A Spontaneous Trip to Labuan Bajo - A truly Indonesian Archipelago

In April 2016, I had a long holiday from work. I suggested to my best friend to take this chance to visit other part of Indonesia. The list shorted into two options; Makasar and Labuan Bajo. After doing some research and checking available flight ticket and the price of course, we decided to go to Labuan Bajo. We directly bought the tickets for the day after. It was only IDR 1,1million for return ticket flying with a small plane. It took around 1 hour to get to Komodo airport from Ngurah Rai airport.

Arriving there, I checked my phone to call the hotel that we have booked to pick us up at the airport. Unfortunately, there is no network signal on my phone in this island. What? I did not prepare this to happen. It was a fortune that our hotel has sent the driver to pick us up. Knowing that there is only one provider that works here, I directly bought a sim card of this "red" provider at the airport.

From airport to the hotel took us only 15 minutes by car, not far at all. The hotel is located at Waecicu beach and has amazing beachfront and sunset view. The beach has white sand and a perfect calm wave to swim. Interestingly there were jellyfish, starfish and other kind of fish on this beach, such a beautiful giant aquarium. I could swim forever here :)

The first two days we spent our time mostly at the hotel beach, swimming, snorkeling, and canoeing to the closest small islands. The third day we went to the area where people call it the city of Labuan Bajo. I was quite excited to go around the city. The hotel offers a free shuttle to the city three times a day which is really a good idea because there is no really taxi service here that you can call anytime. Other public transportation like Bemo do not have the route to go or pass the hotel. Even, an ojek charge for more to go to the hotel but still reasonable price though, 20 k each. The people in the city claimed that the hotel I stayed is in the middle of nowhere, thats funny when it is only 15 minutes away.

On the hill close to the hotel

Labuan Bajo Harbour

Anyway, the city is not really much to explore but here you can find cheaper boat/sailing package to the other islands such as Komodo, Rinca, Kalong, Kanaya, etc island. Here there is a lot cheaper accommodation as well, also food. I heard the hotel rate in the city is only around 200k/night. Well the food is at normal price vary from 15-30k. There are also available several shops and convenient stores as well.

After seeing some good offers for one day trip to Komodo island, we decided to book a charter boat for the next day. The price for person for this trip is 350k including life vest, water, tea and coffee, and lunch. They also provide a snorkeling gear for 30k per day.

The following day we were ready at the harbor to start one day trip to Rinca island and three other islands around. We did not go to Komodo island as it is much farer and it is a bigger chance to see Komodo in Rinca instead of Komodo island because of the size of Komodo island is so much bigger.

Guide at Komodo National Park

Rinca island is also part of Komodo National Park. They have trained guides to show around the island who speak English and some other languages.

The entrance fee to the island is around 260k for foreigner and 65k for local/Indonesian.

It is a spoiling trip for my eyes and soul, really. I realized how wonderful Indonesia is with its amazing scenery, various kinds of animal, various culture and form of society. This is why I love to travel.

Definitely will come back here to visit pink beach and other islands I have not visited.

View on the way to Rinca island

Tips for you:

Prepare the red provider (Telkomsel).

Visit now before the big resorts start their construction, as it will be their private hill to see beautiful island view.

Better booked hotel for the first day only, this way you can flexibly change your plan to stay on other cheaper hotel or have a sailing trip.