A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Dewa Sanzan for Couples, Backpackers, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lombok and Dewa Sanzan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lombok

Lombok is a peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Lombok travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a traditional, religious, and sacred religious site. Visitors also love the hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Lombok and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Dewa Sanzan is well known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Lombok different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Lombok. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Lombok and Dewa Sanzan.

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Lombok is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Lombok. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Resorts?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Lombok. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Lombok is not to be missed. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Lombok is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Lombok is a very popular vacation destination. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Dewa Sanzan, and they are high quality.

Many visitors go to Lombok for the hiking trails. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Dewa Sanzan is a popular spot for hiking. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Lombok is well-known for its shopping. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan More Beautiful?

Lombok is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Dewa Sanzan is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lombok is very family-friendly. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly island. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Lombok is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Lombok has plenty to offer. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Dewa Sanzan is a good island for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lombok and Dewa Sanzan both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Lombok or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Lombok and Dewa Sanzan are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Lombok is generally not a very walkable island. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lombok and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than in Dewa Sanzan. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

Families should spend more time in Lombok than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lombok, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lombok than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lombok that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lombok than Dewa Sanzan if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back island of Lombok. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Lombok. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the peaceful island of Lombok. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Lombok. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. With so much to do, one week is probably not enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the religious destination of Dewa Sanzan. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dewa Sanzan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dewa Sanzan than you might in Lombok.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lombok Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lombok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Lombok or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the summer for the hiking.

Lombok is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. May to September in Lombok is the dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Dewa Sanzan. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails during these months.

In the autumn, Lombok is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lombok in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets less rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lombok or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Dewa Sanzan can be very cold. In January, Lombok is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

Lombok usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Lombok gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. In January, Lombok usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Lombok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lombok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Lombok is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Lombok usually gets less rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Lombok