Beachfront Kuta is tropical Bali’s pulsating party capital
Bustling Kuta on beautiful Bali is the headquarters of the tropical island’s vibrant nightlife scene. Add to the mix terrific beaches, surfing hotspots and diverse hotels plus numerous shopping and dining choices, and it’s easy to see why this sun-kissed former fishing village maintains enduring appeal for visitors. Facing west on a narrow isthmus in urbanized southern Bali, Kuta is among the Indonesian archipelago’s original tourist resorts, having welcomed holidaymakers since the first hotel developments opened. Furthermore, from Kuta it’s easy to explore stunning inland Bali with its fertile landscape of volcanoes, rainforests, temples, palaces and distinctive rice paddy terraces.
Nightlife and dining options galore
Not only is Kuta located near Bali’s international airport, but also it boasts fine beaches and hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. These factors make it a popular gateway to Bali, particularly with a younger crowd of backpackers, surfers and partygoers. Hectic Kuta is rarely quiet, and at night the town centre’s narrow streets come alive and an extensive selection of pubs, bars, clubs and live music venues do a roaring trade. During weekends in high season, top DJs often play at various nightspots or parties being held at beach bars. Lively Legian Street is among the main magnets for nightlife, while Pantai Kuta Street, which leads to Kuta Beach, also brims with cocktail and karaoke bars. Depending on which hotel in Kuta you choose, it’s possible to enjoy a drink on-site since many boast their own bars. Some hotels even host parties around their swimming pools.
If all that partying leaves you hungry, you can eat well in Kuta. The town has a truly broad range of dining options from upscale hotel eateries and beachfront restaurants to affordable cafes and street food stalls known as warungs. These simple food vendors specialize in delicious Indonesian staples like nasi goreng fried rice dishes and sate grilled meat skewers. Spicy food fans can heat up virtually any dish with sambal, the fiery local chilli sauce. Many eateries focus on Balinese cuisine, characterized by fresh, fragrant and locally-sourced ingredients like coconut milk, spices, seafood and rice. International tastes are also catered for in Kuta and there are fast food, American, Italian, Japanese and Indian restaurants waiting to be discovered.
Discover beautiful beaches
As the cradle of tourism in Bali, it’s unsurprising that Kuta boasts an excellent beach lapped by beautifully warm waters. In contrast to Bali’s northern beaches of volcanic black sand, Kuta Beach in the south features a strip of light golden sand lined with bars, restaurants and street vendors selling everything from beer and snacks to souvenirs and novelty items. Typical daytime activities at Kuta Beach include swimming, sunbathing and hanging out in beach bars waiting for the amazing sunsets, which are virtually assured in any season because Bali sits so close to the equator and faces west. Moreover, holidaymakers can easily rent umbrellas, sun-loungers, boogie boards and surfboards at the beach, which is a celebrated haunt for surfing. Expert surfers flock to Kuta Beach, but novices wishing to learn the sport can enrol at one of several surf schools situated by the shore. Since popular Kuta Beach is so close to many hotels, it can occasionally feel crowded. However, there are further beaches to try in calmer neighbouring resorts such as Tuban, Legian and Seminyak.
Enjoy shopping and pampering
Kuta and its neighbouring districts are filled with shopping opportunities of all kinds. Wherever your hotel is, you won’t be far from places to shop to your heart’s content. Glitzy Western-style indoor shopping malls can be found off the beachfront. These include the modern Discovery Shopping Mall and Beachwalk Shopping Centre, which contains a museum showcasing beautifully patterned Balinese batik textiles. Meanwhile, Legian Street possesses many shops such as surfwear outlets and retailers selling souvenirs. The narrow lanes running down to Kuta Beach brim with marketplaces and gift shops selling t-shirts, novelties and handicrafts like wooden carvings, silverware and pottery. The Seminyak district north of Kuta is another hub for fashion boutiques and designer shops. If you need to unwind after all that shopping, Kuta is also a haven for spas and wellness centres. Many of these relaxing havens offer a chance to escape the crowds with soothing beauty treatments or programmes like yoga courses.
Head inland to discover the essence of Bali
Kuta may not be all that representative of the essence of Bali, but it makes a great base for exploring everything this tropical paradise has to offer. Near your Kuta hotel there will be tour operators running guided trips of Bali’s strikingly scenic coastal and inland highlights. These include active volcanoes, rainforests packed with rare plants and wildlife, coral reefs of astonishing biodiversity, animal sanctuaries, ancient temples and sacred palaces. Alternatively, you can explore Bali under your own steam by hiring a scooter, which is a popular way to get around. On your road-trip, you can mix with friendly Balinese people and discover the architectural marvels in the World Heritage Site irrigated rice paddy terraces around Ubud, which is another popular area to visit. Often considered Bali’s cultural capital, it is home to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary populated by hundreds of mischievous macaques and the 9th century Goa Gajah cave with its ornately carved rock-face, which visitors can enter through a gaping demon’s mouth doorway. Inside there are fascinating symbols of Hindu gods.