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Capital and largest city of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Photo: Yogwi21, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kupang is a city in West Timor and the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara. There isn't much to see or do in Kupang, but it is not an unpleasant city in which to spend a day or two. Kupang is the launching point for an overland trip to Timor-Leste or a ferry ride to Rote Island.
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A beautiful lagoon inside a dark cave in which you can swim. Guides wait outside the entrance to take you in. Be sure to take a powerful torch or else you will be forced to rent one for an exorbitant Rp100,000.
Gedung Patung Garuda
A giant golden bird head mounted atop an abandoned building, because why not? It's worth a quick photo.
Pantai Lasiana
A beach and restaurant area to the east of the city. The beach itself is not particularly attractive.
A water-amusement park.
Google and YouTube "Roslin Orphanage" for more information. Peggy and Budi Soehardi are CNN heroes and once you read about their story, you will understand why.
Pasar Malam
Every night there is a street food market not far from the shore. The stalls fry up lots of fresh seafood - fish, lobsters, crabs, etc., while the tahu tempe penyet is a great vegetarian option. Next to the food stalls are drinks stations where the best options are the fresh juice. Juice avokap (avocado juice) and jus naga (dragonfruit juice) are especially common and are blended with ice, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk/chocolate syrup.
Smashed fried chicken with rice or noodles.
A hip cafe selling budget eats.
Beachside restaurant with lots of choices including seafood. You can enjoy this dish in huts on the seafront
Here you can eat grilled banana with a variety of flavors while enjoying the sea breeze.
Healthy-ish food and juices.
Delicious Indonesian food although can get quite busy.
A good stop before or after the airport.
A popular nighttime hangout spot.
Popular with the hip younger crowd. The food on the menu usually isn't available.
Live music and pool tables. A good place to grab a beer and watch the ocean.
A spot with a friendly English-speaking staff, who will answer any question about flights, buses and ferries; flyers and maps on other hostels in Roti and Timor-Leste are available. Free high speed Internet, all breakfasts included. Banana pancake with honey. Bookings are via WhatsApp.
Modern hotel. Excellent value for money. Rooms have A/C. No breakfast. You must buy everything including toilet paper. It is a RedDoorz hotel but don't let that ward you off: it is potentially the only good RedDoorz in all of Asia.
A three-star international hotel.
Three-star hotel.
The nearest hotel to airport. New building, cozy place, recommended for tourists.
Pasar Oeba
A large outdoor market. Close to the water is the fish market. Further inland you will find produce. And closer to the main road you find clothing, luggage, etc.
The largest mall in area is the Ramayana Department Store which includes shops, food courts, games and other facilities. Flobamora Mall is a family mall concept to provide all the needs of the family in one place.
A two-floor shopping center with Matahari Department Store and Hypermarket.
By bus
The bus from Atambua takes 7 hours and costs Rp90,000 as of 2026. Soe is a 3-hour bus ride. Expect loud music.
By boat
Kupang has two passenger ports, served by different ferry companies.
By bemo
You can use microbuses called bemo. The uniqueness of public transportation in the city of Kupang is due to the appearance filled with accessories, decorations and music blaring.
By ride-hailing service
Maxim, Grab and Gojek are available. Maxim is the most popular here, followed by Grab. Gojek is less common.
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Kupang · Regional · KOE
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