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With a population of just 400, Gili Meno is the mellowest of the three islands, and certainly the most in-tune with a desert island ethic. The beaches are much nicer than you will find on Gili Trawangan and Gili Air.
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Orientation
A coastal path leads all the way around the island, and can be covered at a very leisurely pace in 90 minutes. Most of the tourist facilities, including the boat arrival and departure point, are on the southern part of the east coast.
There is a lake on the western side of the middle of the island. This is sometimes quite full, and at others very dry. It is though always very saline.
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By boat
The sea is calmest in the morning and all transport stops running in the late-afternoon, well before dark. During periods of southerly winds and in July and August especially, the swell can be a bit hairy and you are very likely to get wet on the crossing. It is advisable to place laptops, cameras and handphones in waterproof bags for the crossing. You will need to wade through shallow sea when disembarking, so wear either appropriate footwear, or none at all.
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From Bali
Twice daily high-speed boat service to Gili Meno from [[Amed[/url]] on the East coast of Bali. Boats depart Amed at 10AM and 3:30PM with arrivals on Gili Meno at 11:30AM and 5PM. Prices are Rp 600,000 (one-way) and Rp 1,100,000 (return). Online bookings are available.
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It is hard to imagine why anyone on Gili Meno would want to do anything other than walk. Do just that, slowly. Horse carts (cidomos) are available though, and are useful for getting you and your bags to and from the boat landing. A single trip may cost IDR 100,000 as of May 2014.
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A splendid initiative whereby green sea turtle and loggerhead turtle eggs are collected, hatched, and the younglings safely released into the ocean. In 2008 and 2009, a total of 2,000 turtles were released. Go along, see the work and lend your support.
For 100.000 Rupiahs (10$) you can pick and release a young turtle into the ocean.
* Sadly, this aviary is not as well kept as it was, and the formerly very popular komodo dragon died in 2007. Still worth a visit though, with a large range of birds present.
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Diving
Full dive shop operation, with the same range of PADI courses and fun dives as are offered on the other islands.
* Small very personal dive school. All PADI courses & fundives available, known for their personal approach. Teach their diving courses in English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch & German(divers@divinedivers.com)
* all PADI & SSI dive courses are available in French, English, German, Spanish and Turkish. Guided fun dives, night dives, muck dives. Located at Kontiki resort. Also offers SSI Freediving courses.
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Snorkelling
There are several good spots for snorkelling, and gear can be hired at almost any cafe or hotel for about Rp 30,000. The beach in front of Good Heart Cafe on the north western shore is as good as any, and you have a reasonable chance of seeing turtles in shallow water here. Also on the west coast, try the area close to the disused, derelict jetty (formerly the landing point for the equally derelict Bounty Resort). The former pontoon here was sunk and has become an important dive site with a healthy reef life. If you snorkel off the east coast, be careful of boat traffic.
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Walking
A gentle stroll around the coast path of Gili Meno is not to be missed, and it is probably the nicest walk anywhere on the three islands. If you do this in the morning, there is no real preferred starting point. It is a nice idea to walk in the late afternoon, starting in the northwest at about 4:30PM, taking it easy to walk all the way around the island in either direction, returning to your start point at about 5:45PM. Then get yourself set for sunset behind Gili Trawangan (6:15PM-6:45PM).
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There is an ATM next to Malia's Child, but there isn't much to buy on Gili Meno. If you run out of cash, Blue Marlin is another option for a credit card cash advance, but they charge a 7% commission. Alternatively, head to [wiki=0cd0f1b436c322bde49160cc73d57c8c#Buy]Gili Trawangan[/wiki] or [wiki=d7181944108e0ede6293d5040b98b2b3#Buy]Gili Air[/wiki] where there are ATM's. Hint: As the boat from Meno waits around 25-30 min on Trawangan before going back to Meno and Air, you have a chance to return on the same boat (there are several ATMs on the main Trawangan beachwalk now, both to the left and to the right from the harbour). Not so wise to try this with afternoon boat, however, if you don't know where to go and want to come back same day.
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Unsurprisingly, fish is the go here and many cafes set up a seafood barbecues every evening. Just choose what you want and wait while it is cooked over an open wood grill. The other widespread option is wood-fired pizza which has become something of a Gili Meno speciality.
Most of the cafes are clustered in the southern half of the east coast and many are attached to hotels. After you have ordered, be patient as nothing happens very fast here. That is all part of the charm of the place.
* Well prepared wood-fired pizzas are the deal here.
* Serves Sasak food and it is quite authentic. The chicken curry is excellent, as is the obligatory fish barbecue every evening. The old Gili Island ethic is very much still alive here. Expect the locals to be strumming a few Bob Marley tunes.
* Probably the best known eatery on the island, and the one that attracts some sort of crowd, even when there are few visitors around. Fresh fish everyday, and as elsewhere on Meno, there is no real need to even think about eating anything else.
*A delightful shack with three huts in front of it. Sentigi Café is marginally pricier than Yaya Warung, but the service is (relatively) fast and the food quite good. Fruit juices and milkshakes, for approx. Rp 10,000 and Rp 15,000 respectively, are an excellent choice. Breakfast choices are around Rp 10,000. Dinner can be trick according to some travelers, as it sometimes closes very early. However, it is definitely worth a try as the grilled fish is absolutely amazing! If you manage to arrive while it is open and order some food, you are free to sit at the huts all night if you want to. This place is not as well-known as Yaya Warung, and so you will be absolutely alone here after dark. Just the place if you are looking to avoid all human contact or to have a quiet (or loud!) night with your partner. You cannot see the sunset from here, though.
* If you're really budget traveller, or just hate tourist rip-offs, this is the place on Meno for you to eat. On the beach, but modestly priced, most Indonesian food is Rp 15,000-20,000. Cheap fish in the form of fish curry can be eaten here for just Rp 10,000 (rice charged separately, Rp 6,000). Grilled fish, as a popular tourist dish, costs much more, but is still relatively cheap (especially compared to Gili Trawangan) at around Rp 40,000 per serving, including nasi goreng and vegetables. Choose your fish and let Yon cook it on the open fire. If the fish or Indonesian food all get too much, they have a small pasta menu for Rp 20,000-25,000, and make a passable job of preparing it. The spaghetti carbonara does not contain ham though,so better ask upfront what the dishes are made of. Fresh fruit juices, quality varies, but generally OK for Rp 10,000, milk shakes Rp 12,000, black/ginger tea and coffee Rp 5,000, Rp 6,500 for milk coffee, large Bintang beer Rp 35,000. Sometimes very slow service as there's only one cook working there and the place is very popular. A chat with the owner and the view will distract you. They have 5 small huts and those get occupied first. Several tables with chairs are put outside in the evening if it isn't rainy.
* Probably the most delicious Mie Goreng and Nasi Goreng (18.000 Rp. without chicken and 20.000 Rp. with chicken) on the entire island. Moreover, it is also cheaper than the other Warungs on the island where Mie and Nasi Goreng is about 25.000 Rp. Very friendly staff and the two chefs Anto and Mohammed are always welcoming. You don't have the feeling to be a white tourist at all. The sports program is switched on the whole day.
Also a lot of locals are eating here.
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Nightlife is very laid back here, and somedays you might not notice any at all. This is very much the anti-Trawangan.
We Be Bar on the sunset side next to Good Heart Bungalows occasionally has a bonfire and can be relatively lively in high season. Otherwise, you can usually find locals playing guitar and drinking rice wine or Palm wine around the island and they are happy for everyone to join the "party."
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There is a range of accommodation on Gili Meno ranging from simple beach huts to villas and a new luxury Boutique resort. The prices here start from beach huts from around Rp 100,000 (less if away from the beach in the village and not during the peak season) per night up to prices in dollars for the hotels. Some places offer fresh water and A/C others just offer a fan. You can find something to suit all requirements on the island and generally most places are quiet and relaxing.
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Budget
Ask for Morris at the dock. Homestay owned by a very nice Indonesian family, with 5 rooms, very clean with fan and moskito net. You can ask anytime for the clean service for free. There is a kitchen available. Double room costs Rp 100'000 off season, Rp 200'000 peak season. The owner will help you with every single thing, he can even teach you how to play guitar! :) The family can also organize a seafood barbecue for you. It is next to the cheapest local shops of the island, and they will help you to get good prices at local shops. There is a badminton court next to it and the bird park.
* Opened in August 2014, this is the island's first and only hostel. There's an interesting story behind it as it has been built by travellers who have volunteered themselves to the eco-project. There is a range of accommodation including a six bed mixed dorm (150,000 sep 2015) and a penthouse on the beach opposite the island’s best snorkeling spot -turtle watching heaven! If you're after a Robinson Crusoe experience, sleep in a hammock (100,000 sep 2015) or bag one of the on-site tents. You can pitch your own tent for 80,000. The family-style communal dinners are a must (Rp 35 000 - 40 000) the flatbreads are amazing! Once full, everyone retreats around the nightly campfire. The hostel also has a great little bar 'Shanti Shani' which is the perfect place to meet other backpackers. Follow them on Facebook/gilimenoecohostel to keep up-to-date with what's going on at the hostel.
* Budget huts with bathroom using fresh water in the shower. This place used to offer cheaper accommodation but since merging Tunai they offer huts for Rp 100,000. (150 000, April 2013)
* Ask for Kadri at the dock! Great local bungalows, very clean, and very traditional. This place offer bungalows for Rp 125,000 which includes breakfast at of 23rd May 2014. They also have an awesome local boat called the Onipa'a that you can go on a tour of the islands with.
* These budget bungalows away from the beach have been around a long time. They are a bit worn and distinctly rough and ready, but that does not seem out of place on Gili Meno.The place was closed for renowation 17th April 2013.
* A Japanese owned small resort, with a couple of cabins and one beachside family house. Rooms are simple and clean with a great atmosphere and they do their best to be eco-friendly. Located in the north-west part of the island, a bit far from the harbour, but facing Trawangan and the sunset.
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Mid-range
Relaxed place with a few bungalows set in a quiet lush garden.
* Popular circular bungalows on the north coast. Set back from beach in a very quiet spot. A good choice if you really want to be away from it all.
* Nice quality bungalows on the south coast, with verandahs and decent bathrooms. About a 10 min stroll from the boat loading point.
* Bungalows with fresh water, Western & semi open bathroom. Clean, with a sunset oriented view. Grilled seafood and Indonesian food served on the beach. Nearby to snorkelling & diving area.
* The 10 individual cottages here are a bit run down, but the location near the southeast beaches is very nice indeed. Choice of fan or A/C rooms. Has a communal pool right by the beach.
* Good location on a nice section of the beach. You might also wish they had thought about the design a bit more, and tried a lot harder. The cheaper rooms are fan-cooled and there is premium charged for A/C. Fresh water transported from Lombok mainland, mosquito net and spring bed. Free breakfast served in restaurant. International and local menu, pizza, sea food and BBQ.
* Thatched roof bungalows on the east coast near the boat harbour. Right on a lovely stretch of white sand beach.
* small guesthouse, only 6 bungalows, but owned by a lovely, very friendly and welcoming Indonesian family. Good location, their bungalows are very new (2012), AC or fan, and include breakfast. April 2014: price is 250.000 for room with fan and 400.000 with airco. Cockroaches everywhere, staff is not nice
* Brand new bungalows in a peaceful garden setting near the salt lake. En suite Balinese open-air bathrooms and air conditioning make for a low-cost luxury experience. A short walk to beautiful sunset beach spots. Wonderful family owners and delicious breakfast included.
* Thatched roof bungalows set in nice gardens very close to the boat landing. Each bungalow has its own little private terrace and ceiling fan, but no A/C. A few steps from here and you are on the beach.
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Splurge
Idyllic beach setting, 2 beach-front villas with direct access onto the beach and views from the room. Modern eco-technology has been applied to reduce the carbon footprint including rain collection systems and water recycling. Modern quality furnishings, large beds and outdoor showers. Welcoming place and it offers something different on Gili Meno. They also have a modern asian beach-front restaurant producing tasty local food. The chef has over 10 years international experience. Their funky bar also serves two for one on sunset cocktails 6PM-7PM.
* 5 detached villas which are fairly well appointed. Guests might wonder why they fitted those ugly tiled roofs when such good natural materials are available. Still, a nice enough option.
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There is small, simple clinic with an attendant nurse in the middle of the island next to Taman Burung. While this is fine for dealing with a minor ailment or injury, any visitor with a more serious problem needs to get back to Lombok, or better Bali, as quickly as possible.
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There is a public telephone office (wartel) with a painfully slow internet connection (outrageous Rp.30,000 per hour), adjacent to the boat landing on the east coast. Seems to be closed during the low season, however.
Indonesian GSM operators (at least XL, Telkomsel, and 3; Indosat has a signal too) have their towers standing at Meno, obviously to cover Air and Trawangan on either sides. As such, signal strength is excellent here, much better than on Gili Air, as well as internet (EDGE) connection speed. So, if you have you own laptop/smartphone - bring an Indonesian SIM card (unlimited access, as of 2011, costs Rp.38,500 to 150,000/month, smaller traffic-based or daily/weekly packages are available too). Do not forget to load enough money before arriving - the nearest place selling top-up cards seems to be Gili Trawangan, and sellers there tend to charge huge (up to 50%) commission. As of February 2011, Indonesian operator "3" (which offers cheapest monthly Internet packages), while have covered Gilis just recently, had fairly good EDGE speed on Meno, while more expensive Indosat was painfully slow. This can change in the future, however, due to heavier local usage and/or changes in coverage.
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Hop on a boat for 15 minutes to [wiki=0cd0f1b436c322bde49160cc73d57c8c]Gili Trawangan[/wiki] for a night on the tiles.
*Back to the rural delights of [wiki=d71ab6642ad21d9fff520fab583871f8]North Lombok[/wiki] and mighty [wiki=4e3d3a7cac83cf5b0cd0d69659f8ef5e]Mount Rinjani[/wiki].
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