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Place in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia
Photo: Petter Lindgren, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bajawa is a city in the central highlands of Flores, Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia.
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The most famous villages are: Bena, Gurusina, and Tololela. Although clearly a tourist destination, the villages house regular people, doing everyday things. Some are weaving ikat, others are simply tending to their livestock. It is okay to be photograph the villagers, but of course ask first. Bring around Rp1,000,000 if you would like to get woven cloth. There is no ATM nearby.
This is not a show put on for tourists. However, it is a show. People from the villages gather to fight. The rules seem to be that there are no rules, and so it is difficult to determine a winner. A fight continues for as long as the audience is entertained and the fighters are willing to continue. Ask at your hotel if there is something scheduled. This traditional fight called "sagi" is similar to boxing. The game happens only once or twice in a year in So'a village.
The Mt Inerie volcano is an impressive volcano located close to Bajawa. It is possible to climb the volcano with a guide but this should not be taken lightly.
A nice viewpoint of Inerie near the radio station.
Based around Oggi village. It is possible to walk from the main road along the rice-fields till you get to the waterfall. There are also steps on the side of the waterfall that allows climbing up.
After a long day of traditional culture, it feels nice to plummet into the hot springs. There are 2 pools (as in man-made pools) with hot springs, and one that flows into a river mixing the water to a comfortable warm temperature. There is an overpriced shop there, so it's better to stop along the way for some ice cold Bintang to enjoy in the pools. The place is poorly maintained, but the spring is still hot.
The hot volcanic water flows in a river and mixes with cold mountain water creating a natural hot spring. By careful positioning yourself in the river it is possible to regulate the temperature. There are no tourist facilities apart from a changing-room/toilet pavilion. Snacks and beverages can be purchased from the small Warung besides the river.
"Mini Kelimutu"
After an easy one hour hike up with some nice views, you get to see two small volcanic ponds which apparently change color just like the Kelimutu lakes. This is in no way comparable to Kelimutu and can be disappointing in the dry season.
9 km away from town center, this viewpoint overlooks Mt Inerie and the surrounding mountainous area. You can see the crater from the previous eruption long ago. No food & beverage facility (or anything of that sort).
Reasonably priced restaurant. It has the usual suspects of Indonesian cuisine and some western food as well. The pork satay comes highly recommended.
Cosy place with decent food, a nice atmosphere and reasonable prices. Arak is available, although not of top quality. Also a hotel with four rooms available, choose between hot or cold shower. Otherwise, the rooms are the same, with one double and one single bed.
Tasty Nasi Padang food and drinks with English speaking owner.
A large place with big and clean room annexed by a private bathroom with modern seat toilets. Three types: Ekonomi (cold shower), Standard (hot shower) and VIP (hot shower). The rooms at the top are the newest and most expensive, but also the best value as they come with hot shower and a view. The price includes WiFi, towels, toilet tissue and a copious breakfast. Motorbikes for Rp100,000.
Opened in mid 2018, this accommodation offers clean rooms. Private rooms come with hot water. Water, tea, and coffee available all day. The staff / owner is able to recommend local sights, transportation, and accommodation in other cities.
A welcoming place with six sparkling clean rooms run by a Dutch couple. The price includes a nice breakfast with homemade bread, a hot shower, fast WiFi/Internet, free water bottle refill, towel, toilet tissue. Views of the volcano from the back yard. Noisy due to traffic on the main road. Very popular but overpriced. Motorbikes for Rp100,000, big water bottles for Rp10,000.
just opened in April 2018, the clean rooms don't have hot shower but a very thick and comfortable new mattresses in both twin beds. The price includes Wi-Fi, towels, toilet tissue and a breakfast (e.g. fried noodle + fruit salad). Motorbikes for Rp100,000. Kristian is also very friendly and welcoming.
Clean and well-run place with friendly staff. The deluxe rooms come with hot shower and TV (no English-language channels). The standard rooms are as overpriced.
More of the same low standard and high price. Now with molding walls.
A cheap place with windowless rooms, a little bit damp.
In the hills outside of Bajawa, just up the road from Bena village. Excellent views of the valley and Mount Inerie.
Unique dome thatched studios, overlooking the valley, and views of Mount Inerie.
By bus
All buses from Labuan Bajo stop here for the night before leaving the next morning, but you might as well stay an extra day and make a tour of it.
By car
Shared taxi or travel will take about seven hours by road from Labuan Bajo, 260 km to the west; or four hours from Ruteng, from Ende to the east, 120km (3h 13 min).
You would need to hire a car or motorbike to explore the Bajawa area. Your accommodation would be able to help you with these. A motorbike should be Rp100,000 per day (as of Nov 2018).
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