Kuta Lombok or Senggigi?
Replies: 13 - Last Post: Oct 19, 2012 10:55 PM Last Post By: owlyNaanNaan
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So I posted a thread yesterday asking for advice about Kuta Lombok and the Gilis. I've got 4 days to spend on Lombok and was deciding between Senggigi and Kuta. I thought I'd decided on Kuta but now I'm not so sure so looking for advice!
Basically, I won't be hiring a motorbike as I don't have a licnece in my home country, which I know everyone still just hires one anyway but I can't actually operate one and my partner is paranoid about getting one remotely illegally due to some driving stuff that happened in his past. And reading up on Kuta it sounds like really to fully appreciate it you need transport to get around and see different beachs etc. I also probably won't be hiring a driver or anything so won't really be getting this opportunity to do to different places.
So basically my question is, is it worth going to Kuta at all if I'm pretty much just staying in one spot? Can anyone reccomend anywhere to stay that's in a good location and easy to get to a decent stretch of beach for 250,000 rp or less? Or should I just go to Senggigi? I really like the idea if seeing Kuta as been reading that it will probably be ruined by development soon but just not sure it's worth it if so limited on what I can see!
Or is there any other area of Lombok that's worth visiting for four days that's easy and cheap to get to from the airport and then back to Bangsai?
Basically, I won't be hiring a motorbike as I don't have a licnece in my home country, which I know everyone still just hires one anyway but I can't actually operate one and my partner is paranoid about getting one remotely illegally due to some driving stuff that happened in his past. And reading up on Kuta it sounds like really to fully appreciate it you need transport to get around and see different beachs etc. I also probably won't be hiring a driver or anything so won't really be getting this opportunity to do to different places.
So basically my question is, is it worth going to Kuta at all if I'm pretty much just staying in one spot? Can anyone reccomend anywhere to stay that's in a good location and easy to get to a decent stretch of beach for 250,000 rp or less? Or should I just go to Senggigi? I really like the idea if seeing Kuta as been reading that it will probably be ruined by development soon but just not sure it's worth it if so limited on what I can see!
Or is there any other area of Lombok that's worth visiting for four days that's easy and cheap to get to from the airport and then back to Bangsai?
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Others might have better suggestions but I think you could still enjoy Kuta without renting a bike or car. You could stay at one of the places like Puri Rinjani or Surfer's Inn that are on the main beach road in Kuta. From there, you can walk to about 90% of the restaurants in town. There are other places to stay on the same street but I can't remember the names. Maybe another poster could help with that. Anyway, you will definitely want to use transport to get around to other beaches (and check out the countryside) but you could just pay a local with a motorbike to take you. It would be way cheaper than renting a car.3
I agree that you could still enjoy it...but you will miss a lot not having transport.You need transport to get around to the best beaches.So you need to either hire a motorbike or pay people to transport you.
If you can do neither of those,I'd choose another place where you can easily walk to the best beaches.Like the Gilis....
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Thanks for the info guys! I am planning on also going to the Gilis anyway after spending the time in Lombok but just wanted a few days in Lombok first. I would consider hiring some form of transport to look about more in Kuta but it will depend on cost as I have way overspent on earlier parts of the trip and are trying to keep costs way down! I know stuff like that isn't much over here though!Say though that I couldn't hire any kind of transport would anyone say it's still worth going to Kuta and hanging out on the main area for 4 days, or just giving up the idea and going to Senggigi?
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Thanks lucapal. I don't just want to hang around in cafes but would like to spend time on beaches. Is the beach at Senggigi actually nice to spend time on in the main area without having to take transport further afield? Failing that I might just spend a night or tow in Senggigi and then head straight to the Gilis instead.7
The beach known as Kuta Beach is not a nice place for swimming or even hanging around for a day. You really need transportation to enjoy Kuta.Boys with motorbikes are for hire - I am guessing for about US$2 or 3 one way. If you want them to stay and wait for you - or if you want a tour of the beaches, the price will be closer to US$10 per 6 hour day.
So transportation is not difficult or expensive.. but it is mandatory. If you don't want to mess with that, then the Senggigi / Gili option is your best choice.
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Where can I rent a motorbike? Can I do this in Kuta or is it better to do this in e.g. Mataram?Edited by: Mjdgard
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Hahahahaha Likely either way, Paul, depending on your inclination. :-DBut yeah you can get an ojek (guy on a motorbike) almost anywhere. Misterfitch's price guide is pretty accurate, though they'll start high with the price.
Senggigi is well serviced by transport - buses, bemos, taxis and ojeks. Plenty to see and do. The road to Bangsal is a beautiful ride/drive - just over half an hour of stunning coastal road.
You can take the public boat from Bangsal Harbour to the Gilies (Rp10,000) or take a boat directly from Senggigi.
If you're flying in, there's a DAMRI bus from the airport to Senggigi. If by fastboat, you can get a car or ojek from Teluk Nara or Teluk Kodek to Senggigi - about a half-hour trip.
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Thanks for the further advice. Have decided just to head straight to Senggigi as will then just be easier to head over to the Gilis when I'm ready to go. So will have a maximum of 4 days in Senggigi but can always just head to the Gilis early if I'm not enjoying it. Really appreciate everyone's help in making up my mind!
