bilingual program, near Sanur |
How we chose
- Schools inside or close to each area, from Honeycombers' list (published October 2025, updated April 2026) and HoneyKids Asia's school guide.
- Peak-hour drive times from Bali Holiday Secrets route guides (updated July–August 2026).
- Hospital access, from BIMC's website and Indonesia's Cabinet Secretariat.
- Published rents from Bali Villa Realty (September 2026).
Fees below are "from" annual figures as listed by Honeycombers; schools revise them every year. Checked on 31 October 2026.
1. Sanur — best for young kids and healthcare
Sanur is the calmest family base in the south. Bali International Hospital opened in April 2025 within KEK Sanur, Indonesia's first health special economic zone, and was formally inaugurated on 25 June 2025. Bali Island School teaches the IB from primary through the Diploma (from IDR 65 million a year), and The Garden Early Learning Centre takes children from 15 months.
The catch: Sanur is part of Denpasar, which flooded badly in September 2025, so ask about drainage street by street. Our rent source publishes no Sanur ranges; get several dated quotes.
2. Umalas & Kerobokan — best for French or British curriculum
This residential belt between Seminyak and Canggu holds Lycée Français de Bali (French national curriculum, from IDR 67.8 million) and ProEd Global School (British curriculum to A Levels), both in Umalas, plus Sunrise School in Kerobokan (18 months to Grade 9, from IDR 33 million).
Rents are high. Bali Villa Realty lists one-bedroom villas in Umalas at $853–1,900 a month; family homes cost more. Kerobokan and Sunset Road are known choke points, so check the route to school at 7–9 am.
3. Canggu — best for active families with older kids
Canggu Community School runs from Pre-K to Year 13 with the English National Curriculum, IGCSE and IB Diploma (from IDR 110 million). HoneyKids notes students can use the neighboring Canggu Club's 25-meter pool and sports oval. The Garden also has a Berawa campus for toddlers.
Traffic is the trade-off. Badung officials told The Nightly in June 2026 that Canggu's roads offer almost no diversion options, and short trips can exceed an hour in peak season. Live within a short ride of the school.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
4. Ubud & Abiansemal — best for nature-focused schooling
Green School, on Jalan Raya Sibang Kaja in Abiansemal, runs from Pre-K to Year 12 with its own curriculum (from IDR 177.8 million). The British School of Bali in Tegallalang covers Pre-Nursery to Year 6, with Year 7 opening in August 2026. BIMC Ubud handles medical needs nearby.
Ubud also has the lowest entry rents in Bali Villa Realty's table (one-bedroom villas from $483 a month). But there's no beach, and the airport is 1.5–2.5 hours away. Green School is outside central Ubud, so map the drive from any villa you consider.
5. East Denpasar (Kesiman) — best for lower school fees
Dyatmika School sits just north of Sanur in Kesiman. It teaches bilingually up to Grade 5, then IGCSE and A Levels, with fees from IDR 43.8 million. Living between Kesiman and Sanur keeps you close to Bali International Hospital too.
It's urban, with fewer expat amenities, and it shares Denpasar's flood exposure.
What to check before you decide
- Seat availability for each child's year group before you sign a lease.
- The school run at 7–9 am and 4–7 pm, timed with a ride-hailing app or your own scooter or car.
- Lease terms: yearly rents are often paid fully upfront, with no refund on early exit (Bali Villa Realty).
- Pool fencing and road access at the villa, especially with toddlers.
- Your insurer's direct-billing list for the nearest hospital.
FAQ
Which area of Bali is best for families with young children?
Sanur, for its quieter pace, early-years options and Bali International Hospital. Umalas suits families who need French or British schooling.
How much do international schools in Bali cost?
Honeycombers' list shows annual fees from about IDR 33 million (Sunrise School) to IDR 177.8 million (Green School). Ask each school for its current fee sheet, including enrolment and building fees.
Is Canggu good for families?
Yes, if your children attend Canggu Community School or an early-years center nearby. It's less suited to daily trips elsewhere because of traffic.
Related guides
- Bali cost of living
- Best areas to live in Bali
- Best international schools in Bali
- Best hospitals in Bali
- Moving to Bali
- Budget calculator
Sources
- Best international schools in Bali — Honeycombers — school locations, age ranges, curricula and "from" fees
- Choosing a school in Bali — HoneyKids Asia — Green School address, Dyatmika in Kesiman, Canggu Club facilities
- How to get from Ubud to Sanur — Bali Holiday Secrets — peak-hour drive times
- Getting to Canggu from anywhere in Bali — Bali Holiday Secrets — peak hours and congestion points
- Getting to Ubud from anywhere in Bali — Bali Holiday Secrets — Ubud airport time
- Bali traffic: congestion in Canggu difficult to fix — The Nightly — Canggu road constraints
- President Prabowo inaugurates KEK Sanur and Bali International Hospital — Cabinet Secretariat — inauguration
- Bali International Hospital treats 5,960 patients in six months — Bali.live — opening date
- BIMC Hospital Kuta 24-hour medical center — BIMC — BIMC Ubud address
- How Much is Rent in Bali 2026? — Bali Villa Realty — rents and lease terms
- At least nine killed in Bali's worst flooding in years — The Jakarta Post — Denpasar flooding
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