Lombok Travel Review: Highlights and Tips

Selamat datang di Lombok / Welcome to Lombok!

It is always exciting and a little stressful to visit a new destination. However, after spending time in Indonesia on past trips, we felt somewhat prepared for the Lombok experience! After a short three-hour flight from Singapore on Scoot, we found ourselves in the “Land of a Thousand Mosques” along with thousands of others gathered for the Moto Grand Prix event. In this post, we share our trip recap along with some helpful tips to help you plan your own visit!

Entry Requirements

Obtaining our e-visa in advance was quick and easy using the official Indonesian Government website. Please ensure you use the official site, as many unofficial third-party sites appear in search results, often adding extra fees to process your application. [Link to the official Indonesia e-visa site].

Tips:
- Ensure your passport is not expiring within six months of your travel date.
- Submit your electronic customs declaration (arrival card) three days prior to arrival.
- Always check requirements on the official site, as regulations are subject to change.

Getting Around

As we exited the airport toward the transportation hub, we knew we were truly in Indonesia; we were immediately greeted by the strangely addictive aroma of clove cigarettes. If you haven’t arranged transportation in advance, don’t worry, Grab is available, and you will have numerous people offering rides to various spots on the island.

Upon arrival, we used a transfer booked through our hotel, though the driver was a little late as he expected us to take longer with checked bags. As we made our way to the hotel, we noticed how hilly Lombok is and confirmed that scooters/motorbikes are indeed the primary mode of transport for locals and tourists alike.

We rented a scooter for a couple of days to explore. Generally, road conditions were decent, but the route to Kuta can get very busy. You need to remain vigilant and watch out for everything from roadside markets in small villages to wandering water buffalo—not to mention the “douchebag” tourists in swimwear who drive as if they own the road.

While Grab and Gojek are available at the airport, they are limited in areas like Kuta. In touristy zones, negotiated fares with private drivers or metered fares with BlueBird taxis are more reliable if you prefer not to drive yourself.

Tips:
- There are very few streetlights in Lombok, which can make night driving difficult.
- You must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Indonesia; make sure to obtain one in your home country before you leave.

Tourism in Lombok

In 2016, the Indonesian government established a tourism strategy called the “10 New Balis” initiative to develop other regions. As a result, the Mandalika International Street Circuit has been hosting the Moto GP since 2022. Built at a cost of approximately $85 million USD, the venue can host nearly 200,000 spectators and is estimated to generate $71 million USD for the economy per event. Our visit coincided with the race by pure chance; we noticed significantly higher prices for flights and accommodation during this window.

On the other hand, Lombok feels much quieter than neighboring Bali, though there is significant development around Kuta. While Lombok once primarily attracted backpackers, it is now diversifying with high-end options. Kuta feels like a mix of influences; it definitely has “Canggu Bali ten years ago” vibes, with hip cafes, bars, and modern restaurants. At these venues, DJs play sets while the call to prayer echoes in the background, making you wonder how tourism and local values will continue to coexist.

Your days in Lombok can be spent exploring local beaches and eating at warungs. We especially enjoyed our time at Pantai Lancing at Codium, a beach club on a spectacular stretch of undeveloped coastline. There, local farmers still take their water buffalo for a swim while tourists sip mezcal cocktails and craft beer, paired with locally caught fish presented with Michelin-star flair. They also have a great pool!

As a primarily Muslim island, locals are generally tolerant of Western tourists and their “vices,” with full moon parties regularly advertised. Meanwhile, the capital city of Mataram remains largely off the tourist path, except for those seeking the spicy and delicious Ayam Taliwang at local food stalls. It seems most Westerners come to Lombok to surf, party, and eat in Kuta, or to trek to natural wonders like waterfalls and the challenging Mount Rinjani. Others simply stop through while transiting to the Gili Islands, Flores, or Bali.

The Senggigi area reminded us of Candidasa on Bali’s quieter east coast. It is a more established tourist hub with resorts woven into nearby villages. Just steps away from Gili Air, The Sira (a new luxury hotel by Marriott) was recently built; it might be the nicest place to stay on the island, with a price tag to match.

How Long to Stay?

We spent four days and four nights in Lombok. While we got a good sense of the place, we left feeling there was still a lot we didn’t experience. The southern part of the island is very different from the west coast. We were also unable to properly visit Mataram, only catching glimpses of it in passing.

Lombok is a great destination for a longer stay due to its affordability; provided you are comfortable on a scooter. If you aren’t comfortable driving yourself, a shorter stay might be more practical.

Weather

Similar to the Gili Islands, the best time to visit is outside the rainy season (May to the end of September). We visited in early October and enjoyed warm, sunny days, with only occasional clouds and brief rain showers.

What We Loved

The Food: We loved the variety, quality, and price of the food in Kuta. We left with many places still on our “must-try” list!
Pantai Lancing: The beach at Codium was stunning. While we should have explored more, it was hard to beat the setting and amenities there. We are wondering when this beach will becoming more developed – is a luxury hotel in the works? Are more beach clubs going to pop up?
Our Hotel: Somewhere Lombok was a wonderful place to relax. The food quality was impressive for a boutique hotel, and their shuttle made it easy to visit Kuta after dark without the stress of driving.

What We Didn’t Love

Scooter Stress: The hills can be difficult to navigate, especially on unpaved sections. The traffic into Kuta is heavy, and we didn’t feel comfortable driving at night.
Infrastructure Gaps: Some beaches charge for parking but offer no shade or facilities. While you get fewer crowds, it comes at the expense of comfort. Additionally, rapid development means infrastructure isn’t always keeping up, and you can occasionally find garbage on the beaches.
Culture Clash: Some of the party culture in Kuta felt slightly out of place, and we do worry about its long-term impact on the local community.

Summary

We enjoyed our stay in Lombok and would return under the right circumstances, but we aren’t rushing back just yet. Comparing Lombok to Gili Air, we found Gili Air more enjoyable simply because you can walk or bike everywhere without worrying about motorized traffic. Exploring a large, developing island like Lombok is rewarding, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges!