A small fishing village on the west coast of Flores Island, Labuan Bajo is best known as the gateway to the famous Komodo National Park. Using the town as a base, travellers come here to spot the mighty Komodo dragon and enjoy some world-class scuba diving in the national park, which sits just off the shores of Flores. However, there’s plenty to see on the mainland too.
From waterfalls to caves and local culture, it’s worth spending a few days discovering what Labuan Bajo and the surrounding areas have to offer. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you’re in the right place! Read on to find out all you need to know about this little town with big attractions.
Labuan Bajo Map and Resources
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- 🇮🇩 Indonesia Travel Guide
- 💵 Cost of Backpacking in Indonesia
- 📍 Nearby places: Komodo National Park | Flores | Sumbawa
- 🐉 Must do activity: Speedboat Tour of Komodo National Park
Backpacking Labuan Bajo, Indonesia – Travel Guide 🧳
Best Time to Visit Labuan Bajo, Flores ☀️
The best time to visit Labuan Bajo is the dry season (April to October). These months bring dry, warm days that are ideal for exploring the island of Flores as well as Komodo National Park. For divers, water visibility is also at its best during this time. The busiest months are July and August.
The wet season (November to March) can make conditions tricky for hiking in the national park. It also means the sea is rougher and less clear, which is not ideal for boat trips or snorkelling.
Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo, Flores 🛏️
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Bajo Bunkhouse has cheap but very cheerful dorms (both mixed and female-only). The cosy rooms have just four beds – perfect for those who prefer fewer roommates. Many guests comment on the exceptional cleanliness and friendly staff.
Seaesta Komodo Hostel & Hotel offers both dorms and private rooms in a good location. The beds are comfortable and the property offers excellent value for money. The rooftop pool and bar are a great place to relax and the restaurant serves up tasty food too.
“Seaesta Hostel was easily one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed in. It felt more like a boutique resort and the pool area and bar were fantastic places to hang out and enjoy the views and vibes.” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
Green Hill Boutique Hotel is a stylish option, also with a choice of private rooms or dorms in a convenient location near the harbour. There’s a shared lounge area and onsite restaurant. Breakfast is included in the price.
Escape Bajo has comfortable, clean rooms with sea views and exceptional ratings across the board. Breakfast is included and there’s a restaurant that serves brunch and high tea (go on, treat yourself!).
Elang Hillside Bamboo Villas provide cute and cosy hillside bungalows that are perfect for those looking for something special. A free airport shuttle and breakfast is also included.
Things to Do in Labuan Bajo, Flores 🐲
1. Explore Komodo National Park 🐉
Labuan Bajo is the gateway to one of Indonesia’s most awe-inspiring destinations and visiting Komodo National Park is the reason most visitors find themselves in the town. Hiking on uninhabited islands, snorkelling off a pink beach and coming face-to-face with the world’s largest lizard – the Komodo dragon – are just a few of things you can do in this magical place. You can opt to take a one-day speedboat tour around the national park, or if you have a little more time and budget, a multi-day cruise will allow you to enjoy all that the park has to offer.
“Visiting the Komodo National Park was the highlight of my Indonesian travels. The scenery and wildlife is just out of this world! A multi-day trip is best as it’s more relaxed and allows you to take in everything at leisure. But if, like me, you’re short on time, the one-day tour takes in all the best bits anyway so you won’t be missing out.” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
| Top Picks! | Komodo Trip | Features | Price |
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Best one-day tour!  |
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2. Go Scuba Diving 🤿
The waters of the Komodo National Park are widely regarded as one of the best dive sites in Indonesia. There are more than 200 species of coral teeming with tropical fish and an abundance of other marine life to discover at the dive sites in the area. One of the main attractions are the majestic mantas, but sharks are often sighted too, including reef sharks, hammerheads and bronze whaler sharks.
Read one traveller’s experience diving in Komodo National Park here.
3. Swim in Rangko Cave 🏊🏻♀️
There’s a natural pool hidden inside Rangko Cave. With clear, turquoise waters surrounded by stalagmites, it’s a refreshing and scenic place to take a swim. Its secluded location provides a peaceful place to get away from it all.
4. Visit a Viewpoint 🌄
Take a trip to one of the half-a-dozen viewpoints around Labuan Bajo. There are a handful peppered around the peninsular north of Labuan Bajo town and a couple to the south. Each offers beautiful views across the island of Flores and the sea beyond. Bukit Amelia and nearby Sylvia Hill provide stunning views both east and west, making them great places to watch either sunrise or sunset.
5. Tunnel Your Way Through Mirror Cave 🪞
Mirror Cave (also known as Batu Cermin) provides a different cave experience. The tunnels are a fun way to explore as you weave and duck your way through the cave system. Its name refers to the glittering walls, which is an effect of sunlight bouncing off the limestone.
6. Watch the Sunset 🌅
Labuan Bajo’s location on the western tip of Flores perfectly positions it for sunset viewing. The view across the island-dotted Flores Sea is a picturesque place to watch the sun gradually sink towards the horizon and set the sky ablaze in orange and pink. The rooftop bar at Seaesta Hostel is a particularly good sunset spot.
7. Cool Off at a Waterfall 💦
Around an hour and a half’s drive outside of Labuan Bajo town, there are a few waterfalls where you can cool off in the refreshing pools and enjoy the jungle scenery. Cunca Rami and Cunca Wulang are two of the most popular. Hire a scooter and drive yourself or join a day tour from Labuan Bajo.
8. Experience Local Culture at Melo Village 🛖
To get a flavour of a traditional way of life, head to Melo Village where you can experience the distinct Manggaraian culture. You’ll also have the opportunity to witness the Caci, a traditional fighting dance. Around 45 minutes to an hour’s drive from Labuan Bajo, Melo Village is perfectly situated to combine with a trip to Cunca Rami or Cunca Wulang waterfalls.
Food and Drink in Labuan Bajo, Flores 🎣
La Moringa is an Indonesian restaurant serving up traditional dishes with a modern twist. Komodough is a good spot for coffee and baked goods. For fresh juices and healthy food, check out Mimamori Cafe.
Cheap local eats can be had at De Waroeng while the Fish Market is the place to sample some fresh catch. Drinks and good vibes can be found at Seaesta rooftop bar.
Getting Around Labuan Bajo, Flores 🚶♂️
Labuan Bajo town is very small and easily navigated on foot, although some sections are quite hilly. The easiest way to journey further afield is to rent a scooter. The e-hailing app Grab is also available in Labuan Bajo, making it easy for non-drivers to hop on a bike too.
How to Get to Labuan Bajo, Flores ✈️
The easiest way to reach Labuan Bajo is by air. The town is served by Komodo International Airport, which is just a 5-minute drive from the centre of Labuan Bajo (and not on the island of Komodo, confusingly). It’s also walkable from town in around 20–30 minutes. There are direct flights from Bali (around 1 hour) and Jakarta (around 2 hours).
If you’re coming from Lombok there are two choices, both of which are long! You can either take the thrilling four-day boat trip via the Komodo National Park or travel overland through Sumbawa. Be warned that the bus journey from Lombok to Flores (via Sumbawa) takes around 24 hours.
Where to Go Next: ⛵️
Lombok: The four-day Lombok–Flores boat trip runs in both directions. If you arrived in Labuan Bajo by air or road, why not mix it up and take the sea route back west to Lombok.
Bali: Just a quick flight away, Bali is the most popular next stop after Labuan Bajo. Here you’ll find anything your heart desires: surf, yoga, parties, beaches, meditation… (need I go on?)
Raja Ampat: For underwater lovers, Raja Ampat is the supreme diving destination in Indonesia.
Lisa Barham
Having always dreamt of travelling the world, Lisa finally decided to follow that dream in her mid-thirties when she left her nine-to-five in London for life on the road. After trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and learning to surf in Sri Lanka, she headed for wondrous Southeast Asia, where she can currently be found solo backpacking, navigating through life and unfamiliar streets.
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