Flores has many wonders: landscapes, animals, sunsets, people, old traditional villages, lakes, waterfalls, pristine beaches, crystal clear water, and a huge variety of underwater creatures, including sharks, turtles, and manta rays.
Today, Flores Island is best known as the starting point for diving tours to Komodo National Park. But recently, more and more travelers have been coming to explore the island itself, its nature, history, local people, and their unique culture.
Flores is located in the eastern part of Indonesia. The island is large, and its extreme points are connected by a road called the “Flores Highway,” which is about 670 km long. The road runs from west to east: from Labuan Bajo, the main port for trips to Komodo National Park, to Maumere, the largest city in Flores.
Labuan Bajo is a growing tourist town that combines tropical beauty with amenities for travelers. Currently, tourists can find a wide selection of different types of accommodation, restaurants, and shops in the city. And although Labuan Bajo is not yet as developed as, for example, the resorts of Bali, it has its own charm and beauty — you just need to take a closer look.
The island of Flores offers curious travelers many interesting things to see. Guests can swim in waterfalls, explore caves, climb a volcano, take part in rituals and dances, and then spend the night in a traditional village, see how cloves and coffee grow, eat papaya straight from the tree, and, of course, visit two national parks: Komodo and Kelimutu — both are unique and were created to protect endangered species of animals that live only here.
For guests who want to see traditional and “primordial” Indonesia, we recommend planning a few days for a trip to Flores. Write to us, and we will share our secrets and recommendations.
Flores Island is the tenth largest island in Indonesia.
Flores is located in eastern Indonesia, two islands east of Bali, and is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The island got its name from the Portuguese word “flores,” which means “flowers.” The exact current population of Flores is unknown, but according to 2010 data, it was 1,831,000 people.
Of course, tourism is one of the key industries on the island (others include agriculture, fishing, and seaweed production). The main food product is rice, but the rice fields on Flores are significantly different from the famous Balinese ones. They are built in the shape of a spider web, which is why they are called spider web fields. To see these unusual fields and understand how they are arranged, you need to travel deep into Flores.
Places of interest in Flores
If you are short on time or only have one so-called “dry day” left after diving in Komodo, you can still see many interesting things and visit several wonderful places in Flores. Just rent a car with a driver or a scooter and set off to explore the nearby attractions. Please be careful when riding a bike, as the roads here are steep and winding.
A day in the Labuan Bajo area can be relaxing, adventurous, and incredibly beautiful all at once. Waterfalls, panoramic views, caves, lakes, hill climbs, walks through rice fields, and stunning sunsets.
Just a few kilometers east of Labuan Bajo, waterfalls are hidden in the thick of the rainforest. On the way there, you will pass through local villages, cross rice fields, climb a hill, and walk through picturesque countryside where you can see vanilla, coffee, cocoa, and cloves growing and smell all these plants. At the end of the journey, you will be rewarded with stunning views and refreshing water in the waterfall pools.
Or take a trip to the caves near Labuan Bajo. One of them, Batu Cermin, is a beautiful limestone cave that is best visited early in the morning when the sun’s rays shine through the rocks and create a spectacular sight. “Batu Cermin” translates from Indonesian as “mirror stone.” When you get there, you’ll understand why this place was given this name.
Rangko Cave is another cave that we highly recommend visiting. It can only be reached by boat, and inside… There are stalactite-covered arches, stone columns, and most importantly, a natural seawater pool where you can swim! On the way to Rangko Cave, you will surely stop more than once to admire the incredible panoramas from the hills, and during the trip on a leisurely local boat, you will be delighted by the beautiful sea views. For water lovers, there is the opportunity to go kayaking and explore the reefs and beaches of Labuan Bajo.
The hills surrounding Labuan Bajo offer panoramic views of the harbor and nearby islands. Experience the thrill of a stunning, bright sunset with a refreshing drink in your hand — a great way to end the day!
If you have time, are ready for adventure, love exploring nature, and want to get to know the local people, a trip to Flores is just what you need!
There are many interesting things to see in Flores. To visit at least some of the attractions, we recommend planning 3-4 days. A good option is to take the “Labuan Bajo – Mawmere” route. Such a tour can take 4 days, during which you will see the most famous places: waterfalls, the Hobbit Cave in Ruteng, traditional villages, Kelimutu Lakes, Bluestone Beach, and more.
Kelimutu – The Colored Lakes Kelimutu is a volcano in the central part of Flores. It is famous and mysterious because of the three colored lakes in its crater, each of which is colored differently, and the color changes periodically. Of course, there is a scientific explanation for the color change, but the locals have their own beliefs and legends that make this place sacred. According to them, the souls of dead people live in the water: in one lake, the souls of elderly righteous people; in another, the souls of young people; and in the third, the souls of evil spirits.
The colored lakes are part of the second national park on Flores, Kelimutu National Park. The park’s landscape consists of numerous hills and mountains, home to several endangered species of animals and plants, as well as a “mini jungle” representing the park’s entire flora.
A trip from Labuan Bajo to the Kelimutu lakes or to Mawmer can also include a visit to the 17 Islands Marine Park near the village of Riung or trekking to the traditional village of Wae Rebo.
