Bima Travel Guide
City City in West Nusa Tenggara with stunning beaches
Bima on Sumbawa’s eastern coast is a ferry gateway to Flores; visitors come for the Sultan’s palace, fish markets, diving off nearby reefs, and ikat weavers selling bold hand-woven cloth.
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Why Visit Bima? #
Bima on Sumbawa Island serves as a practical gateway for visitors heading to nearby islands and national parks, with regular ferries and local air links. The city’s history shows in its Sultan’s Palace (keraton) and coastal neighborhoods, while beaches and bays nearby provide simple seaside rhythms; grilled fish (ikan bakar) and fresh seafood appear on most menus. Travelers seeking an offbeat maritime hub with easy access to Sumbawa’s trails and Komodo-bound routes will find Bima useful and characterful.
Best Things to Do in Bima
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Bima Bucket List
- Bima Sultanate Museum - Local museum detailing Bima's history, royal artifacts and regional cultural heritage.
- Sape Harbor waterfront - Seafront area with fishing boats, local markets and views across the bay.
- Bima Sultan Mosque (Masjid Agung Bima) - Historic central mosque serving as both worship site and architectural landmark.
- Traditional ikat textile workshops - Small studios where local weavers produce colourful ikat fabrics unique to Sumbawa.
- Kolo Beach sunset spots - Less-crowded beaches ideal for evening walks and watching fishing boats return.
- Local seafood markets - Early-morning markets selling fresh catch brought in by small-scale Bima fishers.
- Mount Tambora (Sumbawa) - Volcanic massif offering trekking routes and dramatic views, reachable by boat and road.
- Moyo Island marine areas - Nearby island known for snorkeling, waterfalls and remote beaches, accessible from Bima.
Best Time to Visit Bima #
Bima's climate splits into a clear wet and dry pattern - visit during the dry months (May-Oct) for dependable sun and sea activities. The rainy season (Nov-Apr) brings humidity and frequent showers.
Best Time to Visit Bima #
Bima's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1214 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (226 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (204 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (179 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (114 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 10 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 29°C. The driest month with just 10 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is hot, feeling like 30°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (209 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Bima
Bima is primarily reached by air to its domestic airport (BMU) or by ferry from Lombok and Sumbawa Besar. On the island you rely on minibuses, taxis and motorcycle taxis for most travel - there are no trains.
Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Bima Airport (BMU): Bima has its own small airport (Bima Airport, BMU) with domestic flights to other Indonesian islands; from the airport to Bima town it is a short road transfer (roughly 15-30 minutes) by taxi or ojek (motorbike taxi), fares typically about Rp 30,000-100,000 depending on vehicle.
El Tari Airport (KOE) / Sultan Muhammad Kaharuddin Sumbawa (SWQ): For more flight options travellers sometimes connect via larger nearby airports (Lombok / Kupang routes require additional ferries or road travel); expect longer transfers and multiple modes if you go this route.
Train: There are no train services on Sumbawa island; surface travel is by road and sea.
Bus / Public transport: Intercity minibuses (bemo) and buses connect Bima with other towns on Sumbawa (Dompu, Sumbawa Besar). Local angkot, ojeks and taxis are common for short trips inside Bima; intercity trips depend on timetables and can take several hours depending on destination.
How to Get Around Bima #
In Bima, local transport is dominated by motorbike taxis (ojek), small shared minibuses and regular taxis; many travellers also rent scooters for flexibility. The town centre is walkable for short distances but heat and humidity can make walking uncomfortable at times. Fares for ojeks and short taxi trips are generally low-often equivalent to a few dollars or less. Ferries and boat services are used for island and coastal connections; check schedules during the monsoon.
Where to Stay in Bima #
- Local guesthouses (Bima) - Several small, budget guesthouses listed locally
- Avina Hotel Bima - One of Bima's more comfortable hotels
Where to Eat in Bima #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Bima's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Bima #
Nightlife in Bima is limited and informal. Evenings usually involve local eateries, simple beachfront stalls and small cafés rather than formal bars or clubs, and entertainment tends to wind down fairly early. If you want more nightlife variety, plan to visit bigger resort areas in West Nusa Tenggara.
Shopping in Bima #
Shopping in Bima is mostly local markets and stalls selling fresh produce, basic groceries and everyday goods. There are small shops for clothing and household items, but limited options for specialty or high-end shopping. For larger purchases or more variety, people travel to larger towns on nearby islands or to the Lombok/Sumbawa regional centres.
