For many exhausted parents, a holiday isn’t truly a holiday if you are still doing the 6 AM wake-up calls, the nap-time battles, and the bedtime routines. The dream of a Bali vacation often involves total relaxation, and the quickest way to achieve that is by hiring help.
In popular areas like Seminyak, hiring a nanny for 8 hours a day is standard. But when traveling to the more remote, tranquil region of Amed in East Bali, the conversation often shifts to live-in nannies.
Having a professional caregiver stay in your villa 24/7 sounds like a luxury, but in Amed, it is often a practical necessity. Here is an honest look at the pros, cons, and logistics to help you decide if it’s worth it for your family.
Why Amed is Different (The Logistics Case)
Unlike South Bali, where nannies can easily commute on a scooter, Amed is isolated.
If you hire a professional, English-speaking nanny from a reputable agency (usually based near Denpasar), they cannot commute daily; it’s a 6-hour round trip. Therefore, if you want professional agency-standard care in Amed, live-in is often the only viable option, unless you pay exorbitant daily travel fees and provide local accommodation anyway.
The Pros: Why It’s Worth It
1. The “Sunrise Dive” Freedom
Amed is world-famous for its sunrise diving and snorkeling. To catch the best light at the Liberty Wreck, you need to leave your villa at 6:00 AM. A daily nanny won’t be there yet. A live-in nanny is already there, asleep in the next room, ready to take over the monitor while you slip out for an underwater adventure.
2. True 24/7 Relaxation
The biggest benefit is the mental load being lifted. There is no clock-watching waiting for the nanny to arrive or rush to get back before her shift ends. You have support for the early risers, the midday naps, and parents’ date nights, all included in one daily rate.
3. Consistency for the Kids
Children thrive on routine, especially in new environments. Having one familiar face present from breakfast until bedtime creates a sense of security. The nanny becomes part of the holiday household, understanding the nuances of your child’s routine better than a rotating staff member.
4. Cost-Effective for Longer Stays
While the daily rate is higher, you avoid paying the “Amed Travel Surcharge” every single day. For stays of 5 days or more, a live-in arrangement often works out to be better value than booking daily 10-hour shifts plus transport costs.
The Cons: Factors to Consider
1. The Privacy Trade-Off
This is the biggest hurdle for many families. Having someone outside your immediate family sleeping under the same roof means you are never “totally alone.” You need to be comfortable sharing your living space, kitchen, and evenings with your nanny.
2. Accommodation Requirements
You must provide a safe, comfortable, private space for the nanny. You cannot ask them to sleep on the sofa.
- The Good News: Many villas in Amed are spacious and feature separate guest houses or staff quarters (ask for a “lumbung” style room) that are perfect for maintaining privacy while keeping help nearby.
3. Providing Meals
When a nanny lives in, you are responsible for their 3 meals a day. This usually means providing groceries for them to cook, inviting them to eat with you, or providing a daily cash allowance (approx. 75k – 100k IDR per day) so they can buy food at local warungs.
The Verdict: Who is it For?
A live-in nanny in Amed is NOT worth it if:
- You highly value total privacy in the evenings.
- You are staying in a small hotel room with no extra space.
- You only need help for 4 hours in the middle of the day.
A live-in nanny in Amed IS worth it if:
- You are divers: The flexibility for early morning dives is unbeatable.
- You have infants or toddlers: The 24/7 support for erratic sleep schedules is a lifesaver.
- You are staying for a week or more: It becomes the most economical and stable choice for longer trips in East Bali.
For families seeking the ultimate relaxing break in the quiet beauty of Amed, the investment in live-in care is usually repaid tenfold in rest, romance, and stress-free adventures.