Bajawa

Bajawa is a city in the central highlands of Flores in Indonesia.

An introduction to Bajawa

At 1,200 m (about 3,800 ft) above sea level, Bajawa is much cooler than the coastal lowlands. Bring a sweater for the chilly nights. Bajawa is the Center of Ngadha ethnic minority interesting local villages.

Travel to Bajawa

Fly to Bajawa

Bajawa is served by the small Turelelo Soa Airport GPS -8.70932,121.05556 (IATA Flight Code: BJW). NAM-Air and TransNusa operate Flights to and from the provincial capital Kupang, while Wings Air operates Flights to and from Labuan Bajo. Susi Air flies with small planes between Bajawa and Waingapu on the island of Sumba.

Rent a Car or Limousine in Bajawa

It will take about seven hours by road from Labuan Bajo, kilometers 260 to the West; or four hours from Ruteng.

Take a bus to Bajawa

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. The cheapest option from Labuan Bajo appears to be the Gemini bus (Rp 400,000?), which leaves at around 05:30 from the ferry jetty – free hotel pick-up can be arranged. Expect a long and bumpy ride with little comfort, however the incredible scenery and friendly passengers and passers-by compensate a lot.

Gunung Mas offers the ride from LBJ for Rp 600,000, or Rp 210,000 from Ruteng in a quite luxury 12 to 15-seat busses (as of Nov 2023). Public buses stop at the junction from where bemos wait to take you the 2 km into town. Expect to be asked to pay Rp30,000 although less should suffice.

Get around

You would need to hire a vehicle or motorbike to explore Bajawa area. Your lodging would be able to help you with these. A motorbike should be IDR 100,000 per day (as of Nov 2023).

What to See

There are many "tourist guides" in Bajawa. None of them are in any way trained and their primary skills are speaking English and overcharging. The best you can do is stay clear of them and just hire a motorbike (IDR 100,000) or charter a bemo for the day (IDR 300,000) and see the villages at your own pace.

There is an official and very helpful, tourist information service in the mayor's office. There are also many agents that have shops with "Bajawa Tourism Board" signs printed on them. Don't be fooled by them: the real tourist information will not try to sell you anything.

Traditional villages - The most famous villages are: Bena, Gurusina and Tololela. Although clearly a tourist destination and 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 IDR 1,000,000 if you would like to get woven cloth. There is no ATM nearby.

Traditional fighting or dancing (not at the same time) Thit 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.

Inerie volcano | The Inerie volcano is an impressive volcano located close to Bajawa. There is a nice viewpoint from the radostation. It is feasible to climb the volcano with a guide but this should not be taken lightly.

Oggi Waterfalls | Based around Oggi village. It is feasible to walk from the primary street along the rice-fields till you get to the waterfall. There are also steps on the side of the waterfall that allows climbing up.

Mangeruda Hot Spring - 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 feasible to regulate the temperature. There are no tourist facilities apart from a changing-room hut.

Wawomudha - "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. Thit is in no way comparable to Kelimutu and can be disappointing in the dry season.

Wolobobo viewpoint - 9 kilometers 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).

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bajawa

Lucas Restaurant - Cosy place with nice 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 and the rooms are the same, with one double and one single bed. Food is not Halal

Drink

Just like Ruteng, Bajawa is also a great place to produce Coffee. Never order instant coffee when you are here. Remember that by default here coffee is served with sugar, so please request in advance if you would like to have less or no sugar.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bajawa

Bajawa - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bajawa, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bajawa. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bajawa and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bajawa. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bajawa. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bajawa: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bajawa.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bajawa: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bajawa, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bajawa.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bajawa, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bajawa, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bajawa and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bajawa, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bajawa, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bajawa without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bajawa is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bajawa.

About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Bajawa is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Bajawa, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Bajawa Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Bajawa

Ramadan 2025 in Bajawa

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

As of Mai 2023, acommodation in Bajawa is increasing, many new homestays are opening and others are under construction in the street behind the EdelWeiss Hotel (Lorong Ditos): Marselino's Homestay, Queen's Homestay, EdelWeiss Homestay (different from the hotel) and Kristian's Homestay at the end of the road offer pretty much the same services with free Wifi, breakfast included, tourist info, laundry service and motorbike rental. Expect Rp350,000–250,000 for a double/twin room in such a homestay.

EdelWeiss Hotel - 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 Rp300,000.

Cinnamon Guesthouse - Opened in mid 2023, this lodging 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 lodging in other city's.

Hotel Happy Happy 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 primary street. Very popular but overpriced. Motorbikes for Rp300,000, big water bottles for Rp30,000.
Kristian Homestay - just opened in April 2018 and the clean rooms don't have hot shower but a very thick and comfortable new mattresses in both twin beds. The price includes WiFi, towels, toilet tissue and a breakfast (e.g. fried noddle + fruit salad). Motorbikes for Rp300,000. Kristian is also very friendly and welcoming.

News & References Bajawa

Go Next

There is a bus station near the market, but the buses will just as happily pick you up from your hotel at the same price. Be prepared to circle the town a few times picking up passengers (until full) before actually leaving for your destination.

Ruteng Rp 210,000, four hours, cold area with plenty of Rice field and Manggarai villages
Labuanbajo Rp320,000 to Rp400,000 and ten hours to the West by bus, or seven hours by car. Gateway to the islands of Komodo National Park
Ende Rp70,000 and four hours by bus, ferry to Sumba island
Moni four hours away, Rp90,000 by bus, for the colorful crater lakes of Kelimutu and the main attraction in Flores