Top 6 Things To Do In Kuta, Lombok Without Driving

Kuta in Lombok has changed a lot. What used to be a quiet village is now a vibrant spot filled with surf schools, yoga studios, healthy cafés, and a growing community of expats. I’ve spent weeks exploring here on foot and love the slower pace and strong sense of local culture.

But what if you don’t want to drive?

On my first visit, Grab wasn’t even available yet. I had to walk or ask locals for lifts. Even today, not everyone feels comfortable riding on the back of a motorbike, and renting a car often feels like more hassle than it’s worth.

Here’s the good news. You don’t need any vehicle to enjoy Kuta.

If you prefer to walk, want a slower travel pace, or just aren’t into driving while abroad, this guide is for you. I’ll share six simple ways you can enjoy your time in Kuta without ever needing to rent or ride anything.

How to Get Around Kuta and Beyond Without Driving

Airport transfers
Arriving in Lombok after a long flight can feel overwhelming. I always book a transfer in advance so I do not have to think about bargaining at the airport. Someone is waiting for me at arrivals, and I can head straight to my hotel in Kuta or anywhere else on the island.

👉 Book your airport transfer with Klook here. It is reliable, affordable, and makes arrivals super easy.

Book a driver
Exploring Lombok’s beaches and villages is much easier with a private driver. I booked one for a day trip along the south coast and it was great to just enjoy the ride without thinking about parking or directions.

👉 Check prices and book your driver in Lombok with Klook here. You can choose how many hours you need and plan your day in advance.

Rent a scooter
Scooters are the most popular way to get around Lombok, and when I finally tried it, I booked through Bikago. They delivered the scooter to my guesthouse and picked it up when I was done, with insurance included.

👉 Reserve your scooter with Bikago here. It is quick, easy, and gives you more freedom to move around.

Grab
Grab now works in Lombok, and I used it several times for short rides when I was tired. It is handy both in Kuta and in other towns if you do not want to arrange a driver.

Ride a bicycle
Bicycles are available in many guesthouses and are perfect for short rides around town. I once rented one to get from my accommodation to cafés and yoga classes, and it was all I needed.

Walk
Some areas, like central Kuta, are compact enough to explore on foot. On my first trip, before Grab was available, I walked almost everywhere and discovered plenty of small shops and local food stalls along the way.

Things To Do In Kuta, Lombok

#1 Surf!

On the main road in Kuta, you will find loads of Surf Schools, so all you need to do is walk around and find your favourite spot!

Surfing in Kuta is part of the local culture, so even if you are not into surfing you should at least watch others surfing in the Ocean! If you are up for trying something new or are a pro surfer, these are my tips:

#2 Watch an amazing sunset

Some of the surf schools would provide afternoon activities so they will arrange transport, otherwise, ask your hotel to book a scooter/car with a driver to drop you anywhere you want! You can then save the WhatsApp number of your favourite driver and get in touch with him directly any time you need : )

My favourite was from Pantai Seger, it’s also a great place to watch other surfers if you enjoy that. Parking is IDR 10000, you can get a cold drink and climb a small hill. In 10 minutes you will be at the top of the hill and enjoy the sunset.

Bukit Merese is also an amazing location which you can visit on your way back from Tanjung Aan Beach.

#3 Visit the stunning white-sand beaches

Just like I suggested in the previous paragraph, you can contact your favourite driver to get here or it might be one of the stops included in the Surf Camp if you choose one.

• Selong Belanak: This beach is perfect if you want to swim or learn how to surf. It’s a beautiful beach surrounded by pointy hills that distinguish Lombok very vividly from Bali.

• Tanjung Aan Beach: Let me tell you this. When I got here, I cried. I’ve never seen a beach as beautiful as Tanjung Aan Beach! The sand is white and bright, and the sea is crystal clear. One of the things I like the most here is that there are many locals and people on scooters selling ice cream.

• Areguling Beach Lombok: This beach is the next level after a few surf lessons in Selong Belanak. The instructor will tell you that you are “ready for the reef” which means you are ready to go to Areguling Beach! You will get on a boat with your surfboard and surf by the reef. If you are not a surfer, well this beach is stunning so you will have the best time. There are some goats occasionally as well.

#4 Collect some plastic from the beach

There is a reason why I didn’t list Kuta Beach above. Unfortunately, this beach is covered in plastic which is very sad. There is a reason why I’m suggesting to go anyway.

Not everything must be pretty and Instagrammable. You travel because you want to become a better person and learn about different ways of living.

On this beach, children surf with small surfboards, practising incredible manoeuvres. Some of them don’t even have a tracksuit, they surf with what they have.

There will be fishermen adjusting the nets on their boats for the next day.

If you want to make an impact and help collect some plastic, get involved with Lombok Plastic Free, which is a local environmental conservation organisation. It organises beach clean-ups regularly.

Kuta Beach is within walking distance from the hotel I suggested above so no transport is needed 🙂

#5 Go for a cinema night!

This is one of my favourite activities to do in the evening in Kuta. Cinema night! Relax on bean bags in the yoga shala and enjoy a film on the projector.

I loved the cinema nights here and I’ve also ordered a smoothie bowl so I could watch the film with a nice treat!

The best place for your cinema night is Mana Yoga Retreat Lombok. Check out their Instagram stories to find out which film is on tonight! To get here, all you need to do is walk, no transport is needed!

#6 Take a yoga class

There are quite a few places for an amazing yoga class in Kuta. My favourite is Shanti Yoga Lombok which is super easy to reach by foot if you are staying in Kuta. T

he alternative would be Ashtari Yoga Lombok. This yoga studio has an amazing view over the sea as well and they organise pick-ups from Kuta.

Where To Stay In Kuta, Lombok

I would highly recommend this hotel in Kuta especially if you travel solo because not only it’s beautiful but you also get looked after very well! It’s called Sima Hotel Kuta Lombok.

It’s about $70 per night and that includes breakfast, an amazing pool and a small gym! I loved the sunrises, and looking at the vegetation outside, birds and roosters!

👉 Check availability at Sima Hotel Kuta Lombok! I also loved the location, just off the main road with restaurants, cafes and surf schools!

Best Supermarkets In Kuta

Here are a few places to get a few bits to keep in the fridge of your room. I used to get fruits and snacks to keep me going during the day!

• Fresh Market Kuta: This is the biggest supermarket in the area. However, if you are a surfer and desperately looking for bananas to have in the morning or post-surfing, bear in mind that this place more often than not doesn’t have bananas! But there is a fruit shop just in front of the supermarket.

• Alfamart: This is an Indonesian supermarket chain. There are many alfamarts dotted on the main road of Kuta which is called Jl. Raya Kuta. These shops are quite small but they are still quite useful for last-minute things such as SPF or mosquito repellent.

• Local Market: On your way to the beach you will notice some local markets on the way. Stop in some of these for fresh fruit. I would not suggest buying fish or meat as it doesn’t look well preserved.

Where To Eat In Kuta

For Indonesian food, Warung Sasak Bu Desi is my favourite one for Bakso but there are many others on the main road in Kuta, all quite trustworthy and with high ratings.

Bakso is a local soup with meatballs and it’s delicious! Most of the Western-looking restaurants would also provide Indonesian food. If you are looking for some Western options, I have a few suggestions:

• Milk Expresso: Head here for breakfast or lunch. They serve really nice salads and smoothies.

• Bush Radio: This is your Avo and Toast go-to. It’s very popular and perfect for people watching too!

• Rocksalt: Burgers here are a dream.

• Bara: This place bakes the best pizza in Lombok! I’m Italian and let me tell you, this place can be trusted!