Labuan Bajo is known for…

Flores Island’s busy, bustling hub for travelers
Scenic Views
City of Sunsets
Fishing Town at Heart
Diving and Snorkeling

Why visit Labuan Bajo?

With its offshore islands and picturesque views offering surreal sunsets, it’s no surprise that more and more travelers are flocking to this charming, though somewhat slightly rundown, harbor town.

Labuan Bajo is a popular jumping off point for adventures to the incredibly beautiful islands that surround it, such as the Komodo Islands to the east and the Gili Islands to the west. However, the real treasure of this area lies beneath the sea’s surface. Off the coast of several islands in the Flores archipelago, particularly Kanawa Island, are stunning coral reefs. The resort island’s closeness to modernity may be questionable, but its underwater beauty certainly isn’t.

Hotels in Labuan Bajo

There is so much to choose from. Best practice is to narrow down the location you want to go, and then filter the list of hotels by price and star ratings.

Hotel & Resort List

Labuan Bajo Guide

Labuan Bajo, Flores, was formerly a sleepy fishing village but is now a buzzing tourist hub as the capital of the Manggarai Barat regency.

The main street in Labuan bajo, Jl Soekarno Hata, is lined with hip cafes, comfortable inns, helpful tour agencies, and a few lively bars.

The seaside has been given a makeover, and with many alluring islands just offshore, Labuan Bajo is a great jumping off point. But you might fall in love with the place so much that you don’t want to leave. But Flores’s above- and below-water attraction will continue to push you in an easterly direction.

Day trips to surrounding islands are fantastic since you can go snorkeling or just relax on a deserted beach.

The crystal-clear waters and beautiful coral at Pulau Bidadari are only one example.

Pantai Waeciicu is a great spot to relax, and the nearby island chain of Kukasan Kecil is a great spot to go snorkeling. Additionally, the beaches on Pulau Seraya and Pulau Kanawa are also lovely and well-suited for sunbathing.

In Labuan Bajo, you won’t have trouble finding something to do.

There is great scuba diving and snorkeling around Buenabajo and in the Komodo National Park region.The rising number of dive shops and liveaboards is evidence that these areas are among the best in the world. So many marine species, including manta rays and whales that feed on plankton, may be found in the waters between the warmer Flores Sea and the colder Sumba Straight. And even though the seas surrounding Komodo National Park are officially protected by the Indonesian government and recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site, they are still at risk due to illegal fishing and other activities. The abundance of divers keeping an eye out for Illegal fishing methods like dynamite fishing is a blessing to the waterways’ sustainability.

Badjo is the heart of Labuan’s ancient port and a popular tourist destination in its own right since it serves as a departure point for cruises to the nearby Komodo islands. Many excellent dining options can be found on Jl. Soekarno Hatta, the main road of Labuan.

When it comes to eating, Labuan Bajo’s indigenous fruits, vegetables, seafood, and other market delicacies are sure to satisfy your appetite.

Many vendors set up shop at night, offering a wide variety of Indo comfort foods, fried treats, and grilled fish.

And as the sun goes down, grab a cold one at the market and relax on a beach chair at the night market on the waterfront’s northern end in Bajo.

Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo has a large terminal and a recently extended runway, and it often receives passengers flying in from Bali, where flights are frequently sold out. As an alternative, you may take a bus for two hours from Denpasar to Sape and then a ferry for another six or seven hours to go to Labuan Bajo.

Good to Know

Safety - Friendly & Safe

Aside from a few dangerous snakes that might cross your path while hiking, Labuan Bajo’s crime rate is quite low compared to other tourist areas in the world. Of course, like in any other place in the world where lots of people mingle, there is always the odd scam going on, and some might try to take advantage to make an extra buck on you. But even the poorest people in Labuan Bajo are very friendly, curious, and optimistic.

Police Chief Setyo Budiyanto promised the safety of domestic and international visitors to Labuan Bajo, West Magggarai Regency, Flores Island in August 2022.

Hundreds of police officers have been stationed on the island in a response to a previous boycott by tourism industry actors who were unhappy with the Rp3.75 million increase in entrance fees to Komodo Island imposed by the NTT Provincial Government.

Getting to Labuan Bajo & Getting around

Plane

The city of Labuan Bajo is home to a small airport, and the Komodo Airport (LBJ) or also known in Indonesia as the Bandar Udara Komodo is just outside of town, with daily flights to Jakarta. There are also nonstop flights that connect Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) with Labuan Bajo (LBJ) It will cost about Rp60,000 for a taxi ride into town.

Boat

Labuan Bajo is easily accessible from Makassar, Lombok, and Sape via ferry.

Car

Get here via the transcontinental Jl. Komodo highway from eastern Flores.

Public Transportation

Public buses do not exist, although ojeks and bemos (motorized scooters and minibuses) service most major areas.

Bus

You can take a bus to Labuan Bajo from anywhere on Flores, including the capital city of Ruteng, as well as Kepoh and Riung.

Rent a Motorbike

Motorbikes can be rented all across Labuan Bajo and are the best method to explore about the city. With the beautiful landscape and fresh air, you can get a good sense of the town. but maybe most importantly, it loosens your grip on your surroundings and sets you free to explore them.

The daily rate for renting a motorcycle is roughly IDR60,000 ($4USD).

TIP: There are also a number of day tours and hotels that provide complimentary transportation on several of the islands so browse before you book.

General Vibe - Dynamic

Give Back For Good The 2022 Labuan Bajo Maritime Festival

On October 21st 2022, the island held their very first Labuan Bajo Maritime Festival, with the hashtag #givebackforgood, includes participation from the island’s local communities. Some of the activities initiated by the Rinca Island youth community include coral planting and coral reef checking. They plan to plant up to 270 house reefs in an area of 1,000 square meters.

There are also beach and coastal clean-up activities organized by the Labuan Bajo environmentalist community, such as Trash Hero, Kole Project, and BTNK. Beach cleaning activities in Labuan Bajo also involve regional officials and tourism actors ranging from hotels, restaurants, communities, PKK groups, and students.

Labuan Bajo Weather

Tropical & Hot

Labuan Bajo, like the rest of Indonesia, experiences warm temperatures all year and a yearly monsoon because of its tropical location. Labuan Bajo is located in Indonesia, south of the equator, so the hottest months are April and December and the coolest months are June, July, and August for people living in North America and Europe. Labuan Bajo has moderate to little rainfall from April to November and heavy rainfall from December to March.

Prices - Great Value for money

You can stretch your hard-earned cash much farther in Labuan Bajo.

The finest spot to shop is the busy early morning market on Jl. Soekarno Hatta, which is located on the shopping street Jl.

Supermarkets in Labuan Bajo include Kampoeng Mart and Roxymart, where you can stock up on food and other necessities.

Attractions - Hidden Treasures

Cancar Spider Web Rice Fields and Kelimutu Lakes are two central Flores attractions that are well worth seeing. Take a trip to the old Manggaraian town of Wae Robo and swim in the refreshing waters of Rangko Cave in West Flores. If you’re looking for more cliff jumping options, go to the Cunca Wulang waterfall and canyon.

See Coral Coast

Pantai Merah offers a change of scenery and ultimate relaxation. Pantai Merah’s name comes from the millions of foramanifera corals that live in the bay and give the water and sand a pink tint. Komodo Island’s far side is home to one of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever see.

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Labuan’s Mega-Lizards

Komodo National Park is a biodiversity reserve and home to the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon. Guided tours of the park’s islands are required, but they’re easy to arrange in downtown Labuan. You’ll have a good chance of seeing these amazing creatures up close.

Sample Flores culture

Wae Rebo is the best place to learn about the lifeways of Flores’ indigenous people. This traditional village on Flores’ south side is 50 miles from the resort, but it’s worth it to see the five-tiered conical Mbaru Niang houses and breathe the cool mountain air. It’s a poor agricultural community, but you can expect a warm welcome and traditional Flores dishes.

Crater Lakes and Cascades

Cunca Rami, one of Flores’ most beautiful spots, is 20 miles from Labuan Bajo. Cascades flow into swimmable pools in the middle of avocado and banana groves, where you can chat with locals. The 500-meter-deep Sano Nggoang crater lake is nearby. Both are easily accessible by foot, but experts can be hired in Labuan Bajo.

Bats Galore

Kalong Island is a biodiverse gem of Komodo National Park. No Komodo Dragons this time. Instead, flying fox bats nest in the island’s mangrove thickets. As the sun sets, bats fly from Kalong to nearby Rinca Island, putting on a spectacular show. It’s a tropical paradise.

Come to La Cecile and get a bird’s-eye view of the town.

La Cecile, perched as it is above Labuan Bajo, has some of the town’s most breathtaking views. Views of the town, harbor, and islands below are spectacular (especially as the sun falls).

The Waterfalls of Cunca Rami

Located about 90 minutes from the heart of Labuan Bajo, this picturesque paradise is a popular destination for tourists interested in nature tours. From the main road, the trek to the little lake at the base of the waterfall takes around 40 minutes, passing through forests, valleys, coffee plantations, and rice fields.

Cunca Rami’s Waterfalls

Between 10 and 12 p.m., the sun shines directly on Cunca Wulang Waterfall, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the beauty of the river water and all of the waterfall’s features

There are no posted entry costs, however hiring a guide may cost you anything from IDR20,000 to IDR200,000, depending on how generous they feel that day.
Although the current at the waterfalls may get extremely strong, some tourists attempt to climb there without a guide anyhow. It’s best you hire one. That way, if you need floats or recommendations on where to go diving or swimming, they can help you out.

Daily hours of operation for the Cunca Wulang Waterfall are 07.00-16.00. In wet or gloomy weather, the water flow from the waterfall will be greater and more hazardous, so it’s best to avoid the area.

Geography & Map