Like many people our first experience of Bali (25 years ago) was of Kuta… it was the place where our Bali love affair began. As Kuta got busier we started to explore other areas of Bali, and then as an expat Kuta was not a place we visited a lot because it was always full of tourists & traffic.
It’s no secret that Kuta has gotten a bad rap over the years. Trouble at nightclubs, busy traffic, drunken tourists and packed beaches. There are very good reasons though as to why Kuta is Bali’s most famous area and why for decades tourists have flocked there.
Table of Contents
You can save this page to your Pinterest board for later. Feel free to follow Bali Buddies Blog’s boards and get the latest pin directly from there as well.
Kuta these days is certainly not looking like how most of us have known it in our lifetimes. For those that visited in the 70s… it’s probably more like how you remember it!
Before Kuta became a party zone for tourists it was most loved for its beautiful beach, consistent waves, blue water, white sand and epic sunsets. As the years went on more hotels were built, more markets popped up and tons of restaurants flooded the area…
Kuta has fans who love it just like this…. and I’m sure at some point it will go back to being the bustling area it is now most known for. For those of us lucky enough to be in Indonesia in 2020 though, we have the chance to experience Kuta like it’s 1970 again. Empty beaches (and waves), the same amazing sunsets that first made it famous and at the moment you can even explore Kuta by bicycle as there is barely any traffic!
We’ve been loving getting to experience Kuta like this over the past few months. It just really is so, so beautiful. We’ve had staycations at both Bali Garden Beach Resort & Hard Rock Hotel recently (check out the KUTA highlight reel on our insta for a look at what we got up to!)… and both experiences were fantastic.
We loved enjoying empty Kuta beach (both of these properties are beachfront) and falling in love with the area all over again. The properties open in the area are excited to be seeing guests, there are amazing deals happening at each. Bali Gardens Resort has room nights from 500k per night and Hard Rock has deals for a family of 4 from just 850k per night!
Although all businesses in Kuta are not open, there is certainly plenty to keep you well-fed and entertained. All of Kuta’s three shopping malls – Discovery, Lippo & Beachwalk are open and operating. There are many sales happening in the stores and activities set up for the kids within the malls.
Also operating in Kuta again is Bali Beer Cycle – this mobile bar takes you on a tour throughout the streets of Kuta… what better way to check out Kuta during this time than with some of your friends and being served refreshments! Perhaps you’ve always wanted to try your hand at surfing but have never gotten around to it? Up2U Surf School is offering 2 hours of surf lessons for just 100k and board rental for 50k/hour.
Whether you come and visit for the day (checkout day passes that are available at some of the resorts!) or for a staycation, now is for sure a great time to #comebacktokuta.
After 15 years of visiting Bali as a tourist, Karlie moved her family to Bali 4 years ago. She loves helping others to enjoy Bali and founded Bali Buddies to encourage others to explore the island she now calls home.
PS. Some links in this blog are affiliate links and if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you, we receive a commission. We thank you in advance as it helps to keep this website going.
Bali Buddies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
For more information, please visit our disclaimer page.
This month at W Bali you’ll get to experience a touch of the city, without leaving Seminyak’s beachfront! From October 13 until 31, two of Marriot Bonvoy’s Top 100 Restaurants & Bars will blend capital city and beachside vibes.
What’s happening in Bali for Halloween this year? Here’s our event round-up, covering adult-only and family events, plus tips for getting ready.
Known as one of the best family resorts in Bali, The Westin in Nusa Dua is offering a great deal for a fun family weekend! The fun starts immediately from check in on a Friday afternoon when the children are greeted with their own amenities, and the whole family continues to receive the five-star treatment right through to Sunday afternoon checkout.
During October Westin, Nusa Dua is hosting Prego Crafternoon Sunday Brunch. Prego Brunch has always been one of our favourite family Sunday Brunch options, and now you have a chance to enjoy their delicious Italian food, family fun AND get crafty with their special activities during October.
We talked to Lindy Sutherland and learned how she recently moved from Australia and made retiring in Bali with her husband a reality.
During October Westin, Nusa Dua is hosting Prego Crafternoon Sunday Brunch. Prego Brunch has always been one of our favourite family Sunday Brunch options, and now you have a chance to enjoy their delicious Italian food, family fun AND get crafty with their special activities during October.
MAMAKA by Ovolo is the first Urban Resort in Bali and you’ll find it right on Kuta’s famous beachfront. MAMAKA by Ovolo is not your standard resort, expect something different, something fresh and something iconic!
This month at W Bali you’ll get to experience a touch of the city, without leaving Seminyak’s beachfront! From October 13 until 31, two of Marriot Bonvoy’s Top 100 Restaurants & Bars will blend capital city and beachside vibes.
