Lombok Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring

These are the items you genuinely cannot do without in Lombok. Everything else on this list is helpful but can be improvised or purchased locally.

### Documents and Money

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months from entry date. Plus one photocopy stored separately.
• Travel insurance documents — policy number and emergency contact number saved in your phone and printed.
• Flight tickets/booking confirmations — saved offline on your phone.
• Accommodation booking confirmations — screenshots in case of WiFi issues at check-in.
• International Driving Permit — if you plan to ride a scooter. Obtain before departure from your automobile association.
• Cash — Indonesian Rupiah (withdraw at airport ATM or exchange before arrival). Start with 1,000,000-2,000,000 IDR.
• Credit/debit card — Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in tourist establishments. Notify your bank of travel dates.
• Digital backup — email yourself copies of passport, insurance, and booking documents.

### Health Essentials

• Prescription medications — full trip supply plus extra in original packaging with prescription labels.
• DEET insect repellent (20-30%) — dengue prevention, non-negotiable.
• Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50) — equatorial sun burns fast. Reef-safe protects Lombok's coral.
• Basic first aid kit — bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers (paracetamol), anti-diarrhea tablets (Imodium), oral rehydration salts.

### Practical Essentials

• Reusable water bottle (1 liter, stainless steel or BPA-free) — for refill stations. Saves money and reduces plastic waste.
• Universal power adapter — Type C (two round pins) for Indonesian outlets.
• Phone and charger — your lifeline for navigation, communication, and bookings.
• Dry bag (10-20 liter) — protects valuables during boat transfers, beach days, and unexpected rain. Worth its weight in gold.

Lombok is tropical. You need far less clothing than you think, and what you pack should be lightweight, quick-drying, and breathable. Laundry services are available everywhere for 10,000-20,000 IDR per kilogram — plan to get laundry done every 3-4 days rather than packing two weeks of clothes.

### Daily Wear

• 3-4 t-shirts or tank tops — lightweight, breathable fabric. Cotton is fine; moisture-wicking synthetic dries faster.
• 2-3 pairs of shorts — quick-dry board shorts work for beach and town.
• 1 pair of lightweight long pants — for temple visits, evening restaurants, and scooter riding (protects legs from sunburn and road rash).
• 1 long-sleeved lightweight shirt — sun protection, mosque visits, and mosquito protection at dusk.
• Underwear — 4-5 pairs, quick-dry preferred.
• 1 light sweater or hoodie — air-conditioned transport, cool evenings, and essential if trekking at elevation.

### Swimwear

• 2 swimsuits/board shorts — so one can dry while you wear the other.
• Rash guard — optional but excellent sun protection for snorkeling, surfing, and beach days. Reduces sunscreen use.

### Footwear

• Reef shoes or water sandals — the single most useful footwear in Lombok. Wear in the ocean, on rocky beaches, and for casual walking.
• Comfortable walking sandals (Birkenstocks, Tevas, or similar) — your daily footwear for town.
• 1 pair of closed shoes — lightweight sneakers or trail shoes if you plan to hike or trek. For Rinjani, proper trekking boots are essential.
• Flip-flops — for showers and casual beach use.

### Modest Clothing

• Sarong — essential for temple and mosque visits. Buy one in Lombok as a souvenir (30,000-80,000 IDR) or bring from home.
• Modest outfit — clothing that covers shoulders and knees. Needed for temple visits, mosque areas, and village ceremonies. A long-sleeved shirt with long pants works for any gender.

### Rain Gear

• Lightweight rain jacket or poncho — essential during wet season (October-April), useful year-round for sudden tropical downpours. A packable rain jacket takes minimal space and saves you from being caught in a downpour on a scooter.

### Bring From Home

• DEET insect repellent — the most important health item. Available in Lombok but your preferred brand may not be.
• Reef-safe sunscreen — hard to find in Lombok. Bring enough for your trip.
• Prescription medications — cannot be reliably sourced in Lombok.
• Contact lenses and solution — specific brands may not be available.
• Feminine hygiene products — available in Lombok but tampon selection is very limited (pads are the local standard). Menstrual cups are a practical travel solution.
• Motion sickness tablets — for boat transfers (Bali to Lombok, Gili trips).
• Antihistamines — for insect bite reactions.
• Electrolyte powder or tablets — for rehydration after heat, exercise, or illness.

### Buy in Lombok

• Basic toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste) — available at Indomaret and Alfamart minimarkets. Familiar brands available.
• Tissues and wet wipes — useful for public toilets that lack paper.
• Hand sanitizer — available everywhere.
• After-sun lotion — useful but available locally.
• Mosquito coils — available at any minimarket for 5,000-10,000 IDR.

### Must-Have

• Smartphone — navigation (download offline Google Maps of Lombok), communication (WhatsApp), bookings (Grab, accommodation apps), and camera.
• Portable charger / power bank — 10,000-20,000 mAh recommended. GPS navigation and constant 4G drain battery fast. Fully charge before day trips.
• Universal adapter — Type C for Indonesia. A multi-country adapter covers you for layovers in other countries.
• Headlamp or small flashlight — power outages occur, unlit roads at night, and essential for Rinjani.

### Recommended

• Waterproof phone case — for boat trips, snorkeling photos, and beach protection. Cases that allow touch-screen use through the plastic are ideal.
• GoPro or waterproof camera — Lombok's underwater and surf scenes deserve better than a phone-through-plastic-bag approach.
• Kindle or e-reader — lighter than books, glare-free for beach reading, battery lasts weeks.
• Laptop — only if you need to work. Otherwise, leave it home. Lombok is better experienced without screens.

### Nice to Have

• Bluetooth speaker (small) — for villa evenings and beach sunsets. Be mindful of volume near other travelers and locals.
• Noise-canceling earbuds — for flights, boat rides, and noisy accommodations.
• Drone — technically requires a permit in Indonesia. Many travelers fly them without issues, but be respectful of privacy and sacred sites.

### Surfing

Most surf gear is available for rent in Kuta Lombok (surfboard rental: 50,000-100,000 IDR per day). Bring your own if you are particular about equipment:

• Rash guard or wetsuit top — reef breaks mean reef rash. A rash guard prevents painful scrapes.
• Surf wax — available in Kuta surf shops but specific types may not be stocked.
• Reef booties — essential for reef breaks like Gerupuk and Desert Point.
• Helmet — for reef breaks with shallow sections. Not commonly worn but smart for powerful breaks.
• Ear plugs (surf-specific) — prevents surfer's ear in tropical waters.

If bringing a surfboard, check airline baggage policies. Most carriers charge $50-200 each way for board bags. Consider buying a cheap board in Kuta and selling before departure.

### Diving

Dive gear is available for rent at all Gili Islands dive shops. Bringing your own is only necessary if you have specific fit requirements:

• Mask and snorkel — the one piece worth bringing for guaranteed fit and comfort.
• Dive computer — if you own one, bring it. Rental computers are basic.
• Wetsuit — 3mm is adequate for Lombok's warm waters (27-30 degrees C). Rental wetsuits are available but sizing and hygiene vary.
• Dive log and certifications — PADI or SSI certification card (or digital proof).

If climbing Mount Rinjani, you need additional gear beyond standard Lombok packing. Most trekking operators provide tents, cooking equipment, and some gear, but you should bring:

• Proper trekking boots — ankle support is essential on Rinjani's steep, loose terrain. Break them in before your trip.
• Trekking poles — reduce knee strain on the steep descent. Collapsible poles are easy to pack.
• Warm layers — temperatures at the crater rim (2,641m) and summit (3,726m) drop to 5-10 degrees C at night. Bring a fleece jacket, thermal base layer, warm hat, and gloves.
• Rain jacket (if not already packed) — weather changes rapidly at altitude.
• Headlamp — essential for the pre-dawn summit push. Bring extra batteries.
• Water purification — tablets or filter for stream water.
• Day pack (20-30 liters) — for summit day when you leave the main camp.
• Sleeping bag liner — operator-provided sleeping bags vary in cleanliness. A liner adds warmth and hygiene.
• Blister treatment — moleskin or blister plasters for new or poorly-fitting boots.
• Altitude sickness medication — Rinjani's summit is 3,726m. Not high enough for most people to be seriously affected, but mild altitude effects (headache, nausea) can occur. Consult your doctor about acetazolamide (Diamox) if you are sensitive to altitude.

Save luggage space and support the local economy by purchasing these items after arrival:

• Sarongs — beautiful Lombok-made sarongs from 30,000-80,000 IDR. Double as souvenirs.
• Flip-flops — ubiquitous at any shop for 20,000-50,000 IDR.
• Reef shoes — available in Kuta and Senggigi for 50,000-100,000 IDR.
• Basic toiletries — shampoo, soap, toothpaste at minimarkets.
• Mosquito coils — 5,000-10,000 IDR at any minimarket.
• Snorkeling gear — cheap sets available (100,000-200,000 IDR) though quality varies. For serious snorkeling, bring your own mask.
• Beach towel — sarongs work perfectly. Or buy a towel for 30,000-50,000 IDR.
• Laundry — 10,000-20,000 IDR per kg, available in all tourist areas. Plan to do laundry rather than packing excessive clothing.
• Water gallon — 19-liter jugs for 15,000-25,000 IDR if staying in one place.

• Excessive clothing — you are going to a tropical island with cheap laundry. Five days of clothes is sufficient for any trip length.
• Expensive jewelry — unnecessary risk of loss or theft, and culturally out of place in Lombok's modest communities.
• Hair dryer — most accommodations provide them. Lombok's heat dries hair fast anyway.
• Large towels — accommodations provide towels. A quick-dry microfiber travel towel covers any gaps.
• Guidebooks — heavy and outdated. Use online resources and offline downloads.
• Formal clothing — Lombok has no dress code restaurants or nightclubs requiring formal wear. Smart casual is the maximum.
• Laptop (unless working) — enjoy being disconnected. A phone handles everything a tourist needs.
• Full-size toiletries — buy travel sizes or decant into small containers. Replenish locally.
• Anxiety about packing perfectly — Lombok has shops. Anything you forget can be purchased. The most important items are passport, insurance, medications, and a flexible attitude.