Bali: areas and where to stay, Kuta, Ubud and Sanur compared

Bali is an island of roughly 144 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south, and the choice of area decides almost everything: whether you have a beach around the corner, quiet in the evening or an hour in traffic to the airport. According to Wikivoyage, the island is divided into six regions, but most tourists choose between the south and the center. Here are the areas in order.

South Bali: beaches and infrastructure

This is the most visited part of the island, near the airport and with the biggest choice of accommodation.

Kuta and Legian. The most built-up area: shopping, bars, cheap parties and surfing. Pros: many cafes and surf schools and inexpensive accommodation. Cons: noise, crowds and touts, and the beach is not for quiet. Legian is the name of Kuta's main street, between Kuta and Seminyak and a little calmer.

Seminyak. North of Legian, quieter and more expensive: villas, designer restaurants and bars, and beach clubs. Suits couples and people for whom food and evenings without cheap crowds matter.

Jimbaran. South of Kuta: a beach protected from the waves and seafood restaurants right by the water. Good for a calm holiday and dinners at sunset.

Nusa Dua. An enclave of large resort hotels with a long golden beach. You are surrounded by hotel grounds rather than streets with cafes, but it is quiet and well kept.

Sanur. A resort loved by families and older travelers: a calm sea and many walking routes along the shore.

The Bukit Peninsula

The southernmost tip of the island: surfing beaches and Uluwatu temple on a cliff. According to Wikivoyage it also gets much less rain than the rest of the island, and even in the rainy season it is often sunny. If you travel in December to March, Bukit can be a good choice. The famous kecak dance is performed daily at Uluwatu temple.

Central Bali: Ubud

The heart of the island's culture: museums, rice terraces, a forest with monkeys, dance and plenty of souvenir shops. There is no sea here, so Ubud is good as a second stop for 3-4 days after the beach. The weather in the center and the mountains is more changeable, rain is possible all year, and it is cool in the mountains in the evening. See Ubud: what to do for the details.

The east and the islands

For quiet there are Amed with black beaches and diving, Candidasa, Padang Bai and the islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. These are destinations for people who come not for parties but for the sea and the reefs. Getting there takes longer, and it is worth thinking about transport in advance.

How long to stay where: ready-made plans

1. 10 days, first time in Bali. 5-6 nights in the south (Seminyak or Sanur), 3-4 nights in Ubud.
2. A couple without children. Seminyak plus Ubud, with one or two nights on Bukit.
3. A family with children. Sanur or Nusa Dua, with no transfers and long moves.
4. Surfing and a budget. Kuta and Legian, and Bukit if you like.

How not to lose time on the road

Bali lives with the traffic of the southern area, so allow extra time for the transfer from the airport to the hotel. The island time is UTC+8. If you plan independent trips, consider a driver.

The season affects the price: July, August and the Christmas and New Year period are the busiest, and at other times there are discounts on accommodation. From June to September humidity is low, and from December to March the western monsoons bring heavy downpours, but the rain often falls in the evening and ends quickly. See Bali: when to go and what to see.

What else to see in Southeast Asia

If you are unsure between destinations, compare with Phuket beaches and areas and Nha Trang areas. It is better to take out travel insurance before you buy tickets, and departure dates are easier to pick in the HotTrip flight search.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to stay in Bali the first time?

For a first trip a combination of a beach area in the south (Seminyak, Sanur or Nusa Dua) and Ubud in the center is convenient.

Kuta or Seminyak?

Kuta is cheaper and noisier. Seminyak is quieter, more expensive and has a bigger choice of restaurants. If you want parties and surfing, take Kuta.

Which area should I choose with children?

The calm resorts of Sanur and Nusa Dua suit families more than noisy Kuta.

Do I need to stay in Ubud?

If you want the sea every day, no. Ubud suits 3-4 days as the cultural part of the trip.

Which season is best?

It is dry from June to September, and from December to March there are evening downpours, while Bukit stays sunnier than the other areas.

Cover: photo by Balazs Simon on Pexels