A gorgeously picturesque little port on the island of Flores, Labuan Bajo is one of Indonesia's tourist gems. You can use it as a base to visit Komodo's famous dragons or just stay and enjoy the laid-back vibe. Either way, you'll love it.
Situated just west of Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park is famous for its oversized reptilian inhabitants. Seeing Komodos in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, whether you are a nature obsessive or not.
The islands around Labuan Bajo are a great place to dive, with crystal clear waters and vibrant corals. Check out the dive shops on Rinca Island and explore an underwater wonderland.
Back in Labuan Bajo, the harbor is visually stunning. Climb above town for spectacular views, but be by the water in time for sunsets across the bay, which are an extraordinary sight.
If you want to zone out and escape, Seraya Island is a short boat ride from Labuan Bajo. See reef fishermen in action, rent kayaks and paddle around the island, and snorkel to your heart's content.
Labuan Bajo is surrounded by exceptional beaches, many within walking distance of the center of town. If you love tropical sunshine and warm peaceful waters, it's ideal.
The summer months (June through September) are the best time to visit, as they have the most reliable weather. Outside those months, expect the odd downpour.
Labuan Bajo Komodo Airport (LBJ) is just outside the city and offers connections to Jakarta every day. Taxis into town will cost around Rp60,000.
Ferries are a popular way to get to Labuan Bajo, and there are links to Makassar, Lombok, and Sape.
If you are coming from eastern Flores, follow the cross-country Jl. Komodo highway.
Buses run into Labuan Bajo from all major cities on Flores, including Ruteng, Kepoh, and Riung.
Labuan Bajo has a wealth of excellent hotels, including the Plataran Komodo Beach Resort and the Bintang Flores Hotel.
Badjo - the core of the historic harbor, Badjo is where most tourists spend their time in Labuan as it's the jumping off point for trips to the Komodo islands.
Jl. Soekarno Hatta - Labuan's main road, Soekarno Hatta is home to excellent restaurants like Warung Mama.
Jl. Trans Flores - snaking out of town, this road is the other main spot to find great food, with cosmopolitan places like Made in Italy and superb hilltop views of the sunset.
There are no public buses, but ojeks and bemos (motorized scooters and minibuses) run along most main routes. A journey will generally cost around Rp4,000.
Taxis will charge around Rp8-10,000 per mile.
You can rent a car from companies like WahanaJaya and prices should be around Rp70,000 per day.
Jl. Soekarno Hatta is the best place to shop, with an endless supply of Komodo Dragon-themed souvenirs, as well as a lively early morning market.
Supermarkets in Labuan Bajo include Kampoeng Mart and Roxymart, where 12 eggs will cost around Rp24,000.
Labuan Bajo's harbor area is crammed with excellent places to eat, with a diverse range of culinary options. Made in Italy serves superb pizza, Warung Mama specializes in Indonesian dishes, while Tree Top is a quirky place to find fiery seafood meals. Expect to pay around Rp75,000 per head.