BimaBima at a Glance
Costs: $25-$40 per day - affordable for budget travelers; seafood and simple guesthouses are inexpensive.
Safety: Relatively safe, basic amenities - generally safe for visitors; standard tropical precautions and basic medical access recommended.
Best Time: May-September - drier months offer the best sea and beach conditions.
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
Volcano
Sangeang Api
Active volcanic island in Lesser Sunda Islands
Island
Pulau Sangeang
Volcanic Indonesian island with active stratovolcano
Monument
Monumen Perang Ngali
War monument in West Nusa Tenggara
Bima Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Nearby Cities #
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.
Rainy Season
Frequent downpours, high humidity, and lush landscapes - great if you don’t mind rain and want fewer tourists and greener scenery.
Dry Season
Sunny, mostly dry weather ideal for beaches, boating and trekking; temperatures are warm but far more predictable than during the rains.
Transition Season
Hotter days with sporadic showers and rising humidity - a brief, sticky period before the reliable dry season settles in.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 226 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.1 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.4h |
| February | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 204 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.3h |
| March | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 179 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 30° | 114 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Very Good | 22° - 32° | 27° | 60 mm | some cloud | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
| June | Ideal | 22° - 31° | 26° | 36 mm | some cloud | 75% | 3.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.5h |
| July | Ideal | 21° - 31° | 26° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 71% | 3.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.6h |
| August | Ideal | 21° - 32° | 26° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 3.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.7h |
| September | Ideal | 22° - 33° | 29° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 3.1 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Excellent | 23° - 33° | 30° | 35 mm | mostly sunny | 63% | 2.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Very Good | 24° - 32° | 30° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.3 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.4h |
| December | Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 209 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.5h |
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
Bima is best navigated by road and sea - use the small local airport for quick access, ferries for island hops, and minibuses/ojeks for local travel. Plan connections carefully as services can be infrequent.
- Domestic flights (BMU) (Variable (flight-dependent)) - Bima Airport handles domestic flights to and from regional hubs. Flight schedules can be limited; check current timetables and book ahead for holiday periods. Airport taxis and ojeks meet most flights.
- Ferry / Boat (Rp 20,000-150,000) - Ferries connect Bima with Lombok and other islands; ferries are essential if you’re combining island-hopping with flights. Book ahead for peak season and allow buffer time for ferry schedules and delays.
- Bus / Minibus (Bemo) (Rp 10,000-80,000) - Intercity minibuses (bemo) connect Bima with nearby towns such as Dompu or Sumbawa Besar. Services are affordable but can be slow due to stops; travel times vary by route and road conditions.
- Taxi / Ojek (motorbike taxi) (Rp 10,000-150,000) - Taxis and motorcycle taxis are the most practical for short trips around Bima and for airport transfers. Motorbike taxis are cheap and fast for single passengers but carry limited luggage.
- Walking - Bima town centre is compact and walkable for markets and the waterfront. Walking is the easiest way to explore close-by neighbourhoods and eateries.
Where to Stay in Bima
Budget
Bima Port area - $5-30/night
Bima has basic guesthouses and budget hotels; facilities are simple but useful for short stays.
Local guesthouses (Bima) - Several small, budget guesthouses listed locally
Mid-Range
City centre - $30-60/night
A small selection of mid-range hotels with private bathrooms and on-site dining; not numerous.
Avina Hotel Bima - One of Bima’s more comfortable hotels
Luxury
Lombok / Sumbawa Besar (nearby) - $80+/night
Bima does not have international luxury resorts; consider staying in Lombok or Sumbawa Besar for high-end stays.
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.