The village of Kuta in Bali is a world-famous tourist resort area with a spectacular surfing beach. What used to be a quiet fishing village when it was discovered by groups of young backpackers in the early 1980’s is now a surfer’s paradise mainly frequented by boarders from Australia. The broad Indian Ocean front is arguably one of the best beaches in the world, and thanks to a thriving tourist industry, has had substantial infrastructure and touristic development over the last decades. The beach is safe, very well maintained, and lined with tents and sunbeds. The five kilometre long stretch is clean in most parts and extremely scenic despite beach vendors selling food and drink–although they are sometimes a godsend. Providing varied accommodation, with lots of restaurants and bars, and a rough and ready night party zone, Kuta remains one of Indonesia's top destinations.
Location: At the southern tip of the island of Bali
Kuta is located around the western coast of Bali’s southern peninsula, and it is near Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport. Your best means of transportation to your hotel is a taxi with a meter in working order. You can catch them just outside the airport exit, but agree a price before you get in.
Business: Dependent on tourism
Tourism has made a major contribution to the Balinese economy, and has in essence irrevocably changed the lifestyle of the people of the island, improving its infrastructure and bringing local communities in touch with the rest of the world.
Culture: The artistic and cultural capital of Bali
For culture in Bali, escape Kuta and head to Ubud (30 km), located in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency. Surrounded by small villages, farms, and rice paddies, this is the cultural centre of Bali, balancing the unparalleled natural beauty of its surroundings with its exuberant culture. Ubud focuses on the myriad forms of art and traditions that express the Balinese people, and you can find remarkable architecture and landscapes that blend with the gorgeous and delicate art of Balinese dance and music. Bali’s palette-awakening gastronomy allures travellers to the religious rituals devoted to Indonesian Gods. Urdu showcases the rich cultural heritage of Bali as well at its artistic creativity in all aspects of life.
Activities: Explore northern Bali
North Bali's natural environment is beautiful as much as it is diverse. There are remarkable beaches of white and black volcanic sand, green rice terraces, and plantations of cocoa, coffee, tobacco, mangrove forests, and volcanoes. Singaraja, the former Dutch colonial capital of Bali, is an old harbour with many sights and plastered warehouses still breathing the atmosphere of spices, vanilla, and tobacco. The 3,014-metre tall Gunung Agung volcano is the holiest site in Bali and has great significance in the Hinduism religion. Indonesians consider it ”Navel of the World" and "Throne of the Gods".