Labuhanbajo
The little coastal town of Labuhanbajo Flores for those traveling from Komodo or islands to the west.
Getting there
Daily ferries from Sape, Sumbawa , which stop at Komodo, arrive in the late afternoon. Hotel/losmen representatives meet the ferry, so simply walk to the Losmen of your choice or the whisked to the oout-of-town seaside hotels by boat. If you arrive by bus from Ruteng, you can be dropped where you want.
The Pelni ships Binaiya, Tatamilau and tilongkabila each stop in at Labuhanbao a total of 4 times each month on their respective 2-week routes.
The airport is a couple of kilometers out of town, $4 charter, 80 cent for a collective minibus. At present there are 6 flights a week to Labuhanbajo on the Kupang to Bima route; however the service is unreliable and often overbooked. Do not rely on getting a flight out: an “Ok” ticket booked outside Labuhanbajo has no meaning.
Accommodation/dining
Most places are geared to the low end of the budget travel market and are situated along the shore, a short walk from the harbour, though there are a few better quality hotels.
Transport
Ferry office at the harbour at the north end of Jl Soekarno, Impossible to miss.Bus Local buses run up and down the main street. Your losmen will call one for you. Buses to Ruteng run 3 times daily ($4, 4-5 hrs0. Charter minibus to Ruteng, $50-75, night buses direct to Ende, $7, 15 hrs. Long-distance bus several bus companies offer service to and from destinations to the west.
General information
Tourist Office Jl eltari
PHPA office Komodo National Park
Post Office Jl Soekarno
Foreign exchange is not available in Labuhanbajo. Remember to stock up on malaria tablets as they are essential in this region; it is also advisable to carry a net.