Banks: 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday; 09:30 to 12:30, Saturdays
Post Offices: 09:00 to 15:00; Monday to Friday; 08:00 to 13:00, Saturdays
Department Stores and Shops: 08:00 to 17:00, daily
Museums: 09:00 to 15:30, Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Lombok is a relatively safe and stable island to visit, and there is little for tourists to worry about during their stay. Conditions are impoverished in some places on Lombok however, and given an easy opportunity, theft is always a potential. Don’t take things too casually during your visit, despite the laid-back atmosphere. Keep your valuables with you at all times, unless your hotel has a safe. Don’t leave bags or cameras lying around on beaches or at cafés, and be extra cautious after dark if you are staying in a remote part of Lombok.

Police: 110
Electricity: 230V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round European two-pin types.

There aren’t any particular diseases to be concerned about on Lombok, although malaria is occasionally a problem. Most health-related problems here stem from drinking contaminated water, eating unclean food or getting too much sun. Tap water shouldn’t be consumed in Lombok. Inexpensive bottled drinking water is readily available all over the island. Also, check your food has been thoroughly cooked before you eat, particularly when eating seafood or meat. Some smaller roadside cafés may not maintain sanitary conditions, so choose where you eat carefully.

If you do get a minor illness during your stay, there are pharmacies in all of the major towns and resort areas which can prescribe you medicine. Some of the more upscale hotels have in-house medical help. If anything serious arises, it’s better to head to Bali or back to your own country. The hospitals on Lombok are adequate, but not up to international standards. It’s highly suggested that all visitors to Lombok buy travel insurance to cover the costs of any unforeseen medical bills.

Ambulance: 118
Anthonius Catholic Hospital: +62 320 621 397

Although Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Indonesia, Lombok also has a number of local dialects and indigenous Sasak languages. Most people who work in the tourism industry can speak English as well as some of the more popular foreign languages.

Indonesia’s official currency is the rupiah (Rp). Notes come in denominations of Rp100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins come in denominations of Rp1,000, 500, 100, 50 and 25.

Lombok is a small island when it comes to global services like banking and visitors shouldn’t come here expecting to see ATMs and bank branches in every town. Mataram has the widest range of services, with plenty of regional banks, ATMs and currency exchange offices. Resort hubs like Senggigi also have facilities for withdrawing or exchanging money, and most hotels will gladly exchange cash for lower rates than the bank offers.

If you plan to do any remote travelling, be sure to bring enough rupiah cash to pay for whatever you need. While credit cards are accepted at the larger resorts, hotels, restaurants and travel offices, smaller shops, cafés and taxi drivers only deal in local currency. Be sure to carry small banknotes for minor purchases.

All visitors to Indonesia over the age of 18 can bring the following into the country: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100g of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol; a small amount of perfume and personal gifts not exceeding US$250 per person in value. All cameras should be declared to customs officials upon arrival to avoid any problems upon departure. Any DVDs or CDs you buy while in the country will likely be screened by customs upon departure. Cordless telephones, Chinese medicine and pornography are all prohibited.

The Islamic culture of Lombok has helped to keep the party scene here quiet, unlike in Bali where Hinduism takes a more tolerant approach to nightclubs and drinking. More than 85 per cent of Lombok’s residents are Sasak, who are closely related to the Balinese, except that they are Muslim instead of Hindu. There is a decidedly more conservative feel to Lombok, and visitors should modify their behavior and dress accordingly.

Women especially should not wear clothes that are overly revealing. Even at the beach, conservative dress dominates the scene. Topless sunbathing is not suggested on the beaches of Lombok. Check what the locals are wearing as a guide to what you can and cannot wear.

Any visit to a temple, Hindu or Muslim, will require extra layers of clothing to cover the body. Carrying a sarong around is always a good idea, as it serves as a multi-use covering for both men and women. Be aware that the feet are considered the lowest part of the body in Lombok, so be sure to remove your shoes before entering anyone’s house or a temple. Don’t use your feet for anything other than walking, and keep them on the floor. The left hand also has a certain taboo about it, so remember not to use it to shake someone’s hand or touch anything special.

Indonesians take a lot of pride in keeping a cool head when things heat up. Showing anger or shouting is considered very rude and a poor showing of self-control, so even when a situation gets frustrating, just smile and go with the flow. Public displays of affection are also considered rude. Even holding hands is considered inappropriate by many locals, so leave the kissing and hugging for the privacy of your hotel.

Dining Etiquette
Lombok doesn’t have a particularly strict set of dining rules and most locals are relaxed about eating processes. To show that you’ve studied up on Lombok’s social customs, avoid using your left hand when eating and wait for your host to eat first before you start. The only time of the year when eating becomes a serious issue on Lombok is during the annual month of fasting, Ramadan.

Each September, Muslims around Lombok and the world fast during the day and eat a special diet after nightfall for an entire month. This very strict religious tradition doesn’t affect tourists directly, as all hotels and even a few tourist restaurants continue to serve food during Ramadan. However, if you are in a small village, don’t expect food to be available during this period.

Visas are required by citizens of all countries to visit Indonesia. A tourist visa is valid for 30 days and is available upon arrival. There is a small fee for tourist visas, although citizens of other ASEAN countries are exempt from this charge. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date when you first enter Indonesia or you may run into trouble with immigration.

There isn’t much in the way of official tourism information offices on Lombok, so your hotel or nearest travel shop will be the best source of help for everything from transport to attractions.

Department of Tourism, Art and Culture
Jalan Singsari Number 2
Mataram, Lombok, 83114
Phone: + 62 370 634 800