Major city · Indonesia
Buru IslandPulau Buru
Go only if you want an untouristed Maluku island: 2–3 nights around Namlea, reached by daily flight or ferry from Ambon.
Buru is a large, low-key island in Maluku, west of Ambon and reached by a daily flight or ferry to Namlea. It is known for cajeput (eucalyptus) plantations, rice fields, white-sand beaches and a 1785 Dutch fort, not for resorts. Sights are spread out and public transport is thin, so most travellers base in Namlea and hire a car or scooter. Two to three nights covers the Namlea area; add nights only if you push south to Namrole.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- NAM
- 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Buru Island112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Buru Island, 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
- SafetyBuru is remote: the real risks are rough seas in the south, poor roads after dark, medical care outside Namlea and malaria.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (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.
- AirportcheckNAM Namlea Airport (Daily flight from Ambon; small aircraft — check baggage limits and book early (check).).
- Getting aroundcheckPublic transport for sightseeing: check.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a Namlea café2026 estimate, checkRp15,000–35,000
- Street or quick mealMie ikan Namlea (fish noodle)2026 estimate, checkRp25,000–45,000
- Budget bedPenginapan (basic guesthouse) room, a night, per roomRp200,000
- Mid-range bedPenginapan (basic guesthouse) room, a night, per roomRp350,000
- High-end bedPenginapan (basic guesthouse) room, a night, per roomRp600,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp400,000 · Mid Rp800,000 · High Rp1,500,000
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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
- NAM Namlea Airport (Daily flight from Ambon; small aircraft — check baggage limits and book early (check).)
Weather and climate
Buru Island: 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°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
21 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Public transport for sightseeing: check. Rent a car or motorcycle in Namlea, or hire a driver by the day; road surfaces and side-road conditions: check. Agree the price and the return time before you set off.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h by air; ferry takes most of a day
Daily flight from Namlea, or the daily ferry from Namlea Grand Harbor
Ambon is the gateway to Buru and worth a night on the way in or out.
Saparua
cautionDoor to door: A full day via Ambon
Via Ambon, then ferry from Tulehu or a fast boat
Only practical if you are already routing through Ambon.
Masohi
overnightDoor to door: A full day or more
Ferry or flight via Ambon to Seram, then road
A separate island; treat it as its own stop, not a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Namlea
Main town, airport and ferry harbour; most guesthouses and eateries are here. Best base for a short trip.
Namrole
Southern town; a base only if you are heading to the south-coast beaches. Road distance from Namlea: check.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp400,000–700,000 excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
- Mid
- Rp700,000–1,200,000 excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
- High
- Rp1,200,000+ excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × Rp600,000 | Rp1,200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × Rp800,000 | Rp3,200,000 |
| Car with driver, one day1 × Rp700,000 · 2026 estimate, check | Rp700,000 |
| Scooter rental, one day2 × Rp100,000 · 2026 estimate, check | Rp200,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 · 2026 estimate, check | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp560,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,540,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp6,160,000≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate, check
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and ferry excluded. Amounts marked check are unverified. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Nasi kuning or ikan kuah kuning, local warung2026 estimate, check | Rp25,000–50,000 |
| Mie ikan Namlea (fish noodle)2026 estimate, check | Rp25,000–45,000 |
| Coffee at a Namlea café2026 estimate, check | Rp15,000–35,000 |
| Bottle of minyak kayu putih (cajeput oil), souvenir size2026 estimate, check | Rp30,000–80,000 |
| Car with driver, one day2026 estimate, check | Rp600,000–900,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- High waves on the south coast: check conditions before any boat or beach trip.
- Fuel and ATM availability outside Namlea: check; carry cash and fill up when you can.
- Roads to remote beaches can be rough and unlit after dark: do not drive back late.
- Malaria risk in Maluku: check with a travel clinic before you go.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Buru IslandPulau Buru
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies on Buru; the US, UK, Australian and other missions are in Jakarta, with a consulate in Surabaya. Check your embassy's current contact before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Namlea Airport → Namlea town: short ride, about Rp50,000–100,000 by ojek or taxi (2026 estimate, check)
- Namlea Grand Harbor → Namlea town: about Rp30,000–70,000 (2026 estimate, check)
- Car with driver, one day: Rp600,000–900,000 (2026 estimate, 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 mau ini — I would like this (saya mau ini)
- Bisa bayar pakai kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bisa bayar pakai kartu)
- Tolong — Help (tolong)
Phone area code on Buru is 0913.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Buru Island. 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: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares