Flores Island Travel Guide: Exploration from The West to The East Part

Known widely through the ancient animal called Komodo, Flores offers actually beyond an ordinary trip on islands you would have experienced. Prepare yourself well before encountering challenges and adventures through the island’s modesty with this Flores island travel guide, if you really want to hit Flores land.

An Overview of Flores Island

Before jumping to 101 insights for your following Flores Island trip, walk through the helicopter view of this magnificent yet humble island.

Where Is Flores Island Located?

Know that Flores Island is not part of Bali. Instead, Flores, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) are part of the lesser Sunda islands, situated in the east of Java island.

Flores is administratively part of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, and also one of its largest islands.

Esta isla se extiende y se divide en varios archipiélagos, entre los que se incluyen Komodo, Rinca, Lembata, Adonara y Solor. Las dos primeras son sin duda las islas más populares entre los viajeros nacionales e internacionales.

Flores island is quite tremendous with a large area of around 13.540 km, and Mount Poco Mandasawu has its highest peak. Expect to meet and greet the island’s beauty and indigenous culture while walking through its modest infrastructure, just like most of the seemingly untouched yet developing eastern part of Indonesia.

Parts of Flores Island

The vast area of Flores island consists of eight regencies from the west to the east. They are the following:

Regencia	Capital
Manggarai Barat (Manggarai Occidental)	Labuan Bajo
Manggarai (Manggarai Central)	Ruteng
Manggarai Timur (Manggarai Oriental)	Borong
Ngada	Bajawa
Nagekeo	Mbay
Fin	Fin
Sikka	Maumere
Flores Timur (East Flores)	Larantuka
Lembata	Lewoleba

Cada una de las regencias cuenta con su propia joya turística que puedes visitar, además del ya conocido Komodo, Rincay Padar .

Flores Island Transformation

To let you learn a bit deeper, this Flores island travel guide allows you to take a glimpse of the island’s transformation.

While the development was taking place, the most developed part of Flores was Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park. Hence, there you will easily find more and more luxurious lodgings, hot places to hang out watching the sunsets at the end of the day, with a large variety of food to eat.

On the other hand, for other islands, you may expect to have fewer amenities compared to Labuan Bajo.

Despite those conditions, the nature’s richness of Flores island will capture adventurous travelers’ hearts right away. So much so, you may end up enjoying a ‘rough’ yet slow trip in Flores.

Dejando a un lado todos los datos, debido al creciente interés turístico por visitar Komodo, el Gobierno indonesio estaba barajando la posibilidad de limitar el número de turistas en Isla de Komodo finales de 2022.

La conservación de la fauna (el komodo y otros habitantes naturales de Isla de Komodo) es el aspecto más importante, lo que motivó esa consideración, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que Komodo es uno de los sitios del Patrimonio Mundial al que se le atribuye un elevado Valor Universal Excepcional (VUE).

Por otra parte, están estudiando la posibilidad de ampliar la capacidad turística para practicar senderismo en Padar . Es probable que en el futuro, junto con unas instalaciones más adecuadas y adecuadas, se lleve a cabo una transformación digital para dar la bienvenida a los visitantes, desde las reservas online hasta la venta de entradas electrónicas.

Generally speaking, Labuan Bajo has been targeted as a super-priority tourist destination in Indonesia for several years ahead.

The Alpha and Omega of Flores Island Travel Guide

Now, let’s pack out some essential insights about Flores island before loading your carrier for the trip ahead. Make sure that you exchange your currency for the Indonesian rupiah before taking your flight to the country!

Choices You Have to Get to Flores Island

After calculating your holiday span, budget, and your general travel preferences, you need to set which city in Indonesia would be your point of departure heading to Flores.

Let’s scan the following information about transportation availability according to your travel plan. you can reach Flores island by land and sea, or by sea only.

1. En avión

Flores Island welcomes you through three main airports: Labuan Bajo (LBJ), Ende (ENE), and Maumere (MOF).

a. Flights to Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo

If you plan to reach Flores through Labuan Bajo – Komodo airport, you can set three major cities in Indonesia as your point of departure:

• through Jakarta: there are daily connecting flights with domestic airlines you can choose from, i.e: Air Asia, Batik Air, Citylink, Garuda Indonesia, Super Jet Air, and Wings Air,
• A través de Surabaya: hay varias opciones de vuelos de conexión operados por Lion Air, Super Jet Air y Batik Air.
• through Bali: several options of daily direct flights provided by Batik Air or Air Asia; and connecting flights with 1 transit served by Super Jet Air.

b. Flights to Maumere, Flores

In case you are from Kupang or Makassar in Sulawesi, thankfully there are direct flights to Maumere. You may opt to land in Maumere from Jakarta or Bali If you want to experience connecting flights to Kupang/Makassar riding Wings Air or Lion Air, available only on some of the weekdays.

c. Flights to Ende, Flores

Want to look around Ende before going to the main city in Flores? Ende can be your alternative. Since there are connecting flights from Bali as well as heading to Ende, you can take this as an alternative flight. In another way, you can also choose to go to Ende from Kupang with a direct flight by Citilink or Wings Air.

Consejo útil:

Note that you may encounter some flight delays or other local issues that cause the flight schedules to change without prior notice. Your adventurous adventure to Flores island starts right at the moment, be patient!

Do not only stick with only information as stated in this Flores island travel guide. As an independent traveler, you need to take initiative to check on the flight schedule and availability. Afterward, make the reservations through the airline’s official website, or traveling apps such as Traveloka or Tiket.com.

2. En ferry y barco

When the weather is mostly nice and you want to get a new travel experience, sailing with ferries or boats from Bali to Labuan Bajo harbor, Flores can be an option. There are national ships served by PELNI with several classes. You can expect to get large dormitories, kiosks, cafeterias or restaurants.

The schedule may vary according to the operators. Yet, in general, the sailing duration will take one to two nights to get to Labuan Bajo.

3. En autobús, ferry y barco

You can choose to get to Flores Island by land and sea when you have a long travel span and would like to stay in Bali first, then explore Lombok before jumping to Flores island.

Sin duda, vivirás una auténtica aventura si tomas un autobús o un taxi para coger barcos o transbordadores de un puerto a otro. Esta opción requiere mucha paciencia, ya que los horarios pueden ser bastante irregulares.

How to Get to The Center of Labuan Bajo

Prior to touching down at Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo, plant in your mind this Flores Island travel guide information about which kind of local transportation options you have to go to the center of Labuan Bajo.

Particularly, if you are staying around Labuan Bajo, you can go to the central city from the airport and the harbor by taking a taxi service. At the airport, you may also opt-in with a shuttle bus provided by DAMRI.

The shuttle bus by DAMRI allows you to stop at several points including popular hotels like Hotel Marina Labuan Bajo and Hotel Puri Sari, tourist attractions such as Bukit Sylvia, Kampung Ujung, and Puncak Waringin.

Si llegas a Maumere o Ende, puedes tomar un autobús interprovincial, como el de Gunung Mas o el de Peduli Trans. Este autobús cubre varios destinos, entre los que se incluyen los siguientes:

• Ruteng – Aimere – Bajawa
• Ruteng – Ende
• Ruteng – Maumere

Los precios también varían según el destino, oscilando entre 120 000 y unos 300 000 rupias.

También hay ferris y aviones disponibles a este precio, pero los costes serán sin duda más elevados que los del autobús, aunque la duración del viaje es menor.

Local Transportations in Labuan Bajo

Once you settle and are ready to wander around, you can choose to ride a bemo (a traditional public transport), or ojek (a motorcycle taxi) which operational hours normally stop at 9 pm (Central Indonesia Time/WITA).

Cars and/ or motorcycles for daily rental are also available mostly in Labuan Bajo. The car rental type MPV costs around Rp750.000,00 for 12 hours. Meanwhile, motorcycles/scooters take around Rp90.000,00 to Rp150.000,00 per day.

Moreover, some speed boats are available for a visit to nearby islands, like Rinca and Taman Island from Labuan Bajo. All you have to do is to check the schedule with the operator and choose the most fitting, pay, and go.

Outside Labuan Bajo, transportation is dominated by 4×4 wheel vehicles, so prepare to rent a car with a driver to help you get around the regencies you travel to.

Flores Island Travel Guide: Where to Stay?

The lodging types in Flores are quite various. You can find guest houses, homestays, and hostels up to the resort types especially in Labuan Bajo as the center. Other regencies in Flores primarily have guest houses and bungalows.

1. Labuan Bajo

• Saesta Komodo Hostel and Hotel: located in the heart of Labuan Bajo. Choices of the bunk-bed dorm or regular rooms.
• Bintang Flores Hotel: beachfront hotel, situated a bit distance from the city center with a gorgeous pool and tasty breakfast.
• Sudamala Resort Seraya: un lugar fantástico con unas vistas relajantes y mucha intimidad. No solo ofrece una cálida bienvenida y un personal atento, sino también actividades en los alrededores del complejo.

From exploring iconic spots like Padar Island and Pink Beach to snorkeling at Manta Point, this part of Flores offers some of the most unforgettable island experiences in Indonesia. To take it to the next level, you can explore these destinations more privately and comfortably with a Labuan Bajo Yacht Rental, giving you full flexibility to design your own route while enjoying a more exclusive sailing experience.

2. Ruteng

• Sun Rice Homestay: un modesto alojamiento en familia con vistas a los arrozales y al sol. Sirven desayuno asiático.
• Ara Garden Inn: ubicación estratégica, a 2 km del aeropuerto de Ruteng, a aproximadamente 1 km de los lugares de interés turístico y con más de 10 locales de restauración en un radio de 1 km.

3. Bajawa

• Cinnamon Guest House: habitaciones amplias, cerca de lugares de interés turístico natural como la colina de Wolobobo y el pueblo tradicional de Bena.
• Hotel Bajawa Roo: habitaciones totalmente equipadas y servicio de cambio de divisas a su disposición.

4. Riung

• Riung Guest House: la única opción disponible actualmente en Riung, con habitaciones limpias y bien cuidadas, además de desayuno incluido.

5. Moni

• Mahakali Lodge: ubicación estratégica para hacer una parada antes de visitar el volcán Kelimutu, con restaurantes cercanos donde comer y atracciones turísticas a menos de 10 km.
• The Geckos: ruta de senderismo cercana, a poca distancia en moto del Parque Nacional de Kelimutu; se ofrece desayuno con opciones vegetarianas, sin gluten y veganas.

6. Fin

• Dasi Guest House: habitaciones de tamaño adecuado, café y té de autoservicio, vistas a la montaña, atracciones turísticas cercanas y restaurantes de cocina local.

7. Maumere

• Hotel Beng Goan II: personal muy atento, cerca del aeropuerto de Maumere y de las tiendas locales, a unos 5 km del lago Kelimutu (Danau Tiga Warna)
• Eco Dive Resort Alycastre: complejo turístico frente al mar con un concepto de turismo sostenible, situado a unos 30 km del aeropuerto de Maumere, que ofrece diversas actividades.

Sightseeing in Flores Island

The most vital point you want to see in Flores Island travel guide reveals! Spot the tourist attractions you can explore.

1. Labuan Bajo (Komodo Island)

• Punto de avistamiento de mantas: puedes observar las mantas desde el mirador o buceo snorkel el guía,
• Visiting Komodo dragon on Rinca island,
• Navega en kayak y contempla la puesta de sol en Playa Rosa,
• Padar Isla de Padar para disfrutar de unas vistas impresionantes tras una ruta de senderismo antes de contemplar el amanecer,
• Ir a Melo Village, en Liang Ndara, y ver la danza de lucha Caci.

2. Ruteng

• Captando la forma única de los arrozales en forma de telaraña,
• Conocimiento de la cultura indígena en la aldea de Wae-Rebo.

3. Bajawa

• Relajarse en las aguas termales de Malanage o Mangeruda,
• Paseando por las aldeas tradicionales de las tribus de Ngada (Wogo, Luba, Bena, Tololela y Gurusina),
• Excursión guiada al monte Inerie o a la colina de Wololobo.

4. Riung

Recorre los 24 puntos de interés de las 17 islas del Parque Marino de Riung para snorkel, hacer una barbacoa o simplemente sacar unas fotos.

5. Moni

• Contempla el amanecer en el volcán Kelimutu,
• Contemplando el lago Kelimutu,
• Descubriendo la cascada de Murudhaekale,
• Visita a las plantaciones de café de Kebun Kopi Tani y Sao Kopi Wolopaku.

6. Fin

Aprender historia mediante una visita a la casa donde vivió en el exilio el difunto presidente Soekarno, el museo Tenun Ikat.

Un chapuzón refrescante en la cascada de Murondao.

7. Maumere

Deportes acuáticos en las playas de Koka, Waiawara y Kambing, y en la isla de Pangabatang

La mejor época para visitarlo

A little yet a necessary thing to jot down throughout your Flores island travel guide and preparation is to pay attention to the timing, including the climate and tourist season. Identically to many other tourist destinations around the world July and August are commonly peak seasons.

Flores island is quite drier than Java Island. Whilst in the rainy season, the road is normally going to be somewhat impassable and might block your trip planning.

Therefore, you may set your Flores trip between April and June when the weather is cooler, less likely for rain, and the water is more serene, with greenery ready to feast your eyes.

Por otra parte, para practicar senderismo y excursiones por las zonas de montaña, el clima es más favorable entre septiembre y noviembre.

Ready to Experiment with The Unexpected Flores Island?

Just because you are adventurous, does not mean you come unprepared. In addition to this Flores island travel guide, do your research. Afterward, make sure you come equipped with the necessary travel documents, including a driving license.

Además, aprender expresiones cotidianas en indonesio y/o en la lengua local te ayudará, con suerte, a integrarte en tu entorno durante tu estancia.

Por último, si no estás seguro de a qué zona ir o solo dispones de poco tiempo para las vacaciones, no dudes en ponerte en contacto con una agencia de viajes y apuntarte a una excursión en grupo o privada que se adapte a tus necesidades y presupuesto.

However, a trip to Flores Island wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Komodo Island. Explore the breathtaking beauty and unique wildlife with Komodo Island Tour by Komodo Luxury. Our exclusive tours offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience, from the famous Komodo Dragons to pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Reserva ya tu Isla de Komodo y vive la aventura definitiva con comodidad y lujo. ¡No te pierdas este viaje inolvidable!

Read more:
How to Trip from Bali to Komodo Island
Interesting Facts About Komodo National Park You Need to Know Before Visiting