The Gateway to Komodo: Labuan Bajo • The Blonde Abroad

Once a quiet fishing village, Labuan Bajo has become a thriving tourist center. While travelers don’t spend a ton of time in Labuan Bajo itself, the city is the perfect base for exploring Komodo National Park and the island of Flores.

Go diving in some of the most gorgeous underwater spots in the world, hike through the lush green forest to take in panoramic tropical views, and then go for a day of island hopping. There’s so much to do in this up-and-coming region and Labuan Bajo is the perfect place to lay your head after a long day of exploring.

Here’s everything you need to know about Labuan Bajo, the Gateway to Komodo!

How to Get to Labuan Bajo

Staying in Bali? It’s incredibly easy to hop over to the island of Flores. There are seven flights per day from Denpasar, Bali to Labuan Bajo, Flores. It only takes an hour and fifteen minutes to get from one city to the next and it’s well worth the trip.

The Labuan Bajo Airport, also known as the Komodo Airport, is less than a mile outside of the city. From there, it’s easy to grab a taxi.

In fact, the city itself is compact enough that you can walk it from beginning to end.

Where to Stay in Labuan Bajo

Le Pirate Resort is the perfect base in Labuan Bajo. With just fourteen rooms, a rooftop sky bar, live music, an outdoor cinema, and an amazing pool, this place was designed with the young, modern traveler in mind.

Whether you are going island hopping or planning inland adventures, this hip resort is a top choice. Le Pirate Resort calls itself an ”ECOnomical resort” and it has a laid-back, effortlessly chic feel.

What to Do in Labuan Bajo

Take Day Tours

The natural beauty of Flores Island is truly incredible. There are few places as remarkable as Indonesia’s amazing Komodo National Park. Plan to spend at least one day exploring the area. There are Komodo day trips that will take you around Padar Island, Komodo Island, Pink Beach, and Manta Point.

For some breathtaking vistas, grab your hiking shoes and head to Padar Island for some of the best views you’ll ever see. If you love animals, swim with the mantas while you snorkel, or dive Manta Point, and then search for the world’s largest lizards at UNESCO World Heritage Site Komodo Island. Another must-see is Pink Beach. This beautiful, Instagram-ready beach is home to lush, powder-pink sand.

Go Diving

Whether you are a pro diver or a total newbie, you have got to go diving in Indonesia. If you need help getting started, this is the perfect place to get PADI certified.

There are awesome day trips for divers of all levels. Explore the warm waters off of northern Komodo Island to see the amazing coral, or dive the cooler southern water to swim with the whales, mantas, and a gorgeous diversity of fish.

Diving liveaboard cruises are another great option.

These boats will take you far beyond the typical routes and show you some of the most remote and remarkable diving destinations on the planet.

Explore More of Flores & Mount Kelimutu

The island of Flores is more than just natural beauty. You’ll want to check out the urban areas of Flores too. While often overlooked, the cultural life of both Ende and Maumare is quite interesting. The area surrounding Ende is famous for its ikat weaving, in particular, the village of Ngella is renowned for its textiles.

Doka Village, located outside of Maumare, is another top spot to take in the local Indonesian culture. The village is known for its friendly locals, and many travelers explore the village to check out the local handicrafts. If you get the opportunity, stick around to see a traditional dance show.

One of my favorite spots in all of Indonesia is Mount Kelimutu. This is on the other side of Flores, so you’ll need to take a short flight to get there. Arrive before sunrise to watch the volcanic lakes change color! It’s one of the most incredible natural wonders I’ve ever seen!

Read More: The Ultimate Flores Island Travel Guide

Do you have tips for visiting the Komodo Islands? Let me know down below!

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

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Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

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January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

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A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

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