Seminyak vs Kuta?
I'm travelling to Bali in August and although some friends are staying in Kuta at the same time, I've heard some negative reports about Kuta. Personally staying in the equivalent of San Antonio in Ibiza isn't that apealing. I've heard that Seminyak is not far from Kuta and much better...anyone agree? Also, can anyone vouch for how far Seminyak is from Kuta? Kind of want the cake and eat it this time...party with my mates at night in Kuta but enjoy some tranquility and true Balinese beauty during the day. Thanks in advance. x1
Seminyak is not 5 minutes by foot from Kuta. More like 45 minutes. The difference between Kuta and Seminyak is price, and location. Kuta is the hub of central Bali. From there you can pretty much organise your holiday. There are really good places to stay, usually at Legian and that is 5 minutes from Kuta, or in Kuta itself. It all depends on what you want. Seminyak is the higher end with higher end restaurants and a lot of embassies. It costs a lot more but you get what you pay for. La Lucciola Restaurant is in Seminyak and it's worth a visit. If you want to get out and about in Bali don't stay at an expensive hotel, it's a waste of money.3
I agree with leereemo, it takes about 45 minutes by foot to get from Kuta to Seminyak. Taxis are cheap and there are loads around at all times of the day if you do not fancy the walk. I've done th walk loads of times in the early hours and the only hassle i got was from a few scooter born hookers and transvestites but they should not bother you.Don't discard Kuta, there are loads of very nice quiet places to stay which are only minutes walk from the busiest part. I am not sure that i would call Seminyak true Balinese beauty either. You need to go a bit further than Seminyak to see the real Bali.
4
- 2 and # 4 are correct. It is way too far to walk, especially after the sun comes up when it is very hot and very humid. It may take you over 1 hour to walk, depending on what part of Kuta you start in and your destination in Seminyak. Seminyak is more expensive and more up-market. I prefer Kuta because you can walk everywhere in Kuta (and even to Legian) without a problem, and there is more "action".
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you can't actually really feel the border between Seminyak and Kuta, it's like one big area (tuban-kuta-legian-seminyak stretch). the dangers of Kuta is a bit exaggerated but personally i do prefer to stay in seminyak because it's more laid back, the beach is nicer for a stroll, less hassle. seminyak got plenty of action, but if you want to shop regular stuff there's more options in kuta. seminyak is nicer if you're looking for nice restaurants, boutiques or those specialty furniture/knickknacks stuff. the nightlife is also more upmarket. there's still medium-priced hotels in seminyak (around Rp 200-300,000) but agreed, not budget prices like in poppies lane. of course you can find quiet hotels in kuta but once you step your foot outside you'll be in the middle of things. this can be good or bad, depends on what you want.11
A few years ago they made a roadway as an extention of Jalan Pantai Kuta going to Jalan Double Six -- at first they (or enterprising locals) put a toll on this road which could be ignored by bike riders. Last time I was there (at the beginning of this year) they had put gates across the road in about three places. I asked why they had blocked it off after spending the money building it in the first place and was told because the hotels near the beach had advertised unrestricted access to the beach. It is possible to do this road on a bike (OK you have to lift the bike over the baricades) and there is no traffic -- paradise except for the lifting (and it is hot and sweaty). Anyhow you can get away with riding on the footpath in a most places (just don't hit anyone).Some nice riding north of Jl Double 6.
Paul
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seminyak is not much different from legian and kuta , the beach is filthy like the others with a nice demarcation line of rubbish on the high tide line of black sand, sorry to disappiont you if youve looked at the tourist brochures i have seen nothing like that in any of those areas
