7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lombok Instead of Bali
Planning a trip to Bali in 2024 and deciding where to spend those few unplanned days? Or maybe you’re skipping Bali and looking for a somewhat similar alternative destination in Indonesia? Regardless of why you’re researching and stumbled upon this article, Lombok might be the perfect destination for you! If you need help deciding whether you should visit Lombok on your next Indonesia trip, this article is for you.
Towering waterfalls, stunning beaches, lush rice fields, hip cafes, chill beach bars, and access to amazing snorkeling and diving… Lombok has all of these and more without the crowds, trash, and overtourism that are hurting Bali’s image. Here are seven things you’ll love more about Lombok than Bali, along with some potential drawbacks to choosing Lombok as your next tropical island destination.
How To Get to Lombok
Before we get into the reasons why you should visit Lombok, let’s address some common questions you may have. If you came across this article while researching a trip to Bali and don’t know much about Lombok, you may have a few questions about Lombok. I’m sure you’re wondering where Lombok is and how to get to Lombok from Bali.
Lombok is one of the 6,000 inhabited islands of Indonesia. Yes, you read that correctly! Believe it or not, Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands! Lombok is the one located directly east of Bali. At its closest point, it’s a little over 20 miles away, but it’s more like 50-100 miles depending on how you choose to travel. If you’re already in Bali, there are three ways to get to Lombok: slow ferry, fast ferry, or plane.
Slow Ferry from Bali to Lombok
As you’d expect, the slow ferry (sometimes referred to as the public ferry) is the cheapest option at ~$7 round-trip. But what you save in money, you definitely pay with time. The slow ferry takes around 6 hours each way (potentially many more according to some accounts).
One benefit of the slow ferry is that you can bring a scooter on the ferry with you for an extra ~$6 round-trip. There are plenty of cheap scooters to rent in Lombok, so it’s no biggie if you need to leave your scooter behind.
Fast Ferry From Bali to Lombok
Pretty much everyone I met in Lombok got there by fast ferry (also referred to as speedboat) from Bali. It’s definitely the most convenient option and there are various companies that operate throughout the day.
The fast ferry takes around 2 hours, though depending on the departure and arrival ports, could be as little as 1.5 hours or over 3 hours. Prices vary slightly by company, but you should expect to pay $60-$70 roundtrip.
Flying From Bali to Lombok
If you’re like me and easily get seasick, flying from Bali to Lombok may be the best option for you. The Bali to Lombok flight takes about 40 minutes but is surprisingly expensive for such a short domestic flight. A roundtrip ticket will cost around $150 and the low-cost carriers that operate the flights have pretty limited baggage allowance. So, expect to fork over a few more bucks if you need to check a normal-sized suitcase.
Flying From Outside of Bali
Not planning to visit Bali first? No problem! While you can’t get to Lombok directly from most countries outside Indonesia, it is an international airport. As of December 2023, there are direct flights to Lombok from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. You shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to Lombok from most big cities in the world with a stop in either country or a connection elsewhere in Indonesia.
Why You Should Visit Lombok (TL;DR Summary)
Interested in the reasons why you should visit Lombok, but don’t have time to read through all the details? Here’s a TL;DR summary of why you shouldn’t skip Lombok on your next trip to Indonesia.
Click the links in the list below for more details on each reason why you should visit Lombok.
Though I loved my time in Lombok, there are a few potential negatives you should be aware of before you book your Lombok trip.
1. Visit Lombok To Escape the Bali Crowds
If you’ve read my article on living in Bali, it’s probably no surprise to you that many parts of Bali are overcrowded. For a break from the crowds, traffic, and noise, Lombok offers a great escape for you. Everything from visiting waterfalls to spending a day at the beach comes with far fewer crowds in Lombok.
Of course, Lombok has its share of busier areas too. And there’s still plenty of traffic around the capital city of Mataram. But even the most popular beach towns like Senggigi and Kuta are much less crowded than the popular areas in Bali.
2. Lombok Is Much Less Touristy Than Bali
On a similar note, Lombok is much less touristy than Bali. While I loved my time in Bali, the biggest drawback to me is how touristy it has become. Sure, Lombok still has plenty of tourist attractions, but it’s nowhere near as touristy as most parts of Bali.
I sometimes felt much of Bali just exists to provide a backdrop for Instagram pics. And Bali is full of “Instagram vs Reality” letdowns. For example, the Gates of Heaven that you’ve definitely seen on your Instagram feed… The one where a couple posing in sarongs between the gates with a perfect reflection created the “reflecting pool” in the foreground? Well, sorry to spoil it for you, but there is no reflecting pool, and that “reflection” is just a local holding a mirror under your camera lens to create the effect. And people still wait hours in line in the heat just for this photo.
3. The Beaches in Lombok Are Cleaner, More Beautiful, and Have Better Sunsets
I’ll be honest, I was pretty disappointed by the beaches in Bali. Maybe my expectations were too high thanks to social media. Don’t get me wrong, the sunsets are stunning and the beaches are incredible for surfing, but many of the beaches are littered with trash and not great for swimming.
Unfortunately, some of Lombok’s beaches suffer from the same trash issue. But overall, the beaches were much cleaner. Plus, given how much less visited Lombok is, you can have some incredible beaches practically to yourself! And the sunsets in Lombok are even better too.
I actually witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets of my life on Semeti Beach in Lombok. What made the sunset so special wasn’t just the pretty colors painting the sky or the cool rock formations dotting the ocean in the foreground… I was on a beautiful, secluded beach and there were only two other people on the entire beach for the sunset. That sunset was one of my favorite moments of my time in Lombok.
Word of caution, the final stretch of road Semeti Beach is the worst road I have ever driven on. The best way I can describe it is “a few miles of hilly, shattered earth.” Like, imagine what roads would look like in a post-apocalyptic movie where they have been partially destroyed and not maintained for years. Ok, I’m exaggerating a little, but the road is in REALLY bad condition. Most of the roads in both Bali and Lombok are pretty beat up, but this one takes the cake. It’s probably why such a cool beach was so empty. So be careful if you’re making the trek here, especially on your way back after sunset.
4. Lombok Is Even Cheaper Than Bali
Though Bali is getting more expensive, it is still incredibly cheap compared to many other destinations in the world. Since I’m currently taking a year off from working and sticking to a pretty modest budget, I was pretty delighted to find that Lombok is EVEN cheaper!
It was pretty easy to find some really cool bungalows either by the beach or by the waterfalls and rice fields of Central Lombok for around $30 a night. If you’re looking for luxury accommodation, Lombok may not have as many options as Bali, but there are still plenty of ultra-high-end options. Check out this four-bedroom villa overlooking the ocean for “only” $700 a night to see for yourself.
I didn’t do much grocery shopping in either place, but found similar quality local food at warungs in Lombok for cheaper than most areas in Bali. Plus scooter rentals were a few dollars a day cheaper and gas (commonly called “petrol” in Indonesia) was half the price in Lombok. Pretty much every expense category in Lombok was a little cheaper.
5. Visit Lombok To Have Stunning Waterfalls to Yourself
I’ll admit it, I never even knew Lombok existed when I first considered a Bali trip back in 2019. I was watching a YouTube video about Bali compiled by some travel influencers and reading through the comments trying to find if anyone had information on any of the filming locations. I distinctly remember a comment suggesting that most of the waterfalls shown in the video were actually in Lombok. That’s when I went down a rabbit hole of researching Lombok and knew I needed to add it to my itinerary.
Bali has PLENTY of incredible waterfalls to check out. But most of those waterfalls are full of tourists even shortly after sunrise. On the other hand, Lombok has even cooler waterfalls, and you can have them mostly to yourself early in the morning. And you can even swim under some of the best ones!
A few of my favorite waterfalls in Lombok include Tiu Kelep, Sendang Gile, Benang Stokel, and Benang Kelambu. Tiu Kelep is my favorite on the island, but it requires a little adventure to get there. It’s a pretty far drive from most parts of the island and the short hike to the waterfall requires a few stream crossings, but it is DEFINITELY worth the effort. Though you can’t swim under Tiu Kelep, you can under Benang Stokel. And Benang Stokel is a much shorter drive from Kuta and Senggigi.
6. Lombok Still Has Plenty of Local Charm
Since Bali tourism took off over the past decade, the island has undergone some serious development. Look at Canggu for example. Just a decade ago, Canggu was a quiet surfing village surrounded by rice fields. Today, nearly all of those rice fields have been replaced by hotels, cafes, and restaurants mostly catering to Westerners. All of this development has left many parts of Bali without the local charm that helped put Bali on the map to begin with.
On the other hand, Lombok still has plenty of local charm. You’re more likely to find empty beaches and beautiful rice fields without hordes of tourists posing for selfies. Life in Lombok is much slower, kinda like Bali was before its tourism boom. Of course, Lombok has undergone plenty of development, but you’re FAR less likely to come across a McDonald’s or get stuck in a traffic jam.
When I was doing my own research on Lombok, I remember seeing it referred to as “Bali 20 years ago.” What’s funny is a quick Google search brings up results going back 15 years that make this same comparison. It would seem Lombok has been 20 years behind Bali for as long as travel blogs have existed!
7. The Popular Gili Islands Are a Short Ferry Away
Besides the Nusa Islands, the next most popular island trip from Bali is to the Gili Islands (also called the Gili’s). The Gili’s are a set of three islands, Gili Trangawan (also called Gili T), Gili Meno, and Gili Air. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, dive or snorkel in crystal clear water, or party on the beach until the early morning, the Gili’s offer something for everyone. I’ll get into more detail on the differences between the islands and how to choose which is best for you in a future post.
If the Gili Islands are on your radar, it’s much quicker and easier to get to them from Lombok. Gili Air is only a 10-minute ferry from Bangsal Harbor, and Gili Meno and Gili T aren’t that much further. The journey to the Gili’s from Bali is similar to the fast ferry to Lombok, a little over two hours each way. It’s much easier if you’re already in Lombok!
When it comes to the Gili’s, I’m personally a little torn. I only spent time on Gili Air, and while there was a lot to love, I had a mixed experience. The island suffers from frequent power outages, and hotels sometimes lose running water. The larger resorts usually have backup generators, but restaurants, stores, and pharmacies can close for a full day without warning. I also got my only case of “Bali Belly” on Gili Air, and was pretty disappointed by the lack of good public beaches. Not to mention, the whole inner area of the island is full of trash resulting in an awful smell on hot days. I would still recommend checking the Gili’s out but don’t expect the “pristine tropical paradise” that they’re often described as.
Some Potential Negatives To Consider Before You Visit Lombok
It wouldn’t be fair for me to point out the reasons to visit Lombok without highlighting some of the drawbacks. Here are four things to consider before booking that ferry or flight.
1. Your Sleep Schedule Could Be Interrupted by Mosques
I want to preface this section by saying that this is by no means a complaint, but rather sharing my experience with would-be travelers so they know what to expect.
If you’re a light sleeper and not a morning person, you might have a difficult time in Lombok. Unlike Bali (which is primarily Hindu), Lombok is primarily Muslim and dotted with mosques. If you’ve traveled to Muslim areas, you are likely already familiar with the loudspeakers that mosques use for calls to prayer. I have been to many parts of the world where call to prayer over loudspeakers is prevalent and I never had any issues sleeping. But it’s in different story in Lombok.
In Lombok, I was woken by call to prayer around 4-4:30 AM daily, even with the use of silicon earplugs. I was then woken again an hour or so later when the loudspeakers were active again. Due to the high concentration of mosques, accommodations are often fairly close to a mosque and the mosques in Lombok are very loud. You’ll definitely want to bring some really good earplugs and consider adjusting your sleep schedule if you think this could be an issue for you.
2. Though Not As Bad as Bali, Trash Is Still a Problem
There are some exceptions (like Gili Air), but for the most part, I found Lombok cleaner than Bali. To be fair, I didn’t get a chance to compare the islands during rainy season which is when the trash issue is at its worst though. The beaches in Lombok are much cleaner, the tourist attractions like waterfalls are better maintained, and the sidewalks aren’t as littered. All of that said, you will still see plenty of trash along sidewalks, on beaches, and piled up by attraction entrances.
3. Food Poisoning Is Still a Potential Issue
Even though Lombok is generally cleaner than Bali, many restaurants still have questionable hygiene practices. I didn’t get sick on either Bali or Lombok, but I did on Gili Air (which is technically not Lomobk but very close by). Most friends I made who lived in or were staying in Lombok longer term shared with me their experiences getting “Bali Belly” in Lombok.
Like anywhere else in Southeast Asia, or other developing parts of the world, follow a few simple rules to reduce your risk of food poisoning. First, never drink tap water, and avoid ice if you don’t know the source. Be careful with fresh, unpeeled produce since it could be washed with contaminated water. Lombok isn’t really known for street food, but there are plenty of warungs (small, family-owned restaurants serving local food). Oftentimes, people working at these warungs don’t wear gloves and the kitchens aren’t always the cleanest. But I ate most of my meals at warungs in both Bali and Lombok and never got sick from them. Just stick to the ones that are busy with a higher turnover of ingredients.
4. If Nightlife Is Important, You May Get Bored
At this stage in life, nightlife isn’t really at the top of the list of things I consider when choosing a travel destination. Those years are well behind me now. So, I’m probably not the best source of information for nightlife.
That being said, the touristy areas of Lombok are considerably quieter at night than areas like Legian or Seminyak in Bali. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of bars in both Kuta and Senggigi, but I wouldn’t consider the nightlife to be very lively. Of course, you can always take a quick ferry to Gili T if you’re looking to party well into the early morning hours. But I definitely wouldn’t visit Lombok specifically for the nightlife.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re looking for a perfect alternative to Bali, consider checking out Lombok instead. It has much of what Bali has to offer, without the traffic, crowds, and overdevelopment that plague popular areas in Bali.
I hope you found this guide on why you should visit Lombok helpful. Love my advice? Completely disagree with me? Leave a reply below and let me know your thoughts!
