The dominant Sasak culture in Lombok and the very restrained and quiet nature of its people may help explain why Lombok is less popular in terms of shopping, cuisine, and nightlife than Bali. Lombok is however becoming increasingly popular with tourists and honeymooners who want to relax in an inexpensive, tropical, un-crowded atmosphere, with many natural treasures and majestic scenery. Nothing happens quickly in Lombok and visitors who are stressed from their daily lives find Lombok a delightful place to unwind.

The anticipated tourism boom has been halted on several occasions. In 2000, mobs of the ethnic Sasak people, ostensibly provoked by fundamentalist Muslim agitators, diverted from a trip to Maluku, looted and burned churches as well as homes and businesses owned by Hindus and ethnic Chinese. These actions were actively resisted by many of the Sasak people and brought on a swift response from the authorities to protect the tourism precincts of the island. The bombing of nightclubs in Bali in 2002 and the further explosions in 2005 further exacerbated the fears held by foreign tourists. For many years the embassies of several countries have issued stern travel advisory warnings against travel to Indonesia. The ensuing years have remained very peaceful in Lombok. In the years 2010-2017 tourists steadily gained confidence that travel to the island is safe, and the travel economy was really starting to gain steam. Sadly, in 2018, Lombok was struck by two severe earthquakes that caused widespread destruction of property and loss of life. After a concerted recovery effort, the island was finally ready to begin welcoming tourists back again when Covid-19 hit.

Aside from minor and very isolated incidents of petty theft and the normal dangers of travelling on the roads in Indonesia the island remains a quiet, peaceful and safe destination for visitors. Lombok is a relaxing place, the warm tropical sun can normally slowly melt a sense of urgency and a hurried pace off most visitors.

Lombok has a rich and enduring indigenous culture that has withstood the pressures of modernity remarkably well. The strong remnant culture and history of the Sasak people are one of the many unique attractions of the island. The island has of a total population of 3,166,685 (as of 2010 Census), 85% are indigenous Sasak people whose origins are thought to have arisen from Java in the first millennium BC. Other residents include an estimated 10–15% Balinese, with the small remainder being Tionghoa-Peranakan, Javanese, Sumbawanese and Arab Indonesians. The Sasak people are culturally and linguistically closely related to the Balinese, but unlike the Hindu Balinese, the majority practice local Muslim faith and traditions.

Some have described Islam as being first brought to Lombok by traders arriving from Sumbawa in the 17th century, who then established a following in eastern Lombok. Other accounts describe the first influences arriving in the first half of the 16th century. The palm leaf manuscript Babad Lombok contains the history of Lombok and describes how Sunan Prapen was sent by his father, The Susuhunan Ratu of Giri, on a military expedition to Lombok and Sumbawa in order to convert the population and propagate the new religion. However, the new religion took on a highly syncretistic character, frequently mixing animist and Hindu-Buddhist beliefs and practices with Islam. This remained so until a more orthodox Sunni characterised version of Islam slowly began to become popular at the beginning of the 20th century. The Indonesian government agamaization programs (acquiring of a religion) in Lombok during 1967 and 1968 led to a period of some considerable confusion in religious allegiances and practices. These agamaization programs later led to the emergence of more conformity in religious practices in Lombok.

A notable non-orthodox Islamic group found only on Lombok are the Wektu Telu ("Three Prayers"), who as the name suggests praying only 3 times daily, instead of the 5 times stipulated in the Quran. Many of the Waktu Telu beliefs are entwined with animism. Waktu Telu has influenced not only Islam but also Hinduism and pantheistic beliefs. There are also remnants of Boda (people "without a religion") who maintain Pagan Sasak beliefs.

Before the arrival of Islam, Lombok experienced a long period of Hindu and Buddhist influence that reached the island through Java. To this day, a minority Balinese Hindu culture remains strong in Lombok.

The Hindu minority religion is still practised in Lombok alongside the majority Muslim religion. Hinduism is followed by the many ethnic Balinese who have travelled across the Lombok Strait from Bali, as well as some people of indigenous Sasak origin.

All the main Hindu religious ceremonies are celebrated in Lombok and there are many villages throughout Lombok that have a Hindu majority population. According to local legends two of the oldest villages on the island, Bayan and Sembalun, was founded by a prince of Majapahit.

The Nagarakertagama, the 14th-century palm leaf poem that was found on Lombok, places the island as one of the vassals of the Majapahit empire. This manuscript contained detailed descriptions of the Majapahit Kingdom and also affirmed the importance of Hindu-Buddhism in the Majapahit empire by describing temple, palaces and several ceremonial observances.

Lombok experienced a period of Balinese occupation until the Dutch colonial government reinstated the Sasak rulers in the early 1890s following a direct appeal from the deposed Sasak rulers to the Dutch colonialists asking them to assist in driving out the Balinese occupiers. After a protracted, costly and destructive military campaign, the Dutch eventually overwhelmed the Balinese with a bloody battle fought around Ampernan and Mataram. The Dutch took the Nagarakretagama manuscript as part of the valuable Lombok treasure taken as war-booty from the destroyed palace of Mataram-Cakranagara in Lombok in 1894. Following the defeat of the Balinese occupiers, the people of Lombok remained under Dutch colonial control of the Netherlands East Indies until the Japanese occupied Lombok in the 1940s.

The Christian minority religion is actively practised in Lombok by some of the Chinese ethnicity and other Indonesians especially those from East Nusa Tenggara.

There is also a small Arab community in Lombok whose history dates back to early settlement by traders from Yemen. The small community is still evident mainly in Ampenan, the old port of Mataram and retains many of their own traditions.

A UNHCR refugee centre was established some years ago in Lombok. People of Iraqi origin have arrived in Lombok under the provisions of this UNHCR program. Many of the displaced have remained in a state of limbo in Lombok whilst trying to seek immigration to nearby Australia or elsewhere. Some of these refugees have intermarried with Lombok residents, adding their own subtle cultural influence to Lombok.

There are also a small number of people predominantly of European, Australian and New Zealand origins who are resident or semi-permanent residents of Lombok. Some are retirees, others have business activities in Lombok or nearby or they are employed in the mining industries of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB). Most are living in the coastal areas of West Lombok.

Lombok has individual settlers and small communities of Indonesian people from other areas, including Bali,Jawa, Sumbawa, and Timor, as well as other areas of Indonesia, but the prevailing and dominant culture remains that of the Sasak people.

Many influences of animist belief still prevail within the Sasak community. Traditional magic is widely practised to ward off evil and illness, to seek good fortune or to assist with the resolution of disputations and personal antipathy. There is a range of outcomes sought from local Dukun (traditional healer and magician) ranging from love spells to death. Thieves will often have magic used upon them so that their bodies will become 'hot' leading to a confession, a frequent trespasser may become disoriented and become 'lost' or a boy may fall under a girl's spell of desire and fall in love with her. Magic may be practised by an individual alone but normally a person experienced in such things is sought out to render a service. Normally money or gifts are made to this person in return for their services and the most powerful practitioners are treated with considerable respect.

While tropical, hot and humid, Lombok is drier than neighbouring Bali, which makes it a particularly attractive option during the Oct-Apr rainy season (it rains on Lombok too, but rarely for more than an hour or two). The peak of the tourist season, though, is May-August.

• -8.7568116.27291 Lombok International Airport (LOP  ^IATA) (Bandara Internasional Lombok). It is the only operational airport in Lombok. It is near the city of Praya on Jalan Raya, Tanak Awu, Lombok Tengah in central south Lombok and is approximately 40 km south of Mataram, and 55 km southeast of the established Senggigi tourism precinct of West Lombok. (updated Mar 2018)
• The Ngurah Rai International Airport on nearby Bali is a short distance by air (flight time 25 minutes), with several daily flights by both turboprop and jet powered aircraft. Tickets normally cost about Rp 900,000 for a single journey (July 2024).

All passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia and have at least 2 blank pages available for stamps and visas.

There are three principal ways for a traveller to formally enter Indonesia through a Lombok seaport or airport:

• Visa waiver. Show your passport, get stamped, that's it. Applies to 169 of eligible nationalities, includes all of ASEAN member nations.
• Visa on arrival. Pay on arrival, get a visa in your passport, get it stamped.
• Visa in advance. Obtain a visa at an Indonesian embassy before arrival.

For more comprehensive details on visa requirements please see the main article on Indonesia

Immigration clearance facilities are available for incoming International passengers arriving at the Lombok international terminal. Visitors arriving in Lombok from a point of origin outside Indonesia and clearing customs and immigration at Lombok's international airport may require the purchase of a Visa on Arrival (VoA). As of January 2010, the only type of visa on arrival available is the (Index B-213) visa, the cost is US$25 and it is valid for a stay of 30 days (the previous 7 day visa on arrival is no longer available).
Exact change in US dollars is recommended, although a selection of other major currencies including Rupiah are accepted, and any change will usually be given in Rupiah. Both the day of arrival and the day of departure are counted towards the 30 days.

Entry is processed through separate channels if the visa has been obtained prior to the time of departure arrival. There is a separate channel for Indonesian passport holders.

Bemos (converted passenger-carrying minivans) are the main means of short and medium distance transport on Lombok. They can be hailed down on all larger streets and will happily take you even short hops down the road. Fares are inexpensive. An approximate fare (mid 2009) from Ampenan to Senggigi is Rp 4,500-5,500/person. Sometimes tourists get charged extra and drivers of empty bemos may try to get you to charter them for a higher price, often more than an equivalent taxi ride over the same distance. If you are chartering be careful that the price and expectations are clear, if unresolved just seek a different Bemo.

Prices for set distances vary at times and if the price of fuel has risen or it is in short supply causing roadside price fluctuations then the Bemo prices will often follow. Try and watch what local customers are paying for a similar distance to your own and if really in doubt just include Rp 1,000-2,000 extra. It is prudent to have enough small notes to be able to pay the correct fare without needing change.

If you are carrying large bags of shopping or other items more than a day pack or small hand items then expect to pay a little more. For a large amount of shopping or a really large single item such as a bicycle, luggage or similar maybe double the charge for a single person or a bit more if the driver is missing out on business from other people because you have taken a lot of space in the vehicle or if the driver needs to assist with the loading and unloading.

Senggigi to Mataram will require a change at the Pasar Ampenan from the more utilitarian Suzuki Carry 'box back' style of bemo popular used in the rural areas across to a yellow and red Suzuki bemo of the enclosed van body style that runs about in the city areas, unless of course you have chartered the vehicle to your required destination.

Bemo are often used to carry produce either on charter or with passengers on board and occasionally a small cow, or some goats might be moved in one, normally not when there are people in there but nothing is out of the question with a bemo in the rural areas, even if it does not fit inside.

Bemos have normally stopped running by dusk on the west coast of Lombok and most other rural locations unless under charter. A taxi or other means of transport may need to be called to your location to pick you up if you leave your return to a time approaching dusk.

Travel agents can also get you on semi-regular shuttle services, which connect Senggigi, the airport, and the harbors of Lembar for Bali and Bangsal for the Gilis.

Metered taxis are common in Mataram, Cakranegara and Ampenan and readily operate to the Bangsal, Sira and Medana area and along the west coast tourism strip including Senggigi as well as to Lembar.

• Bluebird (Lombok Taksi), ☏ +62 370 627000. 24 hr radio dispatched service. Light blue coloured Toyota Vios, air conditioned. 
• Express Taksi, ☏ +62 370 635968. 24 hr radio dispatched service. All white Hyundai Excel with a current fleet replacement providing Chevrolet (GM Korea), air conditioned. 

Both the more prolific Bluebird Taksi and also the white coloured Express Taksi have a radio dispatch system and both companies cars are equipped with meters (argo) which should be used by their drivers at all times. Taxis may be hailed down on the roadside with the exception of the dark blue Airport Taksi, the use of which is limited to arriving airport passengers only. Taxis can be booked in advance either by calling them yourself or by booking through your hotel.

• Airport Taksi (Koperasi). The principal taxi available at the airport for (metered) journeys by arriving passengers to destinations across the island. They are a dark blue coloured Chevrolet Lova (GM Korea) model with a white 'Taxi' sign on the roof and an identifying rondel on the front doors. 

There are also some other taxi operators. With this development there is now a small number of light blue coloured Toyota Vios taxis that look very much like a Bluebird taxi unless viewed with some scrutiny.

• Lendang Express Taxi, Jl. Laksda Adi Sucipto No. 10, Rembiga, Mataram. They are a Green and gold coloured late model vehicle with an illuminated sign on the roof, they are not very common outside the city areas, air conditioned 

Other minor operators are:

• KSU Attic (PT. Rangga Rizki Pratama), Mataram. 
• Narmada Taxi, Lobar. 

Flag fall for taxis on Lombok is approximately Rp 4,250 and the meter ticks up a few hundred rupiah for every 100 m past 2 km. As a rough guide figure on Rp 10,000 for hops around town and around Rp 60,000-65,000 from Senggigi to Mataram/Cakranegara.

Renting a motorbike or scooter is also an option and there are many places in Senggigi, Mangsit, Mataram, Cakranegara and elsewhere to rent from. Expect to pay around Rp 80,000 for most models and possibly more in peak season or local holidays when demand for motorbike rentals can be very high. Late model full-automatic and semi-automatic motorbikes are available in Lombok and they normally have engine size in the range 110-125cc. Several motorbike rentals can also deliver and pick up the bike at the airport, though the service would be more expensive.

Great care must be exercised at all times when riding a motorbike anywhere in Lombok as the roads are sometimes in very bad repair. Loose sand, rocks, and gravel may be found upon the road. Large potholes and other road damage can cause serious accidents and injury to motorbike riders. Riding after the onset of dusk should be avoided in the southern or remote areas of Lombok and undertaken with great caution elsewhere. Always wear protective gear; at the very least, closed shoes and helmet.

Traveling at night in the rural areas is ill-advised and most local people are very wary of doing it.

It must be understood that the greater majority of drivers in Lombok have either no knowledge or no regard for common road rules. Road users are normally seriously undisciplined and engage in highly dangerous and erratic behaviour on the road and will frequently cross onto, or travel on the wrong side of the road without warning. Overtaking maneuvers and turns are also often executed in a highly dangerous manner.

Always thoroughly check the motorbike you are renting for any previous damage. Check especially for correct brake function and tyre condition (including tyre inflation). It is normally best to try the motorbike before finalising the agreement. Ensure the current STNK – (Surat Tanda Nomor Kendaraan) (Certificate of Registration) is current and the original copy and is with the motorbike. Care should be exercised to always lock a motorbike and to secure your possessions.

An ojek is a motorbike taxi service. Prices are negotiable but a rule of thumb is Rp 5,000 if the destination is nearby, Rp 10,000 for a few kilometres, Rp 20,000 for a longer trip like a run from Senggigi to Ampenan to pick up an airline ticket or go to the market and Rp 35,000-Rp 40,000 for a full day. If considerable distances are involved the hirer should offer to buy some fuel. Traditionally an ojek rider will wait for the hirer to complete their business at their destination/s and take them back home again. If you are out for the day you should consider providing modest food and refreshments. Make sure you have your own helmet or that one is supplied. If you forget to do this you may find that a local policeman needs to reminds you of this and payment of a 'fine' to him may be required to continue on your way.

Horse-pulled carts, known as cidomo, are very common on Lombok. They are a good method of transportation for short distances e.g, from your hotel to a restaurant. Make sure to agree on the price before the journey - Rp 10,000 is the maximum price to pay for a short journey. In the Gilis there are no cars, so horse carts or a bicycle are the only way to get around besides on foot.

Traditional fishing boats known as perahu ply the waters around Lombok, and are instantly recognizable due to their outriggers, two lengths of extra large bamboo sealed at either end and attached by timber outrigger bars on both sides creating a configuration similar to a catamaran and affording greater stability in heavy swells. They can also be chartered, either directly from owners (in which case some knowledge of Bahasa Indonesian or Bahasa Sasak will come in handy) or via any travel agent, who will of course take an often generous commission. English speaking guides on the beaches will be eager to assist with this if you wish. You will most likely be expected to pay for this service if the negotiation is successful either by 'hiring' the guide or by a commission paid to him by the boat operator.

Fishing charters and speedboat trips can be arranged in Lombok and professional operators will be able to supply suitable services including on-board safety equipment.

Traffic is relatively light throughout the island so cycling is quite possible and provides a very different cultural experience to other means of transport. You may wish to bring your own touring bike, as most local bikes are of a very basic quality. There is one biking tour operator (Lombok Biking) that has decent bikes and guides. Bicycles of reasonable quality may be purchased in Indonesia and may offer an alternative to the costs and complexities of shipping your own bike in from overseas. Bicycle sales outlets are situated in Cakranegara with several shops on Jalan Jl. Umarmaya near the rear of the Cakranegara markets and at the Tiara Department Store in Mataram Mall.

Great care must be exercised at all times when riding a bike anywhere in Lombok as the roads are sometimes in very bad repair and large potholes, loose sand, gravel and other road damage can cause serious accidents and injury. The greater majority of drivers in Lombok have either no knowledge or no regard for common road rules, are normally seriously undisciplined and engage in highly dangerous and erratic road behaviour.

Riding a bicycle after dusk should be avoided throughout Lombok due to the hazardous road conditions.

Lombok has a bicycle tour operator situated in Senggigi. See the Senggigi article for further information.

Please refer to the "By car" and "By motorbike" sections above for further information on riding conditions.

One accommodation option which is becoming more popular, emulating what has happened on its sister island of Bali, is renting a private villa complete with staff. However not every place sold as a "villa" actually fits the bill. Prices vary widely: some operators claim to go as low as US$30/ night, but realistically you will be looking at upwards of US$200/night for anything with a decent location and a private pool. At the top of the price range rents can easily go to US$1,000/night or higher. Villas can be found in Senggigi, at Sire beach near Tanjung and, increasingly, the Gili Islands; see those articles for more detail.

There are no international hospitals in Lombok. The nearest one can be found in Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, Bali. Mataram Public Hospital and Harapan Keluarga Hospital have staffs with limited to fluent English skill.

• Mataram Public Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum), Jl. Pejanggik 6, Mataram, ☏ +62 370 638464. 24 hr UGD-Emergency room and admissions. The islands and the province's main public hospital with UGD (Unit Gawat Darurat)-Emergency treatment room, ICU and OR facilities, laboratorium, Specialist consulting rooms. Caters to the needs of the general population. Rudimentary services, rooms and care are commensurate with an underdeveloped country. 
• RS Harapan Keluarga, Jl Ahmad Yani, Selagalas (to the immediate east of the city), ☏ +62 370 673666. Newly built modern facility with a polyclinic, ICU, operating theatres, CT and MRI scans, modern x-ray equipment, hemodialysis, ultrasound (USG), endoscopy, bronchoscopy and fluoroscopy facilities. Ambulance callout, emergency room (UGD), pharmacy, on-site laboratory and radiology department is available 24/7. This is the island's most advanced and comprehensively equipped private facility. RS Risa is the second preference, in a serious emergency, the closest facility should be accessed. 
• 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 hr UGD-Emergency room and admissions. Hospital with UGD (Unit Gawat Darurat)-Emergency treatment room, private and VIP patient rooms, ICU and OR facilities, laboratorium, specialist consulting rooms including Internist, ophthalmologist, obstetrician, dentist. Professional treatment and reasonably comfortable accommodations. 
• 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. Known popularly as Karang Ujung Hospital 
• 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 hr UGD (Emergency room and admissions). Polyclinic and general hospital open to the public for treatment and admissions, also available general medicine, midwife, medical-legal services, counselling, 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. 
• Payment guarantee, 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, pharmacuticals 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 authorisations delayed for extended times whilst they deliberate over authorising treatment and payment guarantees.

• Klinik Risa (Risa Centra Medika Hospital), Jl. Pejanggik No.115, Cakranegara (Mataram) (just east of Mataram mall on the right hand side of the road), ☏ +62 370 625560. 24 hr 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 (Mataram) (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. 

• Ambulance, ☏ +62 370 623489, 118 (In emergency). 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). It will be necessary to call either Jakarta or Bali to seek assistance from SOS Medika. SOS Medika provide professional medical treatment, referral and emergency management including air rescue services, they are situated in both Bali and Jakarta. 
  • Bali:24 hr Emergencies, ☏ +62 361 710505, +62 361 720100 (Clinic). 
  • Jakarta: 24 hr emergencies, ☏ +62 21 7506001. 

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.