TRAVEL INFORMATION
VISA & PASSPORT
Foreign visitors to Lombok must have valid passports and visas to enter Lombok. Applications for such visas can be made at the respective countries' high commissions or overseas missions. However, visas are not required for 11 countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Vietnam, Chili, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Morocco, Peru) for a stay of up to 30 days.
Since January 12, 2010, Visa on Arrival (VoA) is applicable for citizens coming from 63 countries and 1 region. All onward visitors should have passports valid for at least 6 (six) months from the time of arrival and round-trip airplane tickets.
Click here to read further about VoA and other Visa Requirements.
CURRENCY
The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). IDR coin uses IDR50, IDR100, IDR200, IDR500, IDR1.000. Notes are in denominations of IDR1.000, IDR2.000, IDR5.000, IDR10.000, IDR20.000, IDR50.000, and IDR100.000.
Money changing services are available at the airport and at most banks, hotels, and shopping complexes. The currency exchange rate from USD to IDR is ranging from around IDR8.500 to IDR9.800.
PHONE
Indonesia’s country code is +62, and the city code for Lombok is (0)370. Putting country and city codes are needed to call non-mobile number, but only country code is required to call Indonesian mobile number from overseas.
International Direct Dialling (IDD) calls can be made from the numerous card phones, which can be bought easily at retailers around the island. Do ask the phone card retailer to register your phone card for easier usage. Though, to refill up the pre-paid mobile phone balance, phone cards (telephone voucher cards) come in various denominations and generally start from denominations of IDR5.000 until IDR100.000. Electric refill balances are widely available in the retailers and also can be done via ATM.
LOCAL TIME/ BUSINESS HOURS
Lombok local time is GMT+8.00.
Generally, business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Shopping hours are usually from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
WEATHER
Indonesia is tropical country which has the sunshines all-year-round. Lombok, as it is in the middle part of Indonesia, generally has higher temperature than the western part of the country (e.g. Java and Sumatran Islands). The temperature of Lombok is ranging from around 24oC at night to 30oC at noon and the humidity is ranging around 70 to 85%.
CLOTHES
It is recommended to wear loose and light summer clothing, especially for outdoor activities like sightseeing. "Smart casual" is usually acceptable everywhere except for formal business dining or when specified in an invitation. But, in Lombok, most business people rarely wear suits due to the island's tropical heat. Smart casual usually means shirts (long or short-sleeves but not T-shirts) or blouses, and trousers or skirts. Anyhow, “Batik” clothes can be very flexible to be worn in any occasion, from sightseeing to formal meeting.
DRINKING WATER
Tap water is not drinkable. It is recommended to drink boiled water or bottled drinking water.
LANGUAGE
Bahasa Indonesia or Indonesian Language is the national language and widely spoken in all over Indonesia including Lombok. Most of local people, which are dominated by Sasak Tribe, use Sasak Language for daily conversation. Anyhow, English is widely understood in tourism areas. For bargaining in any trading transaction, it’s best to use calculator to avoid misunderstanding between the buyers and local sellers.
ELECTRICITY
Indonesia’s voltage is AC100-240, 50/60 Hertz. It’s more convenient to bring your own transformer to adjust to other voltage system. Indonesia plug-in system: [photo]
TIPPING
Tipping is not a must, but accepted, e.g. for drivers, office boys, and guides.
AIRPORT TAX
IDR150.000 Airport Tax for international flight and IDR40.000 Airport Tax for domestic flight should be paid separately from your airfare tickets. You are required to pay in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) during check-in at the airport. No other currency will be accepted for paying the airport tax.