Kuta Travel Answers

Kuta is a very crowded place to stay but not a bad one. Since there are tons of hotels and restaurants in this area, its quite crowded unlike some other slightly upscale locations like Sanur or Nusa Dua. Having said that, your best bet to go around Bali is by hiring a vehicle with a driver. I have some info on that on my Bali pages if you need more info. Remember, driving in Bali would be difficult and so its better to leave it to a local while you enjoy the sights. If you want to go to a place with slightly lesser crowds but also not expensive, you can try Sanur or Jimberan. Ubud and Denpasar are also okay areas, however Nusa Dua would be quite expensive as its full of resorts.

You might not have too much problem with rain. The rain is inconsistent- it can rain for 3 days in a row, it might rain only at night, it might rain in the early morning and late in the afternoon, or... it might not rain at all for days in a row in January. This past January it hardly rained at all. And January of 2004 wasn't bad either. Kuta isn't that bad. I am not overly crazy about Kuta, but this is because I am not interested in t-shirt, sarong and junk gift shops (and the people trying to get me to come inside as I walk down the street). The towns of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak all border on each other (with Legian in between Kuta and Seminyak). You will not actually know when you have crossed the line from Kuta to Legian (unless someone told you which street indicates the actual line). A taxi ride between Kuta and Seminyak is ~US$1. Seminyak has nicer restaurants and shops more spread out, and it is generally a quiter and more upscale area (but it is still Bali with crazy drivers and terrible sidewalks). This is where I always stay (but I have good friends who live in Seminyak and I always stay with them.) Kuta has a lot of restaurants, bars, shops, the big shopping malls and the Waterbom water park. Traveling around isn't difficult. Like another posted suggested, you can hire a driver, or you can save a lot of money and take the tourist bus shuttle provided by Perama- they are actually located in Kuta. I discuss them on my Bali transportation tip page. They are very easy to take up to Ubud. Taxis are also very cheap- for example, a 30 minute taxi ride from Seminyak down to Jimbaran Bay (for seafood on the beach) is ~US$4.

One other comment... don't worry too much about Kuta. I would rather stay in Katu than in Nusa Dua, Sanur or Jimbaran Bay. The Kuta-Legian-Seminyak areas have more to do. Nusa Dua is somewhat sterile (in my opinion). It is mostly an area of large resorts- it doesn't feel quite as cultural to me. Sanur feels rather dated full of over the hill resorts. Jimbaran is nice, but it is a little too far from the action. When I am in Seminyak, I find myself in Kuta every few days. Don't worry, and have a great time.

hi guys Thanks for the info hoping it will put my wifes mind at ease. will look up your pages and get some more info. Can i also ask you about a visa can we get one on arrival at the airport? arriving from uk/Scotland

Visa on arrival is US$25 (I know they accept US$, but I am not sure about other currencies). Just stand in line with everyone else to pay your fee, and then get into the next line for them to stamp the visa into your passport, then on to get your luggage and go through customs. I try to rush out of the plane as quickly as possible to be nearer the front of the line.

Hi, fellow Scorpian we have the same birthdate & year, our first trip last year we stayed at the Hard Rock in Kuta, great hotel, and there are alot of surf shops with the real thing(good quality clothing.) For your first trip to Bali Kuta is a good place to stay for the expereience. Last month we stayed at the Jayakarta in Legian, a 'little' quieter. We got taxi's into Kuta a few times,only 10 mins, for a couple of`s. and organised, with an employee at the hotel, to take us on day trips to all the touristy spots. There is no shortage of drivers offering to show you around, just remember to arrange a fee before you go, always barter but be fair, its expected. Enjoy your hols. :)

hi Donsy thanks for the info mate looking forward to our first visit to Bali cant wait.So you loking forward to the big 40 then? lol anyway take care and enjoy it when it comes around.

Hi Simone once again thanks for your help looked up your travel pages some nice pics on there.Will have to update my pages never seem to find the time all work and no play at this end lol anyway take care Aberdonian

Hi everyone, I'm new here, not sure is the right place to post my question. we'be going to Bali on Jan'06 too, can someone help to choose from the following hotels? as we stayed at the Hard Rock on our last trip (Feb'05), and wish to try-on dfferent places, but not too far from the beach and shops, pls help! 1) Rama Beach & Resort 2) Jayakarta Hotel 3) Kuta Beach Club 4) Discovery Katika 5) Legian Paradiso

PrettyAnn, You would be better off posting this question under its own post. You will likely get more responses, because very few people know that there is a new question under the original post.