Lombok Travel Guide and Tips

Stay safe

Although Lombok is a safe and stable place, these tips may help you along the way:

* Because Lombok is not engulfed with tourists, is always prudent to travel in groups of two or more. This is especially true for women and visitors who cannot speak Bahasa Indonesia. Even a minor incident can be difficult to resolve when there is a language barrier especially in the rural areas of Lombok where many people are not fluent in Bahasa Indonesian and only speak Bahasa Sasak.

* Most tourist areas and many villages are busy with activity at night. Often street vendors sell food until 9:00pm at night or later in some areas. Tourists and locals will often walk the streets when the bars and restaurants are open. However when traveling in rural villages or non-tourist areas after dark there may be very few people found on the streets. In these situations it is generally more prudent to stay indoors after dark. People in rural Lombok and many of the quieter Kampung areas are often in bed by 8:00pm, rising again at 5:00am.

* Always have locks on the zips of your bags. Not only do they keep enquiring hands out they also prevent people slipping prohibited substances in. Be prepared to quickly lock and unlock when passing though customs.

* Try not to display conspicuous wealth such as large amounts of cash or expensive cameras, cell phones and other items as it may temp thieves including children and may also encourage requests for financial assistance in some circumstances.

* Dress modestly in rural villages, religious sites and government buildings; long pants for men and a shirt, a modest skirt, full or calf length pants, dress or sarongs are suggested and a conservative blouse is recommended for women. This may save you or onlookers from embarrassment. If more revealing clothing is worn it is good to have a sarong handy as it can effect a quick and easy adaptation to prevailing circumstances. Naked or semi-naked bathing and very skimpy swimwear on the beach will most likely create considerable controversy and possibly some alarm amongst the local people even in the areas of concentrated tourism activity in front of the hotels. This may not be immediately apparent to the visitor at the time. Carry a sarong if you only have revealing swimwear available and wear it especially when you are nearby or talking with local people as it will place everyone more at ease and create considerably less controversy. Take along a sarong when traveling about as they are a good all purpose item that can come in handy to keep off the sun or wind and can be called into service to avoid any awkward moments.

* Footwear must always be removed when entering a person's home and occasionally even some business premises. This is the case in even the most primitive and basic living structures.

* In Lombok it is normally considered to be quite rude or disrespectful to offer or hand something to someone with your left hand unless they are a very close and intimate friend or family member, and even then it is best avoided if possible.

* Caution should be exercised when consuming locally made alcoholic drinks such as Arak as poisoning has occurred in parts of Indonesia including, Bali, Lombok and the nearby Gilli islands. During 2009 a number of Indonesians and visiting tourists in Java, Bali and Lombok/Gilli Islands were poisoned by consuming drinks containing methyl alcohol resulting in fatalities. Methyl alcohol (wood alcohol) and other contaminants are highly dangerous and have been found in some locally produced alcoholic drinks. The initial symptoms of Methyl alcohol / methanol intoxication include central nervous system depression, headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of co-ordination and confusion. If methyl alcohol poisoning is suspected seek medical assistance immediately.

* Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is present in Lombok and during 2009-2010 there was an outbreak effecting the island including the nearby Gili islands. If symptoms of DHF appear medical assistance should be sought without delay from one of Lombok's major hospitals. DHF is readily treated by competent medical professionals in Lombok and intervention should not be delayed or postponed for any reason if symptoms are present or suspected. Dengue outbreaks are a common seasonal occurrence throughout the tropics and during the Wet Season sensible precautions should always be taken by visitors to avoid exposure to mosquito borne illnesses such as Malaria and Dengue Fever. This applies to Lombok, including the Gili Islands, and to other similar areas throughout SE Asia. Two fifths of the world's population are now at risk from dengue and it is estimated that there may be 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries. Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes species of mosquito. They are typical small and usually have black and white stripe markings on their body and legs. They are typically active between dawn and dusk.

* Malaria has also been present in areas nearby to the tourism precincts of Lombok. Malaria infections have been occurring in the local population throughout 2010 including the month of August due to an extended wet season. The outbreaks are more common amongst those local people who live or work nearby the lushly vegetated forest areas. If spending the majority of your visit in the built up tourism areas where mosquito control measures such as 'fogging' are in place and if personal awareness and sensible precautions are practiced the risk of contracting malaria remains minimal. Malaria is readily treated by competent medical professionals in Lombok and as with Dengue Fever intervention should not be delayed or postponed for any reason if symptoms are present or suspected.

* The use of mosquito nets and repellants is advisable especially when sleeping and when spending time in lushly vegetated areas during the wet season or at any time when mosquito's are breeding. If a suitable insect repellent cannot be obtained locally supplied Minyak Tawon has some insect repellent properties and is not considered poisonous. Indeed it is used medicinally and for treating cuts, abrasions and insect bites. It has a Citronella type aroma. Minyak Sereh Sitronela contains citronella and is a good local mosquito repellant and is also good for use on stings and bites. With either of these products do not expose to mucous membranes or use near the eyes and please skin test prior to use to ensure there is no adverse reaction.

* If concerned about the risks of Mosquito borne diseases please seek the advice of a suitable qualified Medical Practitioner or Travelers Health Centre prior to your departure to any destination in the tropics.

Get out

* Bali — everybody's favorite Indonesian island
* Sumbawa — an island truly off the beaten track. World class surfing.
* Komodo — fierce dragons and great diving

Hospitals

* Mataram Public Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umun), Jl. Pejanggik 6, Mataram, +62 370 638464. 24 hours UGD-Emergency room and admissions. The islands main public hospital with UGD (Unit Gawat Darurat)-Emergency treatment room, ICU and OR facilities, laboratorium, Specialist consulting rooms. edit

* Rumah Sakit Risa (Risa Centra Medika Hospital), Jl. Pejanggik No.115, Cakranegara (just east of Mataram mall on the right hand side of the road), +62 370 625560. 24 hours UGD-Emergency room and admissions. hospital with UGD (Unit Gawat Darurat)-Emergency treatment room, private and VIP rooms, ICU and OR facilities, laboratorium, Specialist consulting rooms including Internist, Opthamologist, Obstetrician, Dentist.

* Siti Fajar Moslem Hospital (Rumah Sakit Islam), Jl. Panca Warga, Mataram (Head west from Mataram mall, it is on the left hand side of the road). +62 370 623498. Specialist consulting rooms, Dentist.

* Anthonius Catholic Hospital, l. Koperasi, Mataram. +62 370 621397.

* Rumah Sakit Polda (National Police Hospital NTB-Bhayangkara Polda Nusa Tenggara Barat), Jl. Lanko No 54, Ampenan/Mataram (on the left hand side of the road heading eastward toward Mataram and before RS Umun), ☎ +62 370 633701. 24 hours UGD (Emergency room and admissions). Polyclinic and general hospital open to the public for treatment and admissions, also available general medicine, midwife, medi-legal services, counseling, and psychological services. The hospital is also the site of the Police (Polda) forensic pathology unit.

* Army Hospital, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No. 11, Mataram, +62 370 621420.

* Please note many hospital service providers may demand a guarantee of payment before rendering treatment even in an obvious and clear emergency. Incremental payments may also be demanded for individual services including the supply of professional services such as laboratory services, pharmaceuticals and medical consumables. Travel insurance providers are sometimes very slow to provide these payment guarantees and may demand extensive documentation of costs and full receipts or they may later decline payment or reimbursement or delay these payments for an extended time. Diagnosis may also be disputed by travel insurers and treatment or admission authorizations delayed for extended times whilst they deliberate over authorizing treatment and payment guarantees.

Medical clinics

* Klinik Risa (Risa Centra Medika Hospital), Jl. Pejanggik No.115, Cakranegara (just east of Mataram mall on the right hand side of the road), +62 370 625560. 24 hours Emergency room. Full hospital facilities available on site

* Clinic Senggigi Centre, Senggigi beach (at Senggigi Beach Hotel), +62 370 693210.

* Laboratorium Klinik Prodia, Jl. Pejanggik No.107, Cakranegara (Between Mataram mall and Rumah Sakit Risa), +62 370 635010 (fax: +62 370 645010). Prodia is a national pathology services chain with shop front facilities in many of Indonesian cities, professional operation with a wide range of services Detailed printed price list for individual services.

Emergency service

* Ambulance +62 370 623489
In emergency dial - 118

The reality is that unless within the confines of Mataram/Ampenan/Cakranegara an ambulance is normally too far away to provide prompt transport in the case of a true emergency. Most often a taxi, police vehicle or a private car is used to get someone requiring urgent medical attention to a hospital. The ambulances in Lombok are more often used in the role of assisted patient transport rather than for first responder/paramedic supported emergency assistance and transport.

* International SOS Medika (Klinik)
Bali:24 Hour Emergencies: It will be necessary to call either Jakarta or Bali to seek assistance from SOS Medika.
Tel. +62 361 710505, Clinic: +62 361 720100
Jakarta: 24 Hour Emergencies: +62 21 7506001
SOS Medika provide medical treatment, referral and emergency management including air rescue services, they are situated in Bali and Jakarta.

Contacts

* Lombok Regional Police (National) (Polda), Jl Gajah Mada No7, Ampenan,+62 370 693110. 24 hour emergency number 110

* Tourism Police Senggigi (Pos Polsek Senggigi), Jl. Raya Senggigi km 1 Senggigi (near the Art Market), +62 370 632733.

* Pelni Shipping Lines, Jl Industri No1, Ampenan, Lombok, +62 370 37212 (fax: (0370) 31604),

* Department of Immigration (Direktorat Jenderal Imigrasi), Jl Udayana No2, Mataram, +62 360 635331.

* Post Office (Kantor Pos), JL Sriwijarya, Mataram, +62 370 632645.

Embassies and Consulates

There are no consular services available in Lombok. The nearest consular services are in Bali and Jakarta has embassies representing a wide range of nationalities.

Visa and departure tax

Visitors arriving in Lombok from a point of origin outside Indonesia and clearing customs and immigration at Lombok's Selaparang Airport may require the purchase of a visa on arrival (VOA). As of January 2010, the only type of visa on arrival available is US$25.00 for 30 days. This may be extended later at the local Immigration office for a further once only period of up to 30 days. (The previous 7 day visa on arrival is no longer available). Exact change in dollars is recommended, although a selection of other major currencies including rupiah are accepted, and any change will usually be given in rupiah. See the main Indonesia article for details. VOA facilities are available for incoming International passengers arriving at the Lombok international terminal. Arriving passengers are passed through VOA (visa on arrival) issuance if applicable, then subsequently processed through immigration clearance channels for VOA, Non VOA (if the visa has been obtained prior to the time of departure), Visa waiver (for eligible nationalities) and a separate channel for Indonesian passport holders. Baggage retrieval is followed by customs and quarantine examinations including baggage X-ray checkpoints. For information of other types of visas including the Visa waiver program please see the main Indonesia article for details.

Indonesian airports normally levy departure taxes upon departing passengers. If you are departing for Lombok from another Indonesian airport you may have to pay a departure tax at that airport. When flying out of Lombok, you are subject to the airports departure tax which can be paid in cash Indonesian Rupiah only, so save some Rupiah currency for the trip out. The airport departure tax in 2010 was Rp 75,000 for international departures and Rp 30.000 for domestic departures.

For domestic flights, it may assist to work with a reputable travel agent to ensure accurate information regarding which airlines are flying to which locations and the price. Different airlines frequently change both their schedule and their routes depending upon consumer demand and aircraft availability. Do not depend on information from the airlines either by telephone or provided on the Internet by tourism information and internet booking sites as it is frequently outdated.