Greatest issues to do in Kuta Lombok

If you happen to’re right here in search of the perfect issues to do in Kuta Lombok, you then’re in precisely the suitable place.

Kuta Lombok (generally written as Koeta, its previous colonial spelling) is without doubt one of the essential hubs to base your self when exploring Lombok, Indonesia. Sitting on the island’s south coast, it’s a small, laid-back city recognized for its beautiful seashores, abundance of close by surf spots and an ideal base for arranging day journeys to discover the remainder of the island. 

My title is Sami, and I’ve been travelling the world, slowly, for the final 4 years. And I’ve simply spent 5 weeks residing in Kuta, Lombok. And it’s utterly gained me over. 

After 61 international locations – I’ve been to some show-stopping locations – Kuta, Lombok’s the primary and solely place that has really made me cease, really feel instantly at residence, and begin long-term lodging choices.

On this Lombok journey information, I’ll share my expertise of Kuta that will help you resolve if it’s value visiting, or, when you’re right here, tips on how to take advantage of it.

P.s. You’ll find my full information to visiting Lombok right here.

Attending to Kuta Lombok is easy, irrespective of the way you arrive on the island. If you happen to’re flying into Lombok Worldwide Airport (LOP), Kuta is only a 25-minute drive away. You possibly can both ask your lodging to rearrange a pickup or take one of many official taxis ready exterior the terminal. Anticipate to pay round 50k IDR.

If you happen to’re arriving by ferry from Bali, the Gili Islands or Sumbawa, you’ll almost definitely arrive at Bangsal Port in North Lombok. From there, it’s round a 2-hour drive to Kuta Lombok by taxi. Costs fluctuate barely relying on demand, however you may anticipate to pay roughly 250k IDR, particularly if sharing with others.

Discovering lodging in Kuta, Lombok is straightforward. Deciding which place is the tough half, as a result of there are such a lot of lovely choices and they’re such nice worth, irrespective of your price range. 

A fast search on Reserving.com or Airbnb will provide you with sense of what’s obtainable, and so long as you do your due diligence and verify evaluations, it’s exhausting to go flawed.

I stayed a month at Nomada Villas , which was completely good. I stayed in one among their studio bungalows, centred round an exquisite communal pool and backyard. The studio was high-ceilinged, well-proportioned, with glorious air con, a totally geared up kitchen, a snug mattress and a desk, and included each day cleansing, making it superb for digital nomads trying to steadiness work and play. The workers have been unimaginable and went above and past, sharing native information, organising a scooter, and even taking me to the native fruit and veg market to assist me haggle and pay native costs.

I additionally splashed out a bit and spent per week at Mango Valley, staying in a non-public one-bedroom villa. The design was beautiful, with comfortable curved partitions, a sunken couch and a non-public pool. They’ve 5 villas in whole, every barely completely different in structure, dimension and worth, making it a fantastic possibility for those who’re in search of one thing a bit extra particular.

Go Browsing or take a lesson

You possibly can’t write a Lombok information with out beginning with the surf. Lombok is thought for its world-class breaks, however what actually units it aside is that there are waves all 12 months spherical. Staying in Kuta makes browsing extremely simple, with an enormous variety of surf faculties, camps and native guides primarily based proper on the town.

Whether or not you e-book a one-off lesson or decide to a surf camp, virtually all the things is taken care of for you. Classes usually embody pick-up and drop-off out of your lodging, board rent, rash vest, a ship trip out to the reef and a coach within the water with you. It genuinely couldn’t be extra accessible, even for those who’ve by no means surfed earlier than. The common worth is between 450-550k IDR per lesson. 

I spoke with a number of faculties and guides and opted to assist 100% native surf faculties. Toby at Lombok Surf Collective was glorious at assessing my degree and affected person with me after I felt a bit nervous at the beginning. I might extremely suggest reserving with him, particularly in case you are new to browsing. 

E-book onto a surf college

Within the latter a part of my journey, I booked the 7-session package deal with Aqila at Bagus Surf Faculty, who helped me progress into a way more assured intermediate surfer. He constantly selected one of the best breaks primarily based on the situations and my capacity, which made an enormous distinction to my development.

If browsing is a big focus of your journey, it’s additionally value contemplating a surf camp. I didn’t keep at one myself, as I already had lodging booked, however primarily based on analysis and native suggestions, Marshmallow Surf Camp and Xanadu Surf Camp are extremely regarded.

It’s value noting that almost all of the browsing breaks are reef breaks and are accessed through boat (even the whole newbie waves). There’s a ton of breaks with good deep channels that imply you not often get caught within the ‘washer’. You possibly can surf solely left or solely proper or a mixture of each, and many spots supply lengthy peeling waves. 

Yoga classes

Typically, the place there’s good surf, there’s additionally good yoga, and Kuta Lombok is not any exception. You’ll discover loads of drop-in yoga, meditation and sound therapeutic classes dotted round city, making it simple to suit a category into your routine whether or not you’re right here for a couple of days or a couple of weeks.

Considered one of my favorite locations to practise was Ashtari Yoga, perched excessive on the hills behind Kuta with sweeping views throughout Kuta Bay. Practising yoga right here feels genuinely particular, with a delicate sea breeze, vast open views and the jungle sounds behind you. I joined a Hatha class and beloved how grounding the entire expertise felt. If you happen to go, be sure you keep afterwards for an enormous contemporary coconut or a smoothie from the café.

If in case you have extra time, you may additionally contemplate finishing a yoga instructor coaching right here. Mana Eco Retreat, is a bit tucked away oasis with lovely bungalow fashion lodging, a peaceable yoga shala and an onsite plant primarily based restaurant.

Loosen up on a seashore with a coconut 

After all of the browsing and yoga, slowing issues down and spending time on the seashore is sort of a nonnegotiable. Whereas Kuta Seashore itself is handy and near city, it’s additionally a working fishing harbour, which implies it’s not all the time the cleanest or most inviting place for a swim. 

A number of the most lovely seashores within the space are a brief scooter trip from city. Tanjung Aan has immaculate white sand and crystal clear water. The seashore is dotted with surfboards to lease and native distributors promoting contemporary coconuts, pineapples and occasional. Good.

If you need someplace even quieter to place a dent in your e-book, head about quarter-hour west of Kuta to Mawun Seashore. Pulling up right here feels fairly magical; an enormous bay of sentimental white sand framed by lush inexperienced hills that one way or the other feels calmer and fewer busy than many Thai islands. There are seashore loungers and umbrellas to lease, plus warungs promoting cool coconuts and snacks.

For a barely extra elevated seashore afternoon, make your solution to Lancing Seashore, just some minutes additional alongside from Mawun. Right here, you will discover BIRAS seashore bar  and Codium Restaurant, bourgie locations to take a seat on tremendous comfortable loungers till sundown. Codium is value visiting for a relaxed Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with open-fire cooking, domestically caught seafood, artistic dishes and sundown views proper on the sand. 

Brunch and occasional

I normally attempt to eat native after I journey, however Kuta Lombok’s brunch scene is unattainable to disregard. The city is full of prime quality cafes serving all the things from smoothie bowls and pancakes to glorious espresso, and after one stroll down the primary avenue, you’ll see precisely why. I can’t listing all of them, so right here’s my favourites:

• Bush Radio – Palms down one of the best choco banana smoothie bowl I’ve ever had. Blended with pure cacao and candy dates, it’s wealthy, scrumptious and big. Pair it with one among their glorious coffees and also you’re sorted for each a sugar and caffeine hit.

• Milk – An Aussie fashion favorite recognized for all day brunch, nice flat whites, flaky croissants and significantly good banana bread. Plus, in addition they promote domestically made clothes, jewelry and items. I can’t promise you gained’t wish to purchase all the things. In addition they do a 6am run and occasional membership. 

• The Effectively – 100% gluten free, utilizing native, natural and grass-fed elements. If you wish to eat properly whereas additionally being variety to your intestine, this place is a winner. In addition they have an air conditioned coworking house, making it superb if you could combine brunch with a bit of labor. Control their instagram web page for updates about pop up markets they host too!

• SO.NAK COFFEE – For fellow espresso lovers, that is one to hunt out. A small, hidden gem just some minutes’ scooter trip from Kuta’s essential avenue, serving one of the best espresso. Pair your espresso with one among their scrumptious freshly made pastries. I like that SO.NAK accomplice carefully with impartial Indonesian espresso farmers for his or her beans. 

• Guru – A cool, open air café good for a post-surf hangout. Anticipate all of the brunch classics, plus sourdough toasties, baked items, juices and thick smoothies. It’s additionally laptop computer pleasant!

Day spas and massages 

One factor that genuinely shocked me in Lombok was the standard of the spas, particularly given how laid again and low key the island feels. Taking an hour out for a therapeutic massage shortly turned a part of my routine in Kuta. You possibly can anticipate to pay about 250k IDR for a 60 min therapeutic massage which in my view, is superb worth!

• Lina Boutique Spa – For a barely extra luxurious expertise. The house is fantastically designed in a contemporary Moroccan fashion, with distinctive consideration to element. It’s ever-so-slightly dearer than the common, however completely value it for those who’re after one thing particular.

• Matcha Spa – I had my greatest deep tissue massages right here! In addition they supply native conventional remedies like a bamboo therapeutic massage. This was my common.

• Jivana Spa – Step off Kuta’s busy streets and into Jivani, and it immediately appears like a unique world. Set inside a lush resort, the calm hits you the second you arrive. 

Bamboo Pocket book workshop at Awan

Reserving a workshop with Awna Paper is a fantastically arms on expertise and leaves you with an ideal memento to take residence. This native studio specialises in 100% handmade, sustainable paper crafted from pure bamboo fibres, utilizing conventional methods handed down by way of generations.

I joined their pocket book making workshop and completely beloved it. The method was gradual, calming and surprisingly grounding. I learnt how the bamboo paper is made after which certain my very own completed pocket book. In addition they have a store promoting notebooks, artwork prints, postcards and bookmarks, all made in home and all completely lovely.

Eat native meals at a Warung 

A warung is a small, household run eatery serving conventional Indonesian meals, and consuming at one is an expertise in itself. Whereas Kuta Lombok has loads of nice worldwide cafés and eating places, among the most memorable meals are discovered at these easy native spots.

Anticipate basic dishes like nasi goreng and nasi campur for round 20-25k IDR. It’s inexpensive, genuine and an effective way to assist locals.

Warung Bu De is a should. Their nasi goreng is constantly glorious and they’ll make it with rooster or vegetarian, and their contemporary juices solely value 10k IDR. Easy, scrumptious and all the time busy with locals which is an effective signal.

For a extra atmospheric night, head to Mandalika Bazaar on the sting of city. A number of warungs sit facet by facet, with locals and travellers consuming collectively open air within the night.

Gyms and restoration

If browsing hasn’t already wiped you out and also you wish to sustain your health whereas in Kuta Lombok, you’re very properly catered for. There are two standout gyms on the town;

• XENO Match  – an enormous open-air house with all the things you may want: free weights, machines, an air-conditioned cardio room, boxing baggage, a climbing wall, devoted stretching areas, plus an on-site café and coworking house. It’s additionally CrossFit and HYROX affiliated, providing each day courses for each. I beloved utilizing this gymnasium on the times I wasn’t browsing and salute anybody doing the afternoon HYROX class within the solar!
• Loka Fitness center – Alongside a properly geared up gymnasium, and sparring space Loka has a restoration suite with a sauna, three ice baths and a magnesium pool. Even for those who’re not a gymnasium member, you are able to do drop in classes only for the restoration services. 

Padel Session at La Reunion

Padel has exploded in reputation around the globe over the previous few years, and Kuta Lombok could be very a lot on development. La Réunion is residence to Lombok’s padel. With common social nights and combined capacity video games, it’s a simple solution to meet folks whether or not you’re in Kuta for per week or a couple of months. 

Take a picnic dinner to observe sundown

Whereas Kuta itself doesn’t face west, a brief scooter trip will take you to a couple headlands that supply uninterrupted sundown views over the ocean. Bukit Merese and Bukit Segar (Bukit means hill) are one of the best spots. Each spots are fashionable with locals and travellers. When you park up you may simply wander alongside the ridge of the hill and discover a quiet patch of grass to roll out a blanket.

Considered one of my favorite evenings was grabbing a takeaway salad bowl from Shaka and heading as much as Bukit Segar to observe the solar go down. 

Jewelry making 

Silver jewelry making has lengthy been a part of Lombok’s conventional craft, with expertise handed down by way of generations of native artisans. In Kuta Lombok, this heritage has advanced into arms on workshops the place you may study instantly from expert silversmiths and create one thing really private.

You’ll discover a couple of jewelry workshops round city, however I beloved Lomboks Silver Class. In a 2-3 hour session, you’ll design and craft your personal ring or necklace from scratch, guided step-by-step by way of the method. It’s such a enjoyable expertise and also you’ll depart with a one among a sort piece to recollect your time in Lombok.

Espresso Workshop at The Roastery Lombok

Indonesia sits firmly on the Espresso Belt, with wealthy volcanic soil and superb rising situations that produce among the greatest espresso on the earth. In Lombok, its obvious espresso is a part of each day life and The Roastery Lombok is the place for all issues espresso. It’s a café, roastery, store and workshop house!

I joined their Latte Artwork workshop and shortly realised simply how a lot ability sits behind easy flat whites. The pinnacle roaster is extremely educated and passionate, and in simply two hours I learnt extra about espresso (and milk!) than I ever anticipated. Workshops fluctuate, so it’s greatest to achieve out to them instantly through Instagram to see what’s arising throughout your keep.

Take a Surfskate lesson at Tribe Park

E-book a surfskate lesson at Tribe skatepark within the centre of city, that will help you work on steadiness, circulate and turns in a method that instantly interprets to the waves. 

If you have already got some skating expertise, you may take a rental board for a spin. In addition they have a ‘Gals day takeover’ each Wednesday night, the place females get free skate bowl entry and a free iced tea! Looks as if the right alternative to offer it a go. 

Have you ever been to Kuta Lombok?

What are one of the best issues to do in Kuta, Lombok? Something you’d add to this Kuta Lombok bucket listing?

Love as all the time and pleased adventuring… 

You possibly can comply with Sami’s adventures on Instagram right here.