Kuta

Kuta is where mass tourism in Bali began, and it remains the island's busiest and most affordable beach area. Its long sandy beach is one of the best places in Bali to learn to surf, with gentle, consistent waves over a sandy bottom. Around it are malls, markets, hotels of every level, bars and water parks. It is energetic and commercial, and it is only a short drive from the airport.

Kuta was once a fishing village and trading port before surfers and backpackers discovered it in the late 1960s and 1970s. Growth since then has been rapid and largely unplanned, which gives the area its crowded, lively character. Village life continues behind the main streets, and the beach still hosts Melasti purification processions before Nyepi. A memorial on Jalan Legian honors the victims of the 2002 bombings, an important place of remembrance.

Kuta suits first-time visitors, families on a budget, beginner surfers and anyone with an early or late flight. Surf schools line the beach, and sunsets draw big crowds every evening. Shopping ranges from street stalls to large malls, and nightlife centers around Legian Street. It can feel hectic, so many travelers spend a night or two here before moving to quieter parts of the island. Hotels range from simple guesthouses to large beachfront resorts.