If you’re thinking of taking a Bali holiday and are considering Tuban for your main resort town, that’s a great idea.
Where Is Tuban?
Tuban is to the south of Kuta which is one of the main holiday resorts in Bali. It’s a very short drive (or you could even walk, though we don’t recommend it) from the airport and it’s a bit quieter than the centre of the area which is home to some of Bali’s best nightlife and rowdiest crowds.
How To Get To Tuban?
Given that it’s less than a 10-minute drive from the airport the best way to get to Tuban is to take a ride-share (use Grab or Gojek, the local equivalent of Uber) to get to your hotel or resort.
Some of the hotels and resorts might offer a free airport transfer service which will see a driver sent out to the airport to collect you and your family and take you straight to your resort.
If the service is free, you should take advantage of it, if not, it’s best to rideshare as the price of a ride is so cheap that airport transfer services are always going to work out more expensive.
What’s The Best Time Of Year To Visit Tuban?
We always say that there’s no bad time of year to visit Bali and that’s true here too.
If you come in the wet season (from November to March) then you will find that apart from the Christmas to New Year Period (the busiest time here in Bali) you will get a better price on a hotel room and your flight and still enjoy roughly 8+ hours of sunshine a day.
However, if you come in the dry season, it’s a little cooler than in the wet season and less humid and you will see even more sun as you hit the beaches.
On this tropical island, the weather is almost always pleasant and temperate.
11 Awesome Things To Do In Tuban
Tuban has plenty of interesting places for you to visit and if you need more attractions, then the rest of Bali is just a short drive away. The price of a ride share isn’t going to make much of a dent in most people’s holiday budgets, so you should never be bored in this town.
Satria Gatotkaca Statue
There are quite a lot of statues in Bali but this one is truly exceptional. It’s a showcase of some of the finest Balinese craftsmanship and tells the story of an event in the Hindu epics.
It shows the hero Gatotkaca who was tasked with the protection of the kingdom of Pandawa sacrificing himself in order to save the life of the God Arjuna.
It was made by I Wayan Winten and was constructed in 1993.
At night the statue is lit up with coloured lights and it’s a really striking spectacle.
Kelan Beach
This is one of two beaches that border Bali Airport and that means you can get some aeroplane sound while sunbathing.
However, it’s one of the cleanest and whitest beaches in the area and there are some lovely little warungs running around the edge where you can get some amazing food.
It can get quite crowded at times, though, particularly near sunset when it can feel like everyone in this part of Bali is trying to get down onto the sand.
Park 23 Entertainment Centre
This is a small shopping mall with a great cinema which rarely gets packed out and you can enjoy the movies in relative peace.
However, it doesn’t really have as many shops and restaurants as it could do and if you want to shop there are better venues in Bali to do it.
Chinatown, Bali
This may be the least authentic Chinatown in the world and it’s best visited when you’re on your way out of Bali as it’s super close to the airport (so close,in fact, that they have a luggage deposit office).
There are some pleasant places to eat inside and a Chinese-style spa. But be warned, it works on a cashless basis and you must buy and charge a card before you buy anything. This is best done at the front gate before you wander inside.
Kambang Putih Museum
This is a tiny regional museum and the collections rarely change. You may need a local friend in Bali to call them before you visit as there are only a couple of staff members who may or may not be on duty the day you want to go.
However, if you can get in, the exhibits are fascinating and include many items from the earliest parts of Bali’s history including weapons, funeral urns and coins.
Bali Soap Flagship Store
This is a lovely factory store that specializes in locally made soaps that smell fantastic.
All the ingredients are natural and you’re welcome to try products before you commit to buying anything.
Pantai Jerman (German Beach)
This pleasant little beach is also very close to the airport and you can walk from the beach to the departure hall easily enough.
We think German Beach is something of a hidden gem in Bali and it’s very much worth a visit.
Eza Batik Tuban
Batik is the local cloth and Eza Batik is the best place in Bali to get premade batik wear for a sensible price.
Segara Beach
This stretch of the beach leads up to the Discovery Mall (featured next) and it has pleasant white sands.
You can easily walk from this beach to Kuta Beach too. We like this area for strolls in the early morning or early evening as the sun comes down.
Discovery Mall
Discovery Mall is one of the larger shopping malls in Bali and if you’re in need of some fast food or Western brand-name fashion, you will find it easily here.
Spa Services
Bali is famous for its spa services and the rumours of a huge price increase earlier this year for spa treatments turned out not to be true, so you can still get a great price on a massage here in Bali. Some of our favourite places in this area include:
Jasmine Aromatic House – is the most upmarket spa in the area and the price of services reflects that. Massages are amazing and their treatments are first-rate.
Rama Spa – this lovely spa at the Rama Beach Resort & Villas is clean and relaxing but a bit pricey for what it is.
Samatha Spa – a pleasant local spa where the price certainly won’t be too high for the quality of service on offer.
Where To Stay In Tuban
There are plenty of different options for accomodation in this area though they all tend to be low to mid-price offerings, if you want more luxurious options, you will want to look more at Seminyak or Canggu for beach resorts or even at Ubud for some of the most attractive jungle resorts:
Harris Hotel Kuta Tuban – This is one of the most popular places in Tuban Village and it’s very much an airport hotel. However, it has a lovely pool area, the rooms are comfy and it’s within very close proximity to all the other parts of Bali you might want to visit.
Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport – This is the best airport hotel and has direct access to both terminals. If you need a place to sleep in Bali just before you get on a plane for a long trip, this hotel in Tuban is the place to be.
Holiday Inn Resort Baruna Bali, an IHG Hotel – an excellent choice of resort in Tuban and if you’re an IHG member then you get all their loyalty benefits included in the price of this Bali hotel. It’s close to the main attractions in the area and has direct beach access.
Holiday Inn Express Baruna Bali – a simple airport hotel with an amazing rooftop pool with pleasant views of the Bali sunset. Their gym is very well-appointed and their guest service is first-rate.
Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport – if you want an excellent breakfast buffet included in the price of your Bali hotel, then this might be the place to stay. You also get additional benefits if you’re a member of the Hilton Honors Diamond program.
Lokal Bali Hostel – this lovely locally managed hostel offers a great deal for a low price and room rates include a great breakfast.
Bahana Guest House by Madhava – this guest house is super cheap and has a lovely pool. It’s a great place for would-be influencers on a budget too as it’s very Gram-worthy.
Where To Eat In Tuban
This area has plenty of great food and typically the price of a meal here is going to be lower than it is in the rest of the beach towns as the area is a bit quieter and has more of a local focus than those other areas. The good news is that the food is tasty and excellent value for money.
Kunyit Restaurant @ The Anvaya Bali – This upmarket restaurant is a great way to get into the flavours of Bali and Indonesia. It does some of the best seafood dishes in Bali as well as an amazing roasted duck that will leave your mouth watering whenever you recall eating it. They offer some cultural dance performances while you eat and their selection of local rice wines can’t be beaten. This is a lovely place to eat and worth the price tag.
Boardwalk Restaurant & Lounge – if you’re in the mood for dining by the ocean this is a great place to do it. There are indoor and outdoor seating areas if you need air-conditioning and some lush gardens to walk through. The food is very varied and combines both local and American favourites. Their lobster laska is worth trying and their lamb shanks are to die for.
Made’s Warung – Made’s Warung is a local chain and it’s famous for delivering great Asian food for a very reasonable price tag. It was the brainchild of a Dutchman and his local wife Made and has been in business for nearly as long as Bali has been seeing visitors from overseas. If you want something that’s awesome value for money and 100% reliable from a quality perspective, Made’s is the place to go.
Ayam Betutu Khas Gilimanuk Bali, Cabang Tuban – Ayam Betutu is a dish unique to the town of Gilimanuk and this is one of the very few restaurants to serve authentic Ayam Betutu outside of the town. Be warned this dish is very spicy and as such, the restaurant doesn’t see as many foreign visitors as it deserves. However, if you like a bit of a chilli burn, there’s nowhere better in the area.
Warung Segarr Indonesian Chinese Food – there aren’t that many Indonesian-Chinese crossover restaurants but we’re always glad to find one like Warung Segarr as they often have Chinese dishes for a lower price than the more famous Chinese-only restaurants in Bali. In fact, this is one of the best budget-friendly restaurants around and we’re happy to recommend it to you.
Wanaku Seafood & Chinese Restaurant – if, however, the price tag doesn’t matter too much then the Wanaku Restaurant is the best place to eat Chinese food in the area. The setting is intricately designed using local materials and the menu is varied and exciting. It’s also not far from the airport, so you might want to eat here when you’re on your way out of Bali before you fly.
Pantai Restaurant – Pantai means “beach” in Bahasa Indonesia and this restaurant on the beach does all the seafood that you can eat for a fair price. Their seafood platter is one of the most generous in Bali and the staff are always willing to go out of their way to help diners navigate the menu and find something that they will love to eat.
Vietnamese Minni Warung – there aren’t very many Vietnamese restaurants in Bali at all and this may be the best of them. If you want a great bowl of Pho then you can find it here and the pork belly is one of the finest dishes in Southeast Asia. They also have a few Thai classics on the menu such as Pad Thai and overall, the emphasis here is on value in a relaxed atmosphere.
Kedai Desa – this pleasant place serves Italian and international food in a very pleasant environment. The price of most dishes is so low that you may not think you’re in Bali at all. The owner is extremely friendly and is only too happy to discuss how you would like a particular dish to ensure that it delivers exactly the taste experience you want it to.
El Jardin Bali by Andrea Peresthu – if you’re looking for a romantic night out in this area then El Jardin Bali is an ideal spot. The price of menu items is a little higher than the average restaurant in the area but if you want a good steak, you always expect to pay a little more and the steaks are excellent. They also offer a range of tasty Spanish dishes.
Other Places To Visit From Tuban
There are so many attractions within a short drive from the area that we couldn’t possibly list them all but some highlights include:
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FINNS Beach Club (Canggu) – FINNS is the world’s best beach club and it’s a short trip from Tuban to this, one of the most popular attractions in Bali. In fact, 1 in 8 people who visited Bali last year went to FINNS! Once you’ve spent some time enjoying their infinity pools, supping some of their cool cocktails and watching the most epic sunset in the world, you won’t want to leave FINNS. The four onsite restaurants are rated as the best restaurants in Canggu by visitors on TripAdvisor and the price of a day in FINNS is much more reasonable than you might expect.
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Ubud monkey forest (Ubud) – Ubud is often considered to be the spiritual heartland of Bali but its biggest draw is not the temples, but the monkey forest. This forest is one of the most famous attractions in Bali and it’s all down to the monkeys that live there. We have to warn you, that monkeys can be little monsters at times and you will want to secure all your valuables before your trip to Ubud if you want to see them, but we promise it will be worth it.
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Uluwatu Temple (Uluwatu) – this clifftop temple offers spectacular views over the ocean, the chance to connect with one of Bali’s most important and holiest sites and to see the epic Kecak dance (a fire dance that culminates just after a stunning sunset with a fiery performance), it’s the best place in Bali to witness this dance. They also have monkeys and the monkeys here are unique in their ability to steal from tourists and then trade what they steal back for food. You have been warned.
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Seminyak Square (Seminyak) – Seminyak is renowned as the best destination for shopping in Bali, particularly if you enjoy boutique clothing stores and original pieces. Seminyak Square is one of the best locations for shopping in the town and it’s within a short walk of many of the best bars and restaurants too. You can get easy access to many of the other boutiques in the area from here.
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Pandawa Beach (Uluwatu) – this is a “secret beach” where you can get away from the crowds of Kuta and enjoy a relaxing time on the white sands in relative privacy. It’s one of the best beaches in Bali and very close to Tuban.
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Nusa Islands (Day Trip to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida or Nusa Ceningan) – if you want to get away from Bali for a day and explore some smaller islands then there are day trips out to the Nusa Islands that you can find here. We actually recommend staying for 2-3 days and enjoying everything this small group of islands has to offer at a relaxed pace but even a day trip will give you a clear indication of what a beautiful area it is and for a very reasonable price.
What Is The Meaning Of Tuban?
The word comes from the words “water streaming out” in Bahasa or “Tu Banyu”, so given that the town is on the seafront, this could be where the name originates from.
It’s worth noting that Tuban also means “waterfall” in the Malay dialect of Bahasa, which helps to verify the origin of the town’s name.
This may be linked to the seaport here at the river’s end.
Strangely, in modern Bahasa, the word “Tuban” can also mean “amniotic fluid”.
What Is Kuta Like In Bali?
Kuta is something of an acquired taste. It was, once, the most popular tourist spot on the island and it’s full of attractions, hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc. to reflect this.
However, in recent years, the area has become synonymous around the world with value-for-money nightlife in Bali and many of the holidaymakers in the area, come to party.
It’s fair to say that Kuta has lost most of the traces of “authentic Bali” and is now all about tourism. That doesn’t mean that the area is not a great place to be, thousands of people say it is every day but it does mean that not every holidaymaker is going to love the area.
We should also note that the beach is not the cleanest in Bali and while local people, businesses, charities and the Balinese government try to organize regular clean-ups, there are days, particularly in the rainy season when plastic waste washes ashore on some of Bali’s beaches, that it’s not the best beach to sunbathe on.
However, when it is clean, the beach is one of the most pleasant places in Bali. After all, it’s what made the original village a tourist magnet in the first place.
Is Tuban Worth It?
Yes! We think Tuban is worth it. You will normally get a reasonable price on hotels, resorts, etc. in this area and you’re not far from many of the major attractions of Bali.
You will find that though the road can get a bit traffic-heavy at times in this area that you’re a short drive from many of the best parts of the island.
You can also walk, easily, to one of the busiest and most popular beaches and nightlife zones which can be very appealing to some people.
What’s The Traffic Like In Tuban?
Traffic in Bali is often a bit random and it can be very busy in all of the Southern beach towns.
If you travel during rush hours, you can expect a short journey to take far longer than it ought to take based on the distance.
The good news is that ride-share services in this area are very good value for money and you won’t need to spend a fortune travelling from one village in Bali to the next.
If you intend to make a long trip, it’s worth hiring a private car and driver and trying to plan your trip around the rush hour times in Tuban.
How Do I Book A Trip To Tuban?
We always recommend that you book your trip to Bali (and to Tuban) through the Bali Res Centre.
As locally managed and owned travel agents they can arrange for you to get a very competitive deal on flights, hotels, etc.
They can also arrange trips to local attractions and help you get ongoing flights to anywhere else in the world if you need them and always at the right price.
Final Thoughts On Tuban, Bali
Tuban is more than just the “South of Kuta”, it’s an area with a distinct character of its own and it’s less busy and crowded than the main Kuta town.
However, you can always walk to the nightlife from your hotel in Tuban and the rest of Bali is at your fingertips.
There are several beaches nearby and you won’t find yourself permanently on the road if you want to chill out and enjoy your stay without too much travel.
One thing you should definitely do if you decide to stay in Tuban is take a short trip down the road to Canggu to come and join us for a day at FINNS. A trip to Bali isn’t really a Bali holiday until you’ve had a day at FINNS.
