Holidays in Kuta

Kuta holidays are totally flexible – that’s the beauty of them. Well, that and the jaw-droppingly awesome surroundings, obviously. You’re surrounded by the Indian Ocean, so it would be a crime not to explore it, at least just a little bit. The water is so clear that snorkelling is an absolute pleasure, and you’ll be gliding through warm, crystal-clear water with rainbow-coloured fishes in no time.

• Yoga – Bali is a Mecca for the bendier among us, and there are plenty of yoga retreats, sessions on the beach, or one-to-one tuition on offer. One of the best spots is the Secret Garden of Divine Mother, believed to be one of the smallest public gardens in the world, but utterly charming and serene.
• Spa treatments – you’re in a tropical paradise, so it’s time to seriously relax. Spa treatments are plentiful, and they’re pretty reasonably priced, too. Most hotels and resorts have their own spa and wellness centres on site, or you can go into Kuta and find your own (head for Sunset Road for the best spas).

If you chose an all-inclusive package holiday to Kuta then the majority of your food and drink will be included. But get out and about and you can try some Bali specialities that’ll set your taste buds tingling (they like their spices in Bali). Top of the list is Bakso. This is a meatball soup that’s super-popular with the locals and packed full of taste. Street vendors offer it all day, every day and it’s a great pick-me-up if you’ve overdone things the night before. As you would expect, fish and seafood feature prominently on menus, whether you’re going for a budget meal or splashing out. Food is usually accompanied by plentiful cocktails, wines, and very light refreshing local lagers.

The town is packed with malls, stores, and boutiques, so head to Kuta Square at the north end of Jl Kartika Plaza for a more boutique-y experience.

Bali is known for two things – Batik print and leather crafts. These are probably the best type of memento to take home with you, as they’re far more individual and unique than the usual tourist trappings. If you fancy some high-end shopping then Kuta has its fair share of malls, including the Bali Mall Galleria, and the Discovery Shopping Mall.

Planning on booking your holidays to Kuta but not sure when’s the best time to travel? Well, the simple answer is – anytime! Kuta sits in an absolute sweet-spot for year-round holidays. The average temperature never really wavers beyond 25-28°C from January to December. For practically guaranteed wall-to-wall sunshine, any time between April to October is good, with very little chance of rain spoiling your day. It’s cooler and a little wetter from November to January, but even then the brief showers are warm.

• Kuta Karnival Bali Food Festival – October – it’s the end of the summer season and the bountiful Bali harvest is in, so what better time to experience the flavours of this exotic little island? Learn to cook, Bali-style, and enjoy fun on the beach through the middle of the month.
• Bali Art Festival – June and July – held across Bali including on Kuta, discover the deeper culture of the region through dance, music and art.
• Bali Jazz Festival – December – love a bit of freeform? Book holidays to Kuta in December and you can take in the Bali Jazz festival at the same time.
• The Galungan Festival – October – a Hindu religious festival, it’s colourful, vibrant, and inclusive, no matter what your faith.