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Volcanic lakes on the top of the Mount Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia.

Things to do in  Flores

In a land above the clouds

A mountainous island studded with volcanoes, Flores is one of East Nusa Tenggara’s most exciting destinations. Hugging its undulating terrain, the spectacular Trans-Flores Highway makes an epic road trip; Labuan Bajo is the jump-off point for the mantas and dragons of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and traditional villages like Bena and Wae Rebo offer tribal crafts and cultures. Things to do in Flores span the gamut from snorkeling and scuba diving to hiking, soaking in hot springs, archaeology tours, and soaring down natural water slides.

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Top 3 attractions in Flores

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When to visit

If you’re planning to get off the beaten track in Flores, the dry season (roughly May through October) is the time to visit. Minor roads can be an ordeal at the best of times and wash out entirely during the peak of the wet season. Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park’s small islands can get extremely busy during the European summer vacation season (mid-June through mid-September): If western Flores is on your itinerary, May and October are better bets.

Getting around

Flores has a number of airports—including in Labuan Bajo, Bajawa, Maumere, and Ende—with Labuan Bajo’s Komodo International Airport being the most popular with visitors. However, it’s cleaner, greener, and much more scenic to journey overland: Some travelers rely on buses and shared taxis, which link major destinations, while others drive the Trans-Flores Highway or join tours. Ridesharing app Grab operates in Labuan Bajo, but elsewhere, you need to negotiate with local drivers or hire a driver for the day.

Traveler tips

Riding the looping mountain roads of the Trans-Flores Highway on a motorbike can be an awe-inspiring experience, but it’s key to be prepared. To ride legally in Indonesia, you need a motorbike license from your home country, plus an International Driving Permit: Most travel insurance will refuse cover if you’re riding illegally. Make sure your insurance covers you for motorbike touring, always wear a sturdy helmet, and never ride under the influence.

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People Also Ask
Q:Is Flores, Indonesia, worth visiting?
A:

Yes, Flores, Indonesia, is definitely worth visiting. The starting point for Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a spectacularly beautiful island with a wealth of fascinating tribal cultures and some epic road trips. With the exception of Labuan Bajo and Komodo, it’s still largely off the beaten track.

Q:What are the top attractions to visit in Flores?
A:

The top attractions to visit in Flores include Komodo National Park, 17 Islands Marine Park, Cunca Wulang Waterfall, the Trans-Flores Highway, and the traditional villages of Wae Rebo, Bena, and Luba. Kelimutu, a volcano with multicolored lakes, and Liang Bua cave, where archaeologists discovered the remains of an early human, are also popular.

Q:How many days do you need in Flores?
A:

Ideally, you need two weeks to explore Flores. It takes time to get around: It’s almost twice the size of Crete and more rugged with less transport infrastructure. Allow four days to explore Komodo National Park and around Labuan Bajo, then 10 days to traverse the island by the Trans-Flores Highway.

Q:Is Flores better than Bali?
A:

It depends on what you’re looking for. Both Flores and Bali have their own unique charms. Flores is larger, more diverse, and, with the exception of Labuan Bajo, much less developed and crowded. Bali is easy to navigate and has a lot more international home comforts.

Q:Are there Komodo dragons on Flores?
A:

Yes, there are Komodo dragons in parts of coastal Flores, but populations are small and scattered. If you want to see Komodo dragons in the wild, your best option is to visit Komodo or Rinca islands in Komodo National Park, off Flores, for a ranger-led tour that ensures your safety.

Q:Is Flores Man extinct?
A:

Yes, Flores Man is long extinct. Homo floresiensis, also known as Flores Man or the Flores Hobbit, was a miniature form of early humans that lived on Flores roughly 50,000–100,000 years ago. Liang Bua cave, where archaeologists found the fossils, is about a 1-hour drive from Ruteng.

Things to do near Flores

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