Getting to Komodo
The scenic town of Labuan Bajo is located at the doorstep of the Komodo National Park. It has a natural harbour and is essentially two roads – one running alongside the shore and up in the hills.
The town is very rural and you won’t find any mass-tourism here. No taxi’s or souvenir shops and the nearest McDonalds is at least a few hundred kilometers away from here. Instead you can enjoy the slow pace of life, small local restaurants and breathtaking sunsets over the Komodo National Park.
Without the mass tourism that has overtaken The people are very friendly here and you can easily explore the whole town by foot in just a few hours.
Lanbuan Bajo is situated at the extreme western end of the island of Flores. This island is one of the most rugged and beautiful islands of the Indonesian Archipelago. Its landscapes are dominated by a string of volcanoes and the island has a lot to offer for the adventurous traveler. The roads on the island are not that well developed, but they will take you along scenic rice terraces and sleepy villages with small local markets. Another highlight of Flores next to the Komodo National Park are the spectacularly colored volcano lakes of Keli Mutu.
The airport of Labuan Bajo is situated only a few kilometers from town and there are daily flights departing from Bali or Jakarta. Another possibility to get here is to take a boat trip from Bali or Lombok, which will take a few days.
Our boat departs to the Komodo Islands from the port of Lanbuan Bajo, which is right at the center of the town. From here, it is only a few minutes to the first dive sites in the area.
Language:
In Labuan Bajo many people speak a reasonable amount of English, with Bahasa Indonesia being the main language. Several local languages are spoken here, all belonging to the Austronesian family. Many basic words in Bahasa are easy to learn and use - try it out!
Currency:
Local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah. Bank notes: 100.000, 50.000, 20.000, 10.000, 5000, 1000 rph. Coins: 500, 200, 100, 50 rph. Plan to bring at least half of your money in cash (US dollars being the best bet). In many of the small communities credit cards are useless, and travelers’ checks might not be changed.
Electricity:
Electric current is 220 volt
Mobile Phones:
Depending on your provider you can use your own cell-phone in most inhabited areas of Indonesia, but probably expensive. If you intend to call or sms frequently, it is best to buy an Indonesian mobile number and put the SIM card in your own phone. (ask your dealer if your phone is not ‘locked’ and will accept the Indonesian SIM card). Simpati seems to provide the best coverage over the country.
Internet is available at a variety of cafe's and WIFI is available in many cafe's and restaurants.
