ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE FOR LABUAN BAJO IN FLORES

October 22, 2020
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Labuan Bajo, the once remote fishing town situated West of Flores, is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination in Indonesia. Being gateway to the breath-taking Komodo National Park – home to some of the most awe-inspiring islands we have ever seen – it is easy to understand why. From captivating landscapes to astonishing views, and pink beaches to dazzling blue sea, this area can be described as nothing short of paradise.

The national park is home to the mythical-like Komodo dragon, and despite their deadly reputation, tourists flock to the Jurassic park landscapes for a chance of sighting them. Furthermore, the waters encompass world class dive sites with an abundance of coral and marine life. All of this combined, make Labuan Bajo a playground for adventure seeking travellers.

For those looking for some guidance on what to expect in Labuan Bajo, here is a simple go-to-guide…

*Before You Travel to Labuan Bajo, have you got your travel insurance sorted? Cover yourself for the unexpected, for example, being eaten by a Komodo dragon! On a serious note, this is, well, serious. Read why you really need travel insurance, or get a quote from World Nomads.

HOW TO GET TO LABUAN BAJO

FLY – Daily flights are available from BALI (Denpasar) airport. For cheapest prices check out skyscanner.com

There are also daily commercial flights from BAJAWA, which will get you there in less than 45 minutes. For the cheapest prices check out traveloka.com

BUS – Visit the local tourist office in BAJAWA for bus timetables & prices to Labuan Bajo. Be prepared for a long journey of between 12-15 hours.

LABUAN BAJO MAP LOCATION

WHERE TO STAY IN LABUAN BAJO

BUDGET – La Boheme Hostel – A quirky hostel with dorm or private accommodation available. Plus they have free 24hr banana pancakes!

LUXURY – Sunset Hill Hotel – Luxury rooms with spectacular sunset views over the bays of Labuan Bajo

For more places to stay in Labuan Bajo, check the latest prices here.

WHAT TO DO IN LABUAN BAJO

ISLAND HOPPING

Komodo National Park is home to some of the most extraordinary islands in the world, therefore it is no surprise that island hopping has become increasingly popular in Labuan Bajo.

If you are looking to encounter Komodo dragons, witness the incredible views of Padar Island, or relax on a candy pink beach then you need to book a boat tour. There are a number of different options available depending on time, interests and budget, so you are sure to find an option that suits.

For our go-to-guide on island hopping & booking your boat tour, why not check out the full blog post: ISLAND HOPPING IN LABUAN BAJO

CLIMB LOVE HILL

A popular spot for sunrise & sunset, Love Hill boasts spectacular views over the bays of Labuan Bajo. And as the name suggests, it can be really romantic if you find a quiet spot for yourselves. Maybe not so much if you’re with friends or on your own, but each to their own!

For more photos & how to get there, check out the full blog post: LOVE HILL AKA AMELIA SEA VIEW IN LABUAN BAJO

AMELIA SEA VIEW POINT LABUAN BAJO FLORES

GO DIVING

The waters surrounding Labuan Bajo are known for their world class dive sites, and diving remains the number 1 thing to do here. Although we aren’t keen divers ourselves, we had a taster of the underwater world when snorkelling around the National Park. We were delighted at the abundance of Coral & marine life that could be found in such shallow waters. We spotted sea turtles, manta rays & a school of barracudas, therefore we can only imagine how incredible the dive sites would be.

WATCH SUNSET AT PARADISE BAR

After a tiring day island hopping, diving or running away from Komodo dragons, what better way to wind down than with a cold beer watching the sunset. Paradise Bar, situated around a 10-minute walk out of town, is a popular spot for this and we were blown away each evening by the sunsets here. Just beautiful…

PARADISE BAR MAP LOCATION

WHERE TO EAT IN LABUAN BAJO

One of the advantages of a surge in tourism is an increase in good restaurants. And Labuan Bajo is home to some incredible food, in a variety of cuisines. For our recommendations, be sure to check out the full blog post: Where to eat & drink in Labuan bajo. You do not want to miss these recommendations!

WHAT TO PACK FOR FLORES

Unsure of what you might need to pack for your adventures in Flores? Don’t worry, we have got you covered. Check out our backpacker essentials, for a packing list of items that we carry with us on every adventure.

Here are some items that we recommend taking to make your visit to the beaches & waterfalls more comfortable:

Comfortable shoes for the hikes
Water shoes to wear in the water – We Recommend: 2 in 1 Water/Hiking Shoes.
Waterproof Bag to protect valuables – We Recommend: Waterproof Dry Bag-10L/20L/30L
Bathing suit & towel for the obvious – We Recommend: Microfiber Travel Towel

TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY

As travellers, it should always be a top priority to travel responsibly. We already leave a substantial carbon footprint just by flying to our travel destinations, so that’s even more reason to make a positive impact when we get there. There are many small steps you can take to becoming a responsible traveller, check out the Eco-Travel essentials here. It is our duty as travellers, that we reduce our footprint where we can, here are some tips:

Be careful with any rubbish that it doesn’t fly overboard. Keep it secure until you can dispose of it properly.
Do not leave anything on the islands, or take anything away – unless you’ve purchased it from a local supplier.
Wear Reef Safe Sunscreen.
Try to avoid touching anything underwater.
Carry a Steripen or iodine tablets to sterilise water: This not only limits your usage of single-use plastic but also saves you money too!

Well, that concludes our Travel Guide for Labuan Bajo. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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