Kuta Beach once a lonely village on the road from Denpasar toward the Bukit Peninsula, former time Kuta was a quiet fishermen village, grown with bush. It was also used as a trade and navy port of Kingdoms in Bali. Now Kuta has changed into a small international town owns complete tourism facilities. The beach is wide and white sandy is liked most by tourists to sunbath, surfing, or swimming. The sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking.

Whether you are looking for leather, fashion, handicrafts, jewellery, shoes, music tapes or CD’s, paintings or exotic wood carvings don’t forget to bargain. At night, Kuta is alive with night life. The village abounds with restaurants, shops, discotheques, dance clubs, pubs and other tourist facilities.

Sunsets make memories at Kuta beach, one of the island’s loveliest seacoasts. Skylight descends in warm waves of color, leaving shy stars behind. Village fishermen often set off at dusk, the sails of their prahus shrinking to frail silhouettes that drift across a wide, red sun. They vanish into the night, lulled by the rhythm of waves breaking on a beach longer than vision can discern. They return when the young warmth of early morning lights up the slopes of Mt. Batukau and, on clear days, the mountains on the eastern tip of Java.
Save for the fishermen, the villagers usually busy themselves at sundown and rarely wander down to the beach to sit quietly watching the sun set into thek$ea. Mads Lange, South Bali’s first European resident, most have enjoyed it though. An Englishwoman, Ketut Tantri, who lived through th_e early years of the revolution in Bali and Jaxle, built a house at Kuta beach. The Kuta Beach Hotel, built on the same site, was opened in 1959, but guests were few.

Only in the late sixties did young travelers, at home riding the waves of Hawaii and California and elsewhere, begin to frequent the beach. At that time, almost everyone stayed in Denpasar, coming to Kuta for a swim, the sunset, a kris dance and sometimes a night on the beach. The villagers of Kuta were farmers and fishermen and metal smiths, and they were rather surprised at the great interest their beach received. But like many Balinese, they saw there was a profit to be made. For a small charge they invited the travelers into their homes. Home-stays were set up everywhere. These are clean, simple and cheap accommodation. A number of larger hotels, such as the Kartika Plaza Bali and the Oberoi, have also sprung up. There are many restaurants serving all kinds of westernized dishes and “soul” food, and mini-boutiques selling Bali beach fashions abound everywhere. Tourist activity has spread north up the coast to Legian and beyond on the road to Krobokan.

It is said the goddess of the sea claims at least one victim each year at Kuta beach, so be careful-at times there is a strong undertow. Mostly, however, it is fine swimming and the body surfing is great. Kuta and Ulu Watu have waves as fine as anywhere in the world for board surfing. Boards aret(yr hire. The Surfing Club of Bali was set up by an Hawaiian-in-residence and a Lifesaving Club patrols one section of the beach. In 1 981, Kuta hosted international surfing and lifesaving events on its golden beaches.

As the size and fame of Kuta spread, the beach became popular with the residents of Denpasar. Indonesians from the large cities of Java came by the tour load. Dozens of art shops opened along the main streets. On the beach, girls and women carry bundles of sarongs and batiks on their heads, looking for customers. Young boys sell dance tickets, and young girls sell cold drinks. At sunset, the beach is a lively place, and the roads are full of cars and motorbikes.

At Kuta, the water stays warm late until after dusk, like its saffron reflections; and the smooth descent of the shore suits anything from building sandcasties to taking long walks. Local beachcombers are on hand gathering fans of white coral and stringing cowries into long necklaces to sell. The Balinese sometimes comefrom near and farto perform rituals bythe ocean. Although all the ritzy nightclubs are at Sanur Kuta after dark is a popular place for young visitors to eat, drink and be merry. There is a night market, one ortwo informal discotheques and numerous bars and restaurants serving good food at moderate prices. Almost every evening there is a performance of Balinese -dance somewhere in Kuta.. To know what is on just ask around.

A former sleepy fishing village, 10 km south of Denpasar on Bali’s southwest coast where fishermen eke their life from the sea, now can be seen as five kilometers of close-packed tourist accommodation and entertainment. From the time it was discovered by seasoned travelers in the late 1960s, Kuta has developed into Bali’s largest tourism resort enjoyed by many for its sunset, surf, shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Kuta is the most popular tourist destination in Bali since it is close to airport, has the best options for budget accommodation, restaurant and tourist facilities. Around December and January Kuta will be packed by Australian visitors and in the period of July to August, French, German, and Spanish tourists pour in. There are also a large number of Japanese tourists of all ages. The streets of Kuta can get over crowded during these periods.

Kuta is a good choice for those who have a taste for lively beach life, vibrant nightlife, and busy shopping. If you are looking for a quiet and serene tropical hideaway, you should go elsewhere. In short, Kuta is one of the best beaches in Bali where you can enjoy beautiful sunset; the only surf on the island where surfers can wipe out without being cut to pieces by reefs; an area with many choices of good value accommodations, restaurants and shops.

Legian
Once a poor seaside village, Legian is now an extension of Kuta with more chic energy.  Situated on the north of Kuta, Legian also offers plenty of shops and bars but a slightly more relaxed and less chaotic feeling. The northern area of Legian bordering Seminyak offers a bit of an escape from the crowds and is also a popular surf beach.

Legian is a small beachfront area which stretches from Jalan Melasti north to Jalan Arjuna. Most of the popular Legian hotels are on or close to the beach. As a matter of fact the size of Legian is no bigger than a few blocks in a large city, most of Legian can be covered on foot. Despite its small size, this area has a very popular tourist’s destination due to the lovely beach frontage and availability of many mid-market hotels.

In short Legian is a place where visitors stay, shop, eat, drink and go to the beach. Legian Beach is one of the best in Bali for viewing the sunset.

What to do in Kuta
There are many activities can be done in Kuta, I will only highlighted few things that can be easily done in Kuta or can be only done in Kuta.

Sunbathing, swimming and surfing
Sunbathing needs no further explanation. As for swimming Kuta’s surf can be very dangerous with strong current and undertow on some tides. Always swim within the flag markers on the beach, keep near the crowds and lifeguards and remain within the reef. When the lifeguards say the water is unsafe for swimming, they mean it.

Kuta coast has best beach break to learn surfing and good reef and break for experienced surfers. If you are a beginner, you can rent a surfboard or boogie board right on the beach or from budget accommodation near the beach, few surf shops also hire out surfboard or boogie board, arrange surfing lesson, and surfing tour to other surfing spots.

Sunset watching
I am not conceited enough to try expressing the beauty of Kuta sunset with my limited vocabulary, maybe the best thing comes up just “indescribable beauty”. It is better to see it with your own eyes, of course when the weather is fine.

Massage
You can get a massage service easily on Kuta beach, many masseurs work on the beach. You have to bargain to get a better price, keep your smile and sense of humor while bargaining to get an extra Bali’s bargain experience.

Bungee Jumping
For those who long for adrenaline rush, bungee jumping offers 30 second of adrenaline rush and the fastest way to empty your pocket.

Nightlife
Kuta is the low end party centre of Bali. The bars serve alcohol freely; many bars here have a house cocktail with a local Arak (palm beer) base that comes with fancy name “Arak Attack”, “Jam Jar”, etc. Arak is strong and sometimes with uncontrolled alcohol level so be wise when you handle “Arak Attack”. The more sophisticated and up-market bar or lounge can be found along the waterfront on Jalan Pantai Kuta. They offer food and entertainment afterwards.

Waterbom Park
Waterbom is a popular and biggest water theme park in Asia. A definite option for children and also a good spot to spend your vacation.