A Guide to Lombok for Digital Nomads

Lombok, is the more rugged, less popular sister to Bali nextdoor. And while modern day Bali is regarded as a westerners theme park these days, Lombok remains an authentic, largely undeveloped adventure waiting to be. For digital nomads, there are certain things that will prove to be a bit of a challenge, that you’ll want to know before you go. Here is a complete travel guide on Lombok for digital nomads.

Introduction

Lombok is located in the West Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia, directly to the east of Bali. The main religion on Lombok is Islam, unlike on Bali, where the locals practice Hinduism. Instead of temples, you’ll find many mosques, in the cities and the jungle. With its own photogenic waterfalls, white sand beaches and even a blue volcanic lake, Lombok has lots to offer those willing to trod off the well worn path.

Practical Information

I can’t recommend Lombok for digital nomads, without disclosing the practical aspects first. Lombok is much more challenging than Bali to travel around, let alone use as a home base for digital nomads. Certain facilities and infrastructures simply aren’t that developed yet, or don’t exist at all. Below, are things to keep in mind before choosing to visit or base yourself in Lombok.

Getting There

By Air

Lombok has only one airport, and depending where you are coming from you can fly direct. For example, Air Asia operates direct flights from Singapore to LOP.

Otherwise, you will likely transfer through another hub in Indonesia before arriving at LOP, most likely Jakarta or Bali.

By Boat

You can also get to Lombok from Bali, by sea. The entire trip usually takes less than 6 hours, departing daily. The shortest route will depart from Ahmed, on Bali and arrive at Bangsal, in the north of Lombok. However this route does less trips, than the ones departing in the south.

You can also opt to visit the Gili Islands before arriving in Lombok, since they are on the way.

For more information on boat routes, check here.

Where to Stay

Senggigi

I’ve been told this is the main tourist hub of Lombok. It speaks to just how underdeveloped Lombok is, because Senggigi to me, didn’t feel like the hub of anything. On the contrary, other than the fact there are a couple big hotels and a KFC, it had a very small town feel to it.

The positive of basing yourself in this area, is that you’ll be closer to the north, which is where the pier for the boats going to the Gili Islands are.

The negatives are that there aren’t a lot of accommodations to choose from, besides large hotels.

Also, if you need to do errands, such as replace some tech gear, or go shopping, you aren’t close to anything.

Located here.

Mataram

This is the capital city on Lombok, and the closest thing you’ll get to forgetting you’re on an island. You have the proper hustle and bustle of city life here. Crazy traffic, hectic markets, and shopping malls.

In hindsight, I may have chosen this as my homebase. It’s the most convenient area, and you’ll have easy access to anything you need, and the most options for food!

You’d also have the best chance at meeting locals here, as it’s the most populated area. Most of my friends on Lombok, lived in Mataram.

The only negative I see, is that maybe you’d want to get a feel for a more rural life. If so, this would not be an ideal homebase.

Located here.

Kuta

If I went back to Lombok, I’d probably choose Kuta as my base. It seems to have had way more going on than Senggigi.

The biggest positive aspect of this area, is that it’s closer to the best beaches on Lombok.

This town is also more lively than Senggigi, and I always met surfers and travelers while here. For meeting travelers, and hip cafes to work from, this may be the best base on Lombok for digital nomads.

The negative, is that it’s all the way in the south of the island. Make no mistake, Lombok is huge, and the points of interest are spread all over. It will be a bit of a pain getting to other parts of the island from here.

Located here.

The Wifi Situation

This may be the biggest downside of Lombok for digital nomads. The wifi is highly unreliable, and most public wifi will be weak, or continuously log on and off the network.

You really can’t survive as a digital nomad here without getting a SIM card. Luckily, the mobile data is pretty reliable and speedy.

I bought an XL SIM card at the airport, and I actually had to use it for most of my trip. An $8 top up usually lasted me a week (my job uses a lot of data), and you can top it up at any of the convenience stores.

Costs

Food

If you are eating in a warung (small, local restaurant), you can get a meal as cheap as $2 USD. My favorite things to eat on Lombok were tempeh (fried tofu and the best food in the world!!), satay (skewered meat) , mie goreng (spicy noodles) and bakso (meatball soup). Each of these can cost $2 – $3 USD each portion. Indonesian portions are quite small, however, so I often ate two meals at once.

Alcohol

It’s a muslim island, so locals don’t usually drink. You can still buy beer in bars or tourist restaurants. One tall Bintang costs about $4 USD. In a hotel or restaurant, beer can be $6 or $8 – $12 for a cocktail.

Accommodation

I rented a private bungalow in Senggigi for about $400 USD a month. It came equipped with a kitchen which I never used (no supermarkets nearby) and nonfunctioning wifi.

Transport

When I was in Lombok, I was offered a monthly rental for a motorbike from my host for $150 USD for the month. You can also rent one from a proper rental company for about 80,000 Rupiah ($5.70 USD) per day, or negotiate an even lower monthly price.

Things to do

Mount Rinjani

This is without a doubt, the main highlight on Lombok. Mount Rinjani is famous for its blue volcanic lake that sits inside its caldera, which remains active to this day.

This is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, and a trip to Lombok isn’t complete without a trek to Rinjani.

You’ll have to book a trek with a guide, as it’s not permitted to hike it without one. The price is a bit steep, but it’s worth it.

The trek takes at least 2 days to complete, with overnight camping somewhere on the trail of the rim.

Inside the caldera, you will see two volcanic cones, one of which last erupted in 1994. It’s a humbling experience to be so close to something so beautiful, yet powerful.

Booking a Trek

To book a trek, I’d recommend waiting until you arrive in Lombok, then booking it within the first couple days. There are loads of tour companies that organize treks, or you can ask your hotel receptionist.

You can ask a few, to compare offerings and prices. For those staying in Senggigi, you can check with Lombok Exciting Tours and Lombok Eco Tour.

Prices for a trek cost about 1,650,000 IDR or $117 USD.

What to Bring

If you plan to trek Mount Rinjani, all food and equipment is provided, but you should still bring your own hiking shoes, and clothes.

Due to the high elevation, it gets cold on Rinjani, so pack a waterproof jacket, and some hiking pants.

Tiu Kelep

You may have seen this waterfall on instagram before. While it is really beautiful, there are two things to note:

1. There were some rockslides here in the last couple years, that have now obstructed the trail. You can still hike it, but just know that there are huge boulder and logs you may have to hike around and over. Bring proper shoes.
2. The landslide caused a lot of rubble to fill the basin of the waterfall. You can still get close to it, but it doesn’t look like it does in the photos anymore, and it is no longer swimming depth.

I still recommend a visit. The hike wasn’t that bad, and it is a beautiful waterfall. Although not the best one on Lombok, in my opinion.

To find it, go here.

Benang Kelambu Waterfall

This waterfall is famous because it is actually three waterfalls along side each other. If you are okay with hiking, you can walk all the way to Benang Stokel Waterfall, another must see.

It’s a pretty easy hike, although wet and sometimes going through overgrown trails. If you don’t mind getting muddy, this is a really fun 45 minute hike.

You will pass about 4 other waterfalls on the way. My favorite one was the one pictured above, somewhere between Benang Kelambu and Benag Stokel.

To start the hike to theses waterfalls go to the Benang Kelambu parking lot, where you will have to pay for entrance. Having a guide is recommended, the trail isn’t well marked.

What to Bring

You will get wet, from one waterfall spray or another. Bring a dry bag for your tech gear.

Benang Stokel Waterfall

This is one of the most unique waterfalls I’ve ever seen, and in my opinion the best one on Lombok. The water falls freely from a wall of leaves, before hitting the ground and forming a pool to the right.

The best part? the water pressure is low, and you can totally bath in it!

Mawun Beach

I visited most of Lombok’s beaches, and this is hands down the best one. No competition, really.

Mawun Beach boasts a wide stretch of soft, powdery white sand. It’s extremely soft to walk and lay on. The water is very clear, and clean compared to the other beaches, which usually has some floating trash or seaweed.

This is where you can rent a surfboard for the day if you want to give surfing a try. Or just relax, and you could easily spend the whole day here.

If you stay for sunset, you may even see buffalos crossing the beach!! It’s a truly unique sight. I can’t tell you how much I love this beach.

Gili Islands

A visit to the Gili Islands is a must. There are three to choose from, each are small enough that you could visit them all in a 3-5 day trip. These islands are unique, and maintain their natural state by not having any car traffic!

The streets here are for walking or biking only, and covered in sand. No roads and no cars. You really can get a feel for island life here. But not all the islands are the same. Here’s what to expect:

Gili Trawangan

This one is the most visited island, and by far the busiest. Its swamped by backpackers and party people, who sleep off their hangovers on the beach all day, and party all night.

There are lots of restaurants, cute cafes, and bars here, and you will meet people with ease. Since I was a solo traveler, this was my favorite island, because I met a lot of people.

Some places to check out are:

Trawangan Night Market: This night market is lively and full of travelers, getting some food and early drinks in before a night out.

Sunset Bar: A cool outdoor bar with seating on the beach. This is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and have a cocktail.

Sama-Sama Reggae Bar: I ended up here one of the nights, and it is definitely a party hotspot, especially because it’s one of the last bars to close for the night.

You’ll also find the iconic swings over the water, to take photos on. You can find them here and here.

As much as I enjoyed Gili T, if it’s a relaxing experience you’re after, please skip it.

Gili Air

This island is best for couples, as it is the most quiet. It has the most clean beaches, with the super soft white sand and clear blue waters. If you are traveling as a couple, this is the better option.

There are some amazing options for accommodation here such as Gili Matiki, which has a jungle hut look, but in luxury form. Super romantic!

Gili Meno

This island is the smallest of the three, but it’s where the Bask Nest underwater statues are located. A short swim from shore will take you to this thought provoking, underwater monument. The water is shallow, you will not need diving gear, just a snorkel mask.

You can rent one on the beach, as well as fins if you feel you need them.

Mataram Mosque

This is the largest mosque on Lombok, and worth a visit if you are interested in religious structures.

It’s unique from other mosques, especially when comparing to the ones in the Middle East. The design is much more colorful, and unique to the local aesthetic.

If you come, be sure to be dressed appropriately. Have your legs, chest and shoulders covered. For the ladies, bring a scarf to cover your hair.

To find the mosque, type in Islamic Center NTB into Google maps, or click here.

Is Lombok for Digital Nomads?

I used Lombok as my homebase for a month. It is totally possible, and worthwhile, however, it’s not the easiest place to live and work. Here are the advantages and disadvantages in Lombok for digital nomads.

The Positives

Authentic travel experience: Unlike Bali or other popular Southeast Asian digital nomad hubs, Lombok remains mostly rugged and not yet spoiled by over development or westernization.

Less tourists: You won’t see many tourists except in some bars or on the beaches around Kuta. You can actually get a feel for local life away from the usual crowds of the likes of Bali, for example.

Beautiful nature: Lombok is still mostly countryside, which makes it that much more awesome! You will discover pure natural wonders. The waterfalls here are incredible, and you’ll pass by plenty of lush rice fields and jungles wherever you go.

Cheap cost of living: The prices on Lombok aren’t the cheapest in Indonesia, but they are a far cry from the inflated prices on Bali. The food is about half the cost of prices on Bali, and the accommodation is cheaper too.

Nice locals: I found it very easy to make local friends in Lombok. Even when just walking down the street, people often stopped me to have a chat. In my area, I easily became friends with everyone in my community, and some of them even showed me around the whole island.

Beautiful beaches: The beaches in the south around the Kuta area are stunning. The best part is that they will never feel crowded, unlike on Bali where most beaches are.

The Negatives

Unreliable electricity: The electricity frequently went out, even in Senggigi. If your place doesn’t have a generator, you should prepare for this. Always have your phone and computer charged when electricity is working, and when it goes out, turn on your mobile hotspot to work.

Unreliable Wifi: Most restaurants and hotels claimed to have wifi. These networks usually were too slow to actually use. This was the most frustrating part of living in Lombok. My advice is to save yourself the stress and don’t even try to use it. Just use mobile data.

Food sanitation issues: I got sick from the food at least every other day. It’s a shame, because I love eating local food everywhere I go. Even in Ethiopia or Vietnam, I never have problems, but on Lombok, it was a different story. In a desperate attempt to be able to eat, I even gave in and went to KFC, but that also made me sick. In the end, I lost 4 kg from my month in Lombok. If you have a sensitive stomach, I really suggest being cautious with the meat and vegetables here. Noodles and grain based dishes seem to be safer. Hotel restaurants were usually safe, but of course 4 times higher in price.

Less regard for time management: The few times I opted to take public transport or taxis, I was always late. I almost missed my flight to Komodo, because the driver decided to pull over and talk to his buddies for about 20 minutes! And then again 10 minutes later to smoke a cigarette. They definitely run on island time here, so to avoid stressful situations, just always plan for major delays.

Undeveloped roads in some areas: Some of the roads here are really bad. There are huge potholes that could be a hazard if you don’t see them in time. They also make getting around a pain in the ass, literally, especially on motorbike.

Trash on the beach: I was disappointed to find a lot of garbage on the beaches here, and all around Indonesia honestly. It is not yet ingrained in the local society to manage waste in eco-friendly ways, so a lot of trash just ends up floating in the sea. Mawun Beach however, was the only one I found to be pretty clean.

Lack of resources: There aren’t a lot of shops for tech gear, and alcohol isn’t widely sold due to religion. This is honestly fine, until your Macbook crashes one day and you have no means to fix it and want to drink away your sorrows.

Final Say on Lombok for Digital Nomads

If you are considering visiting Lombok, or basing yourself here for a while, I’d say go for it. Despite the challenges and downsides, I still recommend Lombok for digital nomads. It’s a beautiful place, with friendly locals, and I am glad I got to see it before the mass development plans roll in (it’s only a matter of time). If you are looking for an authentic experience, to connect with local culture and nature, look no further than this.

What’s your favorite place in Indonesia? Let me know below!

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