Travel tips · Lombok · Indonesia
Lombok travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paxson Woelber, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Most of Lombok's people are Sasak and Muslim, and the island is known in Indonesia as the island of a thousand mosques. West Lombok also has a Balinese Hindu community with temples dating from the period of Balinese rule, and some Sasak villages follow Wetu Telu, a local blend of Islam and older beliefs. Outside the Gilis and tourist beaches, life is conservative and village-based.
Key facts
- Language
- Indonesian and Sasak
- Currency
- IDR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and the refill stations…
- Emergency
- 112 (general emergency), 110 (police)
Things to know
- Dress modestly away from the beach, covering shoulders and knees, especially in villages and Mataram.
- Wear a sarong and sash in temples and mosques, remove shoes, and visit mosques outside prayer times.
- Use your right hand to give, receive and eat.
- Ask before photographing people, particularly in villages and at ceremonies.
- Bargain politely at markets and with drivers, and keep a smile throughout.
- Book Mount Rinjani trek ahead: The national park usually closes the trails in the wettest months and limits daily climbers; book with a licensed operator well ahead for July and August.
- Eat at warungs rather than tourist restaurants to cut food costs by half or more.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in local warungs but is appreciated in tourist restaurants, spas and by drivers. Trekking guides and porters on Rinjani rely on tips and expect them at the end of a trek.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Terima kasih | Thank you (Indonesian) |
| Tampi asih | Thank you (Sasak) |
| Selamat pagi | Good morning |
| Berapa harganya? | How much is it? |
| Tidak pedas | Not spicy |
| Tidak, terima kasih | No, thank you |
What to wear
Light, loose clothing for the heat, swimwear only on the beach, and warm layers, a jacket and good boots for Rinjani, where nights near the rim approach freezing.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and the refill stations common on the Gilis.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general emergency), 110 (police)
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs give good 4G coverage on the coast and the Gilis; signal is weak on Rinjani and in remote valleys.
- Time zone
- Asia/Makassar
The main risks are natural ones: strong currents at some south-coast beaches and between the Gilis, scooter accidents on winding roads and steep, exposed sections of the Rinjani trek, where climbers should use licensed guides. Lombok lies in an active seismic zone, so note your accommodation's emergency information.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Indonesia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Lombok?
Tipping is not expected in local warungs but is appreciated in tourist restaurants, spas and by drivers. Trekking guides and porters on Rinjani rely on tips and expect them at the end of a trek.
+Can you drink the tap water in Lombok?
Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and the refill stations common on the Gilis.
+What plugs are used in Lombok?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Lombok?
Indonesian and Sasak.