There is no more popular beach area in Bali than Kuta Beach. It’s famous for its surf schools and as a sunset beach where you can grab a cocktail and enjoy the light show over the Indian Ocean.
We’ve put together this awesome guide to Kuta Beach and it’s got all you need to know to have a good time in the area.
Where Is Kuta Beach? Jalan Pantai Kuta, Of Course
Kuta Beach, Bali borders the nearby district of Legian (to the North) and Tuban (where the Ngurah Rai International Airport is based to the South).
It’s on the Southwestern coast of Bali and it is, without doubt, the most popular resort area in the whole of Bali.
Address: Jalan Pantai Kuta, Badung Regency, Indonesia
How To Get To Kuta Beach
If you’re coming from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, the best thing to do is take a taxi. This is cheap and cost-effective from the airport (or you can use the Grab or Gojek Apps to arrange a taxi too).
If you’re staying in Kuta then your hotel may well offer a free shuttle service and then it’s going to be a short walk from your hotel to Kuta Beach, Bali.
If you’re coming from Canggu, Legian or Seminyak then you might consider a taxi to get to Kuta Beach, Bali or hiring a car and a private driver for the day.
It’s not that far from these places but the taxi fares can get quite steep for the journey.
How To Get Around The Kuta Beach Area?
The easiest way to get around Kuta Beach, Bali and the surrounding area is to walk.
You can, in theory, use a bicycle but the traffic in Kuta is seriously problematic and you’d be taking your life into your own hands.
The lanes here are narrow and it’s all too easy to miss oncoming traffic that has decided to drive down the wrong side of the road.
It’s also possible to hire a scooter, but we always recommend that you only hire a scooter if you have a ton of experience in riding motorcycles, you are 100% road legal (that means an in date International Driver’s Permit and a license with a motorbike endorsement) and have insurance to do so.
Kuta Beach, Bali is very pretty and it’s best to enjoy it rather than spend time in the local hospital.
If you need to go a reasonable distance it’s best to use a ride-sharing app such as Grab or Go-Jek instead of flagging down a taxi.
Taxi scams are common in Kuta Beach, Bali and the apps let you travel for a fixed, in advance, price and if you link a card to them – you can pay without using any cash. This means no arguments over fares.
When To Visit Kuta Beach?
Kuta Beach, Bali is a great place to visit all year round. We know you’ve probably heard that Bali has a wet season and a dry season.
The thing is that the wet season isn’t really all that wet most of the time. It normally rains for 2-3 hours a day and otherwise delivers 9 hours of sunshine on average per day!
The dry season is a little less humid, however, and it can be cooler as you get an onshore breeze. But there’s not that much in it.
How Much Is The Entrance Fee To Kuta Beach?
There are beaches in Bali that charge an entry fee. It’s usually not very much money and tends to include a car parking fee. However, there is no entrance fee to Kuta Beach.
It is completely open to the public all of the time and if anyone tries to charge you to get into Kuta Beach, they’re scamming you.
About Bali Kuta Beach Or Pantai Kuta
Kuta Beach is the busiest beach in Bali. It serves as a mecca for Australian tourists who are looking for white sands, clear water, lots of activities and nightlife.
It’s gone from being a small Balinese village to a highly developed resort town.
On the beach itself and all along Jalan Pantai Kuta, you will find peddlers and vendors galore pushing their local wares including t-shirts, beachwear and local handicrafts.
These are often more expensive than the usual local prices and it’s a good idea to haggle if you buy from a peddler.
We would also note that these salespeople can be quite annoying and their ability to pester is second to none. It’s perfectly OK to ignore them. You don’t have to interact with every salesman or woman on Kuta Beach.
The History Of Bali Kuta Beach
The history of Kuta goes back a long time and one of the earliest records of the area has a Buddhist Temple (or Konco) being built near the Dead River (the Tukad Mati).
It’s been a port city for a long time and this is probably due to the access to the river.
Kuta has been the gateway to Southern Bali since the 18th century. Back in the 1830s, unhappily, there was a thriving slave market in Kuta and it attracted unpleasant characters from all over the world to trade in human beings.
The famous Danish merchant Mads Lange built a trade station here in the 19th century near the river.
He was a significant figure in Balinese history and often acted as an intermediary between the local population and the Dutch colonizers.
He died in mysterious circumstances and his grave can be found at the river periphery temple.
The area then lost popularity for a long period of time before becoming part of the Southeast Asia “hippie trail” (sometimes known as the banana pancake trail too) in the 1960s.
Surfers and hippies may have been the first influx of tourists to Kuta Beach but they certainly weren’t the last.
In the last 70 years or so, Kuta Beach and its neighbour Legian Beach have become the most popular destinations on the island of Bali.
The Kuta Beach Controversy – To Go Or Not To Go?
It’s important to note that Kuta Beach is not for everyone and, in fact, several famous travel bloggers have vented their frustrations about Kuta Beach on their virtual soap boxes.
We think it’s important to address this and we think that, in the main, most criticisms of Kuta Beach are a bit over the top.
Sure, it’s a commercial and busy area. But then, a lot of people want to go and have fun with other tourists. It’s an iconic beach that has a worldwide reputation, who wouldn’t want to see it?
The beach itself is quite lovely and covered in golden sand and while it can get a bit dirty at times due to the number of people, it’s regularly cleaned by local volunteers and businesses.
Yes, the food vendors and local stallholders can be a bit pushy, but then, they can be pushy anywhere in Bali, Kuta Beach is not unusual for that.
And it’s without doubt one of the best places for the beginner surfer to get surf lessons.
What Can You Do At Kuta Beach?
There’s plenty to do at Kuta Beach and this includes:
Swimming – the water is crystal clear and you can easily swim or snorkel safely at Kuta Beach
Sunbathing – who goes to the beach and doesn’t want to lie out in the sun for an hour or two? Just make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen.
Surfing – it’s one of the best surf spots in Bali, particularly for beginners and it’s easy to arrange lessons and board hire for a sensible price at Kuta Beach. You can also easily try a range of other water sports here.
Massage – if you’ve never had a massage on the beach, this is the place to start! Massage services on Kuta Beach are cheap and very pleasant.
Eat – there are so many food carts and restaurants around Kuta Beach that you simply can’t go wrong. There’s something for every taste and budget too.
Shop – you can walk the main road and browse all the stores and souvenir stands. Kuta isn’t quite as good as Seminyak for shopping but it’s still easy to buy plenty of nice things here.
Resorts Near Kuta Beach
There is simply no shortage of resorts in the vicinity of Kuta Beach and these include:
Luxury Resorts
The Anvaya Beach Resort – a place full of private suites and villas it is a short walk from the beach.
Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort – next to the shopping mall and with excellent views over the Indian Ocean from the rooms.
Mid-Range Resorts
Hard Rock Hotel – this is an awesome place if you like rock music and partying. It’s a world-famous chain and it lives up to its promise of a good time for all.
Kuta Beach Hotel – a very relaxed place with three pools that make up the resort centerpiece.
Budget Resorts
Harper Kuta by Aston – it’s a 10-minute walk from Kuta Beach nd the setting is stunning given the value pricing.
Bali Caps – this is a very budget-friendly hostel full of young backpackers and would-be surfers.
Where To Eat At Kuta Beach?
There are a lot of nice places to eat in the vicinity of Kuta Beach, Bali and some of the highlights include:
Warung Murah
This is a very affordable place that has a wide range of Indonesian food options.
If you want a nasi goreng or mie goreng with local seafood and in generous portions, you can’t go wrong here.
Made’s Warung
This is now a chain of restaurants offering a mix of local and international cuisine and at reasonable prices.
Enjoy a burger and some chicken satay in a place that is authentically Balinese.
They also have live music in the evenings.
Seven Rooftop Bar
Seven Rooftop Bar is one of the most popular places on Kuta Beach and it’s pretty good value for money.
They have a 150,000 IDR (per person) BBQ buffet on Saturdays that really draws in the crowds.
It’s one of the nicer spots in Kuta to catch the sunset over Kuta Beach too.
Kuta Beach Nightlife
Kuta Beach is party central for Bali and you have a 7-kilometer strip of fun places to be that runs from Kuta, through Legian, Seminyak and even into Basangkasa.
There is no end of bars, nightclubs and pubs to enjoy and you can choose anything from a high-end resort bar to an open-air disco.
Most bars offer free entry and have happy hours and other drink promotions during the course of the night.
If there is an entry fee, it often includes a free drink or a discount on the bill at the end of the night.
What Else Is Nearby To Kuta Beach In Bali?
We have an article on this site that includes all the things you can do in Kuta but here are a few highlights near Kuta Beach:
Kuta Beachwalk
Kuta Beachwalk is a shopping mall and it’s full of local and international brands.
It’s very popular and the central garden area is attractive and pleasant.
You can find a cinema here too, which is handy if you want to catch the latest movies.
Legian Beach
Legian is just to the North of where Kuta Beach finishes and it’s a lovely white sandy beach that is also close to a lot of resorts, restaurants and bars.
It too is popular with surfers and has lovely sunset views. It has a reputation for being clean and pleasant.
Kuta Sea Turtle Society
If there’s one animal that almost everyone loves in Bali it’s the sea turrtle and the Bali Sea Turtle Society based in Kuta is dedicated to protecting the animal and its environment.
In the breeding season, they often have a release program where you can join in releasing baby turtles into the sea. It’s quite lovely.
Kuta Night Market
This is a very popular night market and if you want local food and snacks from a variety of food vendors, it’s a great place to go.
It is surprisingly affordable given that it’s a bit of a tourist destination and the atmosphere here is fun and lively.
Badung Market
This is one of the biggest traditional Balinese markets on the island. If you want fresh produce, local foodstuffs and amazing spices, it’s the place to go.
It can be a little overwhelming when you first get there, the sights and smells are powerful and new but persevere and you’ll find it’s quite magical in its own way.
FAQs
Why Is Kuta Beach Famous? What Is Kuta Bali Known For?
Kuta’s fame comes from the fact that it was one of the first beaches to become popular with international visitors.
Now, it’s known for its resorts, nightlife and excellent surfing in the waters of the Indian Ocean.
Is Kuta Beach Worth It?
Only you can decide that for yourself but we say that Kuta Beach is worth it with the proviso that you understand it’s busy and popular with some aggressive salespeople present.
The flip side is that it’s a very attractive place with a ton of amenities to enjoy.
If you’re seeking a bustling holiday town with a lot to see and do, you’re going to enjoy Kuta Beach, Bali very much.
If, on the other hand, you want a stress-free experience with as few other people as possible; you might want to consider going somewhere other than Kuta Beach.
Is Kuta Beach Safe To Swim?
Yes, very much so. But you must be aware of the red and yellow flags. You swim between the yellow flags and never swim when there are red flags on the beach.
There are lifeguards at various intervals on Kuta Beach and you should obey any direct instruction that they give you.
They are not interested in ruining your good time on the beach in Kuta, they’re trying to ensure that you are 100% safe at all times.
Which Is Better Seminyak Beach or Kuta Beach?
It really depends on what you’re looking for. Kuta Beach has a lot going for it. It’s in the busiest and most exciting part of Bali. Tourists come from all over the world because of the fame of Kuta Beach.
If you want to learn to surf then Kuta Beach is a brilliant place to do it. It’s also got access to great and reasonably affordable nightlife.
On the other hand, Seminyak Beach is a shade less popular, the area is home to more luxury resorts and it’s a bit more upmarket than Kuta in general and tends to attract a young, hip and affluent crowd.
You can always enjoy a drink at a rooftop bar after a swim at Seminyak but it will cost you more than it would at Kuta Beach, Bali.
So, really they’re both great and it’s down to you whether you choose Kuta or Seminyak (or visit both) on your Bali holiday.
Why Is Kuta Beach So Popular?
Kuta Beach, Bali is a beautiful place and it’s important to note that while it is a much more developed area than it once was, it still has plenty of charm.
It was also one of the first parts of Bali to attract international interest thanks to its inclusion on the hippie trail. Over time, it has become one of the staple attractions in Bali to Australian visitors in particular.
It remains popular today because it has plenty of excellent resorts, great restaurants serving a host of international dishes, a rooftop bar for every budget and some of the best surfing for beginners anywhere in Bali.
How To Get To Book A Trip To Kuta Beach
If you’re looking for a private car and driver or want to book a longer stay in Kuta itself, please contact the lovely people at Bali Res Center.
This local travel agent is always ready to find you the perfect itinerary and to ensure that a driver is properly certified and insured as well as the right price for your needs and budget.
Final Thoughts On Whether To Visit Kuta Beach
So, there you have it, Kuta Beach in a nutshell and while many people seem to give this beach in Bali a bit of a hard time online, we think they’re overdoing it.
Kuta Beach is a lovely place that is very attractive to look at, and nice to swim and surf on. It’s easy to find a rooftop bar and escape the noise and crowds whenever it gets a bit much for you.
And the local entertainment complex and Kuta Shopping centres are excellent.
You can easily find your favourite international cuisine in the restaurants nearby and the people, as always in Bali, are friendly and sincere.
