If travelling from Java, you’ll immediately notice the difference – the look and feel of Bali is just different. Lush, tropical and green with a serene and charming feel to it…until you hit Kuta! If you want a more authentic Indonesian experience, avoid this area like the plague. If you are looking for hedonism, debauchery and round-the-clock opportunities to shop, this is the place for you.
Limitless bargains can be found all the way from Kuta to Legian in shopping malls, marketplaces and street-side markets. More sophisticated shopping can be found in the trendy boutiques of Seminyak. Whether it’s imitation clothing and sunglasses, electronics, DVD’s and CD’s or traditional handicrafts, carved stone, woodwork, jewellery or original art – all this and more can be found in Bali for more than reasonable prices, but be prepared to haggle hard.
Kuta is Bali’s tourist heart, where you’ll find literally hundreds of shops, bars, restaurants, nightspots and hotels with Legian Road its main strip. For the traveller wanting a quiet and peaceful holiday, give Kuta a miss or spend the day there then escape to your quieter resort away from all the action. South Kuta is slightly more relaxed and boasts more shops including The Discovery Shopping Mall, dining and entertainment options and Bali’s popular waterpark – Waterbom Park.
Legian is located between Kuta and Seminyak and is a more peaceful location while still being close enough to Kuta to take advantage of its facilities. With its own cluster of restaurants, shops and bars, you can find more than enough to do if lazing by the pool or on the beach wears thin. Great for couples and families, many of the resorts in this area offer kids clubs giving parents the opportunity for a relaxing holiday too.
Upmarket and peaceful Seminyak is quieter again, and has some of the nicest, most scenic beaches in Bali. Popular with surfers, the water doesn’t have the crowds that can be found in Kuta and Legian. With a sophisticated charm, Seminyak has many beautiful luxury properties, boutique shopping, eclectic galleries and nurturing spa experiences making for the perfect location for a rejuvenating holiday. For a cultural experience, watch authentic Balinese ceremonies on the beach, complete with gamelan players and an offering to the gods. Be sure to catch the legendary sunsets while enjoying the area's tranquil beauty.
For a truly magnificent spot to watch a sunset however, you can’t go past the sacred Tanah Lot Temple. Approximately 40 minutes from Seminyak, the quiet beaches are the perfect place to enjoy a romantic stroll along the beach as the sun goes down on another day.
Jimbaran Bay is famed for having Bali’s finest beaches and is just 10 minutes from the airport and South Kuta. A delightful fishing village, the seafood markets are amongst the best in Bali and a tourist attraction in themselves. Dine in one of the simple restaurants set up on the beach or take a cooking class in one of the area’s luxury resorts. Perfect as a honeymoon destination or even somewhere to celebrate a beach-side wedding.
Sanur retains an authentic Balinese village feel, while offering many beachside resorts. With a great walkway that runs along the beach, this is a great spot for couples or families wanting some quieter beaches to relax on. Nusa Dua is Bali’s premier beach resort destination with its majestic scenery, tranquil beaches and luxurious resorts set in acres of lush tropical grounds.
