Kertasari FAQ

Q: #4 - No general taxis, no Gojek, nada

You need to have your own locomotive. Seriously. Whether it's a scooter or a car, Sumbawa is not a walking destination. The coast is stretched out and almost everything even in Kertasari is within a scooter ride away. You need wheels, otherwise you feel very stuck in the vicinity of your accommodation. If you need a driver to drive you around, try our friends at Kertasari Connect. They have fixed prices and a simple booking system. Pro tip: Go for a long ride down the south coast. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous drive, and you can finish of with a meal at Kirana's restaurant in Yoyo's. Highly recommended little activity for the morning.

Apr 25
3 min read

What you should know about Kertasari and who Kertasari is not for. If you’re expecting Bali, don’t come. 🤭🤙

This is off the beaten path, true nature immersion, like Bali 30 years ago. If that’s your jam, then we think you’re absolutely gonna love it here

#1 - No Western style supermarkets anywhere

And I mean, anywhere. Bring toiletries, tampons, sunscreen, fave snacks etc. You won't find them here. Well, tampons you can actually buy from us (lil emergency tip), and you will find Alfamart/Indomaret in Taliwang (30 min ride). But Kertasari? Nothing.

#2 - No ATMs in the village

Closest ATMs are in Taliwang. Western hotels and restos accept cards, most places do not.

Pro tip: Get Wise (it's like Revolut, but better with foreign banks). Bank transfers are accepted everywhere, and is the most common payment type among locals. Wise will transfer immediately to an Indonesian bank, and fees are low. No ad, just a satisfied user here!

#3 - Internet signal can be...Tropical

WiFi varies. Mobile data dissappears on the road. For a solid, solid connection go to Living on Air or Bukito. We have a Starlink at the dive shop cafe which has been decent, but not without its own outages. 😉

#4 - No general taxis, no Gojek, nada

You need to have your own locomotive. Seriously. Whether it's a scooter or a car, Sumbawa is not a walking destination. The coast is stretched out and almost everything even in Kertasari is within a scooter ride away. You need wheels, otherwise you feel very stuck in the vicinity of your accommodation.

If you need a driver to drive you around, try our friends at Kertasari Connect. They have fixed prices and a simple booking system.

Pro tip: Go for a long ride down the south coast. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous drive, and you can finish of with a meal at Kirana's restaurant in Yoyo's. Highly recommended little activity for the morning.

#5 - Restos and food options are limited

A handful of Western restaurants in the area (including our beach resto!), but Sumbawa is not a culinary destination, let's be honest. It's an ocean adventurer's destination. The village has plenty of options for local food, and Sheng Ka is THE place to be for a Indo food craving when sun sets behind the sea.

There's no late evening spot per se, it's still more about beach bonfire hangs and early evenings here, but if you really really wanna have a later evening, go check out Bukito. There's often something going on there...Great sound system too!

#6 - AC is a rarity, hot water too

Things move slow, days are hot and hazy and lazy. It's a sleepy ol' village. Come with a curious and laid back attitude. If you expect Bali vibes, you've come to the wrong place.

We are ocean people here. Your resto order might take a good while, it might even not be what you ordered. But so what. There's no hurry.

#7 - The Vibe Check

It's quiet. Perfect for beach bonfire nights, hammock hanging and general chill.

Surfing and diving are pretty much the only activities around here.

We hope you like nature, as nature comes to you here (yes there will be creepy crawlies in your bathroom from time to time).