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Mataram is the largest city on Lombok and the capital of West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia.

[edit] Understand

Mataram is in fact an agglomeration of a number of villages that have grown together. The main ones are Ampenan, the harbour on the west coast and the site of the airport; Mataram itself, in the center; and Cakranegara, the commercial hub to the east.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Selaparang Airport is located on the western Ampenan side of Mataram. See Lombok#By plane for details.

[edit] By boat

The port of Lembar is 22 km south of Mataram. There are ferries every 90 minutes or so, 24 hours a day, from Padangbai on Bali, with the trip taking 3-5 hours. Any volunteer "porters" who carry your bags will expect at least Rp. 10,000. See Lombok#By boat for details.

If you haven't booked an end-to-end travel package, getting from Lembar to Mataram or Senggigi can be a hassle, as there's not much in the way of public transport. Either arrange a pick-up with your hotel in advance, or try your luck hitchhiking. Kelana (tel. 0817368651), right next to the ferry terminal, operates a water taxi service that can take you as far as the Gili Islands or Bangko Bangko if you're willing to fork out Rp. 800,000/hour. There are a few basic warung and losmen in Lembar if you get stuck.

[edit] Get around

Horse carts known as cidomo remain a common means of transport here, with the poor beasts clip-clopping their way through congested streets. These days, though, metered taxis are equally common with flag fall Rp3,850 and the meter ticking up a few hundred rupiah for every hundred meters past 2 km.

Rent a car also very common in Mataram. It cost around Rp 350,000 for 24 hours for a SUV vehicle.

[edit][add listing] See

Mayura Garden

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Mataram Mall. Lombok's premier shopping mall (don't get too excited), with a Tiara department store, a Hero supermarket plus fast-food favorites including the only McDonalds and KFC on the island.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Dua Em, Jalan Transmigrasi, telp. +62-0370-626 734. Famed for the best ayam taliwang in Lombok.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Lombok Raya Hotel, located near Mataram Mall
• Sahid Legi Hotel, at the south side
• Nitour Hotel, Ampenan

[edit] Get out

• Senggigi