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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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 (≈ US$1–3)
- Street or quick mealMie ikan Namlea (fish noodle)2026 estimate, checkRp25,000–45,000 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedPenginapan (basic guesthouse) room, a night, per roomRp200,000 (≈ US$13)
- Mid-range bedPenginapan (basic guesthouse) room, a night, per roomRp350,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPenginapan (basic guesthouse) room, a night, per roomRp600,000 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp400,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid Rp800,000 (≈ US$50) · High Rp1,500,000 (≈ US$95)
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
- 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°C88°F
24°C75°F
18 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
16 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
17 rd
Apr
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
16 rd
May
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
18 rd
Jun
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
20 rd
Jul
28°C82°F
23°C73°F
21 rd
Aug
28°C82°F
23°C73°F
19 rd
Sep
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Oct
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
13 rd
Nov
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
13 rd
Dec
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
16 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
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 & 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 & 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.
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 (2026 estimate, check)
- Mid
- Rp700,000–1,200,000 (≈ US$45–75) excl. bed (2026 estimate, check)
- High
- Rp1,200,000 (≈ US$75)+ 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 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Mie ikan Namlea (fish noodle)2026 estimate, check | Rp25,000–45,000 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Coffee at a Namlea café2026 estimate, check | Rp15,000–35,000 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Bottle of minyak kayu putih (cajeput oil), souvenir size2026 estimate, check | Rp30,000–80,000 (≈ US$2–5) |
| Car with driver, one day2026 estimate, check | Rp600,000–900,000 (≈ US$40–55) |
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
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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 (≈ US$4–7) by ojek or taxi (2026 estimate, check)
- Namlea Grand Harbor → Namlea town: about Rp30,000–70,000 (≈ US$2–5) (2026 estimate, check)
- Car with driver, one day: Rp600,000–900,000 (≈ US$40–55) (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 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