Major city · Indonesia
Mataram
Use Mataram as a 1-night base for Lombok's west coast, not a beach stay: sleep here for markets and food, then move to Senggigi or the Gilis.
Mataram is Lombok's largest city and the capital of West Nusa Tenggara, an inland sprawl of three joined districts: Ampenan on the coast, Mataram in the centre and Cakranegara to the east. It has the island's best local food, its main malls and hospitals, and the temples and gardens of Lombok's Balinese past. It has no beach worth planning around, so most travellers give it one night on the way in or out, or use it as a rainy-day and errand stop between Senggigi and the airport.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- avoid Jan–Feb (peak rain)
- Airport
- LOP
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mataram112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mataram, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyMataram is a working Indonesian city and generally safe for tourists; the real risks are traffic, scooter accidents…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLOP Lombok International Airport (Praya) (About 40 km (25 mi) southeast; DAMRI bus to Mandalika terminal Rp15,000, taxi Rp130,000–150,000).LOP Lombok International Airport (Praya) (About 25 mi (40 km) southeast; DAMRI bus to Mandalika terminal Rp15,000, taxi Rp130,000–150,000).
- Getting aroundMataram is spread out and hot; metered Bluebird/Express taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easy option for Rp15,000–40,000 a hop.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or bottled waterRp4,000–15,000
- Street or quick mealBubur ayam or noodle bowlRp10,000–23,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Metered taxi, short city hopRp15,000–40,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (foreign visitor rate)Rp7,000+
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomRp450,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomRp500,000
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomRp1,200,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp400,000 · Mid Rp800,000 · High Rp1,600,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LOP Lombok International Airport (Praya) (About 40 km (25 mi) southeast; DAMRI bus to Mandalika terminal Rp15,000, taxi Rp130,000–150,000)LOP Lombok International Airport (Praya) (About 25 mi (40 km) southeast; DAMRI bus to Mandalika terminal Rp15,000, taxi Rp130,000–150,000)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Aug (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mataram: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Mataram is spread out and hot; metered Bluebird/Express taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easy option for Rp15,000–40,000 a hop. Bemos run fixed routes between Ampenan, Mataram and Cakranegara but are slow and crowded. Ojeks (motorbike taxis) cost Rp5,000–10,000 for short trips. Renting a scooter (about Rp50,000/day) or a car with driver is the practical way to reach Narmada, Lingsar and the coast.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Senggigi
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or ride-hailing, 20–30 min west
Beach and sunset base; move here if you want sand, not city.
Tanjung
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Taxi or car north via Senggigi, 1–1.5 h
Quiet north-coast villages and waterfalls; better as an overnight.
Bangsal
goDoor to door: 1.5 h
Car or taxi north, 1–1.5 h
Boat pier for the Gili islands; go early for the fast boats.
Lembar
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Taxi or bemo south, 30–45 min
Ferry port to Bali; only useful if you are crossing, not a sight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cakranegara
Commercial hub with the market and Mataram Mall; best for food and errands, 10–15 min by taxi from Ampenan.
Mataram centre (Monjok, Selaparang)
Central, walkable to warungs and the Islamic Center; the most convenient single-night base.
Ampenan
Old port and beach on the west coast; quieter, closer to Senggigi road, fewer hotels.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp600,000–1,200,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,200,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 1 night × Rp500,000 | Rp500,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp800,000 | Rp1,600,000 |
| DAMRI bus, airport to Mandalika terminal2 × Rp15,000 | Rp30,000 |
| Taxi, airport to Mataram2 × Rp140,000 · Rp130,000–150,000 | Rp280,000 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × Rp50,000 | Rp100,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp281,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,546,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp3,091,000≈ US$190 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ayam taliwang plate at a local warung | Rp25,000–50,000 |
| Sate (10 sticks) with rice cakes | Rp20,000–25,000 |
| Bubur ayam or noodle bowl | Rp10,000–23,000 |
| Coffee or bottled water | Rp4,000–15,000 |
| Metered taxi, short city hop | Rp15,000–40,000 |
| Museum entry (foreign visitor rate) | Rp7,000+ |
| Mayura Park entry | Rp20,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Traffic and unpaved pavements; walk with care after dark.
- Pickpockets on crowded bemos, especially on Cakranegara routes.
- Only use metered taxis or app rides; agree the fare before an unmetered trip.
- Scooter rental: helmet, licence and travel insurance matter; roads are busy and left-hand drive.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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MataramMataram
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
Most embassies are in Jakarta; Australia has a consulate-general in Bali and there is no consulate in Mataram — check your country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport (LOP) → Mataram, taxi: Rp130,000–150,000, about 40–60 min
- Airport → Mandalika terminal, DAMRI bus: Rp15,000, hourly from 04:00Rp15,000, hourly from 4:00 AM
- Lembar port → Mataram, bemo: Rp5,000–8,000 in daylight
- Scooter rental, per day: about Rp50,000
Say or show
- Terima kasih — Thank you (ter-ee-ma ka-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Bisa pakai argo? — Can you use the meter? (bee-sa pa-kai ar-go)
- Tidak pedas — Not spicy, please (tee-dak pe-das)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee ma-na toy-let)
- Tolong — Help (toh-long)
Carry small rupiah notes for bemos, parking and warungs; cards work in malls and hotels, not in markets.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mataram. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct (dry season) · avoid Jan–Feb (peak rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LOP: DAMRI times, taxi band and late-arrival fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: Cakranegara market and Meru Temple, Mayura Park, Ampenan old town, Monjok food streets.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices (Mayura Park, Narmada, Lingsar, the provincial museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rainy-day and Ramadan fixtures so the city works when the beaches do not.