Mistakes to Avoid and Tips for Travel in Lombok, Indonesia [2023]

Read on for tips on travel in Lombok and mistakes to avoid for first-time visitors.

People say that Lombok is what Bali once was before mass tourism. And while that’s great, because the attractions aren’t overcrowded or too commercialized yet, it also means that it’s sometimes harder to travel in Lombok.

But Lombok is a rewarding place to travel to, containing so much beauty in various forms.

As long as you’re prepared, which this guide will hopefully help you be, I’m sure you’ll find Lombok a place that is worth visiting.

Psst… Make sure to read my post on the best attractions in Lombok too!

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Tips for Travel in Lombok

Don’t pack too much into a day

It was a lot harder to get to places than I had expected. That has to do with a lot of things—incorrect Google Maps coordinates, rough off-road driving and lack of tourist infrastructure pointing you in the right direction.

So make sure to take that into consideration when planning your Lombok travel itinerary. I’d recommend only planning to do one or two attractions a day, as travel in Lombok sometimes isn’t as easy as in neighboring Bali.

It will likely take a longer time than planned to get to places in Lombok, so keep that in mind to not be disappointed by missing attractions because you ran out of daylight (which ends around 6 pm year-round).

Don’t blindly trust Google Maps or expect much help from Maps.me

Going a bit off that, be prepared to ask locals for directions, because relying solely on technology may not cut it in Lombok.

Multiple times I was misled by Google Maps when trying to find an attraction in Lombok. And my other go-to, Maps.me, doesn’t have many attractions pinned in Lombok, and those that are don’t have any reviews or helpful tips.

Consider hiring a guide if you’re on a tight schedule

If you don’t want to deal with the ache of trying to find secluded waterfalls or viewpoints on your own, or if you’re on a tight schedule for your time in Lombok, save yourself the struggle and wasted time by getting a local guide.

You’ll likely find lots of opportunities to hire a guide in Lombok at your homestays or at the entrance of attractions, so keep an eye out.

Consider hiring a driver if you’re not comfortable with off road scooter riding

I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of most roads in Lombok, finding them easier to travel on than most roads in Bali. However, access to a lot of waterfalls and some other attractions involved driving on unpaved roads, some of them really rough.

So if you’re not comfortable with that, consider a private driver. You could probably arrange for one pretty cheap (a few years ago I got a driver for a day for $20).

Avoid the Pink Beach

I’m so glad I read the Google Maps reviews before driving all the way there. A lot of blog posts recommend the Pink Beach in Lombok, posting pictures of vibrant pink sand beaches.

But apparently, the pink of the sand on this beach is photoshopped to make it look pinker, so if you’re expecting to see that in real life, you’ll be massively disappointed.

I don’t know why people would do this, but save yourself the trouble of going out of your way for it. It seems like the beach has only a slight pinkish tint to it sometimes, but it largely looks like any other white sand beach.

If you want to see an actual pink beach, I’d recommend checking out the one on Padar Island. It’s not like the photoshopped photos, but it’s noticeably pink from the red coral.

I visited this beach on the Komodo Island trip, which leaves from Lombok and ends in Flores, and I highly recommend it if you have time (4 days). If you plan to do this trip, definitely skip the Pink Beach on Lombok and see the better one near Flores instead.

Research fees for accessing attractions in Lombok

Beaches and waterfalls, among other attractions, had a higher price for foreigners. I can understand that, but some of the prices were extortionate.

I had planned to visit certain spots in Lombok only to change my plans due to the cost. Sure, 150k ($10) isn’t a fortune to most tourists in Lombok, but it’s a steep price just to see a beach, coastline or waterfall when you can see equally beautiful ones for just a dollar, or even for free!

So make sure you research prices before heading places to not be disappointed by (in my opinion) extortionate fees to see some of the Lombok attractions.

Have small change for beach parking

Entrance to beaches is charged with a parking fee, so make sure you have small notes on you for that.

It’s usually a small fee, around 10-20K (roughly a dollar, give or take), and while it’s inconvenient, the gorgeous beaches are definitely worth it. Just make sure you’ve got enough little notes for it in case they can’t break a 100k note.

If surfing in Kuta, do your research

Kuta Lombok is a place that surfers all over the world travel to, as it’s known for having great waves.

There are many options for where to surf, with spots for different levels. To avoid not getting disappointed or in a dangerous situation, make sure you do your research.

Check which beaches have reefs, when low tide is, what the waves are on each particular day and, if getting an instructor or guide, research what company you choose.

I had a terrible experience with a company that sent me out in low tide (which I didn’t know about until we were on the boat; I’m also a beginner) to Tanjung Aan, where I of course got cut up on the reef there (which they didn’t warn me about before I fell on it). It was extremely unprofessional of them, so consider paying a bit more for a better instructor (and avoid Sunset Surf School).

I’d recommend staying at LoTide Surf Camp. It’s a really nice hostel that had a lot of surfers staying there. If you need an instructor, they can organize it. My boyfriend (intermediate surfer) booked a lesson through the hostel and was really happy with the instructor.

Keep in mind Rinjani is a hard hike (and gets cold)

A lot of people travel to Lombok just to hike Mount Rinjani. Some people spontaneously end up on the trek, with no real idea of what to expect (myself included).

What I wish I’d known is that it’s a really demanding hike. It’s about five hours up to the summit, and it’s mostly all uphill.

What I wish more that I’d known before is that it can get really cold at the summit. I found it so surprising, because it had been so hot at the bottom. It was a rough night sleeping by myself in a tent at the top of Rinjani, with freezing winds making it impossible to sleep. Definitely pack layers for the night.

But that being said, it was one of my favorite travel experiences ever, not just in Lombok, so I’d recommend it if you think you’re capable of doing this trek. For more info on the hike, I wrote a post about my experience hiking Rinjani and about the company I chose to do the trek with.

Bring a sweater if going up north

Even if you’re not going all the way up Rinjani, I found that the mountain villages surrounding it got chilly in the night.

Make sure you have a sweater or even jacket to wear at night, and maybe some long pants too.

Be prepared for cold showers

And unfortunately, a lot of the homestays in the villages up north have only cold showers, which is brutal on cold nights.

If you’re not willing to spend more money for a place with a hot shower, I’d recommend trying to shower in the day when it’s warmer.

Pack water shoes or sandals

A few of the waterfalls I visited in Lombok required walking through water to access them (like Tiu Kelep, Sarang Walet and Magku Sakti). It was a pain taking off socks and shoes, and going barefoot was painful and slow, so I’d recommend getting water shoes or sandals that are waterproof.

I personally love my Tevas (these dry quite quickly), but I’d love to get water shoes for my next trip.

Also, a lot of beaches in Lombok have reefs, so it would be helpful to have water shoes to avoid cutting your feet on coral.

Bring good sunscreen

While it can get cold in Lombok, it also gets very hot and the sun is really strong there. Especially if you plan to spend time lounging on beaches, you’ll need to wear sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

Because locals don’t wear sunscreen, it’s hard to get outside of touristy places in Lombok. It’s also quite expensive, on par with prices back home. And there isn’t a huge selection of options, so if you have a favorite, bring extra with you.

Wear clothes over bikini when swimming at waterfalls

Up north, you’ll likely have to wear a sarong or clothes to go swimming in waterfalls if you’re a woman. The locals will find a bikini disrespectful, so make sure you are respectful to the local culture.

At the beaches, I saw lots of women walking around and swimming in bikinis, but use your best judgment to decide if you need to cover up. Definitely put some clothes when you’re leaving the beach.

And if you’re planning on doing some snorkeling in Lombok (or elsewhere in Indonesia), I would recommend bringing a water shirt anyway on your trip to Lombok. So many people get sunburned backs when they snorkel in Lombok, and wearing a shirt like this one will help you avoid that.

Be prepared for lack of western food

It was hard to find “western” food in most of Lombok, so prepare yourself for lots of rice. You’ll find a lot Indonesian food and not much else.

Kuta is an exception, although non-Indonesian food was significantly more expensive, so if you’re on a budget, you might not even get much pizza or burgers while there.

Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper

Lombok is a Muslim country, which means many mosques throughout the island. It’s hard to find a homestay in some villages where you won’t get woken up at 4 am for a prayer call, even unavoidable in some areas.

So if you think that will wake you up, invest in some good earplugs.

Is Lombok Worth Going To?

If you’re looking for pristine beaches, gorgeous waterfalls that aren’t overcrowded, authentic local experiences and you’re not afraid of rustic travel, Lombok is definitely worth going to.

Lombok is great for surfing, hiking, waterfall chasing, immersing oneself in authentic local culture, lying on beaches, snorkeling, camping and just driving around on a scooter and soaking in the sights.

If any of that interests you, you will likely find that Lombok is worth visiting.

Is Lombok Better Than Bali?

Depends on what you consider as better.

While the two neighboring islands are similar in some ways, they are also very different in the types of travel they offer, so it’s hard to say which island is better for you.

Bali is better for those interested in organized tours, luxury travel and Western comforts. It’s also better if you’re looking for a spiritual retreat or for a strong digital nomad community. I also saw a lot more families with kids traveling in Bali.

Lombok is better for more rugged travel, for those comfortable with rustic conditions and up for adventure travel. It’s better if you prioritize having authentic local experiences and don’t like crowds when surrounded by beautiful nature.

There are overlaps (for example, you can have a relaxing stay in a luxury beach resort in Lombok’s Senggigi Beach or enjoy hikes and waterfalls while staying in cheap, rustic homestays in northern Bali), but this is generally true.

People say Lombok is what Bali was like before mass tourism. While I did see similarities, particularly with the rice terraces and waterfalls in north Lombok, there are big differences in both landscape and people.

One big difference between the two islands is the religion. In Muslim Lombok, you’ll likely have mosques waking you up in the early morning. In Hindu Bali, you’ll find incense-scented alms that the locals put out every day.

Just because there aren’t as many tourists in Lombok doesn’t mean that your experience will be better. You can expect accommodation with more rustic conditions, find it harder to get to attractions and you’ll likely get sick of rice.

Bali is definitely better catered toward tourists, which can be an advantage for many people. It means that you’ll find more “Western” food options, more luxurious accommodation and more touristy things to do. There’s a reason why more people holiday to Bali than to Lombok.

So whether Lombok is better than Bali depends entirely on your tastes.

Which Part of Lombok is Best to Visit?

Again, depends what you’re looking for.

If you’re coming to Lombok to surf, stay in Kuta Lombok. There are many beaches just a short drive away with all types of waves depending on your skill level.

If you’re coming to Lombok for hiking, stay in a village in north Lombok. Villages like Sembalun, Sanur and Tetebatu offer starting points for hikes, included the most popular (and most challenging): the Rinjani volcano trek.

These are also great places to stay in Lombok if you’re looking to immerse yourself in local culture.

And if you’re coming to Lombok just to relax on a beach, Senggigi is a resort town just for that. Alternatively, consider one of Gili islands just off the coast of Lombok.