Major city · Indonesia
Sumbawa Besar
Spend a day in Sumbawa Besar to see the Istana Dalam Loka palace; add a night if you want a quiet base before heading east.
Sumbawa Besar is the historic capital of the former Sultanate, offering a palace museum, a modest market and nearby beaches. One full day covers the main sights; a second night adds a relaxed stay before continuing east or returning to Lombok.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (check)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, check)
- Airport
- SWQ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Emergency numbers for Sumbawa Besar110 ▾
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 Sumbawa Besar, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; keep an eye on traffic, especially motorbikes, and store valuables securely in accommodations.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 113 fire · 118/119 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.
- AirportSWQ Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport (Brang Bidji) (Garuda Indonesia and Wings Air flights from Lombok).
- Getting aroundWalk or motorbike for town sights; taxis available for beach trips.
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
- SWQ Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin III Airport (Brang Bidji) (Garuda Indonesia and Wings Air flights from Lombok)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sumbawa Besar: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
6 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 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
Walk or motorbike for town sights; taxis available for beach trips. No public bus within town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Baru Beach
goDoor to door: 30 min round trip
Motorbike or taxi, ~15 min east
Evening walk, modest facilities
Ai Loang Beach
goDoor to door: 40 min round trip
Motorbike or taxi, ~20 min south
Good for a quick swim
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.
Tambora Hotel
Rooms from Rp 80,000; AC rooms Rp 120,000 with breakfast
Hotel Dewi
Basic rooms Rp 150,000 (no AC) or Rp 200,000 (AC)
Hotel Dian
Very basic rooms from Rp 100,000
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
- Rp 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp 45,000–70,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp 70,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Meal at warung (e.g., Warung Kita 2) | Rp 15,000–20,000 |
| Taxi within town (5 km) | Rp 30,000–45,000 |
| Istana Dalam Loka entry | Rp 10,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Limited night transport; plan return to airport or Lombok before midnight
- Some attractions (Bala Kuning Palace) can only be viewed from outside
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 113
- Ambulance
- 118/119
Pocket card
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Sumbawa BesarSumbawa Besar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance118
- General emergency112
Embassy
US consular services are in Mataram (check address); other embassies in Jakarta.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lombok → Sumbawa Besar (flight): about Rp 500,000–700,000 one‑way (check)
- Taxi Sumbawa Besar → Baru Beach: about Rp 30,000–45,000
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Di mana kamar kecil? — Where is the bathroom? (dee mah-nah kah-mar keh-cheel)
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 Sumbawa Besar. 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 (check) · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, check) · 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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Sumbawa Besar
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