Central Sumbawa

Visas

Citizens of another 87 countries are eligible to obtain one of the following visas:

• Electronic Visa On Arrival (e-VOA/B213)
• Electronic Visitor Visa
• Social, Tourist, or Cultural Visa (B211)
• Free Visa Stamp
• Multiple Entry Visa

Some passport holders are eligible to apply for an online e-VOA or Visitor Visa, otherwise, you must obtain a visa in advance at an Indonesian embassy or consulate. If you get the e-VOA before you arrive, you have the option to extend by simply filling out a new Indonesia eVisa application form online, but must first leave the country in order to request a new visa.

Visas issued at the airport on arrival can only be extended through an immigration office, which should be done 14-7 days before expiry.

Visitor Visa is a single-entry visa valid for a 30-day stay in Indonesia with the purpose of Tourism, Government visits, Business Meetings, Goods Purchasing, or Transit only and is not extendable.

The B211 is a 60-day visa for visiting family, friends or an employment trial and can be extended 3 times by 30-days. More hoops to jump through including being sponsored by an eligible Guarantor. Cost IDR 2,000,000.

9 neighbouring countries get a Free Visa Stamp for stays of up to 30 days maximum with no extensions permitted (Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam).

Multi Entry, investment, sport and journalist 60-day visas are available through the main portal.

The 30-day e-VOA & Visitor Visa fee is IDR 500.000. You may be asked for proof of your return flight details and proof of financial resources.

DO NOT overstay as the fines aren’t cheap (IDR 1,000,000/day) and they can stop you from re-entering for a period of time. As always, check for any updates before you book your trip, as visa policy has changed a few times in recent years.

Getting There

Visa: see Bali. Don’t bring in more than 3 boards – heavy fines. Sumbawa ferries depart from Labuhan, Lombok and reach Poto Sano in 2h, but it’s unreliable. Best is by plane using the 5/wk Merpati flight, which wont carry big boardbags. Bima r/t flight costs about $165. Best to get a pick up from your hotel.

Getting Around

Land transport is much more difficult to get than in Bali. Take a taxi-bemo or a bus from Bima (5h from Sumbawa Besar) to Dompu’s Ginte Bus Terminal then take a cidomo (horse cart) to the Lepardi Bus Terminal. Or charter a bemo from Bima to Hu’u (2-3h) for about $35 per person, or private transfers $70-80 per vehicle one way.

Accommodation

Growing number of places to stay in Lakey, 3km south of Hu’u. Aman Gati Hotel has 40 rooms (fr$49/dbl). 7nt package from Bali; (fr$470). Next door are Lakey Peak Surf Houses and bungalows (fr$35-$130/n). The original 22 room Mona Lisa Bungalows with well-maintained places ($15/nt). Aircon can almost double the room rate. Food is cheap.

Activities

Not as lively as Bali. Visit Bima Sultan Palace on 99 old teak stilts, see Raba Dompu weaving village and Doro Bata relics in Dompu. Dompu is used by tourists as a stopover point to Mount Tambora. The trek takes 2 nights camping in a rain forest and 1 night to the 2,851m (9354ft) summit. Check Komodo island for its famous dragons.

Hazards & hassles

The reef at Lakey Pipe can be nasty and long walks on low tide reef make booties almost compulsory. Surfing has 30 years of history, so there are now 2nd generation locals. It can be a bit aggro for the best conditions. Walk to the more remote spots – take good shoes and enough water. Low malaria risks.

Handy Hints

There are no surf shops around Lakey apart from wax at some of the hotels. A gun could be necessary for the 6-10ft (2-3m) days. There are rarely boat trips to Lakey area as boats go Bali - West Sumbawa or Sumba - Rote.

Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.