With beaches, amusement parks, nightlife, and Balinese culture and architecture, Kuta is one of Bali’s most popular places. Kuta is a tourist town near the southernmost point of Bali. The Balinese often call it “the center” because it is one of the busiest centers on the island. Once a sleepy fishing village and former Dutch colony, it became a tourist’s dream when international investors discovered it in the 20th century. The beaches are the highlight of Kuta, but there are many other things to do there as well.
Kuta has one of the best beaches in Bali, an eight-kilometer stretch of clean sand that attracts surfers and sunbathers. You can safely swim at Kuta beach, and it is also a great place to watch the sunset and learn to surf. There are many activities in Kuta, but some include snorkeling or scuba diving to explore the reefs; hopping on a glass-bottom boat to stay dry and still see tropical fishes on Turtle Island; taking the kids to the various themed parks; stopping by for an hour-long comedy and illusion show about Balinese culture at the Kuta Theater; and many more.
Kuta Square is a great place for cheap shopping. The area is surrounded by religious monuments and traditional Balinese buildings, making it a unique shopping experience. While you can get all types of international food in Kuta, the delicious Indonesian snacks and rice dishes are too good not to try.
However, when the golden sunsets arrive, tourists from all over the world flock to the busy nightlife scene. Kuta is one of the best party destinations in Southeast Asia. From enjoying the chill atmosphere of a bar, beach club, or restaurant with live music, to dancing the night away at a trendy club. There are options for all tastes.
In lively Kuta, traditional and modern attractions offer a pleasant break after a morning at the beach, and many people return there year after year to enjoy a relaxing holiday surrounded by comfort and fun.
Back in the 1960s, the only hotel was the Kuta Beach Hotel, but soon, without much planning, Kuta developed rapidly into a haunt for surfers and backpackers, while the high-end market preferred to stay at the more sedate Sanur village on the opposite side of the peninsula. With time, Kuta’s popularity grew, and shops, restaurants, discos, and hotels—from the simple to the exclusive—sprang up along the main road from Kuta to Legian, catering to the ever-increasing holiday crowd, that not only included international tourists but also domestic visitors from Jakarta and other big cities.
Moving around Kuta is very fun and simple. You can go around on foot, or you can rent a bike or a motorcycle.
There are plenty of taxis that can take you to Kuta beach. You can rent these by the meter or by the hour. Taking your car is not recommended as parking here is very tight.
