Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach runs a close second to Gili Trawangan as a party, nightlife and general place to be.
Gemini says – “Kuta has evolved from a sleepy fishing village into a burgeoning tourist hub. For centuries, it was a quiet enclave shaped by the indigenous Sasak people, largely off the radar. However, following Bali’s rise as a global hotspot, Kuta began its gradual emergence, now becoming the main focus of tourism development on the island.
Surfers, from beginners to pros, flock here for the consistent waves, with numerous surf schools and rental shops and a general ‘surf’ vibe around town. Also, the proximity to 4 different surf spots within half an hour drive on the scooter makes.
So far Kuta has managed to retain much of its original charm. Visitors can explore nearby traditional Sasak villages to glimpse into local culture, enjoy fresh seafood at beachside warungs, and unwind in a setting that feels reminiscent of Bali decades ago. This blend of natural allure, active pursuits, and cultural immersion is precisely what draws a growing number of travelers to Kuta Beach Lombok.“
I’ve editing it slightly, but that’s a basic and fairly accurate description of the main Kuta Beach area.
Sasak Village
I went here one afternoon on the scooter after having visited the beach.
You don’t have to pay a specific entry fee, but they do ask for a ‘donation’. For that, depending on what time you arrive, you can get to watch a performance such as the one below, where the participants dress up in authentic gear and fight with authentic wooden swords!
After a few warm up fights, they got into it and really started whacking each other!
There was a winner and the crowd were encouraged to join in.
I managed to sit in on this display. Afterwards you can visit the many shops selling wares at different levels of authenticity.
I bought some coffee. It came from the hills beyond the village, (maybe). There was a lot more textiles and metal, pottery etc they were actually producing in situ.
Prices were variable depending on how hard you wanted to bargain and how much you wanted the item.
Tajuun Aan Beach
I also went to one of the beaches, the most popular one in the Kuta region, it’s called Tajuun Aan beach. It was really clean. The sea was warm. There were plenty of places to grab a drink or some food and relax on a sunlounger or beanbag. If you didn’t want to pay, you could just put your beach towel down on the beach, and there were plenty of people just doing that.
Tajuun Aan also has fairly good surf and there were many learners out in the waves practising their moves.
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