Major city · Indonesia
Labuan Bajo
Base here 2–3 nights for a Komodo boat trip; add a liveaboard only if you dive. The town itself is one street — no more than a half-day on foot.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Nov (dry season); diving best Apr–Nov
- avoid Jan–Feb (rain, rough seas, some boats stop)
- Airport
- LBJ
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
Labuan Bajo is the port town on Flores' west tip and the launch point for Komodo National Park — dragons on Rinca and Komodo, manta and reef diving, and the Padar viewpoint. The town is small: one main road along the harbour, walkable end to end in 10–15 minutes. Most travellers come for a 1-day or 2–3 day boat trip and leave; the town is a base, not the destination. Fly into Komodo Airport (LBJ), 2 km from the centre.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Labuan Bajo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyThe town is small and generally safe to walk; the real risks are at sea — boat safety, strong currents and unlicensed operators.
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 113 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLBJ Komodo Airport (2 km from town; taxis charge set rates of Rp60,000 (≈ US$4) and up one way.LBJ Komodo Airport (1.2 mi from town; taxis charge set rates of Rp60,000 (≈ US$4) and up one way.
- Getting aroundThe town is small and walkable in 10–15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealWestern main courseRp80,000–150,000 (≈ US$5–10)
- BeerBeer (large bottle)Rp30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4)
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personRp120,000 (≈ US$8)
- Mid-range bedHomestay or guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp500,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedHomestay or guesthouse double, a night, per roomRp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp400,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid Rp900,000 (≈ US$55) · High Rp2,000,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LBJ Komodo Airport (2 km from town; taxis charge set rates of Rp60,000 and up one way. A 25-minute downhill walk reaches the centre.)LBJ Komodo Airport (1.2 mi from town; taxis charge set rates of Rp60,000 and up one way. A 25-minute downhill walk reaches the centre.)
Weather and climate
Labuan Bajo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
20 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
18 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
15 rd
Apr
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
10 rd
May
32°C90°F
23°C73°F
6 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
4 rd
Jul
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
3 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
3 rd
Sep
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
4 rd
Oct
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
Nov
33°C91°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Dec
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
18 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small and walkable in 10–15 minutes. Ojeks (motorcycles) cost Rp3,000–5,000 and bemos pass every few minutes. Scooters rent for Rp100,000–160,000 per day from shops on the main street or via your hotel. For the airport, taxis charge set rates of Rp60,000 and up.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Komodo National Park (1-day shared boat)
goDoor to door: Full day
Shared boat from Labuan Bajo harbour; covers Padar viewpoint, Pink Beach, Komodo Island and Manta Point
Around Rp375,000 for the boat plus about Rp350,000 in entrance fees (2019) — check current rates.
Rinca Island (dragons)
goDoor to door: Half to full day
Boat from Labuan Bajo; a 1- or 2-hour guided hike from the pier
More convenient for dragons than Komodo Island; guides meet boats at the pier.
Kalong Island (flying foxes)
goDoor to door: About 3 hours
Chartered boat from Labuan Bajo, about 1 hour each way, often with a snorkel stop
Around Rp300,000 return. Tens of thousands of bats leave the mangroves at dusk over about 20 minutes.
Kanawa Island
goDoor to door: Half day
Local boat about 1 hour, or speedboat about 10 minutes
Small island at the edge of the park with a resort and snorkelling.
Batu Cermin Cave and Rangko Cave
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Scooter or taxi from town
Caves near town; check access and opening before going.
Seraya Island
cautionDoor to door: Half to full day
Boat from Labuan Bajo
Calm cove for snorkelling; basic huts and limited running water.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main road / harbourfront (Jl. Soekarno Hatta)
Guesthouses, restaurants and dive shops on one street; walk to the port and fish market. Best for a short stay with a boat trip.
North of the centre (toward Paradise Bar)
Quieter, sunset views, a 10-minute walk north of the centre.
South / Pantai Pede
Resorts and upscale restaurants; needs a scooter or taxi to reach the centre.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp400,000–700,000 (≈ US$25–45) excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp700,000–1,500,000 (≈ US$45–95) excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,500,000 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Homestay or guesthouse double1 × 3 nights × Rp500,000 | Rp1,500,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × Rp900,000 | Rp5,400,000 |
| 1-day shared Komodo boat trip2 × Rp375,000 | Rp750,000 |
| Komodo National Park entrance fees, 1 day2 × Rp350,000 | Rp700,000 |
| Fun dive day (2 dives, equipment, lunch)2 × Rp1,200,000 | Rp2,400,000 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × Rp130,000 | Rp260,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp1,101,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp2,019,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp12,111,000≈ US$750 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and park fees excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Local meal (mie goreng, nasi campur) | Rp25,000–70,000 (≈ US$2–5) |
| Western main course | Rp80,000–150,000 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Beer (large bottle) | Rp30,000–50,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Ojek ride in town | Rp3,000–5,000 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi airport to townSet rates. | Rp60,000 (≈ US$4) and up |
| Scooter rental per day | Rp100,000–160,000 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Sape–Labuan Bajo ferry2023 price — check; needs an ADSP card (about Rp30,000) | Rp91,000 (≈ US$6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat safety: many tour boats operate with unclear safety records — check that your operator has life jackets and safety equipment onboard, and prefer a dive-association member.
- Entrance fees: some tour boats collect park fees upfront and pocket them. Insist on tickets or pay the fees yourself at each stop.
- Strong currents around Komodo: some dive sites are unsuitable for beginners — dive with a reputable operator in a small group.
- Some restaurants add a 10% service tax and refuse small change — ask for exact change.
- Local arak (moonshine) can be contaminated with methyl alcohol — avoid it.
- Fresh water is scarce in town; some hotels only have running water for a few hours a day — ask before booking.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Labuan BajoLabuan Bajo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies in Labuan Bajo; most countries have embassies in Jakarta and consulates in Bali (Denpasar) — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → town taxi: Rp60,000 (≈ US$4) and up, set rate
- Ojek in town: Rp3,000–5,000 (≈ under US$1)
- Sape → Labuan Bajo ferry: Rp91,000 (≈ US$6), arrives around 17:00 (check)Rp91,000 (≈ US$6), arrives around 5:00 PM (check)
Say or show
- Terima kasih — Thank you (terima kasih)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (berapa harganya)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (di mana toilet)
- Saya tidak mau — I don't want it (saya tidak mau)
- Tolong — Help (tolong)
- Selamat tinggal — Goodbye (selamat tinggal)
Park fees and boat prices change; confirm at the park office or with your operator.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Labuan Bajo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Nov (dry season); diving best Apr–Nov · avoid Jan–Feb (rain, rough seas, some boats stop) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LBJ: set taxi rates field-checked, walk fallback, overnight rung.
- Boat-trip tiers with verified inclusions: 1-day shared, 2D/1N, 3D/2N liveaboard, private charter.
- Park-fee page with current entrance prices and the pay-it-yourself rule.
- Dive-operator page with safety checks and current fun-dive prices.