Things to Do in Kuta

Kuta is where Bali tourism started, and it still carries the reputation that comes with being the island's oldest, busiest strip: hawkers, traffic and a nightlife scene that draws plenty of fair criticism. It's also the easiest place on the island to learn to surf, with a wide, gently sloped beach and surf schools used to complete beginners, and it sits closer to the airport than any other tourist town, which makes it a practical first or last stop. The beach itself is genuinely good for a swim or a sunset walk once you move past the main drag and its souvenir stalls. Most visitors are better served by a night or two here rather than a full week, using it as a landing pad before moving on to quieter parts of the island. Below are the top-rated surf lessons and tours starting from Kuta.