Lombok

1. Lombok is a haven for those interested in local handicrafts, pottery, weaving, traditional dresses etc. Local artisans have dotted the island with their small stores and although there are no big malls or brands here, if indigenous products are what interest you then you will love what Lombok has to offer.

2. There are not many banks or ATMs on the island. You may find yourself on the short end of the stick when it comes to withdrawing cash. You can change money at Bali or Jakarta in case these are your first stops on the way.

3. Due to the reserved culture of the Sasak people, the party scene is not as hip and happening as in its Balinese counterparts.

4. Wear clothes that are not too revealing even if you are on the beach. Ask your hotel manager for anything. It is always better to be safe than sorry. You definitely do not want to offend the local people while you are in their town.

5. Public Displays of affection might also not be considered refined.

Lombok has a lot of beach parties although they are not as flamboyant as those on its other popular brother islands. From restaurants with sunset views and tasty BBQ, beach and treehouse cocktail bars, karaoke lounges, nightclubs pampering guests with local and international DJs, to quaint steakhouses and traditional night markets, here are the top venues to enjoy the nightlife in Lombok: -

• The Plaza Karaoke & Lounge
• The Bus Bar
• Surfers Bar Kuta 
• Metzo Club Lombok
• Jiggy Booze Bar
• La Chill
• Evolution Bar
• Juice & Booze Bar
• Senja Lounge
• Verve Beach Club
• Marina Cafe
• Trawangan Night Market

Shopping in Lombok is both fun and rewarding as visitors discover wonderful Indonesian arts, crafts, modern and ethnic clothing, antiques, furniture, baskets, tribal-style jewellery, and hand-woven textiles.

Here are the best ways to enjoy shopping in Lombok: -

• Pick up traditional batiks, shawls, trinkets, handicrafts and antiques from Sengiggi, Bayan Handicraft and Tropical Gift, Cakranegara Market, Anna's Gift Shop, Beijing Square and Banyumulek.
• Venture to Sukarara Weaving Village for textiles, limestone carvings and woven goods. You can witness the creation process at Pringgasela Market.
• For urban fashion-wear, pearls, souvenirs and more visit shopping malls like Epicentrum Mall, Sasaku Merchandise, Fia Pearl and Mataram Mall. 
• Fresh groceries and fish are sold daily at Tanjung Luar Market.

Shopping Tips -

• Always carry cash while shopping in Lombok.
• Compare several stores around the market to find out average prices before buying anything.
• It is common to bargain for a reasonable 10-30% discount on items without price tags. Some stores are also barter-friendly.

Bahasa Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia although Sasak is also spoken in Lombok.

Although Islam is the predominant religion in Lombok but it has a minor presence of Hinduism and Buddhism as well.

130000 IDR which is equivalent to 10 USD is more than sufficient to take care of your transport, food, drinks, entertainment and emergency expenses. If you choose to walk around this cost will further reduce. One can easily survive on an equivalent of 6-7 USD in lombok which is cheaper than its close but more popular neighbor Bali.

The most convenient way to change cash is at the airport. Since the island does not have a consumerist culture it is better to change money at the airport itself.

Since it is an island the most practical way to reach Lombok is by flight from any major international city. Or you can fly to Jakarta and take a cheap domestic flight to Lombok from there.
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The top places near to Lombok are Bali which is 139 km from Lombok, Gili air islands which is located 42 km from Lombok, Gili trawangan which is located 46 km from Lombok, Gili gede which is located 24 km from Lombok, Surabaya which is located 422 km from Lombok

The top things to do in Lombok are Mount Rinjani Trek, Gili Trawangan, Pura Lingsar, Pura Meru, Pura Batu Bolong, Mayura Water Palace. You can see all the places to visit in Lombok here

The packages for Lombok start at INR 3886 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

Cuisine in Lombok is very similar to that of Malaysia. Some of the most popular dishes are the Ayam Taliwang, the Daging Tum and the Bebek Betutu. A lot of chicken is used in food preparation along with fresh coconut and seafood. The food is light and spicy making it a hit among Indians travelling to Lombok.
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The best time to visit Lombok is from July to August. These months are considered dry in Lombok, and they certainly lack any rainfall. Lombok is a tropical island, so the weather is pretty much the same all year round. The peak season in Lombok lasts from May to October, and it does get crowded. There are fantastic hiking trails present on the Lombok island which are best experienced during the dry days, especially the one that leads to Mount Rinjani. By the end of October, the wet season starts in Lombok which continues till March. It gets regarded as the off-season for this tourist destination. Lombok appears greener in the wet season. The temperature gets higher during the wet season than in the drier months. If you want to snorkel or scuba dive around the Gilis, then you should visit during September and November for the best experience because of favourable water conditions. The shoulder season in Lombok is mainly in April and May. The weather in Lombok tends to be a mix of wet and dry as the climate moves towards the drier season. The temperature tends to be colder than in the preceding months. If you want to experience Lombok with ease, then do visit during the wetter months. People visiting in November or December may find themselves to be a part of a unique festival called Perang Topat in Lombok, which includes friendly rice cake war among the locals.
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