Beautiful and wild, Flores Island is part of the Sunda Islands in the central southern part of the Indonesian archipelago, washed by the waters of the Flores Sea to the north and the Savu Sea to the south.
Famous for its lush nature, it is home to urban centres (the most important being Maumere) and small, ancient villages, which make it quaint and arcane. The territory of the island is predominantly mountainous, adorned with thick, green vegetation. There are active volcanoes on the site: the most famous is Kelimutu, a good 1,700 metres high, characterised by three marvellous lakes with colourful waters: Tiwu Alta Mbupu, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai, Tiwu Alta Polo.
If you are thinking of planning a trip to Indonesia, you should definitely make a stop on this island. Here is a guide to the island of Flores: where it is, when to go and what to see!
Travel information: useful info
Inhabitants: 1.831 million
Capital: Jakarta (Indonesia); the capital of the island is Ende
Languages: Balinese, Indonesian, English
Local currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR) / €1.00 = IDR 15,533.30
Climate: tropical climate, with uniformly high temperatures all year round; the hottest period is from September to November, when temperatures easily reach 35/37°.
Vaccinations: no vaccination required; recommended vaccines against tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A and B
Entry requirements: passport with residual validity of at least 6 months, passport photo, visa application form, return air ticket; entry visa is valid for 30 days and must be requested directly at the border; no visa is required for stays of 7 days or less
Distance from Italy: 12,171 km (about 19 hours flight time) from Rome
Where it is located
As already mentioned, the island of Flores is part of the Sunda Islands archipelago, located in the eastern part of the wonderful South-East Asian state of Indonesia.
How to get there
From Milan or Rome: getting to the island of Flores is not so easy. It will be necessary to fly to Jakarta or Denpasar, which are the two largest cities in Indonesia, and from there continue by small planes to Flores, or by ferry or boat. The latter two means of transport are, however, not recommended due to the strong sea currents in the area and because they take up to two/three days to arrive at their destination. The flight from Italy to Jakarta always includes at least one stopover (in Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bangkok or Hamad) and lasts on average 18/19 hours. The national airlines serving this route are: Alitalia, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Thai, Qatar - Compare flights to Flores - from €470.00
Frommajor European capitals: even from major European capitals you will need at least one stopover in one of the major international airports; the journey time is around 19/20 hours. The flag carriers are: Turkish Airlines, Malaysia, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Etihad - Compare flights to Flores - from €470.00
When to go? Info on climate and best time
Month | Average temperatures (min/max) | Rainfall (days/mm) |
|---|---|---|
January | 25 / 31° | 20 days / 290 mm |
February | 24 / 31° | 17 days / 260 mm |
March | 24 / 31° | 15 days / 250 mm |
April | 24 / 32° | 9 days / 115 mm |
May | 24 / 32° | 6 days / 105 mm |
June | 23 / 31° | 4 days / 45 mm |
July | 23 / 31° | 2 days / 25 mm |
August | 22 / 31° | 1 day / 15 mm |
September | 23 / 32° | 1 day / 30 mm |
October | 24 / 33° | 3 days / 70 mm |
November | 25 / 34° | 9 days / 150 mm |
December | 25 / 32° | 17 days / 240 mm |
Climate: tropical, with a sultry and rainy season from December to March and a dry season from June to September; high temperatures throughout the year, peaking at 35/37° between September and November; sea temperature ranges from 29° (November to May) to 27° (in July and August) - learn more about Indonesia's climate
Best time to go: June to August, when you can enjoy the beaches and the sun, which is warm but tempered by breezes; rainfall during this period is sparse and short
Period toavoid: September to November, a period when it is very hot, with highs of 35°, and with very frequent and violent rains
Tips: pack light clothes (preferably natural fibre), hat for the sun, scarf and light sweatshirt for the evening, hiking shoes, sweatshirt or jumper for any high-altitude excursions; snorkelling equipment and water shoes for excursions on the coral reef; mackintosh and umbrella for trips between December and March
10 things to see: beaches and places of interest
Cunca Wulang Waterfall: one of the most picturesque places on the island, at the end of a jungle path, plants and trees of all kinds, from bamboo, coffee and cocoa plants to the vanilla tree. The waterfall is 40 metres high.
Melo Village: one of the most authentic villages on the island, where Indonesian traditions and culture are more alive than ever. Wandering through the alleys of this village will allow you to get in touch with the soul of the place and why not... also to taste Sopì, an excellent typical drink.
Mirror Cave: a breathtaking panorama, light penetrating the striations of the quarry, where everything was once submerged. A unique and unmissable scenario.
Taman Nasional Komodo National Park: one of the most famous places on the island, where lush nature enraptures the visitor's eyes. In this park, you can admire the wild monitor lizards, which have become an Indonesian icon.
Mount Kelimutu and itscolourful lakes: considered the main active volcano in Flores, Mount Kelimutu is perfect for an adventure excursion. The beautiful lakes on the site have the curious characteristic of changing colour according to the gaseous activity of Kelimutu's craters.
Maumere: the most important urban centre on the island, where traditions merge with modernity. The Maumere coastline is also perfect for scuba diving or snorkelling.
Ruteng: another ancient and beautiful village, where you can watch the practice of caci, an archaic dance involving the use of whips.
Liang Bua: not to be missed near Ruteng is the archaeological site of Liang Bua, where the remains of Homo floresiensis were found in the 1950s.
Bajawa: a tiny town famous for its coffee, cocoa, clove and tropical fruit plantations. Not to be missed is the landscape, characterised by barren mountains, volcanoes and hot springs.
Cancar rice fields: with their characteristic spider's web shape, these rice fields extend over a vast territory. They are unmissable and definitely unique.
What to do in Flores: excursions and tours
How much does a holiday on Flores Island cost? Prices, offers and advice
From a tourist point of view, Flores Island is still little known and little explored. This means that the average costs for a trip to this wonderful place are also not too excessive.
It is advisable to always book an international flight in advance (e.g. in winter with a view to a summer trip). Indonesian domestic flights, where one wants to travel, are rather cheap, with fares very similar to European low-cost airlines.
Theinternal costs of transport, food, accommodation and excursions are quite affordable: it is not strange to find hotels offering overnight accommodation + breakfast for only €20 per night per person, or to spend €5 for a meal, opting for example for warung, street stalls selling excellent and authentic Indonesian food; or again, to spend a little more than €10 for an excursion with snorkelling and lunch of fish and tropical fruit, directly on board the boat. With a little planning and advance booking, it will therefore be possible to organise a wonderful trip to one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €394.00 per room - see offers
Low cost flights: from €470.00 - see offers