- Information
- Traveler Advice
- Forums
48HourVisit.com
Planning a short visit? Check out 48HourVisit.com, your online guide for short stays and weekend getaways. Ad
Long boards regularly touch the lapping waves of Kuta, a major surfing destination south of Bali. Locally, Kuta is known both as a kecamatan (district) and a kelurahan (village), but internationally, this quaint town stands tall in the surfing world for its long sandy beach, ever-challenging swells, and hotels, restaurants and bars catering to travelers from all categories.
A former fishing village, Kuta is now picking up the pieces of its former grandeur as a backpackers' paradise, after the 2002 and 2005 terrorist bombings left hundreds of its locals and foreign visitors dead, and hundreds of bars, hotels, and houses razed to the ground in a heap of rubbles. A permanent memorial was built on the bombing site in Legian, the town's commercial hub where restaurants and entertainment spots have started thriving since the attacks. Every year, hundreds of locals and foreigners offer flowers and other gifts to the memorial as a sign of respect to the dead.
Another way for the people to forget their past aches is through the annual festival, Kuta Karnival, which aims to celebrate life through Olympics on the beach, traditional art performances like Balinese Sunset Dances, and rows and rows of culinary exhibitions featuring treats like lawar (Balinese salads) and the popular street food, Bakso (meatball soup).
In true metropolitan fashion, Kuta's streets are smothered by squadrons of motorbikes and street vendors selling souvenir T-shirts and handicrafts. Nevertheless, outside the box of city life is the town's Balinese charm forged in beach rituals such as locals throwing flowers and offerings every morning to appease their Hindu gods. Foreigners who want to have an experience of the harmony learn Yoga in Petitenget, Berawa, Canggu and Seseh, the calmer continuations of Kuta Beach. Legian's neighbor, Seminyak, is a quieter suburb of cottage-style inns, where most of the town's expats linger to learn Bahasa Indonesia or seize the day for a massage. Kuta, anyway, has the cheapest spa centers in the whole of Bali.
Kuta Landmarks:
User blogs:
Loving Laos
Laos seems like a long shot to become Southeast Asia’s next big thing. The food doesn’t win any prizes, the roads are severely potholed by frequent flooding and locals regard the prospect of increased tourism with a sunny indifference that exceeds even Mediterranean proportions. Laos is the least developed and most enigmatic of the three former French Indochinese states ... Read full Blog post
In our Magazine
Summer Destination to Avoid: Gulf of Mexico
EPA is failing to do their job monitoring the air and reporting factual data. The people need to be made aware that their lives and long term livelihood are at stake because of the air quality in Gulf of Mexico.
How to Avoid Traveling Troubles
Traveling to a certain destination might not become memorable if there are too many troubles along the way. Remember that even the best trips are usually not trouble-free. Follow these tips that help lessen the hassles.
Unique Toys from Japan
Japan is known for its fascinating, and sometimes, eccentric culture. From anime, karaoke, to advanced technology, the Land of the Rising Sun always has something unique to offer.
