Kuta often gets more negative than positive attention. It’s a busy city that can feel overwhelming to some but fun for others. Kuta was the first place I visited in Bali, and personally, I liked it. While it’s not a place where I would spend more than one or two full days, I still think it’s worth spending some time there. It’s also a great and affordable place to recover from jet lag if you’ve traveled a long way, like I did. Recharge your batteries in Kuta so you can fully appreciate the other regions of Bali. If you decide to explore what Kuta has to offer, here are five of the best things to do to help you plan your stay:
1
Shopping
Shopping might be a classic activity suggested for every city, but in Bali, I believe Kuta is the best place for it. There are countless souvenir shops where you can buy sunglasses, caps, phone chargers, flip-flops—basically, anything you might have forgotten at home.
Best Place to Shop in Bali
The real reason Kuta is the best for shopping is the sheer amount of competition. Every few meters, there’s another small shop, often selling the same items as its neighbors. The trick is to visit a few, ask for prices, and find the best deal.
Tips to Negotiate
Bali is the place to negotiate. The sellers expect it, so they’ll often start with a high and sometimes ridiculous price. The best way to respond is to laugh (with them, not at them) and suggest a much lower price. You’ll usually meet somewhere in the middle. Remember to be kind when negotiating. Balinese people are some of the nicest I’ve ever met. They are genuinely kind and warm-hearted. Negotiating is fun for both sides, but keep in mind that it’s also their livelihood.
Knockoffs I’ve Bought
Before my trip, I was in a rush to find a cute cap in Canada. The ones I liked were $40 CAD, but I didn’t have time to order them, so I arrived in Kuta without one. Luckily, I found a knockoff of the cap I wanted and paid only $5 CAD for it.
I also took the opportunity to buy some knockoff Chanel sunglasses because I forgot to bring mine! I paid $10 CAD, and they were so cute. There are so many options.
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2
Hit the Beach
Kuta Beach has a really nice vibe. There are plenty of vendors on the beach and countless surf schools. While it might not be the most beautiful beach on the island, it’s still worth a visit. I wouldn’t recommend spending a full day there just to relax, but it’s a great place for a walk, a surf lesson, and to watch the sunset.
Trash on the Beach?
I visited Bali during the rainy season. It didn’t rain while I was in Kuta, but the locals explained something interesting to me. Bali is generally very clean, with locals taking great care of the environment, so the beaches are usually pristine. However, Kuta Beach was different—there was a lot of trash along the shore. When I went swimming, I noticed a lot of debris in the water. The locals explained that due to strong winds and currents, Kuta Beach often collects trash from other places, including nearby islands. They refer to this period as the “trash season,” and it’s primarily caused by debris washing over from the island of Java.
3
Take Surf Lessons
Kuta Beach is home to numerous surf schools. As you walk along the beach, you’ll constantly hear, “Surf lessons! Hi, come here for surf lessons!” I don’t know if we were just lucky or if every surf instructor on Kuta Beach is amazing, but wow—Rico was definitely a highlight of my trip to Bali. We could have become best friends.
The surf lesson cost us 200k IDR (about $17 CAD) each for two hours. It included the board, one hour with the instructor, and one hour on our own. We were so tired after our hour with Rico that we didn’t go back into the water; instead, we stayed at their little beach cabin, talking and laughing with the guys for another hour or two.
4
Watch a Sunset
This is a simple yet wonderful activity that speaks for itself. Sunsets are always beautiful, and Kuta Beach offers some stunning views as the day ends.
5
Eat at Beach Bowl
I’m a pescetarian, and the best fake meat I’ve ever had in my life was at Beach Bowl in Kuta. The Caesar salad with fake chicken was my favorite! The fake turkey (in the picture) was also delicious.
What’s Next?
Now that you know the best activities in Kuta, it’s time to plan your trip! Here are some articles that could be helpful :
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