Major city · Indonesia
Tambolaka
Spend 1–2 days in Tambolaka as a base for West Sumba; fly in, stay one night, and use day trips to beaches and villages.
Tambolaka is the main gateway to West Sumba with an airport, limited lodging and transport. One night is enough to rest and catch day trips to Ratenggaro Beach, cultural sites and nearby villages.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (check)
- avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, check)
- Airport
- TMC
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Emergency numbers for Tambolaka110 ▾
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 Tambolaka, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay alert to traffic, negotiate transport rates clearly, and keep valuables secure in accommodations.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 118 ambulance · 112 General (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.
- AirportTMC Tambolaka Airport.
- Getting aroundMotorbike rental Rp100,000–150,000 per day; car with driver Rp500,000–700,000 per day.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerCold Bintang beer (large bottle)Rp35,000
- Budget bedLocal hotel double, a night, per roomRp250,000
- Mid-range bedLocal hotel double, a night, per roomRp350,000
- High-end bedLocal hotel double, a night, per roomRp500,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp300,000 · Mid Rp600,000 · High Rp1,000,000
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
- TMC Tambolaka Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest May (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tambolaka: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 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
Motorbike rental Rp100,000–150,000 per day; car with driver Rp500,000–700,000 per day. Airport‑to‑town taxi rate Rp50,000 (agree price before boarding).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ratenggaro Beach
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Motorbike or car from Tambolaka, about 30 km (19 mi) (≈45 min)Motorbike or car from Tambolaka, about 19 mi (30 km) (≈45 min)
Entry fee Rp20,000 per motorbike, Rp50,000 per car.
Wainyapu Village & Beach
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Motorbike, 35 km (22 mi) north, ≈1 hMotorbike, 22 mi (35 km) north, ≈1 h
Voluntary donation ≈Rp20,000.
Weekuri Lake
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Car with driver, 40 km (25 mi) east, ≈1 hCar with driver, 25 mi (40 km) east, ≈1 h
Suggested donation Rp20,000.
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.
Rumah Budaya Sumba
Cultural centre rooms, about Rp500,000 per night (2026 estimate).
Hotel Sinar Tambolaka
Large local hotel, about Rp250,000 per night.
Renata Homestay
Family‑run, about Rp200,000 per night.
Maringi Hotel
Hospitality‑school hotel, about Rp3,000,000 per night (splurge).
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
- Rp300,000–500,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp500,000–800,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Local hotel double1 × 1 night × Rp350,000 | Rp350,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × Rp600,000 | Rp1,200,000 |
| Motorbike rental (1 day)2 × Rp130,000 | Rp260,000 |
| Car with driver (1 day)2 × Rp600,000 | Rp1,200,000 |
| Airport‑to‑town taxi2 × Rp50,000 · check | Rp100,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp311,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,711,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp3,421,000≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in IDR; flights and airport taxes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Cold Bintang beer (large bottle) | Rp35,000 |
| Motorbike rental (per day) | Rp100,000–150,000 |
| Car with driver (per day) | Rp500,000–700,000 |
| Airport‑to‑downtown taxi | Rp50,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Transport is scarce and pricey; confirm rates with drivers.
- Independent airport drivers may overcharge; negotiate clearly.
- Most sites request voluntary donations (≈Rp20,000–Rp50,000).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- General
- 112
Pocket card
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TambolakaTambolaka
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- General112
Embassy
US consular services are in Kupang (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tambolaka Airport → town (taxi): about Rp50,000 (agree before boarding) (check)
- Motorbike rental (1 day): Rp100,000–150,000
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee mah-nah toh-let)
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 Tambolaka. 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–Oct (check) · avoid Nov–Mar (rainy season, check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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
Sources
Ask about Tambolaka
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