← Older revision
Revision as of 13:10, 12 August 2014
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Due to the ever increasing popularity of Bali, Kuta is continually developing, and is not short of unsightly, poorly planned buildings. It can come across at times to be chaotic, overcrowded and congested. However, amongst all the mayhem this place somehow works, and hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy their time in Kuta every year.
Due to the ever increasing popularity of Bali, Kuta is continually developing, and is not short of unsightly, poorly planned buildings. It can come across at times to be chaotic, overcrowded and congested. However, amongst all the mayhem this place somehow works, and hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy their time in Kuta every year.
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Infrastructure has come a long way in Kuta, although it is still insufficient for the amount of visitors who stay in the area. Some side alleys still have significant potholes and road rules still don't mean very much. Most roads are constantly busy with motor scooters, metered taxis and private cars. Instead of using signals, locals and the seasoned travellers honk their motor vehicles to signal overtaking or squeezing into a tight spot near you.
Oftentimes
cars
fold in their side mirrors when negotiating narrow single lanes with parked vehicles. Now you can access free wifi in local convenience stores, restaurants, cafes and hotels. There are half a dozen prepaid mobile phone sim cards available everywhere with competitive top up plans. Touts will persistently try to get you to buy something from them, whether you're walking on the streets or seated in a restaurant.
+
Infrastructure has come a long way in Kuta, although it is still insufficient for the amount of visitors who stay in the area. Some side alleys still have significant potholes and road rules still don't mean very much. Most roads are constantly busy with motor scooters, metered taxis and private cars. Instead of using signals, locals and the seasoned travellers honk their motor vehicles to signal overtaking or squeezing into a tight spot near you.
Cars
often
fold in their side mirrors when negotiating narrow single lanes with parked vehicles. Now you can access free wifi in local convenience stores, restaurants, cafes and hotels. There are half a dozen prepaid mobile phone sim cards available everywhere with competitive top up plans. Touts will persistently try to get you to buy something from them, whether you're walking on the streets or seated in a restaurant.
The five km long sandy stretch of Kuta is arguably the best beach front in Bali. The beach is safe, partially clean, well-maintained, although the beach vendors remain annoying pushing massages, hair braiding, cigarettes and surf boards. The long wide stretch of sand is often full of sunbathers and although most of the serious surfers have moved on to newer pastures, there are still plenty of surf dudes around at most times of the year, and especially so during peak season. As you move north along the beach to first [[Legian]] and then [[Seminyak]] and Petitenget it becomes progressively quieter and less frenetic.
The five km long sandy stretch of Kuta is arguably the best beach front in Bali. The beach is safe, partially clean, well-maintained, although the beach vendors remain annoying pushing massages, hair braiding, cigarettes and surf boards. The long wide stretch of sand is often full of sunbathers and although most of the serious surfers have moved on to newer pastures, there are still plenty of surf dudes around at most times of the year, and especially so during peak season. As you move north along the beach to first [[Legian]] and then [[Seminyak]] and Petitenget it becomes progressively quieter and less frenetic.
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===By bemo===
===By bemo===
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As elsewhere in Bali, bemos are rarer and far less important in Kuta than they used to be. This reflects both the increased number of Balinese who are wealthy enough to afford their own transport, and the huge upscaling of the very nature of tourism in Bali in the past 10 years.
'''Bemo Corner''', in the heart of Kuta at the junction of Jalan Legian and Jalan Raya Kuta, used to be an institution on the backpacker circuit. These days it is almost irrelevant, but the little blue buses are still there albeit in greatly reduced numbers, and they will still try to charge you five times the real rate.
+
As elsewhere in Bali, bemos are rarer and far less important in Kuta than they used to be. This reflects both the increased number of Balinese who are wealthy enough to afford their own transport, and the huge upscaling of the very nature of tourism in Bali in the past 10 years. '''Bemo Corner''', in the heart of Kuta at the junction of Jalan Legian and Jalan Raya Kuta, used to be an institution on the backpacker circuit. These days it is almost irrelevant, but the little blue buses are still there albeit in greatly reduced numbers, and they will still try to charge you five times the real rate.
Kuta is served with some regularity from [[Denpasar|Denpasar's]] Tegal bemo terminal.
Kuta is served with some regularity from [[Denpasar|Denpasar's]] Tegal bemo terminal.
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===By boat===
===By boat===
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'''Benoa Harbor''' — not to be confused with [[Tanjung Benoa]] — is around 20 min northeast of Kuta, and speedboats and cruises from the [[Gili Islands]], [[Lombok]] and [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive here.
Most companies operating from Benoa offer free pick-up and drop-off in and around Kuta.
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'''Benoa Harbor''' — not to be confused with [[Tanjung Benoa]] — is around 20 min northeast of Kuta, and speedboats and cruises from the [[Gili Islands]], [[Lombok]] and [[Nusa Lembongan]] arrive here. Most companies operating from Benoa offer free pick-up and drop-off in and around Kuta.
==Get around==
==Get around==
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===By car===
===By car===
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Traffic jams are a constant hassle here and especially so when it is raining. It is often best to park your car before you reach
downtown
Kuta, and walk in. The
area downtown
is only about one and a half kilometres in length and half a kilometre wide but when stuck in traffic you might easily spend 30 minutes or more to travel these short distances.
+
Traffic jams are a constant hassle here and especially so when it is raining. It is often best to park your car before you reach
central
Kuta, and
then
walk in. The
centre
is only about one and a half kilometres in length and half a kilometre wide but when stuck in traffic you might easily spend 30 minutes or more to travel these short distances.
There are some designated parking areas in the middle of Kuta (usually Rp 5,000 for an unlimited stay) including a large one on Jalan Legian near the top of Poppies II. There are also public parking bays on Jalan Pantai Kuta right beside the beach, but these can get very busy.
There are some designated parking areas in the middle of Kuta (usually Rp 5,000 for an unlimited stay) including a large one on Jalan Legian near the top of Poppies II. There are also public parking bays on Jalan Pantai Kuta right beside the beach, but these can get very busy.
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*'''Bali Bomb Memorial'''. This is a memorial to the 202 victims who lost their lives when bombs were detonated on 12 October 2002. It can be found on Jl Legian opposite the corner of Poppies II. This is the former site of the old Paddy's Bar, and opposite the former site of the Sari Club, which is still an empty space, next to the Billabong shop. Every year on the anniversary date there is a ceremony mourning those killed or wounded by the bombs. Whilst viewing the memorial, please be calm and silent out of respect. The local Balinese will often be curious to learn if you knew or were related to any of the victims.
*'''Bali Bomb Memorial'''. This is a memorial to the 202 victims who lost their lives when bombs were detonated on 12 October 2002. It can be found on Jl Legian opposite the corner of Poppies II. This is the former site of the old Paddy's Bar, and opposite the former site of the Sari Club, which is still an empty space, next to the Billabong shop. Every year on the anniversary date there is a ceremony mourning those killed or wounded by the bombs. Whilst viewing the memorial, please be calm and silent out of respect. The local Balinese will often be curious to learn if you knew or were related to any of the victims.
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*'''Beach offerings'''. In the mornings you regularly see Balinese people throwing offerings into the sea, especially when [[Bali#Festivals|Nyepi]] is approaching. The best spot is the temple right next to the beach about 200-
250m
to the north of the Hard Rock Hotel.
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*'''Beach offerings'''. In the mornings you regularly see Balinese people throwing offerings into the sea, especially when [[Bali#Festivals|Nyepi]] is approaching. The best spot is the temple right next to the beach about 200-
250 m
to the north of the Hard Rock Hotel.
*'''Hard Rock Hotel''' is something of a tourist attraction and is definitely worth a look and the odd photo.
*'''Hard Rock Hotel''' is something of a tourist attraction and is definitely worth a look and the odd photo.
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=== Spa/Massage ===
=== Spa/Massage ===
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There are '''Spas''' by the dozen, and as Kuta is the most competitive place in Bali, prices are the lowest (as is the quality of experience). Shop around and ask for package discounts. Take a look at the place first and do not allow yourself be talked into something by touts. A well known spa is Villa de Daun on Jalan Legian. Many hotels have their own in-house spas or partner with a local operator. Reborn and Cozy are two excellent spas on the outskirts of Kuta, on Sunset Road just before the roundabout. The price is around
rp120k
for 2-hours, but have "happy hour" specials.
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There are '''Spas''' by the dozen, and as Kuta is the most competitive place in Bali, prices are the lowest (as is the quality of experience). Shop around and ask for package discounts. Take a look at the place first and do not allow yourself be talked into something by touts. A well known spa is Villa de Daun on Jalan Legian. Many hotels have their own in-house spas or partner with a local operator. Reborn and Cozy are two excellent spas on the outskirts of Kuta, on Sunset Road just before the roundabout. The price is around
Rp 120,000
for 2-hours, but have "happy hour" specials.
{{do
{{do
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| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=If you need a new pair of glasses or new lenses, this is a great value opticians. Transition lenses cost Rp
.
400,000 for a pair and can be fitted in three days. Frames from about Rp
.
200,000. Has two locations. One at Supernova supermarket and a smaller one on the same road but closer to Poppies 1. Probably best to go to the one at Supernova.
+
| content=If you need a new pair of glasses or new lenses, this is a great value opticians. Transition lenses cost Rp
400,000 for a pair and can be fitted in three days. Frames from about Rp
200,000. Has two locations. One at Supernova supermarket and a smaller one on the same road but closer to Poppies 1. Probably best to go to the one at Supernova.
}}
}}
* {{buy
* {{buy
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| phone=+62-361 765162 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+62-361 765162 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=They can extend a 30-day tourist visa by a further 30 days for 750,
000Rp.
Takes about 4 working days.
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| content=They can extend a 30-day tourist visa by a further 30 days for
Rp
750,
000?
Takes about 4 working days.
}}
}}
* {{buy
* {{buy
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| address= | lat=-8.73202 | long=115.16455 | directions=behind Bali Dynasty Resort
| address= | lat=-8.73202 | long=115.16455 | directions=behind Bali Dynasty Resort
| phone=+6236193 4912 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+6236193 4912 | tollfree= | fax=
−
| hours= | price=
Rp30
,000/day
+
| hours= | price=
Rp 30
,000/day
| content=
| content=
}}
}}
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| phone=+62 361 767021 | tollfree= | fax=
| phone=+62 361 767021 | tollfree= | fax=
| hours= | price=
| hours= | price=
−
| content=Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai, (''beside the huge Simpang Siur roundabout''). Galleria is home to number of well-known brand stores, a food court, Planet Hollywood and a great cinema. There is a large [http://www.dfsgalleria.com/en/bali/ duty free shopping centre] which is aimed primarily at Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese tourists. You
buy
your
luxury items tax free, and they are collected upon departure at the airport.
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| content=Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai, (''beside the huge Simpang Siur roundabout''). Galleria is home to number of well-known brand stores, a food court, Planet Hollywood and a great cinema. There is a large [http://www.dfsgalleria.com/en/bali/ duty free shopping centre] which is aimed primarily at Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese tourists. You
can
buy
luxury items tax free, and they are collected upon departure at the airport.
}}
}}
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| address= | lat=-8.71804 | long=115.1737 | directions=Between Poppies I and II
| address= | lat=-8.71804 | long=115.1737 | directions=Between Poppies I and II
| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
| phone= | tollfree= | fax=
−
| hours= | price=
Rp1
,000-5,000 per choice, eat very well for
Rp10
,000-25,000
+
| hours= | price=
Rp 1
,000-5,000 per choice, eat very well for
Rp 10
,000-25,000
−
| content=Popular with locals and long-stayers and is packed most nights. Some of best food is not on the menu but laid out behind a glass display from where you can pick the food you want. Fresh fruit juices are all good and cheap, from 9,
000Rp
. There are several other good cheap eating places along this narrow lane between Poppies I and II such as Fajar Resto next door that does a great Nasi Campur Special for just 10,
000Rp.
+
| content=Popular with locals and long-stayers and is packed most nights. Some of best food is not on the menu but laid out behind a glass display from where you can pick the food you want. Fresh fruit juices are all good and cheap, from
Rp
9,
000
. There are several other good cheap eating places along this narrow lane between Poppies I and II such as Fajar Resto next door that does a great Nasi Campur Special for just
Rp
10,
000?
}}
}}
* {{eat
* {{eat