The white sands of Kuta are still arguably the best beachfront on Bali. The beach is much cleaner than just a few years ago, although the vendors remain annoying. Kuta is not the fishing village it once was: it is now a booming Pacific resort and its streets are clogged with tourists and traffic during peak seasons. Legian is a bit quieter, less crowded, and more suitable for longer stays, although in many ways it has become an extension of Kuta. Further north, Seminyak, Petitenget and Canggu offer more tranquility.

Bali - Kuta and Tuban

Kuta proper is the area delineated by JI. Legian, JI. Pantai Kuta, JI. Melasti, the beach front drive and the lanes in between, especially Gang Poppies I and 11. JI. Legian is the commercial hub of Kuta and the stage of many of its restaurants and nightlife. Most of Kuta's big beachfront hotels are in southern Kuta.

Kuta - Tuban Area Hotels
» Santika Beach Hotel (USD 90.00, 4 star)
» Bali Dynasty Beach Hotel (USD 72.00, 5 star)
» Ramada Bintang Bali Hotel (USD 80.00, 5 star)
» Discovery Kartika Plaza (USD 105.00, 5 star)
» Kuta Paradiso (USD 85.00, 4 star)
» Patra Jasa Hotel (USD 83.00, 5 star)
» Agung Segara Hotel (USD 25.00, 2 star)
» Aneka Beach Kuta Hotel (USD 40.00, 2 star)
» Camplung Mas Hotel (USD 29.00, 2 star)
» Bali Rani Hotel (USD 58.00, 3 star)
» Bali Mandira Hotel (USD 69.00, 3 star)
» Legian Beach Hotel (USD 92.00, 4 star)
» Flora Beach hotel (USD 25.00, 2 star)
» Bali Garden (USD 85.00, 3 star)
» Bali Hai (USD 79.00, 3 star)
» Bali Rani hotel (USD 58.00, 3 star)
» Flamboyan hotel (USD 58.00, 3 star)
» Green Garden bali (USD 30.00, 2 star)
» Hotel Wina (USD 39.00, 2 star)
» Kuta beach club (USD 38.00, 2 star)
» Kuta sea view cottages (USD 37.00, 2 star)
» Perdana Dadi hotel (USD 63.00, 2 star)

Bali - Legian and Seminyak

Legian and Seminyak are northern extensions of Kuta proper along JI. Legian to JI. Basangkasa. Somewhat quieter with cottage-style accommodations, this is where many of the ex-pat designers and long-stay tourists live.There are three ways to reach Legian and Seminyak: through Kuta and JI ' Melasti, then north; from JI. Imam Bonjol, turn west on to A Patih Jelantik at the Pertamina gas station; or from the north via JI. Kerobokan.

Seminyak Area Hotels
» Bali Padma Hotel (USD 143.00, 5 star)
» The Oberoi Bali (USD 212.00, 5 star)
» Bali Imperial Hotel (USD 161.00, 5 star)
» Bali ayu (USD 48.00, 3 star)
» Bolare beach bungalow (USD 35.00, 3 star)
» Puri ratih hotel (USD 67.00, 3 star)
» Santika villa (USD 182.00, 5 star)
» Century Saphir Seminyak (USD 43.00, 3 star)

Legian Area Hotels
» Sahid Raya Hotel (USD 63.00, 4 star)
» Hard Rock Hotel Bali (USD 99.00, 4 star)
» Alam Kulkul Resort (USD 97.00, 3 star)
» Natour Kuta Beach Hotel (USD 63.00, 4 star)
» Legian Paradiso Hotel (USD 49.00, 3 star)
» Villa Rumah Manis (USD 92.00, 3 star)
» Bali Intan Village (USD 65.00, 3 star)
» Intan Legian Hotel (USD 57.00, 3 star)
» Adhi darma (USD 30.00, 2 star)
» Andika sari bungalow (USD 21.00)
» Bali Dwira hotel (USD 35.00, 2 star)
» Hotel Restu Bali (USD 29.00, 2 star)
» Bali Sani hotel (USD 35.00, 3 star)
» Bali Sani suite hotel (USD 57.00, 3 star)
» Jayakarta hotel (USD 98.00, 3 star)
» Legian express hotel (USD 25.00, 2 star)
» Maha mertha hotel (USD 13.00, 2 star)
» Puri naga hotel (USD 67.00, 2 star)
» Prani legian hotel (USD 20.00, 2 star)
» Puri raja hotel (USD 43.00, 3 star)
» Saphir mabisa inn (USD 35.00, 2 star)
» Simpang inn hotel (USD 13.00, 2 star)
» Sri kusuma hotel (USD 30.00, 2 star)
» Suji bungalow (USD 29.00, 2 star)
» White rose hotel (USD 67.00, 3 star)

Bali - Petitenget and North

Petitenget, Berawa, Canggu, and Seseh are new and quieter continuations of Kuta's beach, easier to reach through Abian Timbul or Denpasar and Kerobokan than through Kuta, as there are no bemos north from Legian.

Kuta Beach also extends to the south, beyond the airport to Jimbaran.

For assistance with tours and tickets, and information on events, Rentcar info or Guides

Restaurants

Kuta is a great place to eat. New places open almost daily and competition is fierce. Most don't last for long. The ones which do have great food at unbeatable prices. Seafood and Western dishes are your best bets. Or try Mexican, Indian or Japanese. The more well-known places are mentioned below, plus some promising newcomers. Ask around for the latest "in" spots.

Poppies Restaurant on Gang Poppies I is the other old favorite in downtown Kuta with a rather more up market atmosphere and menu. Specialties include fresh seafood, steak, shish kebab, as well as salads, a selection of Indonesian dishes and one of the most extensive wine lists on Bali. Kopi Pot on JI. Legian. The second story has a coconut grove view which is now a rarity in Kuta. Try the sate or the baby shark when it's on special. Superb desserts. Open till midnight.

Night Life

Bali's nightlife is legendary and these days there are two very different 'scenes', the young boisterous crowd that dominates the Kuta circuit and a cooler, slightly older crowd that frequents the nightspots in Legian and Seminyak.

Kuta Activities

Surfing. Kuta and Legian have long been surfing areas. The 6 km beach break stretching from Kuta to Petitenget has a range of waves.

The School of Surf provides surfing lessons for the uninitiated. Japanese and Australian instructors.

Swimming. The currents at Kuta are extremely strong and the undertow is dangerous.

Waterpark. Bali's first waterpark, is more than an amusement park with its variety of pools, "rides", and slides in a beautifully landscaped environment. Open 9 am-6 pm.

Bungy Jumping. A new adventure to experience. Facilities in Kuta: Bali Bungy Co.,, operated by the father of bungy, A.J. Hackett.

Dance performances. Kuta is not the greatest place to see Balinese dance, although the main hotels have cultural dinner shows. Sri Wisata Budaya on J1. Bypass Ngurah Rai in Suung, toward Sanur, has morning performances daily of barong and keris dances. The Pengabetan neighborhood also holds irregular performances.


Horse Riding. Riding along Seminyak beach at sunset is worth the back pain. in Kerobokan is a professional stable with trainers and lessons, offering

Massages. Lots of ladies offer massages on the beach. Although they may not be as good as the ones you can get in Denpasar, Some Massage on Bali has to do with sex, it depends on your tastes The local euphemism is jiggy-jig."