Harbour
First-timersThe town centre.
Labuan Bajo town guide
Things To Do In Labuan Bajo
The gateway to Komodo National Park: dragons on the islands, the Padar viewpoint, pink beaches, manta rays and some of the best diving in the world.
10
Hostels in the city
8.5
Average, from 2,421 reviews
1991
Komodo joins UNESCO
1 h
Flight from Bali
3 m
A large Komodo dragon
The dragons' gateway
Labuan Bajo is a harbour town on the western tip of Flores, and the gateway to Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands of the park are home to the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on earth, found nowhere else in the wild.
The waters around them have some of the richest marine life anywhere, with manta rays, sharks and coral reefs.
Most people explore on a two- or three-day liveaboard boat trip. Three or four days is right.
Where to stay
Labuan Bajo is a small harbour town on Flores. The main street, along the waterfront, has the hostels, dive shops and restaurants, with views over the bay and islands. Hotels on the hills above have the best sunset views.
Hillside
ViewsHotels above town with sunsets.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, home to the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, and some of the richest reefs on Earth.
See the dragons on Komodo or Rinca island, always on a walk with a ranger; they can grow to three metres and are dangerous.
Padar Island's viewpoint, a short steep climb to a ridge above three bays of different coloured sand, is the park's most famous view; go for sunrise. Pink Beach gets its colour from red coral fragments. Manta Point has manta rays gliding over the reef, and Taka Makassar is a sandbar in turquoise water.
The best way to see the park is on a boat trip: a long day trip by speedboat, or two to three days on a liveaboard boat, sleeping on deck and snorkelling or diving at several sites. Diving in Komodo is world-class but has strong currents, best for experienced divers.
In town, watch the sunset from Sylvia Hill. Inland, Flores has volcanoes, traditional villages and Kelimutu's tri-coloured crater lakes.
Free things
Free things to do in Labuan Bajo
Sunset from Sylvia Hill and the waterfront promenade in town are free. Little else is: the park and boats are the main cost.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Labuan Bajo
The fish market by the harbour cooks fresh seafood at night, chosen and grilled to order. Warungs serve Indonesian food, and the main street has cafés and restaurants for travellers.
A meal is €2 to €8.
Nightlife
Going out in Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is quiet, with a few bars on the main street and sunset drinks with a view of the bay.
A beer is €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around Labuan Bajo
Komodo Airport has flights from Bali in about an hour, and from Jakarta. Boats and tours leave from the harbour; book with licensed operators.
Overland, the Trans-Flores Highway leads east across the island to Kelimutu, a journey of several days.
Costs
What Labuan Bajo costs
Labuan Bajo is pricier than most of Indonesia. Dorms start around €8 and a careful day is €25 to €40, plus boat trips and park fees.
A day trip by speedboat is roughly €60 to €120 shared; a two- or three-day liveaboard €150 to €400. Park entry and ranger fees are charged on top, and have been raised several times; check the latest.
The currency is the rupiah (IDR), at roughly 17,000 to 18,000 rupiah to the euro; prices here are euro equivalents. Cards work in tourist areas; carry cash for warungs, boats and small islands, where ATMs are few.
Safety
Staying safe in Labuan Bajo
Labuan Bajo is safe. Komodo dragons are dangerous; always stay with your ranger and never wander off.
Choose licensed boat operators with safety equipment and life jackets; boats have sunk in the park. Currents are strong at dive and snorkel sites.
Most visitors need a visa on arrival, best bought online as an e-VOA before you fly, and must complete Indonesia's online arrival declaration, All Indonesia, before landing; check the current rules for your passport.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Labuan Bajo
Dragons, a famous viewpoint and the crater lakes of Flores.
Komodo National Park
Dragons, beaches and reefs.
Padar
The famous viewpoint.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the season.
1 Aug – 26 Dec
Weekend at Parapuar
Labuan Bajo locals and visitors gather at Sunset Hills to watch the sky transform as the sun drops toward the horizon. Indonesian cultural performances…
1 Aug – 31 Dec
Komodo Dragons & Pink Beach Adventure
Padar Island's legendary viewpoint, the rare pink sands of Pantai Merah, and face-to-face encounters with Komodo dragons on Rinca Island make up this full-day…
1 Aug – 31 Dec
Manta Rays & Sea Turtles Adventure
This snorkeling adventure takes you through some of Komodo's most striking marine landscapes, from the turquoise waters around Taka Makasar's white sandbanks to the…
1 Aug – 31 Dec
Melo Village Tour
A visit to Desa Adat Melo brings you into the heart of West Flores village life, where local traditions are shared with genuine warmth.…
1 Aug – 31 Dec
Baby Sharks & Coral Reef Adventure
West Flores reveals its underwater world through two perspectives here — peering down at vibrant coral reefs from a glass-bottom boat, then watching baby…
1 Aug – 31 Dec
Cooking Class
Families gather here to roll up their sleeves and create pizza from scratch or decorate donuts and cupcakes together. The resort's chefs guide you…
2 Aug – 27 Dec
Sunset Yoga
Yoga at golden hour, right by the water — this weekly session pairs movement and breathwork with views of Labuan Bajo's sea and sunset.…
Hostels
Where to stay in Labuan Bajo
The top-rated places to stay in Labuan Bajo right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
April to November is dry.
Jan
Wet
Feb
Wet
Mar
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Apr
Drying
May
Dry
Jun
Dry
Jul
Peak
Aug
Peak
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Hot
Dec
Wet
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in rupiah locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes boat trips and park fees.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Labuan Bajo travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Should I do a day trip or liveaboard?
A liveaboard of two or three days sees more, with sunrise on Padar; a day trip is rushed.
Are Komodo dragons dangerous?
Yes; always stay with your ranger.
Is the diving good?
World-class, with strong currents; best for experienced divers.
How much are park fees?
They are charged on top of boat trips and have been raised several times; check the latest.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
When is the best time to visit?
April to November, the dry season.
How do I get there?
By flight from Bali, about an hour.
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