Merese Hill (Bukit Merese) hosts outdoor sunrise and sunset yoga as informal pop-up sessions and self-led practice — there's no permanent studio. The 360° hilltop views over Tanjung Aan's twin bays and Mandalika make it one of Lombok's most photographed yoga locations. Practitioners typically arrive 30 minutes before sunrise, set up mats on the grass, and practice solo or in small groups. Pop-up by-donation classes happen 2-3 times per week during dry season, organized via local Instagram and surf-camp noticeboards.
# Yoga at Bukit Merese: Outdoor Practice on Lombok's Iconic Hilltop
Bukit Merese is the small hill between Tanjung Aan beach and the Mandalika resort circuit on Lombok's south coast. It's not a yoga studio, doesn't have a teacher in residence, and won't appear in any official yoga directory. But it's become one of Lombok's most popular yoga locations — practitioners arrive at sunrise, set up mats on the grass, and practice with 360-degree views over white-sand bays, the Indian Ocean, and the Mandalika circuit. For travelers who prefer self-led practice over scheduled classes, Merese is unbeatable.
A 50m grassy hill rising between two of Lombok's most beautiful beaches:
The hilltop is mostly open grass with a few scattered shrubs and small trees. Cattle graze the slopes. There are no buildings, no facilities, and no permanent infrastructure. Two flat spots near the summit have become the unofficial yoga zones — both can comfortably accommodate 4-6 mats.
Merese Hill yoga is more practice than scene. Three patterns:
Self-led solo or small-group practice: The most common. Travelers bring their own mat, climb at sunrise, and practice independently. Sometimes 2-3 strangers end up doing parallel sessions on the same flat spot.
Pop-up by-donation classes: A handful of local teachers run informal classes here 2-3 times per week during dry season. Usually advertised on noticeboards at Kookoo Bird, Mana Yoga, and surf camps in Kuta. Donations 50-100k IDR per session.
Private guided sessions: Some Kuta-based yoga teachers offer private Merese sessions for couples, families, or small groups. Pre-arranged through Instagram or WhatsApp. 250-400k IDR per session.
Photography-driven practice: A subset of visitors come specifically for the Instagram shot rather than the practice itself. They arrive, do a few poses, photograph extensively, and leave. Whether this counts as yoga is debatable.
Both work, but they're different experiences:
Sunrise (5-6:30am):
Sunset (5-6:30pm):
Most experienced practitioners prefer sunrise for the actual yoga and visit at sunset for the social or photo experience.
This is wilderness yoga — bring everything:
Don't bring: glass bottles (waste issue), props that need a flat indoor surface, anything requiring power.
Total time: 2-2.5 hours including travel. Total cost: scooter fuel and breakfast (around 100-150k IDR).
Three reasons Merese has become Lombok's go-to outdoor yoga spot:
1. The view: 360-degree panorama is unmatched. No studio, no shala, no built environment can compete with what nature provides here.
2. Free access: No class fees, no booking. Just arrive and practice. This makes it accessible to budget travelers and long-stayers wanting daily outdoor practice.
3. Easy access: 15 minutes from Kuta on a scooter. No hike comparable to mountain yoga venues. Can be done before breakfast.
Honest about limitations:
Excellent for:
Less suited for:
A natural day flow:
This pairs the hilltop yoga with the beach experience that's right below it.
For by-donation pop-up classes:
For private guided sessions:
Merese Hill yoga is the most democratic yoga venue on Lombok. It costs nothing, requires no booking, and rewards practitioners who can lead themselves. For that audience, no other Lombok venue compares.
Bukit Merese is between Tanjung Aan and the Mandalika circuit, 15 minutes from Kuta Lombok by scooter. Park at the small lot at the base; walk 5-10 minutes uphill. From Mandalika resorts (Pullman, Novotel), 10 minutes by scooter or 5-min taxi. From Lombok International Airport, 30 minutes (200-250k IDR taxi). No public transport — private wheels essential.
Merese Hill vs Ashtari for sunset yoga: Ashtari has structured class, restaurant, and proper shala; Merese is self-led, free, and more raw. Merese Hill vs Tanjung Aan beach yoga: Merese has the panoramic view; Tanjung Aan is at sea level with surf as soundtrack. Many travelers do sunrise at Merese and sunset at Ashtari for the complete day.