Sanur

A quick 10 minutes from the airport, you'll be in Kuta, Bali's most developed area, a popular spot for budget travelers and a longtime favorite for weekend vacationers from nearby Australia. It's also where Abu Sayef chose to attack the island on the night of October 12, 2002, and, though it is again brimming with tourists, memories of that day are still fresh. At the time of this writing, a temple and small monument to commemorate the day were under construction. Kuta is made up of narrow streets and alleys, and pedestrians share space with honking, mufflerless cars and motorbikes.

You'll be harried by some of the most aggressive touts on the island, and the beaches are crowded with imploring sellers and masseurs; the tourist rush, however, means some of the best nightlife and dining on the island. Unfortunately, the current makes swimming difficult and dangerous.

The best compromise of all, short of staying elsewhere on the island, is to hit the quiet beaches just north of Kuta at Legian and Semniyak.