An Essential Guide to Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park and More
Picturesque West Manggarai on a budget
Located in West Manggarai regency of East Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo is a busy port town with a swirl of mixed culture and opportunities . As one of sea port in East Nusa Tenggara , this busy port city opens up a destination to whom are dedicated as one of world heritage site by the UNSECO , a cluster of tropical islands famous for its one of a kind creature, Komodo dragon. Aside from that, this cluster of tropical sunshine miniature are packed with nature and unique experience, from the beautiful view of the harbour , hill top panoramic view of the national park, majestic waterfall, scrumptious seafood, and much more.
What to Bring?
Flip flops, sunblock, sunnies, camera, local currency and summer outfits? of course, but here are few other things that you might want to prepare.
- Trekking footwear
It’s a lot of walking here in Labuan Bajo, from exploring the city, hiking on a dusty hill, to waterfall adventure through lush forest. A trekking shoes or sandals would be suitable for exploring quick hike here and there, or at least throw a pair of decent sneakers. - Power-Bank
Dying gadgets might ruin your trip, so pack some power bank to keep the juice up, especially when you’re doing Island hopping trip as power outlets are less likely to be available (depending on the boat) or when you’re in the middle of outdoor activity, so an emergency power-bank can be useful during that ungodly low battery moment. - Breathable Shirt and Pants
Pack light, that is one of the main key when it comes to travelling to places like this as you don’t want to drag around a heavy suitcase under the scorching sun. Packing light breathable shirts, pants and underwear would save up space and it can be washed and dried quickly especially if you happen to booked a live on board trip (overnight stay in a boat).Plus most breathable garments allows air circulation in and out of your body that would be great for humid tropical climate . - Binoculars
yes, a good old binoculars because there are a lot things to see during your sailing trip , why would you want to spend most of your time looking at your phone when you’re sailing in the middle of this tropical paradise?
Where to Stay?
There are various types of accommodation you could choose staring from a cozy low-budget hostel, a hotel near the bustling city port, a small on deck boat for one or two nights, to a luxurious wooden yacht for that dreamy rose and jack sunset moment. Most booking websites offers those type of accommodations, you could even find a Yacht rent on Airbnb. Since I travelled low budget, here are some affordable options
- Hostels
there are tons of hostel with various price ranges starting from a IDR 80K mixed dorm up to IDR 350K Private deluxe room. Although the city of Labuan Bajo is relatively small, location is key as most amenities are available close to the harbour. The place where I stay is a hostel called Ciao Hostel, located on a hill near the city habor. The hostel offers spectacular rooftop view and a mixed dorm room with direct panoramic view looking towards the harbour with komodo national park in the background. Definitely would recommend to check this hostel out. - Live on Board
This is the term for staying overnight on a boat or a yacht. A private trip would cost much more than staying on an open trip options. I stayed in both Hostel but I also stayed on board for two days one night for an Island hopping trip which costs me IDR 1.4 million per person for a private trip of 5 people, this already includes meals during the whole trip, snorkelling gears, beds, fuel for the boat and snacks. An open trip would cost you as low as IDR 800k per person with a group of 10–15 people depends on your trip duration, type of boats, and places to visit. You could booked your Live on Board trip at least weeks prior to your arrival or find an on the spot open trip slots which you can find on nearby travel agent or boat master around the harbour. During my trip, the night weather is a bit dangerous to stay on board as our boat is the smallest among all options, so the boat master offered us to stay with his family in the Komodo village which was a unique and amazing experience!.
Where to go ?
West Manggarai of East Nusa Tenggara has more to offer than the infamous island hopping through the Komodo National Park, nevertheless visiting the national park is something you shouldn’t skip!. Here are lists of places that you can visit in West Manggarai, further info about the places will be available in my upcoming post. NP: These are the place that I had visited and places that I want to visit but didn’t have the time
- Komodo Sightseeing : Loh Buaya at Rinca Island and Loh Komodo at Komodo Island
- Snorkelling : Pulau burung, Pink beach, Manta point, Taka Makasar
- Bird eye/ Panoramic view/ Sunset and Sunrise point : Pulau Padar, Bukit Amelia, Ciao Hostel Restaurant, Komodo Village Pier, Labuan Bajo white harbor
- Day trips from Labuan Bajo: Goa Cermin, Goa Rangko, Cunca Rami Waterfall.
- For hungry tummy: Mediterraneo Restaurant, Kampung Ujung Seafood, Warung Mama, In Hit Cafe
Local Transport
There are local mini shuttle bus to take you around and outside of the city, the cost varies depends on your destinations. Another option is to rent a scooter for IDR 65K per 24 hours or a car which will cost you around IDR 800K a day. renting scooter or a car is best suitable if you plan to go outiside of the city more than one hour distance, such as Goa cermin, Goa Rangko, and Cunca Rami.
How the hell can I get there?
Excellent question, here’s how:
- Airplane
The most expensive yet the fastest way to get to Labuan Bajo. A single round trip ticket will cost you about IDR 2,4 Million with low cost airlines from Soekarno Hatta International airport, Jakarta and about 1,8 IDR from Ngurah Rai International airport, Bali if you are lucky. Komodo Airport is a fairly new and modern airport as it start operating back in 2012. - Bus
A more affordable options for those who doesn’t like to fly. A single trip from Denpasar, Bali with a decent bus will cost you around IDR 450K excluding meal during the trip, however it covers all bus ticket and ferry ticket. The journey will take aproximately 30 hours with several rest area stop and ferry changes. The bus will take you acorss Lombok and Sumba island until you reach Sape habor where you took a ferry trip to Labuan Bajo Harbor. - Bon Voyage
Even more afforable options with a lot of time to kill. A single trip from Ketapang harbor, Bali to Labuan Bajo will cost you IDR 240K on a huge state owned public ferry. For that money you will get three meals a day, a dorm room, and a spectacular sunset and sunrise view from the deck. It’s a 36 hour journey with one stop at Sape harbor. It is a long journey but on the other hand you don’t have to worry about changing buses, asking for direction, and worrying about getting late to Labuan Bajo as the ferry is always on time, and also you don’t have to sit down for the whole 36 hour unlike buses, you can even sleep on a flat bed. We choose this option because it is the most afforable and we personally like to travel slow and enjoy new scenery along the way.
There are also options to depart from Lombok and Sape Harbor but I haven’t got any accurate and reliable information on that, please share us in the response section below if you ever sail from Lombok or Sape Harbor :)
Let me know what you think of the tips and tricks by leaving your response below. And share it to your friends who needs a brief guide to Labuan bajo. Follow me on Instagram for more photos and trip ideas. Photos were taken with Canon 7DM1 50mm f1.8 and 16–24mm f3.5. Color graded using Adobe Lightroom
