There is not much you can see and enjoy in Kuta itself, but the white sandy beach extends beyond the airport into Jimbaran. Known as Bali’s number one sunset site, every late afternoon hundreds of people gather to watch the spectacular sunsets and enjoy a meal of fresh seafood from one of the many beachside cafes. In December, especially, the sunsets here are spectacular, so don’t forget to bring your camera and pick a spot to get the best shot of the sunset.
Another place you should visit is Ground Zero, where Balinese residents and foreign tourists alike still keep coming to put fresh flowers at the Memorial. A Bali Bomb Memorial Event is also held every year, hosted jointly by the Indonesian and Australian governments.
The five-kilometre long arching sandy stretch of Kuta Beach is still possibly the best beach front of Bali. A very short drive away from the airport, meter taxis and motorcycle taxis are easily found around the area to take you anywhere in Kuta or elsewhere. The beach is safe, partially clean and well maintained, although the vendors fill up the beach side haphazardly.
However, this beach is really famous for its spectacular sunsets and waves, and attracts tourists who spend hours here swimming, surfing and sunbathing. This place is a well-known destination among surfing enthusiasts: the long sandy beach with its lack of dangerous rocks or coral makes the waves ideal for beginners.
Memorial Statue
The government has built a permanent memorial on the site of the destroyed Paddy's Pub on Legian Street. (A new bar, named ‘Paddy's: Reloaded’, was reopened further along Legian Street).
The memorial is made of intricately carved stone, set with a large marble plaque, which bears the names and nationalities, flanked by the national flags of the victims. The monument is well maintained by the local government and is illuminated at night. Every year on 12th October there is a memorial ceremony.
Temples
Kuta does not have a popular main temple to visit, but sprinkled along the main road you can find regular temples worth a peek at during your holiday here. Positioned on Jalan Pantai Kuta you’ll find Pura Batu Bolong; on Kuta Sidewalk is Pura Penataran; and on Kuta Beach a few metres east from the main gate is Pura Kalangan Majelangu. Every morning and late afternoon right after sunset, the Balinese who live in the neighbourhood come here to pray and present offerings.
The temple is busy only on special occasions during holy days and ceremonies such as Melasti: three or four days prior to Nyepi (the Balinese day of silence that falls on Bali’s Lunar New Year), the Balinese gather to send prayers and put offerings that are dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi/Vishnu-Devas-Bataras and performed on the beach to respect them as the owners of the land and sea.
Discovery Shopping Mall Esplanade
Discovery Esplanade is a new concept of entertainment located in the Discovery Shopping Mall’s backyard. Occasionally used for celebrations or some annual events, the Esplanade also offers weekly free entertainment from DJs, and is used for band parades, concerts, product launches, and much more. With a line up of open-air cafés, a deck spinning beats, and a beautiful sunset, what more could you possibly want?
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