RegionOutline guide

Sumba

Indonesian island in Lesser Sunda Islands

Photo: monica renata from jakarta, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Sumba is an island in the eastern half of Nusa Tenggara, south of Flores — and not be confused with Sumbawa to the west.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By ferry
The PELNI passenger ship Awu calls in at Waingapu twice on its 14 day round trip of Nusa Tenggara. This allows access from Kupang and several other cities in the region.

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Getting around

In Sumba, you have many transportation options:

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Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

Sultan Muhammad Salahuddin Airport

Bima · Regional · BMU

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Cities

Tambolaka

Tambolaka is a growing town in Sumba, Indonesia, used as the western entry point for the island.

Waikabubak

Waikabubak is a small town on the island of Sumba in the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia.

Waingapu

Waingapu is the largest town of the island of Sumba in the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia.

Read before you go to Sumba

Articles and travel topics about Sumba and Indonesia.

Travel tips

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

UnderstandRarely visited by westerners, Sumba has an interior not unlike Texas hill country, only hotter, containing fewer people, bigger hills and more rugged roads.

TalkThe Sumbanese speak several closely related and localised Austronesian languages. Not much English is spoken around these parts, but if you can speak Indonesian, generally the people in Sumba will understand you.

Get inRegional carriers Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air with its low cost branch Wings Air operate direct flights to Tambolaka (TMC) and Waingapu (WGP) from many several cities in eastern Indonesia, with less frequent flights…

Get aroundIn Sumba, you have many transportation options:

SeeSumba is one of the very few places globally where the neolithic/bronze age practice of burial in megaliths remains intact. Stone megaliths (and other standing stone structures) are widespread on the island.

DoIf you receive an invitation to attend a wedding, birth, or funeral, never miss it. Those are the best way to learn about the culture.g. avoid taking excessive photos during sensitive time).

BuySumba is probably most well-known for its handicrafts such as necklace, carvings, and woven cloths.

EatIf you visit Sumba, be sure to try goat.

DrinkThe local version of arak (palm liquor) is called Peci.

ConnectSince Sumba is far from other major cities, it is recommended to have Telkomsel. Other operators have limited coverage in this island.

Stay safeMany Sumbanese are still adapting to tourism.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Sumba" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Sumba", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: monica renata from jakarta, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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