Nusa Tenggara Islands in Indonesia: all about vacationing

Nusa Tenggara is a picturesque region in southeastern Indonesia that attracts tourists with picturesque landscapes, a unique, distinctive culture and an abundance of unexplored beaches, trails and opportunities for the curious traveler to discover.

Administratively Nusa Tenggara divided into two provinces: western and eastern.

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Western Nusa Tenggara

General information

• Province area: 20,153 square kilometers
• Main islands: Lombok and Sumbawa
• Population: 5,390,000 according to official figures as of mid-2021
• Location: Indonesia
• Languages spoken: Indonesian
• Religions: over 96% Islam

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Lombok

The island is one of the largest in the province of West Nusa Tenggara. Its area is about 4,738.65 square kilometers and the number of inhabitants is 3,808,900 according to the official mid-2021 estimate. The capital of the province and the largest city of the island, Mataram, is located here.

In 2018, the island was hit by a series of earthquakes that caused severe damage to both its infrastructure and residents. However, despite this, Lombok continues to be a popular destination for outbound and inbound tourism, and in 2019 ranked among the top halal tourist destinations in Indonesia.

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How to get to Lombok

Lombok has its own international airport (Lombok International Airport, also known as Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport), from where flights depart to Denpasar, Jakarta, Singapore, Sydney and several other cities. The airport is located about 40 kilometers from the city of Mataram and is connected to it by road.

Among the airlines operating at Lombok Airport are Scoot, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Citilink, Batik Air and others.

Many travelers vacationing in Bali make an independent trip to Lombok. There are three ways to get around this route:

1. By plane. Flights operate from Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) and take approximately 40 minutes.
2. On a public ferry. Ferries leave from the port of Padang Bay (Bali) every hour. The cost of travel is a few dollars. Travel time 4-5 hours. Not recommended for people suffering from seasickness.
3. On a speedboat. Boats depart from various locations in Bali, including the port of Padang Bay, as well as from the Gili Islands. Estimated travel time is 1.5-3 hours depending on the operator and points of departure/arrival.

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Hotels in Lombok

Lombok offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget guest houses to luxury villas with private pools and scenic views of the surrounding area. Depending on the conditions, the rental price can range from 6 to 500 euros per day. Particularly popular is the city of Kuta, located on the southern coast of the island. Here are some examples of accommodation options with an indication of approximate prices for accommodation:

• Twiny's - clean, comfortable bungalows a kilometer from the popular Kuta beach. There is a possibility of food, private parking, a small pool - from 40 euros with breakfast.
• Origin Lombok is a well-maintained 4-star hotel in Kuta, 2 kilometers from the beach. Comfortable rooms, food, swimming pool, massage services. There is an opportunity for surfing, diving, fishing - from 50 euros with breakfast.
• Jivana Resort is a calm, beautiful boutique hotel near the center of Kuta. On the territory there is a lot of greenery and a small pond with fish, a swimming pool and a restaurant. Close to restaurants, shops and beaches - about 100 euros with breakfast.

Hereinafter, the price is indicated in euros for one night stay for two.

Jivana Resort

Nutrition

There is no shortage of gastronomic establishments on the island. You can taste authentic Indonesian dishes at local eateries, visit hotel restaurants, which offer not only traditional dishes, but also international cuisine, or taste the cuisine of the island's most popular restaurants.

Among the latest is the Ashtari restaurant, which offers Indian and Indonesian cuisine prepared by skilled chefs and enjoying magnificent views of the surroundings. It is possible to stay overnight in beautiful apartments, attend yoga classes and culinary master classes.

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Entertainment and attractions

Rinjani rises in the center of the island - one of the highest volcanoes in Indonesia (3726 meters), which from time to time reminds of itself with increased activity and ash emissions.

The main tourist attractions on the island of Lombok include excursions to the Rinjani volcano, trekking, visiting the Sendang waterfalls Gile, beach holidays, massage, snorkeling and diving, surfing and fishing, as well as visiting the famous Gili trio of islands - Air, Meno and Trawangan.

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Gili

Three miniature islands, Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, located off the northwest coast of Lombok, attracts tourists with its unique authentic atmosphere.

There are no cars and motorcycles here, with the exception of electric scooters, and movement around the islands is carried out on foot, on a bicycle that can be rented, or in a horse-drawn cart called cidomo.

The largest and most active of the three islands is Trawangan, which boasts numerous restaurants and beach parties. Gili Air is considered the second largest and quieter. And the smallest and quietest is Gili Meno. By the way, it was here that the famous American writer Elizabeth Gilbert finished writing her bestseller "Eat, Pray, Love", which was subsequently made into a movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts. Diving and snorkeling awaits travelers here too.

How to get to the Gili Islands

There is direct boat service from Bali and Lombok.

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Sumbawa

The area of the island is three times the area of Lombok and is 15,414.50 square kilometers. According to the 2020 census, the island is inhabited by over 1,500,000 people.

Despite the fact that Sumbawa has magnificent sandy beaches, it is one of the most rarely visited islands in the region. This is due to remoteness, difficult logistics and lack of developed tourism infrastructure.

At the same time, the island attracts surfers and boasts world-class surf breaks, including Scar Reef , Yoyo's, Supersuck and Lakey Peak.

Sumbawa Island

Those who travel to Sumbawa in order to conquer the waves can sail to the island on a charter boat.

For other categories of travelers, ferry and air services are provided. And if crossing the sea by ferry will require a considerable amount of time and effort from the tourist, then getting to the island by air would be a more acceptable option. So, the city of Sumbawa Besar on the western side of the island has an airport that receives flights from Lombok. Flights are operated by Wings Air. Travel time is about 40 minutes.

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Eastern Nusa Tenggara

General information

• Province area: 47,931.54 square kilometers
• Main islands: Sumba, Flores
• Population: 5,387,738 according to official figures as of mid-2021
• Location: Indonesia
• Languages spoken: the official language is Indonesian, but a number of regional languages are also used

• Religions: about 90% Christianity. It is the only province in Indonesia where Catholicism prevails (53.6%)

The province includes about 500 islands. Let's talk about the most significant of them.

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Sumba

The island has an area of 11,006.62 square kilometers, and its population as of mid-2021 was 788,190 people. The island is famous for its handmade textiles and is considered to be one of the poorest in Indonesia. The largest city on the island is the main port of Waingapu.

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Sumba Island Hotels

Sumba cannot boast such a variety of hotels as some other Indonesian islands. But you can easily find a decent place for a comfortable stay here. Eg:

• Sumba beach House - 3-star hotel on the first line from the beach offers friendly service, clean rooms, good food, a small pool and private parking - from 100 euros.
• Lelewatu Resort Sumba - a luxurious resort with beautiful villas, a swimming pool, a fitness center and other components of a 5-star holiday - from 350 euros with breakfast.
• NIHI Sumba is one of the top 5 eco-friendly hotels in the world and twice named the best hotel in the world by the American Travel + Leisure magazine. Offers spacious villas and plenty of entertainment for adults and children - from 850 euros including meals, soft drinks, a range of excursions and activities.

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Entertainment and attractions

While relaxing on the island, you can visit local villages and learn about the life of their inhabitants, admire the magnificent waterfalls, ride horses along the beach and watch the bathing of these noble animals, go trekking, learn the basics of traditional weaving ikat, go fishing, surf and other water sports.

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Flores

The island is the tenth in Indonesia in terms of size and population. The land area is 15,530.58 square kilometers and the number of inhabitants is 1,897,550 as of mid-2021.

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Flores Island Hotels

The island has a sufficient number of accommodation options. Most of them are concentrated in the port city of Labuan Bajo, which today plays the role of a popular tourist center in the region. The cost of housing here starts from 10 euros for a budget guest house and can reach 250 euros for a room in a 5-star hotel. Eg:

• World bnb - a modest but clean and comfortable guest house 2 kilometers from the beach. There is a restaurant, a small pool - about 30 euros with breakfast and a free shuttle to the airport.
• Puri Sari beach Hotel is a quiet hotel next to the beach. Among the advantages - a swimming pool, a restaurant, a lot of greenery and friendly staff - about 40 euros.
• AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach - 5-star resort hotel with a full range of services - from 250 euros.

In other most visited cities and villages of Flores Island, guest houses and hotels are also waiting for tourists, but their choice is not as wide as in Labuan Bajo.

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Entertainment and attractions

The main attraction of the island of Flores is the Kelimutu volcano with three multi-colored crater lakes that attract a few tourists. Island entertainment includes: trekking, visiting picturesque waterfalls and cycling.

In addition, there are fascinating places for snorkeling and diving in the vicinity of the island. Particularly in the waters near Labuan Bajo can meet whale sharks. At the same time, the city is often used by tourists as a base for visiting Komodo Island, home to the largest lizard on earth.

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Komodo

The island is part of the Komodo National Park. Its area is 390 square kilometers, and the population is more than 2000 people.

The island is a popular diving destination and has been included in the New7Wonders of nature. Also on Komodo is one of the 7 beaches in the world with pink sand.

But most tourists come here to see with their own eyes the famous Komodo dragon - the largest of the existing types of lizards, whose length can reach 3 meters and weight - 70 kilograms.

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How to get to Komodo Island

Accessible by boat from Flores Island. However, the most convenient option would be to visit the island with a guided tour.

Accommodation on Komodo Island

The island does not provide comfortable accommodation. Tourists who have arrived with an excursion can spend the night in the cabin of their ship.

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Weather on the Nusa Tenggara Islands

The average temperature in the region is relatively stable and fluctuates between 27-29°C all year round. The dry season is from April to September and is characterized by a large number of clear, cloudless days. This period is the best for climbing Mount Rinjani.

The rainy season starts in October and lasts until March, with the most rainfall in November, December and January.

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Money in Nusa Tenggara

The main currency in Nusa Tenggara is the Indonesian rupiah. It is worth noting that most local residents and companies prefer to work with cash. On many islands, it may not be possible to cash out, so at the very beginning of the trip, stock up on rupees for accommodation, meals, transport, excursions and incidental expenses.

You will most likely only be able to use a credit card in more expensive hotels, shops and restaurants.

When exchanging currency, it is better to use new banknotes without obvious wear or scuffs.

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Transport on the Nusa Tenggara Islands

You can move between the islands by air, ferry, and cruise ships.

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The beaches of Nusa Tenggara

The Nusa Tenggara Islands have a large number of beautiful beaches, for example:

• Kuta beach (Lombok) - a large beach on the southern coast of the island. Popular with surfers;
• Pink beach (Lombok) - a calm and photogenic beach two hours drive from the city of Mataram. Also known as Tangsi Beach (not to be confused with the pink beach on Komodo Island). An incredible pink tint to the sand is given by a red reef, particles of which are washed ashore. But this shade may not be as distinct as on the beach of Komodo Island;
• Pink beach (Komodo) - one of the 7 beaches in the world, strewn with sand of a pronounced pink color. As on the "pink" beach of Lombok, this color is obtained from crushed coral particles mixed with beach sand. When exposed to waves, the red color is seen more clearly as the sand becomes wet;
• Gili Meno beach - a picturesque beach located on a miniature island. There is good potential for snorkeling and diving.

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