Bali Basics - Beaches and Mountains

Surfing on Legian beach in Kuta.

 
You'll find hotels and resorts all around the island, but the highest concentration is in South Bali, which itself consists of several distinctly different areas. Most people come to Bali for the beautiful beaches as well as the fascinating culture. If your visit to Bali is more than a few days (and your first visit should be) then you'll want to split your time between two places, such as the beach and the cultural center of Ubud.

Picking the "right" beach for you can be a challenge. If you want to be right in the middle of it all and nightlife is an absolute must, then the Kuta / Legian area is for you. This is also the place to be if you want to surf, or learn how. If you want a nice beach near the nightlife but not in the middle of it, then you may want to consider Seminyak.

Sanur is the place to look at if you'd rather have a good beach for sunbathing and an ocean good for swimming, and aren't really interested in nightlife beyond a good restaurant. For true isolation, consider Candi Dasa or the black sand beaches of Lovina on the north shore.

Kuta / Legian / Seminyak / Tuban

Stretching north of the airport on the western facing side of South Bali's long peninsula is a seemingly unending stretch of hotels, bars, restaurants and tourist shops. Tuban, just north of the airport, is the most recently developed of the areas, with some shopping centers and upmarket hotels.

Kuta is the oldest district and where you will find the highest concentration of hotels for all price ranges, as well as everything else. It's also the most congested.

Next is the slightly quieter Legian area. The Kuta-Legian beaches are some of the most popular with surfers, and the best places to find lessons for beginners, but they aren't the best for sun-bathing or other water sports.

Seminyak is the place to stay if you want to be well away from the crowds, but within a short taxi ride of shopping and nightlife. It's not nearly as developed. You'll even see a rice field here and there if you explore the district. I happen to think the beach here is much better than those further south.

Sanur

The main resort area on Bali's east coast is also the oldest one in all the island. Sanur has a reputation for attracting a more 'mature' crowd, and thus is thought of as a bit more quiet than the Kuta Legian area. In fact, some wags refer to it as "snore", but the area is becoming increasingly popular, with a wide range of fine restaurants. A wide, flat beach with a protecting reef makes Sanur a great place for windsurfing, snorkeling, etc. but not so good for surfing. Sanur appeals mostly to families and those seeking a more relaxed vacation.

Nusa Dua

On the eastern side of Bali's southernmost point is the exclusive resort area of Nusa Dua. This is where you'll find the very expensive five-star all-inclusive resorts such as Club Med and their imitators. The area is generally for those that want a tropical getaway without the hassles of dealing with a foreign culture.

Ubud

Inland towards the center of the island is the "cultural capital" of Ubud. Highly developed in recent years, Ubud is nothing close to the "real Bali" that it was reputed to be. Today, it has the flavor of an artists' colony with the added bonus of some great natural attractions. Ubud is a great place to kick back, relax and spend a few days -- or a few weeks -- exploring galleries, nature and other attractions.

Lovina

Located on the far north coast of Bali, far away from the other island resorts. Lovina supposedly means "I love Indonesia" and refers to a stretch of black sand beaches west of the old island capital of Singaraja. There are several hotels here, and the area can make a good base for exploring the north coast.

Candi Dasa

This one-time small fishing village on the central east coast was destined to be the new resort area. However, the beach was quickly eroded due to the destruction of the protecting reef, so now much of the area is left without any suitable beaches. There still remains several good resorts that can make for a pleasantly quiet holiday.