Senggigi

The Senggigi region is the main tourist destination on the island of Lombok in Indonesia. The main town is Senggigi, and the whole area is well known for its beautiful west facing beaches.

Understand
The Senggigi region is formed by several adjacent yet subtly different areas all lying along the same 2 lane coastal road. The boundaries of each area can seem rather ill-defined. While pockets of development can be found in some areas, long stretches of open undeveloped land lie in between. Nightlife and major restaurants are concentrated in the central township of Senggigi. The first time visitor should be aware of these distinct regional differences. Booking a hotel in Senggigi could mean a relatively remote location where the town centre can only be reached by taxi or public transport.


 * Mangsit — a little to the north of Senggigi township, it has a well established hotel strip running along a long tranquil sweeping beach with traditional outrigger boats resting on the sand. Mangsit is the gateway to the northern area of activities at Gili Islands, Tanjung and Mount Rinjani. It has well established resort hotel choices but few other tourist activities, such as shopping and nightlife. Mangsit can be quickly and conveniently reached from the centre of Senggigi by taxi or public bemo.
 * Kerangdangan — in a large quiet bay to the immediate north of the Senggigi township with some rental villa's in the valley behind the beach.
 * Senggigi (centre) — not a typical tourist resort town, such as may be found in Bali where a day can be spent shopping and socialising at the local bars and restaurants. However there are enough bars, pool tables, TV screens with sports broadcasts, relaxing lounge areas and beach side restaurants to keep people occupied should that be their focus. Many visitors use Senggigi as a home base and take day trips to the waterfalls, the Gili Islands, or go exploring the still authentic villages, temples, and forest habitat found within a couple of hours drive.
 * Batu Bolong — is to the immediate south of Senggigi and has a sparsely spread out collection of hotels, cafes, restaurants, several karaoke establishments and a large barn-like nightclub along the coast road. A smaller restaurant and hotel strip is concentrated at the Senggigi end. It feels in the most part like a southern satellite extension of the Senggigi township. In the valley behind Batu Bolong is a large housing complex catering to Indonesian and expatriate long term residents and visitors. Taxis, or bemo if during daylight hours, give very quick access the centre of Senggigi.

Both Mangsit and Batu Bolong are more focussed on the hotels along their respective beachfronts where at night the centre of Senggigi has a more lively street feel to it with live music playing and people moving about from one venue to another.

Lombok's tourism sector has struggled, and tourism activity in Senggigi went through a very subdued period with many developments halted and businesses closed.

Things had improved, and new shops and tourism ventures opening. Senggigi is again popular with visitors seeking out the stunning scenery and unique culture and flavours of Lombok.

Get in
Senggigi is 15-20 min north of the outskirts of the island's capital Mataram, but more than an hour from the airport.

Lombok's international airport Bandara Internasional Lombok (BIL), is near the city of Praya on Jalan Raya, Tanak Awu Lombok Tengah in central south Lombok, and about 50 km southeast of the Senggigi tourism precinct of West Lombok.

By taxi
Airport Taksi, Bluebird metered taxi, and Express metered taxi serve the international airport. A metered taxi from Bandara Internasional Lombok to Senggigi costs Rp 135,000-155,000. A taxi from the Mandalika Bus Terminal in Sweta on eastern outskirts of Mataram will be around Rp 60,000-65,000. Taxis use a meter and the charge is determined by time and distance. A Rp 17,500 airport taxi surcharge is payable when departing the airport in a taxi. Coupons are available at the Taxi Service counter immediately outside the airport terminal doors.

The main Lombok has for more details on the international airport and connecting services to Senggigi.

By airport bus
A public bus service is available from Bandara Internasional Lombok to service passengers wishing to travel to and from either Mataram or Senggigi. The 8 DAMRI buses serving the route are air conditioned and have a capacity of approximately 40 passengers.

The DAMRI bus services depart Senggigi from 03:00 and are listed as departing every 1½ hr until the last departure from Senggigi at 20:00. The bus is meant to take about 1½ hr but the trip time may be closer to 2 hr.

DAMRI services also depart from the Mandalika terminal every hour and proceed to the airport, commencing at 04:00 with the last bus leaving that terminal at 19:00.

The fare to Senggigi is Rp 25,000, and from the Mandalika terminal it is Rp 15,000. Buses arrive and depart from immediately south of the Art Market on Jl. Raya Senggigi and from in front of the terminal building at the airport. Tickets are purchased on the bus.

Bluebird taxis are normally readily available in Senggigi to fulfill any requirements for travel onward to destinations that are further to the north.

By bemo
In daylight hours the a public bemo is available inside the parking area of the Ampenan market and on the road way outside, the charge to travel up the coast to Senggigi is around Rp 5,000, plus extra charges for any larger items of luggage carried.

Bemo are also available to travel down the western coast from locations in the north of the island. Bayan, Tanjung and Pemenang have public terminal areas, the facilities at the terminals are quite rudimentary and resemble a parking area rather than a formalised terminal or interchange.

By shuttle car
Arriving in the Lombok airport, from Bali by ferry and you haven't booked an end-to-end travel package then getting from Lembar or the airport to Bangsal can sometimes be problematic. You can take a shuttle car service to Bangsal from Lembar, Mataram or Senggigi.

Hotel transfer services
Some of the larger hotels offer pick up transfers to and from the airport. You will need to book ahead for this.

By bemo
Bemos are small covered pick-up trucks with narrow padded seating benches in the rear. They are the main means of short and medium distance transport in the rural and coastal areas of Lombok and can be hailed down on many streets. They will happily take you even short hops around Senggigi and the fares are inexpensive.

An approximate fare from Senggigi to the produce markets in Ampenan is Rp 4,500-Rp 5,500/person. Prices for set distances can vary at time. 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-Rp 2,000 extra. If chartering an empty bemo to a particular destination be careful to clarify the exact amount of payment required prior to getting into the vehicle.

Many bemo drivers are reluctant to venture further up the west coast than the northern end of Mangsit Village as the passenger densities drop dramatically from there on. The driver may want to turn back at this point if he does not have sufficient passengers.

Bemos have normally stopped running by dusk on the west coast of Lombok.

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

By taxi
Both the Bluebird and white coloured Express Taksi have a radio dispatch system and both companies cars are equipped with meters which should be used by their drivers at all times. Flag fall is approximately Rp 4,250 and the meter ticks up a few hundred rupiah for every hundred meters past 2 km. Taxis can often be hailed down on the street around Senggigi 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. Late at night they can often be found congregated near the Marina nightclub in Senggigi. Taxis can often be found parked opposite the Holiday Resort in Mangsit and on the hill above the Sheraton resort at the northern end of Senggigi township both day and night.

By car
Renting a car is also an option and there are many places to rent from in the Senggigi area. Expect to pay Rp 150,000-Rp 175,000 (low end mid-late 1980s Suzuki mini jeep-Jimmy (2x4) to Rp 450,000 for a late model Toyota Kijang (2x4). Check over the vehicle very carefully before signing the rental agreement.

By motorbike
To hire a motorbike, expect to pay around Rp 80,000 for one or two years old automatic scooter models and possibly more in peak season when demand for rentals can be very high. Thoroughly check over the motorbike before signing the rental agreement. In Indonesia a helmet is required at all times, lights should be illuminated whilst on the road.

By ojek
Prices are negotiable but a rule of thumb is Rp 5,000 if the destination is nearby.

By horse cart
Horse-pulled carts, known as Cidomo, are very common around Senggigi and all across Lombok. They are a good method of transportation for short distances such as from your hotel to a restaurant. Make sure to agree on the price before the journey and before alighting the cidomo. Rp 10,000 is the maximum price to pay for a short journey.

By boat
Traditional fishing boats known as perahu ply the waters around Lombok. They are instantly recognisable due to their outriggers, two lengths of extra large bamboo sealed at either end and attached by bars on both sides like a catamaran affording greater stability in heavy swells. They can also be chartered on the Senggigi beaches, 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 take an often generous commission.

By bicycle
Traffic is relatively light throughout the island so travel by bicycle is quite possible and provides a very different cultural experience to other means of transport. Some of the hotels have bicycles available and Senggigi has a bicycle tour operator.



See



 * Pura Batu Bolong, 2 km south of Senggigi. Small Hindu temple located in a scenic spot at a small headland overlooking Senggigi beach, named after a rock (batu) with a hole (bolong).  At the tip of the this headland is an empty chair representing Brahma, the Hindu God of Creation.  Free entry, but you'll have to 'borrow' a sash (Rp 10,000 a throw) from one of the urchins if you don't have one already.  Sunsets seen from here can be very impressive.
 * Senggigi Beach, A spit of sand stretching out from central Senggigi. This is Senggigi's raison d'etre but, by Indonesian standards, it's not all that spectacular.  The beach is a sometimes a little dirty, the hawkers can be a nuisance and the Senggigi Beach Resort has grabbed most of the land.  Some local surfers brave the smallish waves. The pathway around the peninsula can be a pleasant promenade. The sunsets can be very beautiful.
 * Kerangdangan beach, On Sunday afternoons Kerangdangan beach is a popular destination for Lombok residents. They go there to wander about and socialise or sit on the sandy beach or grassy area behind the warungs. People often take a swim in the sea and later eat satay and other snacks made by Kerandangan villagers and sold in the beachfront warungs.  There are also two small and more expensive venues with informal outdoor dining in a cluster of small barugas with big cushions and relaxed service. They are set a little back from the beach and are open most days and nights.  Full menus are available at these two venues and they offer an interesting alternative to the Senggigi township offerings. Access to the area is not obvious and the number of beachside warungs has been reduced due to a large parcel of land being annexed for a new development. Look for an entrance toward the northern end of the bay.

Senggigi is a popular launch point for other activities on Lombok. Without the hassle of Mataram, you can visit several other locations and come back to the same hotel each night. Tour operators can arrange these trips for you at around Rp 350,000 for a very basic short trip for the day including a private car and driver. Excursions to more distant locations are up around Rp 800,000-1,000,000 and would most likely include a guide for the day. Overnight trips are easily arranged and the necessary accommodation charges for a guide and driver should be quite modest.

Popular excursions that can be done in a day trip include:


 * Village visits, including weaving villages and other handicraft-producers.
 * Waterfall visits. There are some very interesting waterfall and village destinations open for tourism visits in the northern part of the island.
 * Scenic drive the coastal road to the north of Senggigi has been extensively upgraded turning this road into a popular scenic route with stunning vistas of quiet kampungs, traditional rural activities, near deserted beaches and bright green rice fields with mountain backdrops. It has steep climbs over some of the headlands affording panoramic views of the coastline and the Lombok Strait. The drive northwards up the coast from Senggigi is a popular destination for young local couples and families going on Sunday outings. It is a stunning scenic and normally reasonably quiet drive and is serviced by small traditional roadside shops and warungs. Sundays can get a bit hectic on the roads, especially toward sunset.

Do
Most activities around Senggigi revolve around diving, snorkelling, and hiking.

Surfing
Senggigi has some surf shops in the town, but there are much better areas on Lombok for surfing.



Scuba diving
Several of the major local operators have offices in Senggigi. They also offer snorkeling trips



Snorkelling
For extra interest and safety it is best to go with a diving buddy that has local experience with the currents and underwater geography of the coral reefs off Senggigi, Mangsit and Gili Islands.



Bicycle rides
Some of the hotels rent bicycles for riding around the Senggigi precinct, see the By bicycle section.

Massage
Traditional therapeutic massages are provide by local Sasak women both on the beaches, including Mangsit beach and at many of the hotels. It must be understood these are strictly traditional therapeutic massages provided by local Sasak practitioners.


 * Santai Beach Cottages at the southern end of Mangsit beach or Windy Beach Cottages at the northern end are a good place to enquire. Ask at the reception desk and they will summon one of the local traditional masseurs from the beach or nearby kampung for you. Santai will provide a nice beachside massage and fresh juices and tea can ordered from the hotel. At Windy Beach Cottages at the far north end of Mangsit Beach local village women have an arrangement to use a comfortable screened baruga in the hotel grounds.  Enquiries can be made at reception or by yourself on the beach if not perturbed by often over interested beach traders. Bookings can also be made at the cellphone shop opposite the entrance to Windy Beach Cottages.

Buy
Lombok-style woodenware, decorated with local creatures and geometrical patterns in shades of black, brown and red, is sold in several shops in town. The tall masks are quite distinctive, though potentially difficult to get on the plane home. Boxes and bowls are also numerous. It's not as intricate and refined as Balinese arts, but it has a distinctive look and charm, and is quite inexpensive.

Make sure you are aware of your home countries import and quarantine restrictions as some require wood to be fumigated and inspected for vermin and pests. Nearby Australia for example has very strict regulations and failing to declare many items including those made of timber, seeds and some shell items may lead to heavy penalties and confiscation. Check your home countries import regulations and do not forget to declare the goods on the way in when you get back home or when passing through 'transit' countries such as Australia if you are clearing customs there.

Persistent hawkers push Komodo freshwater pearls on tourists, and will sometimes follow visitors for the length of the town. The pearls are quite pretty as costume jewellery, and make nice gifts or souvenirs, but the hawkers play on a misunderstanding of their market value. They will often quote a starting price of around Rp 300,000 for a strand, though they can be had for as little as Rp 35,000. Pearls for sale on the street tend to be the left-overs of the industry, with more flaws and variations in shape. They are normally fresh-water pearls and contrary to popular belief some of these come from China. Longer strands cost more. Better quality strands (rounder, more uniform pearls with fewer flaws) ought to cost more, though the hawkers seem not very sensitive regarding quality and will let you pretty much pick the one you want. Genuine (salt water) Lombok pearls are readily available and high quality examples can be found at one of the many speciality pearl dealers in Lombok.

There are also many handicraft items available as well as sometimes very good copies of antique artefacts such as Kris and many small traditional Sasak, Hindu and Buddhist items from Lombok's past as well as from nearby Sumbawa, and Bali

If you lose your watch or sunglasses, never fear. Street vendors are always at hand to provide a replacement.


 * Senggigi Square.
 * Senggigi Plaza.

Senggigi has plenty of ATMs in several locations along the main road passing through the main township.

Eat
There are plenty of eating options in Senggigi, with a surprising array of Western-style dishes on the menu. Alas, local chefs are often better with the names than the recipes for Western favorites, and seem to follow a philosophy of "when in doubt, add more butter." Promoters will follow you along the street offering business cards, 10% discounts, and free "cocktails" to draw you in. Beware of discount offers, and before you bite, ask if VAT and service will be added to the bill. A promised 10% discount can quickly become a 10% surcharge after they hit you with tax and service.

Local budget roadside and beach eating

 * Warungs and small eating houses, Many roadside warungs sell local food to local people and visitors can join in. Some have very good food at a very reasonable price. Look for the busy ones and make sure you understand what you are buying. Watch and see how popular a warung is with the locals and you will have a strong indication of value and quality. The taxi driver rule is a good one to apply and it works in Lombok as well as anywhere else and they generally know where to eat and where not.
 * The Senggigi beach has a warung on the beach. It mostly serves satay (beef or chicken) and is very popular with the locals. Lucky vegetarians may happen to run into the local gado-gado woman that walks along the beach dishing out delicious and spicy Indonesian salad.
 * The Senggigi strip including Batu Bolong and Mangsit have warungs and small eating houses.
 * At Kerungdangan there are many traditional warungs all along the beach and the area is most popular on Sundays when local villagers and people from the city and elsewhere will go there to visit the beach and eat traditional foods such as Satay. You need to look for the entrance running toward the beach from the main road. A token entrance fee is charged for cars and motorbikes (on the way out) and the normally quiet and pretty beach is worth a visit anytime. Sunday is the big day here.
 * Klui beach is the next bay north from Mangsit beach is also a popular destination on Sundays. It offers an alternative to the tourist haunts of Senggigi. Have a coffee sitting on the beach or in the warung, a token exit fee is charged on weekends if entering by cars or motorbike from the highway.
 * On the hilltop between Klui beach and Lendang Guar-Setangi beach you can find Warung Manah and Adil right on the coastal highway on bend at the top of the headland. Laid back and very basic, tea, coffee, other drinks, light snacks and sometimes light meals. Occasionally tourists will stop there, normally it is just frequented by locals from the nearby village or passing by and city day trippers on the weekends. Great place to break a drive up the coast and enjoy the view to Bali or the sunset over Mount Agung.
 * The roads and kampung lanes of Lombok are often lined with such places to eat. Some are better than others, and then there are the ones that are plain scary and that no sane person would ever eat anything from. They are always a good place to meet the locals and have a snack, light meal, a class of tea or coffee. Best to ask for no sugar (tanpa gula) unless you like it very sweet.

Budget restaurants

 * Cak Por-cafe tenda, Jl. Raya Senggigi, (opposite Senggigi Abadi supermarket and the BNI bank and ATM). This cafe tenda (roadside marquee) provides traditional local dining at very reasonable prices and has an interesting menu. The BBQ fish and their nasi goreng seafood is delicious and very good value. The BBQ chicken dishes are a little small but tasty. Local sambal is normally served with meals and a tomato salad can be ordered. Staff are helpful relaxed, and friendly. They have many juice drinks and cold beer. It is dining "tenda" (under a tent) sitting at rough plywood tables set back a little from the road. Closed Sundays, opens at dusk and often until very late, it is very popular with both locals and visitors.

Mid-range

 * Bale Tajuk, Jl. Raya Senggigi. Small but popular eatery offering a range of local and Western dishes, including a fairly decent Lombok style ayam taliwang Rp 20,000.
 * The Office. A tourist and expat oriented restaurant and bar on the water behind the market near the Sheraton. Its barn-style building is attractive, but the food is hit-and-miss and rather expensive. The soto ayam and chicken sandwich are pretty good though. They have a pool table a nice view of the beach and cold beer.
 * Papaya Cafe, Jl. Raya Senggigi, (not far from the Perama Office). Worth a visit for their Chinese or Italian food. Rp 35,000 to Rp 50,000 will get a good main course. The restaurant has a rustic atmosphere with a spacious dining room open to the street. Live music plays every night after 8PM. The sound level can be a bit excessive for dinnertime conversation and in later hours becomes quite loud.
 * Cafe Bumbu, Jl. Raya Senggigi. (in front of Papaya Cafe). Thai style food. Rp 30,000-50,000 will get a good main course. During the night it provides candle lit tables.
 * Taman, Jl. Raya Senggigi, (near the Senggigi Beach Hotel). Serves Indonesian, Western and Indian food for a reasonable price. Expect to pay around Rp 30,000 upward for a main dish. They can disappoint at times, especially their breakfasts. They have an attached bakery selling rather ordinary breads and cakes. A hotel shuttle service is provided in the near Senggigi area but the driving style may give considerable alarm to many passengers.
 * Yessy Cafe, Jl. Raya Senggigi, (near the Sheraton Hotel). Indonesian, Western and Thai food for a reasonable price. Expect Rp 30,000 for a main dish. Friendly staff with complimentary hotel pickup and returns within the Senggigi area. The tax surcharge may surprise as it is not mentioned on the menu but is added to the bill total.
 * Coco Beach, Kerandangan beach. (just north of the Senggigi township and hidden away near the beach at the far end of the Kerandangan beach). Look for a small sign on the beach side of the roadway as you travel along Jl. Raya, Kerandangan. Mixed menu with Indonesian and European style food. Cold beer and other refreshments available. Choose carefully from the menu. May add a surprise tax surcharge to the bill.

Splurge

 * Ye Jeon, Senggigi Plaza 2F. Korean restaurant. Probably the only one in all Lombok. Single dishes are reasonable (try the bibimbap, Rp 35,000) but sets with a full spread of banchan appetizers are pricier at Rp 80,000 and up, with 21% service/tax slapped on top. It may disappoint some people familiar with Korean food. There is an eclectic range of souvenir items available on their ground floor level.
 * Ye Jeon, Senggigi Plaza 2F. Korean restaurant. Probably the only one in all Lombok. Single dishes are reasonable (try the bibimbap, Rp 35,000) but sets with a full spread of banchan appetizers are pricier at Rp 80,000 and up, with 21% service/tax slapped on top. It may disappoint some people familiar with Korean food. There is an eclectic range of souvenir items available on their ground floor level.

Drink
Senggigi's nightlife still suffers from far more supply than demand, with punters thinly spread and bars desperate for customers. Still places open and close but on Friday & Saturday nights the young crowd from Mataram push in a bit of life.


 * Happy Cafe, Jl Raya, Senggigi, live band with something extra. Local expats seem to come together here every Saturday night. A good place to start your night. 20:00-01:30.
 * Club 69, Jl.Raya, Senggigi. Karaoke and nightclub with ladies that entertain and encourage customers to sing with them. Open 20:00-02:00.
 * Club 69, Jl.Raya, Senggigi. Karaoke and nightclub with ladies that entertain and encourage customers to sing with them. Open 20:00-02:00.

Sleep
Try to avoid lodging near the mosque if you are a light sleeper, as the call to morning worship can be quite loud.

Private villas
Villas listed here are completely private individual properties with their own pool and self contained support facilities including food preparation areas. One should always remember the label 'Villa' is one of the mostly widely abused words in the Indonesia travel industry.


 * Villa Qunan - is a stylish luxury 2-bedroom villa with private pool and luxurious facilities, wonderful gardens and breathtaking sunset views across the Lombok Straits to Bali. US$295
 * Villa Qusia - is a luxurious 3-bedroom villa on the hill above the village of Mangsit, good views of Bali’s Mt. Gunung Agung across the Lombok Strait. US$474
 * Villa Qusia - is a luxurious 3-bedroom villa on the hill above the village of Mangsit, good views of Bali’s Mt. Gunung Agung across the Lombok Strait. US$474

Hospitals
Several hospitals are located in Mataram including the islands main public hospital Rumah Sakit Umun, Risa Hospital in Cakranegara near Mataram mall and RS Harapan Keluarga in Selagalas east of the city.
 * Please see the Lombok main article for a list of medical facilities available in Mataram.

Connect

 * Internet cafes, the town of Senggigi has many WiFi hotspots in cafes, restaurants and hotels, plus several internet cafes. #G services are normally available though they may fall back to EDGE and GRRS in some parts of town or at peak load times.
 * Internet cafes, the town of Senggigi has many WiFi hotspots in cafes, restaurants and hotels, plus several internet cafes. #G services are normally available though they may fall back to EDGE and GRRS in some parts of town or at peak load times.

Go next
Much of Lombok can be accessed easily from Senggigi.


 * Take a boat or ferry to the Gili Islands for snorkelling or diving
 * Climb up Mount Rinjani, an active volcano (these can be suspended for long periods during the rainy season but normally reopens by the beginning of April)
 * Travel northward up the scenic coast road to Tanjung and further north to Bayan
 * Visit Kuta and Tanjung A'an in Lombok's south