So let me start off by saying we chose to NOT visit Bali. As we aren’t “bucket list” travelers, we never felt like Bali was calling to us and that we would be going there just to ” check it off” ( which isn’t our travel style). So once we eliminated Bali from our Indonesia travels, we quickly discovered Bali’s slightly less popular neighbor- Lombok. Lombok island is located just east of Bali and often calls to people who want to experience the beauty of Bali with less of the crowds, expense and chaos of Bali. So after almost 2 weeks on Lombok island, here’s our honest take on is Lombok worth visiting.

The rice fields on Lombok. Our favorite spot when considering is lombok worth visiting?

Bali or Lombok?

Again, to be upfront, we decided to not go to Bali, primarily thanks to the internet’s claim that Lombok IS what Bali WAS 15-20 years ago. Over the last 20 or so years, Lombok has gained fame for those seeking an alternative location with beautiful beaches, dynamic natural environments, and Indonesian culture is a less commercialized setting.

Lombok: A quieter alternative to Bali?

If you’ve done your bit of travel research, it won’t come as a surprise to you that there are many overrun, tourist-centered parts of Bali now (looking at you Kuta and Ubud). The island has gained international attention as a digital nomad hotspot for it’s lower cost of living while offering many Western amenities ( and luxuries).

Luckily, Lombok offers many of the same types of experiences that travelers were looking for in Bali- beaches, hiking, waterfalls, delicious food, affordable accommodations- all with less people ( and still at a reasonable cost!). And while there are certainly parts of Lombok that are overdeveloped and a bit less peaceful then we would’ve hoped for, overall Lombok island offers a slower pace and a lot of unspoiled nature.

So if you’re looking for a ( slightly ) quieter, more laid-back experience but still want access to a bit of iconic Indonesian travel, then Lombok is your spot!

When decided between Bali or Lombok, both options have great beaches!

Which part of Lombok is best to visit?

Lombok is a geographically diverse island that allows for multiple unique experiences without traveling too far! Depending on what you’re looking to do, you can hike a volcano, stay at a local homestay in a rice field, and indulge in smoothie bowls and surf-side beaches all on Lombok!

Here’s our take on the best parts of Lombok to visit.

  1. Gilii Islands– Honestly, we didn’t make it here and we regret it. Gili Islands are known for their crystal-clear waters, relaxed vibes, and popular spots for water sports. The collective Gili Islands are made of three smaller islands: Trawangan ( the busiest one with the most amenities), Meno ( the most peaceful one) and Air( known as a mix of the two). Truthfully, our goal for coming to Lombok was to relax and take a break from our ” on the move” travels so making the trek over to the western side of the island wasn’t the right fit for us for this trip- but next time!
  2. Kuta ( the South Coast). Certainly not to be confused with Bali’s Kuta, Lombok’s Kuta is quieter ( and less crowded) then it’s same-named counterpart. Kuta is known for it’s surfing ( for both novices and pros). And while we aren’t surfers, we enjoy the culture ( and the amenities that come with it) and decided to stay in Kuta for a week.
  3. Tetebatu Rice Village ( our favorite spot in Lombok). At the foothills of the Rinjani volcano, you’ll find this gem of a small village amongst the rice fields. The pace of life is slow here. You’ll stay at a home stay, have the opportunity for genuine interactions with locals, and be spoiled with affordable accommodation options ( our homestay was less then $10 USD/night and includes breakfast!).

How do you get to Lombok?

Lombok is easily accessible by both air and sea.

By Air: Direct domestic flights are available from nearby islands like Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya as well as larger international hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We personally flew from Jakarta with Air Indonesia and had no problems with our arrival. The Lombok International Airport ( LOP) is located in the southern part of the island so it’s convenient if you’re starting/ending your time in Kuta Lombok so that you can bookend your trip with a shorter commute. From LOP we used Uber ( after a few cancelations) to coordinate the 2-3 hour drive North to Tetebantu village where we started our time in Lombok.

By Boat: From Bali it’s just a 2 hour ride to Lombok island. You’ll have the option to spend a bit more money but save a bit more time with a ” fast boat” service if you’re interested in that. If you’re looking for the most affordable option, then coordinating your travels around the more limited ( but much cheaper) ferry schedule is your best bet. The ferry journey takes around 4-5 hours.

Tips for Travel in Lombok Indonesia

Kuta/Southern Beaches

  1. Be prepared to spend more on eating out. While you can find a lot of great local options for an affordable price ( under $2 USD), if you are looking to treat yourself to some Western amenities like a cappuccino or smoothie bowl then you’ll be paying closer to western prices. Since we visited Kuta at the end of our 8 week trip in SEasia, we did appreciate the opportunity to broaden our diet a bit past local offerings, but this definitely comes at a higher price point.
  2. If you want tranquility, you need to rent a scooter. We always try to get away with not adding additional transportation costs to our travel budget so we didn’t rent a scooter- and I know we missed out. While not having our own transportation works in our favor for 80% of our travels, this is an instance where I can confidently say we would’ve had a better experience in Kuta if we had the freedom to go outside of the main tourist strip.
  3. Come with cash. I’m not exaggerating when I say that only 1 single ATM worked with my bank in Kuta over the course of 7 days. I’ve never had an ATM experience so challenging. I think this could be partially due to the bank we have, but it’s also the reality that we saw many of the same travelers making the same pilgrimages as we did from ATM to ATM to try to get cash out.
  4. Plan around the weather. The best time to visit Lombok is from the dry season from April to October. We visited in July and had ideal weather ( well ideal if you love consistent sun like we do…)

Tetenbatu/Rice Villages

What to do in lombok
bali or lombok
  1. You don’t need a tour guide. While I do believe in supporting local tourism and investing in communities directly ( which is one of the reasons we chose Tetenbatu in the first place), I didn’t love the emphasis on a guided tour for EVERY experience. We ended up exploring the rolling rice fields on our own and while this is ” allowed” it definitely isn’t common or appreciated.
    • We were met with locals many times suggesting that we were being ” cheap” for not hiring a guide. While I understand that this is how people make a substantial income here, it would be nice to have the opportunity to explore more sites more independently with more neutrality from the locals.
  2. Don’t expect Western amenities– You’re in the middle of rice fields so hopefully this isn’t surprising, but the accommodations and restaurant options are simple- and we loved this part of our trip for that!
  3. Be prepared to meet lots of locals– We stayed right in the village and appreciated the amount of opportunities for genuine interaction with the locals. We shared a few meals together ( the food at our homestay was 12/10 delicious!), took a stab at planting rice seeds, helped push motorbikes out of mud, and shared late night chats under the clear-star filled sky. It was that good.

So hopefully you’re convinced that Lombok is worth visiting and you’re ready to sort through a few more logistics for your trip planning! First off,

Is Lombok Cheaper then Bali?

Yes, Lombok is generally cheaper then Bali. While both islands have a range of accommodation options, overall you’ll find more accommodations at a cheaper price point on Lombok and you’ll find more high-end luxury options on Bali.

What to Do in Lombok?

One of our favorite parts of visiting Lombok is the variety of experiences you can have on one island. From hiking a volcano to relaxing on the beach, it’s easy to spend your entire Indonesia travels on Lombok (though that’s not our recommendation…)

  1. Trek Mount Tinjani– If you’re looking for a solid physical challenge, then organizing an overnight guided hike up the iconic cone-shaped volcano that dominates the Northern part of Lombok island is a must
  2. Explore water falls- there are no shortage of photogenic waterfall spots on the island. One of the most iconic is the Tiu Kelep Waterfall which is paired with a lush jungle hike to get there
  3. Do nothing on Kuta’s beaches- Between the pool at our ” villa” in Kuta to the easy access to the main public beach right down the street from the main tourist street, it’s very easy ( and enjoyable) to actually just relax in Kuta.
  4. Explore the Rice Fields– Meander through the rolling hills to gain a true appreciation for the mighty rice crop that dominates the landscape and helps produce 6% of the world’s rice consumption

Regardless of how you are planning out what to do in Lombok, remember to not over plan! While distances may look short on a map online, island roads are windy and limited. So unless you want to spend the majority of your time on Lombok in a car, then prioritize what to do in Lombok in centrally located regions!

what to do in lombok
Pat got invited to plant rice sides- one of our favorite things to do in Lombok

How many days in Lombok is enough?

If you’re looking to experience some of the diversity of the landscape that Lombok offers, we suggest staying for 7-10 days. If you only want to or have time for one part of the island, then 5 days is probably enough! For us, 2 weeks allowed us to experience two substantially different parts of Lombok ( the rice fields in the North and the developed beaches of the South) at a peaceful pace.

Final thoughts: Is Lombok worth visiting?

Yes! We are definitely glad we added Lombok to our Indonesia travels. While we haven’t experienced Bali firsthand, after tips from folks who’ve spent time there and hours scrounging the internet, we decided that Bali wouldn’t be the best fit for us right now. So do your research and figure out if Bali or Lombok ( or maybe both?) is best for what you’re looking for in a trip. BUT if you’re looking for a cheaper, less crowded version of a typical Indonesian island life vacation experience, then Lombok has what you’re looking for!

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Welcome! We're Vic and Pat- 30 somethings that have accumulated 10+ years of international travel experience who finally have the guts to share their experiences. We focus on budget couple travel in unique locations that aren't necessarily on a "bucketlist." We don't believe in taking time for granted and we do believe in living our life on the move. Sometimes we have long weekends, sometimes we have a 2 week holiday, sometimes we travel and work remotely for 2+ months at a time. Regardless of what chapter of life we're in, we want to show you how to stretch your budget, maximize travel hacks, and create memorable experiences.