After the week we spent on Gili Island we were still not sure where to go next. The plan was to visit Lombok but the island was suffering from some major floods in the south. Still, we decided not to skip it and this was the best decision we could take! We booked a ticket for the local public transportation and the guy who sold us the tickets, also called his brother who brought us from the north to the south of Lombok with his car. The travel time from the north to the south takes normally about 2 hours, but we traveled almost 3.5 hours – some of the roads were under construction as the rain has damaged a lot along the way…
It was not so easy to find a hotel, as normally 50% are closed due to Covid-19 and another 30% were closed because of the flood! Our hotel also has suffered from the flood, the rooms on the first floor, the garden, and the swimming pool were completely lying under water and mud. They managed to clean everything within 3-4 days which is a miracle to me having in mind how everything looked like as we arrived…
In the afternoon we rented a scooter and drove around without any plan. At some point, we arrived at Tampah Hills where a big Sweedish/International project started with building some dream homes for rich people/profi surfers/”social media stars”. During this afternoon we saw nobody, but these Kids playing on the beach and eating some raw corn.
This is not Bali. This is Lombok.For all of you who imagine Bali being one of the destinations with beautiful tropical beaches – sorry for disappointing you. Bali is a magical island, but on this magical island, you will not find beaches like this! The only one beach that comes close to these beaches in the photos below is Nyang Nyang Beach.
If you are searching for white powdery sand beaches like this, you have to skip Bali and go to Lombok! The South or Lombok is still very underdeveloped. There is only one main street and if you want to visit the beaches you have to take the small streets that are almost destroyed due to the rainy season … but it is all worth it!!! You have to be very careful on the roads of Lombok, drive very slowly and be sure your breaks are working…
Where to Stay in Lombok
As you would expect from a major touristic island in Indonesia, Lombok has no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation. As always, I’d suggest you stay somewhere central, to make accessing all the attractions as easy as possible.
The best place to stay in Lombok during your first time is in Kuta Lombok. If you are on a budget the best place to stay is in Mataram. If you are searching for nightlife your place would be Senggigi. The coolest to stay in Lombok is Gili Air. And the best neighborhood in Lombok for families is Tanjung.

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Planning a trip to Indonesia?
Indonesia Accommodation
Begin your search for the perfect accommodation now while the excitement is still fresh in your mind. Discover stylish and affordable options, and find the best accommodations at the lowest prices:
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Indonesia by clicking here (Booking.com)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Indonesia by clicking here (Tripadvisor)
- Explore a wide range of hotels in Indonesia by clicking here (Agoda)
- Discover affordable hostels in Indonesia by clicking here (Hostelworld)
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Explore Asia
As a trusted platform, 12Go Asia offers convenient booking services for trains, buses, ferries, and flights across multiple Asian countries. 12Go Asia has a user-friendly interface and reliable connections, you can easily plan and book your transportation, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey throughout your Asian adventure.
Indonesia Flights
Make the most of your trip by finding the most affordable flights. We highly recommend using Booking Flights, a reliable flight comparison site. Click here to compare and book cheap flights to Indonesia.
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Private Airport Transfers
Kiwitaxi is a popular online platform that specializes in providing private airport transfers and transportation services worldwide. It offers convenient and reliable door-to-door transfers between airports, hotels, and other destinations. With Kiwitaxi, you can pre-book private taxis or minivans with professional drivers, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free journey.
✔️ For budget travelers, GetTransfer offers both private transfers and shared rides at competitive rates. Compare prices HERE.
Rental Car in Indonesia
✔️ Looking to rent a car in Indonesia? Rentalcars.com has you covered! We search through all the major car rental companies in Indonesia to find you the best price possible. Click HERE to book.
✔️ Another trusted provider is Discover Cars, which lets you compare local and global companies with transparent insurance options. Click HERE to book.
✔️ If you're traveling across borders or need camper rentals, QEEQ and AutoEurope also offer flexible options.
Indonesia Tours
If you enjoy guided tours, here you can find a wide variety of options to suit every preference. Discover and join fascinating guided tours across Indonesia.
✔️ Use GetYourGuide or Viator to book authentic experiences, day trips, and cultural adventures across Indonesia.
✔️ Go City offers attraction passes in many destinations, letting you save on entry fees if you’re planning multiple visits.
✔️ WeGoTrip is perfect for self-guided audio tours if you prefer to explore at your own pace.
Travel SIM for Indonesia
Stay connected from the moment you land in Indonesia with a reliable eSIM. Avoid high roaming charges and enjoy seamless internet access for maps, bookings, and social sharing.
✔️ Yesim offers flexible data plans tailored for Southeast Asia, with easy activation and 24/7 support. You can order your eSim HERE. Enjoy 15% off your first order using the code TRAVEL15. Yesim is perfect for hassle-free, instant connectivity — no physical SIM card required!
Travel Insurance
When it comes to travel insurance, we understand the importance of finding reliable coverage that suits your needs. That's why we highly recommend Safety Wing – a trusted provider offering comprehensive travel insurance plans even for digital nomads. Safeguard your travels and gain peace of mind by exploring the excellent coverage options provided by Safety Wing.
✔️ VisitorsCoverage is another strong option, offering extensive short- and long-term plans for all types of travelers.
✔️ If you’re an adventure traveler, EKTA also provides insurance tailored for hiking, diving, and outdoor activities.
Enjoy the day!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Rest assured, we only recommend products and services that meet our high standards and that we genuinely believe in. The opinions expressed are solely our own and are based on our personal experience.
