Shopping in Kuta: How and Where
Shopping in Kuta is a must-do agenda to put on your itinerary. There are many stores and shopping centers in this area. You know Bali is a heaven for vacation goers. Lots of group and solo travelers around the world visit this island of gods. It is famous not only for its beautiful landscape but also its distinctive culture. People are curious to observe its temples, traditional dances and music, and its crafts.
Among all regions in Bali, Kuta is one of its most well-known ones. Shopaholics will get excited to explore the stores in this region. It may or may not easy to get the pieces our eyes are fixed into. There are several points to ponder before purchasing anything in Bali. This article lists several shopping tips and also spots for shopping in Kuta.
Shopping 101: How to Shop in Kuta
- Before buying anything you want to bring back home, check on your country’s import and custom regulation. Some seemingly ordinary items might be illegal or banned in your country. You don’t want any of your items get confiscated. Also do small research about the taxes and duties if you want to ship the goods to your home country.
- In some stores in Kuta, shopper can haggle. However, you cannot just bargain all the time. Ask politely first before going on negotiating the price. Even if you are in the middle of a tough bartering, make sure you remain bright and breezy. You don’t need to be an impolite penny pincher.
- If you want to go shopping in Kuta for apparel, you need to get it done in the morning or late afternoon. Indonesia is a tropical country and the sun in Kuta shines brightly throughout the day, especially during midday. It is not a wise decision to try on clothes after fighting that bright shiny sun.
- Most of the clothes made and sold in Bali are not machine-washable. Some even need to be washed separately for the first few times. Carefully check on the labels or ask the seller if it’s not labeled. For your first wash, make sure to soak bright-colored clothes separately and see if anything happen.
- Take your time to get your made-to-order items. Custom items need plenty of time for revisions and adjustments. You usually don’t need to fully pay for it before you are happy with the final result. Discuss about the payment method with the maker before settling your order.
Those are several important tips you should pay attention to when shopping in Kuta. Now, let’s move on to the next topic about where to shop.
Kuta Art Market
This place is where you can shop for Balinese arts, crafts, and souvenirs. Kuta Art Market (locally known as Pasar Seni Desa Adat Kuta) is a complex of stores located on Jalan Bakung Sari, near Kuta Sidewalk. You can walk there along the beachside as it is only 15 meter south from Balawista lifeguard tower. You will see goods similar to those sold in Sukowati and Ubud markets. It is because the products mostly come from the same suppliers and artisans around the areas.
The prices in Kuta Art Market can be higher. But, it is a good spot for those who don’t have time to shop at any other more well-established stores. This is the place where you can show off your bartering skill. Remember to always be kind and cheerful while asking the seller to lower the price for you. Also, it is important to always check the quality of the product carefully before paying for it.
Legian Street
For shoppers in Bali, the name Legian Street or Jalan Legian is widely known. Stores selling merchandises and Bali’s crafts and souvenirs line up along this street. If you are looking for some high end products, you can go in one of the luxury boutiques here. Most tourists in Kuta look for factory outlets of Billabong or Surfer Girl. If you are one of them, you can find the outlets in this area as well. The best way to fully enjoy your shopping time here is by walking. While you stroll along the Legian Street, you will find a monument built in honor of the victims of the 2002 Bali bombing.
Poppies Lane II Art Shops
If you have visited Kuta Art Market, you will find this area pretty similar to it. Poppies Lane II Art Shops are situated at the first 100 meters of the Poppies Lane II. You can find stores selling casual clothes, paintings, unique lighters, beaded bracelets, and other knickknacks. While some stores have fixed prices, you can ask for 50% discount or more in some other stores.
Garlic Lane Shopping Street
On one of the narrow side streets off the main roads in Legian, you can find Garlic Lane shopping street. You can get there directly by walking from Poppies Lane. This area comprises of art shops, boutiques, galleries, and many others. Because it is not on the main road, shoppers can get better bargain at stores in this lane. However, you should note that some stores sell products with fixed prices. It will be better to ask first whether you can negotiate or not. The items sold in this area are pretty much similar to what you can find in the other shopping areas.
Krisna Sunset Road
Shopping in Kuta is not all about bargaining. There are many shopping spots selling fix-priced products. If you don’t wish to negotiate the price of a product, you can go to Krisna Oleh-oleh Khas Bali. One of their stores is located on Jalan Sunset Road, hence the name Krisna Sunset Road. Here, you can shop for signature apparel, accessories, arts, crafts, and food of Bali. The good thing about this store is that it has a spacious parking area.
Other than that, there are still lots of modern malls in this area. You can also meet lots of peddlers and merchants along the beach area. Think wisely before spending your money on anything. Extra tip: Some visitors of Kuta beach shared that sometimes the peddlers will just keep asking you to buy their products. If this happens to you and you are really uninterested in buying, you will need to boldly and forcefully refuse. However, maintaining a good attitude is still the wisest choice. Happy shopping!
