Tips for safe travel in Lombok island

Lombok is a very beautiful island with various things which you can see and do there. As well, it’s not too big, so most destinations you can reach by driving a couple of hours. Most travelers come to Lombok during the dry season and to the most popular destinations, like Senggigi, Kuta beaches, 3 Gili islands and etc. But during the rainy season, in some places, you feel like spending time in a small part of paradise – no people and surrounding just breath-taking.

Heymondo insurance discountOn another hand, sometimes in paradise as well can be some danger. I think, the main thing – if you hear that people warn you, take it seriously. You are just a guest, no matter from which country, how strong you are and etc. Don’t overvalue yourself in other countries, where people live, think, and act differently than in your surroundings.

When people talk about bad experiences, others, sometimes start to think, that this can’t happen to them. That’s why, a long time I didn’t want to share this post, but some happenings with foreigners in Lombok, made me change my mind. I don’t say that “don’t go to Lombok, it’s dangerous” (like bad things can happen in any place around the world). I just want to share what you need to be careful about. Then you will have safe travel in Lombok and I believe you will fully enjoy the trip.

When we were planning a trip to Lombok (for 3 weeks in the rainy season) I read some stories about not nice experiences there. But at that time I thought “Ok, people were just unlucky, maybe some things happen because of their own behavior, nothing bad can happen with us”. When we arrived and met with Indonesian friends, showed our route map – we got the same warnings from them, saying in which parts of Lombok we should be more careful. Then I started to worry a bit more. So we followed their suggestions and advice. I’m happy that nothing happened to us, but we saw and heard stories from locals, foreigners who had incidents at that time there.

So here are tips for safe travel in Lombok

When is safer to travel?
You know that crimes never choose time or place, anything can happen anytime. But there are some common things that happen recently in Lombok.

In Indonesia, there are only 2 seasons – dry and rainy. In Lombok even during the rainy season can be drier than in other islands. For example, during our 3 weeks trip, was raining only a couple of times and at night.

In the dry season in Lombok will be more travelers. In any destination you will go to, you will meet people on the way, on the beaches, visiting other places. Less chance to happen something bad. Like more people will be around who could help you in emergency case and more witness if somebody would want to robber you. But more people around as well as bad side – hard to see who, when and how made a crime.

In the rainy season – everywhere is fewer people, on the roads as well. And around some roads don’t live anyone, so more chances for crimes. But if you will follow advice about timing, how to take care of your things, which roads not to choose – everything will be fine.

You should know as well that the low season in Lombok counted from January to June; September to December. Low season is a great time to negotiate deals on accommodations and find cheap hotel packages.
The high season is in July; September; Chinese New Year and Easter week. Accommodation is harder to find and almost as expensive as in peak season. Roads aren’t as congested as at their peak, but it is still difficult to get around with ease.
Peak time is in August; from the end of December to the beginning of January. The roads become heavily congested. Expect to pay almost double for accommodations, will be harder to barge with sellers. As well the same condition will be during the Indonesian holidays.

How to choose safer place to stay?
Don’t search only for the cheapest accommodation. Like it’s most probably will be a bit further from peoples living area, center. Choose places where some other hostels/hotels/home-stays are, around lives local people. Important as well, to check if that place has a secured parking area. Like there are people who steal motorbikes just in front of hotels – if there is no security.

In Sekotong we stayed in Krisna Bungalows and restaurant (Tripadvisor), in Kuta Lombok – Seger Reef. Both places were with security parking, a fence around the territory.

Which time of the day is not safe?
Our local friends suggested we come back to a place where we stay till 8 pm. This advice they gave us for Mataram city and South part of Lombok.
After last praying in mosques, roads are quite empty and you, like a foreigner, can be more interesting for criminals.
Which crimes happen more often?
Stealing. Thief takes belongings in beaches. As well as steal motorbikes and belongings while you are driving or in parking areas. Motorbikes they steal not only from foreigners but from local people as well.

How motorbikes are stolen on the way? First of all, thieves making situations when you need to slow down while you are driving. Usually, it’s 2 motorbikes, one comes in front and makes the situation you to slow down (like they know you are foreigner, will try drive-by rules and won’t go in front of them), and another driver comes beside you, tries to take the keys from your motorbike. Motorbike finally stops or you stop it and they take it from you threaten by knives.
Really pay attention to what’s ahead of you, if you see anything blocking your way, quickly turn around and go to the nearest village.

Scammers – you can meet them everywhere (read below about them).

On the hills
Beautiful rice paddies view on the way through the hills
Which roads are safer?
If you are planning to drive by yourself – choose the main roads. Yes, the trip time can be longer, but there you will be safer (better road condition, more people drive through it).

If you will drive from North or Central Lombok to the South part, you probably will pass some roads through the hills. There won’t be many villages or people. As well you can get lost (no signs on the way). So if you will need to ask directions – don’t stop to ask it in younger men groups (just not to give them a “sign” that you are “easy spoil”). Stop to ask the way to women, elder people. Probably they won’t speak English but show them the final destination spot and use body language. Of course better if you would learn a couple of Bahasa Indonesian expressions for asking the way. But don’t trust first met people fully – Indonesian people are very polite, even if they don’t know the answer, they want to help you and will try to figure out it. Maybe will say not the right direction. So to be sure, ask more people in the same area. Kids can be very helpful as well.

Our experience: we had a situation when we a bit lost in the hills on the way to the South part. We stopped in motorbike service, there were guys hanging around. My friend was Indonesian, so he asked for the directions. They told them the way but as well asked him a strange question “This girl is a virgin? If yes, leave her here, we will know what to do with her”. Even if it was a joke, it’s not nice at all, especially knowing that in Lombok there are some crimes happening.

You should know that people who live in the hills area don’t meet foreigners so often. Don’t feel strange if they will stare at you. Just in other islands people wondering and smiling when looking at you, in Lombok, I didn’t feel comfortable when people were looking at me – it was a very straight, deep look with a flat face.

Which destinations are not safe?
Ask the administrator in place you are staying, which roads to choose, and go through them, even if it will be long ones. Listen to what locals will say and don’t ignore their advice, they live there most of their lives, so they know more.

Be extra careful and never to stop for anything in these areas:

  • Awang
  • Tanjung Aan
  • All the way towards Selong Belanak
  • All the way towards Pink beach
  • Are Guling

Our experience: from Kuta Lombok, we wanted to go to Pink beach by a route which was more close, an administrator in the hotel was laughing and asking “From where you came, that you are so brave to go through this way?”. He recommended choosing a longer way but safer – we listen to him. Like we were in Lombok during the rainy season when fewer people around, so we didn’t want to give opportunities to be robbed.

As well on the way from Sekotong to Bangko Bangko guys who were collecting money on the road advised us to be careful and park motorbike near our staying, keep eye on it. We did that like if your motorbike left alone in parking place without any other people, it’s very easy to steal.

We met on the way to one surfer who was going to Gerupuk bay and we saw stones in his motorbike pockets. We asked why he has them. He told that day before some robbers tried to steal a motorbike from him while he was driving. So he decided to have some stones with him in case if somebody would try to do it again. Like if he will take a knife it can be the worst and stones you can just through to a driver, injure him and he will slow down his motorbike.

In Kuta home-stay as well we saw one girl who was injured in the same road day before. The thief stole her motorbike and all her belongings when she was driving. So better drive a motorbike with someone, don’t drive alone.

After taking with people we met who were attacked, we didn’t take with us any bags or purse. Just some amount of money (not all) and phone that we kept under the seat, so visually we looked like not carrying anything. As well after meeting that surfer, we collect some stones and put them in the plastic bag in front. Maybe it sounds funny, but we just wanted to be safe in any case.

So if you go somewhere try to keep as few as possible things with you, not much money, documents (better have copies with you, original leave in a safe place).

What you should know about trekking in Mt. Rinjani?
If you want trekking on Mt. Rinjani you need to take a guide. No matter how high you want to climb. Do you think you are an amateur in trekking and nothing hard just go by the path? It’s not right thinking. Like after rainy season some paths are ruin, guides searching for new ones, they know surroundings and know what to do if something happens. As well trekking in Mt. Rinjani not so easy – you need somebody to lead you.

Don’t enter Mt. Rinjani national park in places that are not “official” entrances. At the official entrance – you will be registered as a traveler and if something will happen people will know that you are missing and will try to find you. There are many cases when overconfident travelers were trying to find “illegal” ways to enter the national park and not pay the entrance fees, wanted trekking without a guide, and what happens? They lost.  Some of them broke body parts and couldn’t take care of themselves. They were staying a couple of days without food, water, camping equipment, and nobody knew that in the national park there is such a person. Only in the hotel, after couple of days people started to ask where is the guest and informed police that the guest didn’t come back a couple of days. Somebody heard that he planned trekking and then the rescue team was searching for him in Mt Rinjani. Luckily they found him. Probably you don’t want to be in such a situation? You can read more stories even which ended with death.

As well, during the rainy season trekking in Mt. Rinjani is forbidden. It’s quite dangerous; the water from the mountain can come with the very strong and high stream. There will be “guides” who will still suggest their service to lead you (of course not to the top) even during the rainy season. Just because they want to get extra money without thinking that it can be dangerous. Especially for people who climb there first time or trekking is not the main activity in their life’s.

So if you want trekking in Mt. Rinjani be wise choosing the right time, guides, and legal entrance – then you will avoid bad incidents.

What you should know about scammers?
You can meet them in any place and most probably each time they can be more creative. Here are our experiences.

Public ferry port

We were traveling to Lombok by public ferry from Padang Bai port in Bali. The ferry itself was safe. Yes, you are going with many other people ~4-5 hours. Of course, you need to keep eye on your stuff – but it’s the same in any journey in any country.
But in Mataram port, there are “local” rules that you should know. After you will get out from the ferry many men will suggest their transport to bring you to any destination in Lombok: straight to Gilis, Kuta Lombok, or other places. There are no public transports, so you need to use their service, even if you won’t just go to Mataram center.

Yes, they have taxis, that you could use, BUT no taxi will go to the port. Why? Because locals won’t allow them to enter that area, they want to earn money suggesting their cars/buses.
We thought it’s a joke. But when we called the taxi and asked to pick up us (like those man’s transport prices were too crazy, we knew that trip cost less), the taxi refused to come straight to port. They asked us to come to a “meeting point” in one of the shops. Till that place, it’s walking distance ~20 min. But even we went there, the taxi didn’t show up. One guy was following us from the port and all the time suggesting his car, we told that “We are waiting for a taxi, we are fine”. He was just laughing and said – “Taxi won’t come here, they are afraid and we don’t allow them to enter”. So in the late evening, waiting more than 30 min. for taxi finally agree to take that man service (for 80 000 Rp till Mataram center). His price was much cheaper than those who were in front of the port.

My advice:

  • In ferry find other travelers and agree to share the transport costs (like it will be quite high, they know that you don’t have any other option to get out from port)
  • Negotiate. If the price that they offer still too high, just start walk away and somebody for sure will suggest a better price. But don’t be rude, negotiate in a polite way :).

Entering temples

Many temple’s entrances is based on donations (but not all), but nobody regulates it. So local people living around already have a “donation amount” that can ask from you before entering. They present themselves as workers, responsible people, and collects money (where it goes nobody knows). In some places, the amount is quite normal 10 000 Rp per person, but in some temples, they ask hundreds of Rupiahs just for entering, then additional money for parking. You won‘t get any tickets for sure – like it‘s a donation.

If you want to enter without a donation – people won‘t allow you. Most of the time in such places gathering 5-10 local men, so trying to negotiate with them or say that it’s donation-based and it’s impossible. We had a situation when “workers” asked from each of us ~60 000 Rp for entrance and separately for motorbike parking. For us, it was too big an amount and we told us like it’s donation-based we will leave how much we can. They didn’t agree with that, became angry and told us that we need to pay how much they said. Other guys saw that we try to negotiate and don’t pay at once, started gathering around – trying to frighten us. We could just go inside but we started to think that they can damage our motorbike-like revenge after we will come back. So we decided just to leave that place and continue our trip to another place. Even if they saw that we won’t pay and leaving they didn’t suggest a lower price.

Entering beaches

As well to enter many beaches you will need to pay plus pay for parking – situation the same as with temples. It’s not legal, but local people try to earn money like this. The gathering together around and won’t let you go inside till you won’t pay – so just don’t be too brave. If you want to come back to the same place you will need to pay again, no matter if they will say that you need to pay just once.

Also, remember that nothing is free. You can see some bunks on the beach and nobody will be around to inform you that if you want to use them, you will need to pay. People will come to you when you will decide to leave and ask quite a big amount of money. Will start to explain to you about more hours you were using it than it was.

About how works motorbikes scammers you can read here.

Extra tip for safe travel in Lombok

Beware of buying local alcohol from your “new friendly friends” (it’s common in all of Indonesia). They can suggest you a cocktail, try a local drink and etc. Seems adventurous to drink something that it’s forbidden BUT their cases when people died after drinking alcohol in Indonesia. People are mixing or make alcohol be diluted with methanol. Do you know that it’s very dangerous? You can google some news about it. Some insights here.

All trips will be safe if you won’t overvalue yourself and will hear, follow advice and warnings. Don’t be brave – be smart and wise before deciding to do something and your journey will be just amazing!


Travel tips for traveling in Lombok
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  • Do you have any other travel tips on how to stay safe during trips?
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Lombok beaches which should be in your bucket list

Do you think only on Bali island you can find crystal clear water and white sand beaches? NO. There are many such beaches in other Indonesian islands as well and they are not so crowded yet. In the neighbor Lombok island, you can enjoy the same or even better beaches. Maybe it’s time to consider Lombok island one of the options for a holidays destination? Besides beautiful nature, it’s a bit cheaper than in Bali.

There are so many beautiful Lombok beaches that during 3 weeks trip we didn’t manage to visit all of them. But here are my favorite ones where I would love to come back one day.

Lombok beaches which I recommend to visit at least once

Selong Belanak beach

Selong Belanak- beach in Lombok

The most beautiful beach I ever saw in Indonesia till now! Wide and long, soft, white sand coast and crystal clear, clean, warm water. The beach is having a curvy shape with hills on each point. The waves are not so high, so you can enjoy swimming (even if it’s not recommended to do because there are fishing boats but from my experience they are too far, not disturbing at all). As well have sunbathing or just a relaxing walk along the beach. As well it’s a perfect place to learn how to surf.

Beaches in Lombok - Selong Belanak

HOW TO GET TO SELONG BELANAK BEACH:
Beach located ~49 km from Mataram (~1,5-hour drive). From Kuta Lombok, it’s ~ 17 km. From Mataram, you just need to take the route to Lombok International airport. If you have reached Jami’ Penunjak Mosque, you should turn to the North until you find the beach. Make sure to ask around on the way to Selong Belanak beach because there would be no road signs that can lead you to this beach.

Selong Belanak beach in Lombok

TIPS:

  • If you will be lucky, you can buy fresh seafood from local people. Most of the people living near Selong Belanak are fishermen, so sometimes they will come back from the sea with fresh seafood. As well you can have a fishing trip with local people.
  • The beach will be very crowded during the holiday season. If you can, try to visit Selong Belanak beach on weekdays.
  • You can find many beach vendors there, rent a cot.
  • To make your time more efficient, you can visit as well Mawun beach, Kuta beach, Seger beach, Aan Bay, or Sade beach in one day. But I would highly recommend staying in Selong Belanak beach all day long.

Selong Belanak beach

WHERE TO STAY NEAR SELONG BELANAK BEACH:

Mawun beach

Mawun beach in Lombok

One of the Lombok beaches is cozy, peaceful, surrounded by 2 hills on the West and East sides. Has white, soft texture sand in the middle of the beach that turns to rougher, mixed with small rocks near the hills. Has clean, blue water where you can enjoy swimming (but near the hills, the waves are higher and stronger). Not too many people come to this beach, so you can feel like it belongs all to you. On this beach you can have a relaxing time, sunbathing, climb the hills and enjoy the view of the Indian Ocean.

HOW TO GET TO MAWUN BEACH:
Mawun beach is ~60 km from Mataram city (it’s ~1,5 hour drive). From Kuta Lombok ~20 min. drive. The route is Mataram-Cakranegara-Kediri-Praya-Penujak-Selong Belanak-Mawun, or Mataram-Cakranegara-Kediri-Praya-Batunyale-Sengkol-Rambitan-Sade-Kuta-Mawun. If you are visiting Selong Belank beach, Mawun is only ~9 km from there.

Mawun beach

TIPS:

  • You should be careful if you will decide to swim near the hills because there are no lifeguards on this beach.
  • Take some snacks with you because there are only several beach vendors, who sell things for extremely high prices.
  • If you will be lucky, on the way to this beach you can see farmers harvesting tobacco leaves.
  • On the way, you can visit as well Selong Belank beach and others around (see above).

WHERE TO STAY NEAR MAWUN BEACH:

Kuta beach (Lombok)

Kuta beach in Lombok

Even if it’s not my favorite place (because it’s too crowded) but it’s a strategical good place to stay a couple of days and explore the South part of Lombok beaches (and not only). There are many places to stay, to eat, order some extra activities or trips to other parts of Lombok, as well as make laundry if you are on a long trip.

Kuta beach has ~7 km coastline with some small hills where you can climb. The sand not so soft and you can’t properly swim, as well it lays near the main road. Here you will find many people who come just chill out with a drink in a beach bar or see the sunset. But ~2 km from Kuta beach you can find as well Seger beach (it’s a good place for snorkeling, a more calm beach just to spend some time). and other smaller ones.

HOW TO GET TO KUTA BEACH:
Kuta beach located ~50 km from Mataram (~1-hour drive). If you are in Bali or in one of the Gili’s island, many tour operators suggest trips to Kuta Lombok from there.

Lombok beach - Kuta

TIPS:

  • Bargue the price before renting snorkeling equipment.
  • Stay safe in the Kuta area.

WHERE TO STAY IN KUTA:

  • There are many places to stay, depends on your budget and wishes.
  • We stayed in Seger Reef homestay. It’s located in front of the beach, has hot water, WI-FI (in the lobby) and it’s a safe to place.

Tanjung AAN beach

Tanjung AAN beach in Lombok

This Lombok beach surrounded by some hills that you can climb. In the middle of the beach also have one small hill that you can hike. Unfortunately, the sand not so smooth like in mentioned other beaches but still you can have a nice time swimming in blue water, enjoy the beautiful scenery of ~2 km coastline or have a walk. It’s a good place for snorkeling as well.

HOW TO GET TO TANJUNG AAN BEACH:
It’s located ~75 km from Mataram (~1,5 hour drive). Or ~3 km from Kuta beach. The route is Mataram – Cakranegara – Kediri – Praya – Batunyale – Sengkol – Rambitan – Sade – Kuta and finally Tanjung Aan.

TIPS:

  • There are many beach vendors, some local “warungs” to eat.
  • You can be a bit annoyed by many street sellers who on each step suggest buying something.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR TANJUNG AAN BEACH:

Pink (Tangis) beach

Pink beach in Lombok

The name “pink” was given because it’s the only beach on Lombok island which have pink colored sand. Some of the locals call this beach “heaven beach” as well. Because it’s a cozy, quiet beach, seems untouched by people. But if you want to reach it you need to pass the “hell road”. When we were there, the road condition was so horrible that ~10 km we were passing more than 1 hour. But we saw that people were fixing the road, so I hope now it’s much better.

“Pink beach” surrounded by cliffs that you can climb and have an amazing view of other close Lombok beaches, panorama below the cliffs. Also from the top, you can see a more clear pink beach color. The sand on this beach so soft and the water so blue, calm. It’s the perfect place for 1-day trip. As well, like the road to this place so bad many people don’t come here.

Tangis-Pink beach

HOW TO GET TO PINK BEACH:
It’s ~82 km from Mataram (~3 hours drive). From Kuta ~ 53 km (~1,30 hour drive). But going to this beach takes the safe route and don’t go by the quickest way.

TIPS:

  • The more clear pink color you can see either in the early morning or in the evening, so try to visit it during that time.
  • You can reach Pink beach as well with short boat trips from Tanjung Luar or Telong-Elong.
  • Take some snacks with you because there are only several beach vendors who sometimes not open during the work week (only on weekends when coming more people).
  • If you don’t want to drive through “hell road” by yourself you can order a tour from tourist offices in Kuta.
  • While you will be in Pink beach, visit as well amazing Tanjung Ringgit, like it’s on the same road.

Pink beach

WHERE TO STAY NEAR PINK BEACH:

A photo posted by I’m Ria – (@lifeinbigtent) on

 


Tips for all Lombok beaches:

  • Don’t be surprised that almost to all Lombok beaches you will need to pay an entrance fee that is valid only for 1 day for the exact beach.
  • On all beaches cots are not for free, even if nobody said the price after you would like to leave somebody will come and ask to pay for it.
  • Have enough cash with you, like not in many places you will find ATM.
  • Stay safe during your trip to Lombok.

Mentioned beaches on the map:

Lombok beaches pinterest
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  • Would you like to visit these beaches?
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  • Maybe you have other Lombok beaches recommend to visit?

 

 

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