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

Understand

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

Get in

By plane

Mataram's '''Selaparang Airport''' ({{IATA|AMI}}) is in Ampenan, to the western side of town. It's a fairly small but functional facility, with visas on arrival available for international visitors. Most visitors arrange to be picked up by their lodgings, but a metered taxi to Senggigi takes about 15-20 minutes and shouldn't cost much more than Rp 30,000. As of November 2005, domestic departure tax is Rp20,000. There are domestic flights to Denpasar, Jakarta and Surabaya, as well as international flights on Merpati to Kuala Lumpur and on Silkair to Singapore.

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.

See

Mayura Garden

Do

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.
  • Eat

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

    Sleep

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

  • Senggigi