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Bali is one of them most popular destinations If not for the beautiful nature it has to offer in Asia, then for the seductive Eastern flair that inevitably woos the odd Westerner eager to experience a spiritual awakening – you can thank Julia Roberts for that.
The only small caveat?
Are teeming with tourists day and night, and unless you lock yourself in a wellness enclave surrounded by rice terraces, away from the hustle and bustle, you’re unlikely to find the peace and quiet you so desperately crave (and certainly not in Canggu).
It’s time we looked for an alternative to overcrowded – and believe it or not, increasingly expensive Bali – and it’s not like there’s a shortage of tropical islands in the area to choose from.
Why have you never heard of Lombok?
One of these is Lombok, an unheard of oasis just east of Bali that, despite its proximity to Indonesia’s main holiday island, still to be spoiled due to mass tourism, which welcomes far fewer tourists every year:
As reported by the provincial government of West Nusa Tenggara, which governs Lombok, their 2024 tourism target is to host to 2.5 million guests; By comparison, neighboring Bali hosted 5.2 million people in 2023 further growth expected this year.
Since they are both similar in terms of population size and land mass, it is needless to say that overlooked Lombok is the best choice for a really relaxing escapade in a southeasterly direction: we’re talking less litter on the beaches, fewer (or no) crowds in tourist hotspots and affordable beachside stays.
The Indonesian islands are known for their idyllic hinterland, typically crisscrossed by verdant rice fields and jungles dotted with waterfalls. pristine coastlinebordered by azure to blue-green colored seas, and Lombok ticks all these boxes (and then some).
It’s no wonder TripAdvisor listed it as the 5th best nature destination in the world:
Beautiful unspoilt natural parks
If you fly all the way to the other side of the world for the otherworldly vistas, you’ll have a blast learning that Lombok is home to Mount Rijani, a active volcano resting on the shores of a crater lake.
although quite challenging, climbing it is a must-do.
This overnight walking tour, with pick-up from Senaru, ensures you get to the top of the mountain before sunrise.
At just $12.87 to book, it’s an affordable activity suitable for experienced trekkers or, as the organizers specify, ‘those in good condition’.
Tegalalang in Bali is perhaps one of the most iconic landscapes not only in Indonesia, but in all of Asia.
But trust us, queuing for hours for the perfect picture of the cascading rice terraces is no fun (especially if the hordes of travel influencers have arrived early that day).
On the other hand, Lombok is less known Tetebau does much less Busy and just as beautiful, with lush green landscapes dotted with rice terraces and traditional villages, mostly undeveloped, which tourists in the vast majority have yet to discover.
Millions of visitors are also flocking every year to Bali especially for the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
We’re not exactly keen on getting our phoneYou’ll be grabbed by curious macaques, but if you’re fluent in the monkey and able to negotiate back, Lombok’s Baun Pusuk is a more unusual specimen. alternative.
A newly designated regional park, this forest is inhabited by the infamous monkeys and other exotic wildlife; But don’t tell us we didn’t warn you: whether it’s Bali or Lombok, these brutal, elusive creatures can give European pickpockets a run for their money.
Make sure you hold on to your belongings securely, and whatever you do, don’t drop your bags on the floor for a split second. In the meantime, you can find us at the nearest beach, and that would be the best solution. paradise Senggigi.
Endless kilometers of sandy beaches
The most famous postcard view on the island, Senggigi Beach, is where most of the luxury hotels are located and where Lombok’s thriving surfing scene is located: the thin, white sand usually spotless, beach vendors are not pushy at all, and the hospitality in local restaurants is another big plus.
Elsewhere in Kuta, the second trendiest holiday destination on Lombok, there is one an equally wide choice of accommodation options and informal dining options.
There are also secluded beaches that TikTokers haven’t been able to ruin so far, with Mawun and Selong Belanak, to name a few.
If you’ve been to Bali or any other island in Indonesia before, you know that there can be traffic a significant problemespecially during peak hours, when thousands of motorcycles cram onto narrow country roads to get there from the beach to the city.
The good news is that the wider province of West Nusa Tenggara also tthree car-free islands––the Gili Islands––a short 20-minute boat ride from Lombok, where you can escape the usual crowds, laze on a wild, unspoilt stretch of beach and simply relax.
Lombok is cheaper than Bali
Aside from its breathtaking nature, Lombok’s rising trend can be attributed to its affordability, especially when combined with Bali, where room rates and food prices have increased significantly in recent years as noted By the Bali sun.
You see this everywhere in Indonesia, but less so in less touristy places: for starters, you can still find rooms in a spa town on the coast in Senggigi for just $59 per night or a modest one, two star hotel in up-and-coming Kuta from just $19.
Of course, all-inclusive offers are significantly more expensive, an example of which is the ultra-luxury Seven Secrets of Hanging Gardenswhere an overnight stay can cost you as much as $1,081, but the fact is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a trip to Lombok.
Based on estimates Provided by Budget your triptourists on holiday in Lombok spend $52 per day, or the equivalent in rupiah, including food, transport and paid activities, compared to $72 in Bali: that is twenty dollars cheaper.
The same goes for hotels: in Lombok you are expected to pay $57 per night, while the average in Bali is $82; Overall, you can spend an entire week in the former for less than $719 if you travel comfortably, not including combat, while the latter costs more than double that to visit, or $1,565.
Besides Lombok you can also explore 3 Bali dupes in Asia here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
