Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Lombok including visas, ATM information, hospitals, electrical sockets, drinking water and cultural differences.
When arriving in Lombok, depending on your citizenship, you will be eligible for a 30-day visa-free stay. For those who are considering staying longer, the free visa cannot be extended. So if you are planning a 60-day trip, you will need to pay for a visa on arrival, which will give you 30 days initially. From there, arrange a visa extension through a visa agent for an extra fee. Agents can be found by doing a quick search on Google or by asking locals.
ATMs are throughout Lombok, and credit cards are accepted at higher-end venues. When using an ATM, be very mindful of card skimming, which is common in Indonesia. Always cover your pin and check the ATM for any signs or icons being covered (or partially) by attachments. It can be very subtle, so inspect it thoroughly.
Tipping in Lombok varies between locations. At restaurants there will be a service charge included on your bill; therefore tipping isn’t expected, yet if the service is incredible you may want to add another 10% on. Tipping in taxis is not required, and the same goes for spas and hotels.
Should you fall into trouble and need a hospital, the Rumah Sakit Harapan Keluarga is the top private hospital on the island with doctors that speak English too. For divers, it is the only one with a recompression chamber. The hospital is to the east of Mataram. The Blue Island Medical Clinic is specifically for foreigners and can be found on Gili Trawangan and Kuta.
When preparing your trip to Lombok, visit a travel clinic for the most up to date information about vaccines. Also check that your travel insurance covers outdoor adventures like trekking, diving and renting motorbikes or scooters. In some policies, local motorbike licences are not recognised, so take extra care and check beforehand.
For travellers, tap water is not drinkable and it is recommended only to consume filtered water. Refrain from eating food that has been washed with tap water (like salad) as well as home frozen ice. Dining at restaurants or eating food that has been cooked through will help prevent any bacteria that can be transferred by water. To save plastic, bring a refillable bottle and visit hotels, restaurants and cafes with filtered water dispensers.
Throughout Indonesia, electrical sockets take the European style two-pin round plug. The C-type is most popular with a voltage at 220 V 50 Hz.
Lombok is more conservative than Bali, and generally, it is suggested to refrain from too much public affection. Beachwear should only be worn at the beach, and wearing less revealing clothing is recommended out of a sign of respect. Away from the beach or pool, avoid showing a lot of skin and in places of worship, always dress modestly and take your shoes off before entering.
Lombok is a beautiful, quiet island, so by respecting the culture and understanding these travel tips, your trip will run as smoothly as possible.
