Welcome to Kuta, Bali, where the vibes are laid-back, the shopping is endless, and the sunsets are straight out of a postcard. Whether you’re here to unwind (like us), shop, or try your luck releasing baby turtles into the ocean (yes, you read that right), this 5-day itinerary covers the perfect mix of chill and adventure.
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blog on Ubud, Sanur and Nusa islands, or the entire two-week Bali itinerary!
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no additional cost to you.
TLDR 🫣
Kuta: A bustling mix of beaches, shopping, and nightlife, Kuta offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure with a dash of chaotic charm.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to Kuta, settle in, explore Kuta Beach, and relax by the pool. Eat at Pandan Kuring Restaurant.
Day 2: Dive into shopping at Beachwalk Shopping Center and Kuta Art Market, with lunch at Poppies Restaurant.
Day 3: Chill day with a chance to release baby turtles in the ocean (or relax at the hotel or a local mall). Follow @baliseaturtlesociety for updates.
Day 4: Thrill-seek at Waterbom Bali, then wind down with dinner at Warung Damar and a show at Discovery Mall.
Day 5: Surf, sip coconuts, and enjoy a sunset beach day. Eat at Fat Chow.
Pro Tips:
- Follow @baliseaturtlesociety for updates on hatchling releases. You might just be able to release a baby turtle into the ocean!
- Pack cash for street snacks, but note some places (like Waterbom) are card-only.
- Rent or bring a rash guard for surfing—it’s a lifesaver for your skin.
- Want an easy ride? Download Grab for cheap and reliable transportation.
Top Awards:
- Best Experience: Watching the sunset on Kuta Beach with sandy toes and a coconut in hand.
- Best Eats: Fat Chow’s eclectic menu and Pandan Kuring's very affordable meals for the budget traveller!
- Best "Bang For Your Buck" Hotel: Kana Kuta Hotel - budget-friendly but with expensive resort vibes.
- Best e-SIM: Airalo (You can use our referral code “CELINA4205” to save $4.50 CAD OFF your first purchase).
GETTING AROUND KUTA
Navigating Kuta can feel like an adventure in itself. The streets are lively, the traffic is… let’s call it “dynamic,” and every corner is packed with something new to explore. Here’s a breakdown of how to get around and survive the madness with your sanity intact:
1. Walking: Your Best Bet for Short Distances
Kuta is relatively compact, making walking the easiest way to explore the bustling streets and beaches. Sidewalks can be narrow (or nonexistent), so keep an eye out for motorbikes zooming by.
Pro Tip: Wear comfortable sandals—you’ll be dodging street vendors, puddles, and scooters like a real-life obstacle course.
2. Motorbike Rentals: For the Brave and Bold
Renting a scooter is a popular way to zip around Kuta and beyond. It’s affordable (around IDR 50,000-70,000 per day), but you’ll need confidence, balance, and nerves of steel to navigate the busy streets. We weren’t comfortable, so we primarily walked everywhere
Pro Tip: Always wear a helmet! Bali’s traffic police are on the lookout for tourists without them, and fines can eat into your Bintang budget.
3. Ridesharing Apps: Go-Jek and Grab
For a modern twist, Go-Jek and Grab are your go-to apps for cheap rides and food delivery. They’re perfect for short hops around town, especially during the midday heat when walking feels like crossing the Sahara.
Pro Tip: Some areas (like near the beach) have “no-Grab zones,” so you might need to walk a block or two to find your driver.
4. Bicycles: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
If you want to soak in the sights at a slower pace, rent a bike. It’s eco-friendly and great for exploring quieter streets or the beachfront. Just be prepared to hop off and walk during busier times.
Pro Tip: Stick to mornings for cooler weather and less crowded roads.
5. Private Drivers: Stress-Free Exploring
For day trips or a little extra comfort, hire a private driver. It’s pricier than other options, but you’ll get air-con, local tips, and someone who knows their way around the chaos. Prices typically start at IDR 500,000 for a full day.
Pro Tip: We used the same driver who was reliable and honest throughout our entire Bali trip. Fuad from Kanaku Trans comes highly recommend! We’ve shared his What’s App number with friends and family who’ve all said the same thing. His contact info is in our Ubud blog!
ITINERARY
Day 1: From Nusa Lembongan to Kuta – Travel & Get Your Bearings
Ah, the joys of travel day. We started our morning with the ferry from Nusa Lembongan back to the mainland, arriving at Sanur Port. From there, we hopped into a Grab (think Bali’s answer to Uber) and made our way to the bustling streets of Kuta.
You might be arriving from the Denpasar airport (close to Kuta) or another city in Bali, so today, just relax and get your bearings. We stayed at the Kana Kuta hotel because we had a great redemption promotion. It’s truly a lovely hotel with a pool, restaurant, and close to the main attractions within Kuta.
After checking in at your hotel, take the day slow. Wander the streets, dip your toes in the sand, and soak in Kuta’s high-energy vibe.
Must-Dos:
Explore the local streets and Kuta Beach
Swing by Galleria Mall for a little retail therapy or air-conditioning break
Pick up essentials at a nearby grocery store (hydration is key, people!)
Lounge by your resort pool with zero guilt
Lunch Spot: Pandan Kuring Restaurant – A delicious chain restaurant full of Indonesian simple flavours, perfect for fuelling your mellow day. Plus, you get unlimited chips, iced tea, sambal, and salad! All of this for only $15 CAD.
Pro Tip: Don’t over-schedule today. Let yourself ease into Kuta’s chaotic charm.
Day 2: Sleep In & Shop ‘Til You Drop
After catching up on sleep (thank you, vacation mode), dedicate this day to indulging your inner shopaholic. From chic malls to traditional markets, Kuta’s got it all.
Your Shopping Route:
Start with a hearty lunch at Poppies Restaurant, a classic spot for Balinese and Western dishes. We came for the vibes, but stayed for the food. After spending over two weeks in Bali, we’ve become huge fans of satay and Nasi Campur. I love the small sides that make up the dish, especially the bean sprout salad. When I told the chef about this, he offered to bring me just a whole plate of the salad! It was amazing! A full lunch including drinks cost us $25 CAD.
Head to the Beachwalk Shopping Center for high-end brands, breezy vibes, and ocean views.
Stroll along Kuta Beach for some sandy serenity before diving into the Kuta Art Market, where you can haggle for souvenirs.
Pro Tip: Bring a reusable tote or two—those market finds add up fast!
Day 3: Relaxation & Turtle Hatching (Maybe!)
Take it slow today and cross your fingers for a magical moment with the Bali Sea Turtle Society. They announce releasing events on Instagram, but it’s all up to Mother Nature, so it’s a waiting game.
While you’re waiting, use the day for some much-needed planning or beachside lounging. Unfortunately, no baby turtles were ready for us to release into the ocean, but hope springs eternal! Instead, we used this day as a rest day and chilled out at the local mall and then by our hotel’s pool, sipping cold drinks to cool us down.
Pro Tip: Follow @baliseaturtlesociety on Instagram, and set notifications for their stories. They’ll let you know the day-of if the hatchlings are ready to make their ocean debut.
Day 4: Waterbom Bali – Slide Into Fun
Ready for some adrenaline? Spend the day at Waterbom Bali, one of Asia’s best water parks. With world-class slides, lush landscaping, and a completely cashless system, it’s a fun day for thrill-seekers and chillers alike.
Interesting Facts About Waterbom Bali:
– It’s ranked one of the best water parks in Asia, offering something for everyone—from heart-pounding slides to lazy rivers.
– The park is eco-conscious, with sustainability initiatives that include zero plastic bottles.
– Food is surprisingly good (and reasonably priced)! You use a wristband to pay for everything—no soggy wallets here.
Two adult tickets cost us $84 CAD. We also spent a total of $35 CAD on a locker, a coconut, salad and noodle lunch, ice-cream, and donuts. You can rent a towel, but we brought our own.
After the park, stick around for an evening show right outside at Discovery Mall. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a day of splashing around.
Pro Tip: Bring a rash guard to avoid awkward tan lines from the slides.
For dinner, we wandered into a nearby restaurant, Warang Damar. Two mains and a passionfruit dessert only set us back $20 CAD. GET THE DESSERT – I promise you won’t regret it!
Day 5: Beach Day – Coconut in Hand, Feet in the Sand
End your trip with a classic Kuta Beach day. Whether you’re catching waves, sipping coconuts, or flipping pages of a good book, this is the ultimate unwind session. But before all this work, have a filling lunch. We went back to.. you guessed it, Pandan Kuring. This place is super affordable with bottomless chips, iced tea, and salad! All of this cost us $11 CAD in total!
If you’re feeling adventurous, try surfing on Kuta’s beginner-friendly waves. Surfboards are easy to rent, and lessons are available if you’re new to the sport. When the owner of Beo Surf asked if Ryan wanted lessons, Ryan was like “Nah, I think I’m good, I’ve taken a lesson… 10 years ago”. That’s Ryan for ya!
Surfing Tips:
– Wear or rent a rash guard—it’s a game-changer for preventing board burns.
– Don’t stress if you wipe out; it’s all part of the experience.
Pro Tip: Pack cash for beachside snacks, but be prepared for card-only transactions in certain rental areas. Coconuts were $3 CAD and a surf board rental for a two hours was $5 CAD.
After surfing, stay back a bit to enjoy the sunset. It’s truly beautiful at low tide!
For dinner, check out Fat Chow! It was our favourite non-chain restaurant in Bali. It’s got an Asian-Balinese vibe and we were lucky to score a table after just a quick 25 minute wait. It was PACKED, so we definitely recommend making reservations if you can. Two mains only set us back $17 CAD.
TOTAL COST for 5 Days in KUTA (Approximate CAD for 2 people):
Accommodations for 5 nights: $162
Activities (and associated fees and tips): $88
Food: $200
Transportation (the ride from Sanur to Kuta, and then Kuta to the airport): $11
TOTAL: $461 (Roughly $46 per person, per day)
FINAL THOUGHTS
Kuta, Bali, might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s undeniably full of energy, charm, and things to do. Whether you’re shopping, sliding down epic water slides, or releasing baby turtles into the ocean (good luck), this 5-day itinerary has a little something for everyone.
Oh, and don’t forget to slather on that sunscreen—Bali’s sun doesn’t mess around. Enjoy your trip, and may your Kuta adventures be as fun and chaotic as the streets themselves! 🌴
Curious about other destinations on our journey? Check out our blog on Ubud, Sanur and Nusa islands, or the entire two-week Bali itinerary!
Discover more from Where's Ryan and Celina?
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.