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The white sands of Kuta are
still arguably the best beachfront on Bali. The beach is much
cleaner than just a few years ago, although the vendors remain
annoying. Kuta is not the fishing village it once was: it
is now a booming Pacific resort and its streets are clogged
with tourists and traffic during peak seasons. Legian is a
bit quieter, less crowded, and more suitable for longer stays,
although in many ways it has become an extension of Kuta.
Further north, Seminyak, Petitenget and Canggu offer more
tranquility.
Prices in US dollars. AC = Air conditioning. Telephone code
is 0361.
ORIENTATION
BALI TOURIST INFORMATION
Bali - Kuta and Tuban
Kuta proper is the area delineated
by JI. Legian, JI. Pantai Kuta, JI. Melasti, the beach front
drive and the lanes in between, especially Gang Poppies I
and 11. JI. Legian is the commercial hub of Kuta and the stage
of many of its restaurants and nightlife. Most of Kuta's big
beachfront hotels are in southern Kuta, or Tuban, including
the LTI Patra Jasa Bali, Ramada Bintang Bali, Holiday Inn
Balihai, Kartika Plaza, Sol Elite Paradiso, and Bali Dynasty.
Bali - Legian and Seminyak
Legian and Seminyak are northern
extensions of Kuta proper along JI. Legian to JI. Basangkasa.
Somewhat quieter with cottage-style accommodations, this is
where many of the ex-pat designers and long-stay tourists
live. The biggest hotels are the Bali Imperial, Jayakarta,
and the Bali Padma. There are three ways to reach Legian and
Seminyak: through Kuta and JI ' Melasti, then north; from
JI. Imam Bonjol, turn west on to A Patih Jelantik at the Pertamina
gas station; or from the north via JI. Kerobokan.
Bali - Petitenget and North
Petitenget, Berawa, Canggu,
and Seseh are new and quieter continuations of Kuta's beach,
easier to reach through Abian Timbul or Denpasar and Kerobokan
than through Kuta, as there are no bemos north from Legian.
Several large hotels are located in this area: the Oberoi
Bali, the Intan Bali Village and The Legian in Petitenget
and the Dewata Beach and Bali Sani Suites in Berawa. |
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Kuta Beach also extends to
the south, beyond the airport to Jimbaran.
For assistance with tours and
tickets, and information on events, contact the tourist information
offices at JI. Bakungsari, Kuta Phone 751660 ext. 145, Century
Plaza Building, JI. Benesari No. 7, Ground Floor, Legian,
Phone 754090, and the Lifeguard Station (Bala Penyelamat Wisata
Tirta), JI. Pantai Kuta, Phone755660. A new Tourism Office
is on JI. Raya Kuta.
Kuta
The airport taxi counter is
outside customs, near "left luggage". The set fare
is Rp20,000 to Kuta, Rp22,500 to Legian, Rp25,000 to Seminyak,
and Rp25,000 to Petitenget. Buy a ticket from the counter
for the sedan taxis. Metered taxis operate outside the airport.
Make sure they start the argometer before you take off.
If you want to take a bemo,
you have to walk out to the main road as far as the impressive
white charioteer statue on the corner (about 1.5 km). From
there you can flag down a blue bemo van-it will take you down
to "bemo corner" in Kuta for Rp. l,000.
In Kuta itself, the usual bemo
fare-to JI. Kartika Plaza and Tuban to the south or to A Melasti
to the north-is only Rp1000-Rp1,500, although the driver may
ask for more. There are no bemos beyond Legian, so to get
further north you'll have to charter: bargain hard.
There are rent-a-car and bike
agencies on almost every corner in Kuta and "transport?"
is an extremely common touts' call. Bargain the price down
and check the condition of the vehicle. Suzuki Jimnys are
fun for around $10/day. Kijang jeeps go for $15/day. Try Bali
Bahagia Rent Car, JI. Raya Kuta 72X,
Toyota Rent Car, JI. Raya Airport
99X, Tuban. Motorbikes rent for around $4/day.
The shuttle bus to the Kuta Central Parking area on JI. Kuta
Raya is Rp2000. It makes a circuit through Kuta, where curb-side
parking is no longer allowed, so you must park at the central
lot and shuttle in.
To avoid the hassle of looking for bemos or renting a vehicle,
use the shuttle buses which go to Ubud at 8.30, 10, and 11.30
am, 1, 2.30 and 4 pm and to Candidasa / Padangbai, Kintamani
and Lovina at 9.30 am. Contact CV Ganda Sari Transport, JI.
Legian, or Perama, JI. Legian.
For renting mountain bikes, motor bikes, or push bikes, go
to Chi Chat Rent Car on JI. Pura Bagus Taruna (JI. Rum Jungle)
or to Warung Bamboo, on JI. Arjuna (JI. Double Six). The price
is $1/day or less for longer periods. Always check the bike
before riding away. |
