Hi, guys! In this Flores overland trip blog post, let’s explore Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Pink Beach, Manta Point, and Puri Sari Beach Hotel in Labuan Bajo! 🌿☀️🌊
For the past few weeks, we’ve explored Ende, Bajawa, Ruteng, and now we’re in Labuan Bajo, the most popular city in Flores.
My Flores overland trip route:
Ende > Bajawa > Ruteng > Labuan Bajo + Komodo National Park
Why did I make Labuan Bajo the last destination of my Flores trip? Because it’s the most modern city in Flores and it has wonderful hotels with amazing sea views!
My Flores overland trip route was arranged as nature > small cities > modern cities + main attractions.
After waking up early to hike a three-coloured lake volcano and catch the sunrise, running wild and free in nature, and getting tanned due to climbing 818 stairs in Padar Island…
I just wanted to stay in a decent, modern accommodation and relax. With AC, of course!
Alright, as you see from the photos above, on the way from Ruteng to Labuan Bajo, I had lunch at La Nusa Resto. This restaurant has a pig farm, so its se’i (smoked pork) dishes are fresh.
We enjoyed the grilled pork ribs, noodles, se’i rice, and some snacks.
Sorry, I didn’t take photos of my food because I had to charge my phone battery! But here’s La Nusa Resto’s se’i fried rice photo, taken from Mindtrip:
Afterward, we continued our journey to our accommodation, Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo. Oh ya, this is a very long blog post. You can grab a drink 😉
Stay at Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo
We reached Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo, at around 5 pm. When the car approached the 3-star hotel, my eyes widened.
It may be an old hotel (built in 2009), but it stole my heart right away. I like the lush, Bali-vibe design! The reception area is also nice, with a high ceiling and a fish pond.
I also like the garden and pool area, surrounded by greenery and romantic lighting.
When I toured around the garden, I told myself, “This hotel is so romantic at night, great for couples!”
Alas, there I was with my mom and sister 😂 😂 😂
Then, I walked further to the restaurant area. Wow, I didn’t know that Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo had its private beach! Just look at this wonderful, romantic beach view:
Since we had a late lunch and spent hours in the car, we didn’t feel hungry. So I ordered chocolate cheese banana fritters – a typical Indonesian snack that everyone must try 🤤 ❤️ 🍌
Alright, now let’s check out the room! The rooms at this hotel are villa-style. When I saw my room, I was like, “Wow, so spacious!!”
Our deluxe double room was super spacious, even with an extra bed. The bed was extra large and comfy, the room was clean, the AC was cold… Even the bathroom was spacious!
Puri Sari Beach is the best 3-star hotel I’ve ever stayed at 😍 😍 😍
After a shower and finishing my delicious chocolate cheese banana fritters, I slept like a baby. We had to be at the lobby at 6am the next day to board a speedboat for our day trip.
But… in the middle of the night, suddenly the card sensor machine beeped nonstop. I thought it was a morning call, but it wasn’t the phone. I also didn’t ask the receptionist to wake us up.
So, I woke up, opened the door, and closed it fast. I didn’t dare to look who was there, but I’m sure there was nobody or nothing…
Then I looked at the watch. It was 3 am.
Okaay… whatever. I was so sleepy, I continued to sleep 😬😬😬
Also read: “Sea and Self-Love at Lelewatu Resort Sumba”
Also read: “Chasing Hills, Savannas, and Sunsets in Sumba”
Join a Day Trip to Komodo National Park and Conquer Padar Island
Alright guys, now for the highlight of the Flores overland trip: a day trip to Komodo National Park!
We gathered in the lobby at 6am. The hotel prepared us a simple breakfast in a box (by request), since the restaurant hadn’t opened.
Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve. It consists of some islands (Komodo, Padar, Rinca, Gili Motong) and the surrounding waters.
If you have a big budget, you can rent a private tour with a private speedboat. If you want to save money, you can join a day trip and share a speedboat.
The day trip speedboat company that I recommend is East Cruise Komodo. My local tour guide booked it for us and we enjoyed the service.
In this day trip, you’ll visit:
- Padar Island
- Pink Beach
- Komodo Island (see komodo dragons)
- Manta Point (snorkeling/diving with manta rays)
- Taka Makassar (snorkeling/diving)
My speedboat, the Gold Orca, was big and clean. There were around 40-50 seats inside, with comfortable chairs and the most important thing – AC ✨ ✨ ✨
Don’t underestimate East Nusa Tenggara’s sun, it’s super-duper hot!! That’s why AC is very important. Also, remember to reapply your sunblock during the trip!
If you feel bored, you can sit outside or on the top deck. These areas will pump up your adrenaline thanks to the cold breeze, sun, and smell of the sea 🌬️ ☀️ 🌊
By the way, this isn’t a paid post. I just want you to be safe when exploring my country, Indonesia.
If you want to pinch pennies, there are smaller speedboats, but I’m not sure about the safety and comfort.
Alright, after around 40 minutes onboard, we arrived at Padar Island. This is the most picturesque, Instagrammable spot that you often see on social media.
But… to get THAT shot, you must conquer 818 staircases up + 818 staircases down. Alright, don’t count the total… Just do it 😛
CLARA10
Don’t worry, guys! My mother is 60 years old, yet she could do it. You can make some stops during the hike and enjoy the view before continuing.
Sooo, was the climb worth it? Absolutely!
Mom: “Which one is more beautiful, Clara? Europe or this?” (she hasn’t been to Europe)
Me: “It’s different, mom… Every country has its charm.”
For me, European nature resembles the clean-cut Henry Cavill, while Indonesian nature resembles Jason Momoa ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Day 1”
Also read: “Chasing Beaches and Waterfalls in Sumba, Indonesia”
Sip Fresh Coconut Water at the Pink Beach, Komodo National Park
Ok, up until now, I’m still not sure which Pink Beach I went to. The speedboat crew told us that we were at Long Pink Beach.
It looked a bit different than the Pink Beach that I saw online. Was it because there were stalls that sold snacks and drinks?
About the pink colour, obviously, the photos that you saw online were edited. It was a faint pink colour on the beach. Or maybe I didn’t go to the right Pink Beach? Who knows…
Most of the passengers chose to take shelter at the stalls and ordered some drinks. Me too! I only went to the beach to take some photos, and then rushed back to the shelter 🥵 🥵 🥵
Luckily, we only stayed on the Pink Beach for around 1 hour. Afterward, we departed for the most awaited destination – Komodo Island. Komodo dragons, here we come!!! 🤩 🤩 🤩
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Day 2”
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Day 3”
Play Hide and Seek with Komodo Dragons in Komodo National Park
Initially, I wanted to write ‘Chase Komodo Dragons in Komodo National Park’, but it didn’t feel right 😆
Actually, it’s not entirely wrong. People come to Komodo National Park to see komodo dragons, so when they spot one from far away, they come closer for a better view 📷 ✨ 🤳
Afterward, they run away because they’re scared, ahahaha…
‼️ Attention: Don’t wander around alone. Stick with the group or the park rangers for your safety.
Komodos are blind, but they could sense movement from their tongue. They run fast and their saliva is poisonous. After biting their prey, they will let it free and do their own thing…
…because it will be dead soon. Afterward, they will return and enjoy the meal.
Guys, this is very important. Don’t wander alone and don’t approach komodo dragons without the park rangers.
You’re on an island and the nearest hospitals are in Labuan Bajo (around 36km away by boat). By the time you reach the hospital, it might be too late.
But… what about PHOTOS?? 🥺 🥺 🥺
Don’t worry guys, you’ll have a chance to take photos and videos. Plus, you’ll even get a chance to pose with a komodo, hehe!
Actually, there’s no guarantee that you’ll see komodo in Komodo National Park as they roam freely. However, this is a rare case.
When I was there with my mom and sister, we saw many komodo and managed to take some photos. You can also ask the park rangers to help you take zoom-in photos and videos 🤩 🤩 🤩
Ok, now about the personal photos with a big komodo dragon! In Komodo National Park, there was a huge komodo dragon that stood still for hours…
Park rangers will bring their group there, and the group members will each take turns to pose with the komodo dragon.
CLARA10
To me, it’s very suspicious because that komodo seemed sedated as it didn’t move at all, except blinking. The park ranger said it was a male komodo.
Male komodo dragons are very lazy, they like to sleep. Usually, the females are the ones who hunt and bring back the food.
But it still didn’t make sense to me. Maybe, just maybe… it was for tourism purposes.
After all, they don’t want visitors to be disappointed, right? People flew from around the world to see komodo, and they’ll be happy to have this kind of photo as a memory:
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Visitting Obia Village on Day 4”
Also read: “Bali Trip: Why You Should Choose Unpopular Hotels During Peak Seasons”
Snorkeling or Diving in Manta Point and Taka Makassar, Komodo National Park
I like snorkeling, but not when the sun is too hot. Oh yeah, I’m gonna remind you again that the sun in Flores is very, very hot! 🥵 🥵 🥵
So, unlike most people who defy the sun and snorkel with manta rays in Manta Point, or playing on the beach on Taka Makassar…
I took a nap on the speedboat 😆😴😪
Although the AC was turned off when the boat stopped, it was still cooler than being outside. Luckily, the boat didn’t stop long in Manta Point and Taka Makassar. Each stop was just around 1 hour.
If you want to snorkel, feel free to use the snorkeling gear provided by the cruise. But I feel it’s better to bring your own snorkeling gear for hygiene purposes.
After the last stop, the boat departed for Labuan Bajo at around 4pm. The crew handed us some biscuits and hot coffee for tea time.
Aaah, I couldn’t wait to take a nice shower and laze around in my hotel room! ❤️
After arriving at the hotel, my sister and I ordered two chocolate cheese banana fritters. Yes, we refused to share! 😍 😍 😍
Then, after taking a shower, we ordered three main courses for dinner for sharing. To me, the food at Puris Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo was worth it.
The portion is big, the price is reasonable, and it tastes good. It’s perfect, coz after a long day, we didn’t want to go out again for dinner.
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Ende”
Also read: “What to See in Samosir Island, Indonesia”
Have a Greek Beach-Themed Photoshoot at Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo
I know I keep talking about this hotel, but this isn’t a paid post! I’m just happy to share this hidden gem. Puri Sari Beach Hotel, Labuan Bajo is affordable and very comfortable.
I came here in May 2025, and the price for 3 people (1 room + 1 extra bed, including breakfast, for two nights) = Rp 2.900.000,00 (around $178 / RM755)
The breakfast area is at the beach restaurant. At night, it was very romantic. In the morning, the blue and white colours, combined with beach design, give off a Greek vibe 🌊✨😍
After breakfast, we said goodbye to Chris, our local tour guide, and Ricky, our excellent driver. Our next destination was AYANA Komodo Waecicu Beach (still in Labuan Bajo).
Yes, we extended the trip! I purposely booked one night at a really nice hotel just to laze around after the trip, because the sea view in Labuan Bajo is amazing.
If you have the budget, I highly recommend staying at a 5-star hotel in Labuan Bajo before flying back to your country 😊 😊 😊
Ok guys, that’s the end of our Flores overland trip adventure! I hope you enjoy our visit to Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park.
Stay tuned for my AYANA Labuan Bajo hotel review. Have a great week ahead! 🌊☀️🌿
CLARA10
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Bajawa”
Also read: “Flores Overland Trip: What to Do in Ruteng”
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