Nowadays Kuta is quite busy and packed with varied accommodation from four-star hotels to budget hostels. Cheap bars and clubs make it a party centre, while local and international restaurants offer great dining. Kuta also offers shopping aplenty, from the chic beachfront ‘Discovery Shopping Mall’ and Kuta Square to the souvenir shops lining Jalan Kartika Plaza, Jalan Pantai Kuta and up to Legian and Seminyak – all within easy walking distance.
Despite its negatives, Kuta has its own beauty and attractions and remains one of Indonesia’s major tourist destinations; particularly during the peak season from July to August and the holiday season for Christmas and New Year: at these times Kuta will be fully booked by a local younger crowd, Asian travellers and Australian ****agers who are intent on enjoying an affordable vacation in Bali.
Kuta Beach Attractions
Kuta, located in southern Bali, was a sleepy fishing village half a century ago, but it has slowly expanded since the 1960s after its long sandy beach was discovered by travellers from Asia and wandering surfers from nearby Australia. Nowadays Kuta is quite busy and packed with varied accommodation from four-star hotels to budget hostels. Cheap bars and clubs make it a party centre, while local and international restaurants offer great dining.
Kuta Beach
The five-kilometre long arching sandy stretch of Kuta Beach is still possibly the best beach front of Bali. A very short drive away from the airport, meter taxis and motorcycle taxis are easily found around the area to take you anywhere in Kuta or elsewhere. The beach is safe, partially clean and well maintained, although the vendors fill up the beach side haphazardly.
However, this beach is really famous for its spectacular sunsets and waves, and attracts tourists who spend hours here swimming, surfing and sunbathing. This place is a well-known destination among surfing enthusiasts: the long sandy beach with its lack of dangerous rocks or coral makes the waves ideal for beginners.
Memorial Statue
The government has built a permanent memorial on the site of the destroyed Paddy's Pub on Legian Street. (A new bar, named ‘Paddy's: Reloaded’, was reopened further along Legian Street).
The memorial is made of intricately carved stone, set with a large marble plaque, which bears the names and nationalities, flanked by the national flags of the victims. The monument is well maintained by the local government and is illuminated at night. Every year on 12th October there is a memorial ceremony.
Temples
Kuta does not have a popular main temple to visit, but sprinkled along the main road you can find regular temples worth a peek at during your holiday here. Positioned on Jalan Pantai Kuta you’ll find Pura Batu Bolong; on Kuta Sidewalk is Pura Penataran; and on Kuta Beach a few metres east from the main gate is Pura Kalangan Majelangu. Every morning and late afternoon right after sunset, the Balinese who live in the neighbourhood come here to pray and present offerings.
The temple is busy only on special occasions during holy days and ceremonies such as Melasti: three or four days prior to Nyepi (the Balinese day of silence that falls on Bali’s Lunar New Year), the Balinese gather to send prayers and put offerings that are dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi/Vishnu-Devas-Bataras and performed on the beach to respect them as the owners of the land and sea.
Discovery Shopping Mall Esplanade
Discovery Esplanade is a new concept of entertainment located in the Discovery Shopping Mall’s backyard. Occasionally used for celebrations or some annual events, the Esplanade also offers weekly free entertainment from DJs, and is used for band parades, concerts, product launches, and much more. With a line up of open-air caf?s, a deck spinning beats, and a beautiful sunset, what more could you possibly want?
Kuta Beach Activities
Most of the activity in Kuta is related to the beach. The options are endless – you may try surfing, swimming, wakeboarding, sunbathing or kite flying, or heading into neighbouring Tuban for some waterslide action. If you just want to have fun or relax, you can try kite flying or employ a team of masseurs while you sunbathe.
You will know the massage ladies immediately from their cries of ‘Hello, yes? Massage?’ and if you aren’t accosted by a team of them offering pedicures, manicures and hair-braiding alongside a massage as soon as you step onto the beach, you will easily spot them sitting along the beach, waiting for their next customer.
Bungy Jumping
Most of the bungy jumping company locate in Kuta. In Kuta, skysurfer, and slingshot are available beside the bungy jump.You can jump with the motorbike with you as well.
Slingshot
Care for a little bit of adventure? Kuta has its own way to slake your adrenaline thirst. At a spot in front of Kuta Paradiso Hotel, there is a giant slingshot that can catapult you 52 metres in the air. The forked Y-shaped frame has two rubber strips attached to the uprights, leading back to a pocket for holding two safely designed seats. Open every day 11:00 – late.
Surfing
Kuta Beach is famous for its breaking waves and waist-deep water, making it such a perfect beach for surfing beginners. To get some basic knowledge of surfing, sign up for lessons with one of the well-known surfing schools located just in front of the beach such as Odysseys, Rip Curl Surf School or Surfer Girl Surfing School.
A three-day surfing course in an accredited school costs approximately US$ 100. The next time you come back, as long as you keep in practice, you’ll be able to explore the hidden surf beaches on the island, for sure! For more advanced surfers, you can choose from over 30 other surfing breaks, all within 30 minutes drive from Kuta.
Waterbom Waterslide Park
Waterbom is a sprawling 3.8 hectare tropical adventure park of thrilling water rides. It has 15 high-speed slides, some reaching up to 50kph, dizzying trails, cardiac-pounding rides and wall climbing. Even for the faint hearted, there are a lot of facilities; try the river raft that leads you down a lazy river where you can enjoy drifting along in a tube raft through cascading waterfalls, languid ripples and even luxuriant tropical foliage to screen you from the flurry of excitement, not to mention the spa facilities for an even more relaxing option.
On top of that you can sunbathe in the grassy gardens, relax in a gazebo or swim along to the Poolside Bar, to quench your thirst before a second round of adrenaline-charged adventure! For children, the park features a Kiddy Park, which is designed for child safety and is supervised at all times. If you get hungry during all the activity, head to the food court in the centre of the park as it is forbidden to bring any food or beverages in from outside.
Kite Flying
Here is an idea for a safe, fun activity on the beach with your family – kite flying! Wondering where to buy one? You can easily find a line up of small shops and vendors selling traditional Balinese kites ranging from small to giant size, such as Bebean (fish-shaped), Janggan (bird-shaped) and Pecukan (leaf-shaped), the prices vary according to size and the material. Now, find a deserted windy spot and away you go!
Soccer Beach
Getting tanned but have extra calories that need burning off? No worries, Kuta is full of beach activities. Try a soccer game with some locals. They usually set up goal posts at around 16:00 between Hard Rock Caf? and Discovery Shopping Mall. Just come along to play, or even better, bring a friend so the teams will be even. It’s time the world knew about your dribbling skills!
Sunbathing
If you are coming from more temperate countries, sunbathing must be tempting. Kuta Beach is a magnet for beachgoers, especially for those who are keen to get that much-coveted tan. Lying on the beach wearing your bikini or shorts and sunglasses could be an effortless way to spend the day in Kuta or you can rent a sun-lounger for only around IDR 30,000 a day.
However, beware of the harsh rays – you will be very uncomfortable the following day if you don't apply sunscreen! Choose protection with a high SPF content and avoid the intense midday heat to be sure you get a beautiful glowing tan before you return to your home country. To avoid dehydration you are advised to drink plenty of water and soft drinks – all available from vendors patrolling the beach, also selling snacks, ice cream and fruit.
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