Traveling can be stressful. Planning well is the key to a successful vacation. I’ve put together these tips for stress free travel to Lombok Indonesia.
Visa and Passport Requirements
You can acquire a visitor’s visa upon arrival (VOA). The cost is USD 25 for 30 days per entry USD 10 for 7 days (minimum 5 persons).
Visa-free entry countries:
Nationals of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippine, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Ecuador, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam are given visa-free entry facility for maximum of 30 days
Countries / Nationals that require Visa-on-arrival (VOA) are as follows at Bintan ferry terminal:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark
Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan
Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monacco, Netherlands, New Zealand
Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of China, Russia, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Photo Credit: www.hotelombak.com
Location & Climate
Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It is roughly the size of its neighbor, Bali. It has its own International airport and can be accessed via Jakarta, Bali, and Singapore. Check with your local airport for flights from your area. Since Lombok is 60 nautical miles from the equator the climate is hat and humid all year. Temperatures range from 21º Celsius (70º Fahrenheit) to 32º Celsius (90º Fahrenheit). They have a wet season, which lasts from November to May in which it rains every day; sometimes causing flooding. May is the best time to visit but with tropical weather it’s always a good time!
Local Currencies
The Indonesian Rupiah is the currency of Indonesia. The exchange rate can be confirmed online as it can change by a few cents each day but a general example is 1.00 USD = 11,329.28 IDR. 1.00 GBP = 18,792.56 IDR. 1.00 SGD = 8,965.73 IDR. Banknotes come in denominations of Rp1000 up to Rp100 000. Coins start at Rp100 up to Rp500. There are several local banks in Indonesia but it is recommended to exchange money before you arrive, as it is more convenient and cheaper. USD and the Singapore dollar is widely accepted in most major hotels and resorts as well.
Voltage
The standard voltage in Indonesia is 220V/240V, 50 Hz. If you have equipment that runs on a higher voltage, a voltage adaptor will be required to use your electrical devices. Power Plugs: Indonesia uses the British BS1363 three-pronged square pin type socket. Plugs from the US, Western and Eastern Europe, and Asia will not fit into a Singapore power plug. Hotels almost always offer international conversion sockets/plugs and it’s always a good idea to purchase a universal converter as, depending on the time of year, hotels usually don’t have enough to go around. Converters can be purchased in all airports or from many shops around the island.
Internet Access
The Internet in Indonesia is a relatively new communication media. It improves yearly but expect to find some difficulties when travelling throughout the country. Many hotels and resorts offer limited, free Internet that can be accessed in main lobbies.
Mobile Phones
Prepaid Passport Indonesia SIM cards with an international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution for staying in touch while you travel through Indonesia. If your going to travel outside of Lombok, the Indonesia Passport SIM Card covers you by providing service in over 190 other countries.
Time Difference
The standard time zone in Lombok is UTC/GMT +8 hours. This makes the time difference for the US East Coast -12 hours. For London it is UTC/GMT + 7 hours. Check online for a comprehensive time difference calculation for other countries and cities.
Image by: Dan Parham
Getting around Lombok
Motorbikes are most prevalent in Lombok and most residents use them. Tourists can rent them pretty inexpensively at tourist centers. Tuk Tuk and Taxi service is very cheap with most trips costing $20,000 Rupiah ($1.60 USD). Many of the resorts offer shuttle service to and from the airport and to local attractions.
These tips that I’ve put together can help ensure the difference between a nightmare travel experience and a memorable one.
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