Why Fly to Flores Before Starbucks Opens There

If, at the mention of Indonesia, your imagination only conjures up traffic jams in Ubud and smoothie bowls that you're afraid to touch with a spoon lest you ruin the aesthetic shot – slow down. A couple of hours' flight from Bali, the island of Flores lies hidden. This is a place where nature still dictates its own rules, rather than adapting to tourist group schedules.

There are no chain coffee shops on every corner here, but there is a feeling that you've stumbled into a Discovery channel show, with you as the main star. We'll tell you why this destination should be on your travel list this year.

Komodo Dragons: A Meeting with Legend

Flores' main trump card is its proximity to Komodo National Park. This is the only place on the planet where you can encounter monitor lizards in their natural habitat. These aren't just lizards; they are three-meter hunting machines, weighing up to 70 kg and remembering the age of dinosaurs.

To see them, you need to rent a boat in Labuan Bajo and head to Rinca or Komodo islands. You'll walk through the savannah accompanied by a ranger, tracking these giants in the bushes or by a watering hole.

Important: monitor lizards appear lazy right up until they decide you look like lunch. Listen to your guide and don't make sudden movements.

The Three-Colored Lakes of Kelimutu Volcano

In the central part of the island sleeps Kelimutu volcano. Hidden in its craters are three lakes that constantly change color: from turquoise to blood-red or almost black. Science explains this with chemical reactions of gases and minerals, but locals believe that the souls of the deceased live in the lakes. The best part is climbing to the summit at dawn, when the fog dissipates and the water literally glows under the first rays of the sun. This is a spectacle worth traveling halfway across the world for.

Padar Island and Pink Beach

Padar is that postcard-perfect location with views of three bays at once. The climb to the viewpoint will take about 30 minutes up steps, but the view from above is pure delight. And after the hike, a boat will take you to Pink Beach. The sand here is indeed soft pink due to tiny particles of red corals. The water is so clear that boats seem to float in the air, and coral gardens begin right at the shore.

Underwater Cosmos and Dances with Mantas

Snorkeling and diving here are among the best in the world. At “Manta Point,” you can encounter schools of giant manta rays. Mantas reach a wingspan of 5-7 meters and glide through the water like spaceships. If you're lucky, they will circle directly beneath you, ignoring the excited shouts into your mask's snorkel. The underwater world of the national park is so rich that even a simple mask and snorkel will replace a trip to an oceanarium.

Swim in the Mirror Cave Rangko

This is a true secret level for those who dislike crowds. Inside the grotto, a natural pool with bright blue salty water is hidden. The sun penetrates it with a short beam at noon, illuminating the water so that it appears neon. Swimming among stalactites in cool water while the Indonesian sun blazes outside is an experience no five-star hotel can offer. You can only get here by boat, arranging with local captains at the port.

Spend the Night in Wae Rebo Village

The village of the Manggarai people is hidden high in the mountains and was completely isolated from the world for a long time. To see the famous conical “Mbaru Niang” houses, covered with straw, you'll have to undertake a three-hour trek through dense jungle. The reward will be absolute silence, a starry sky you can almost touch, and the freshest coffee, which locals collect and roast right before your eyes. This is a place for a complete digital detox.

See the “Spiderweb” Rice Fields of Lingko

In the vicinity of Ruteng town, agriculture has transformed into art. Rice here is grown not in ordinary terraces, but in the form of giant spiderwebs. This is an ancient land distribution system: sectors radiate from a central pole, belonging to different clan families. The view from the nearest hill of these perfect geometric circles looks like a message to alien civilizations, but in reality, it's just a very wise tradition.

Try Seafood Delicacies at the Night Market

Every evening, the Labuan Bajo waterfront transforms into one huge open-air grill. There are no menus or white tablecloths here, but there are dozens of stalls with the freshest catch. You choose parrotfish, squid, or a huge tiger prawn that were swimming in the ocean just this morning, and they are immediately cooked for you over coals with sambal sauce. This is the most honest and delicious dinner you can find on the island, and a great opportunity to meet other travelers.

How to Organize Your Trip?

Flores is an ideal option for those who want to escape civilization without sacrificing flight comfort. The island's airports are already actively receiving flights from major Indonesian hubs. To start from the capital, it's best to buy tickets to Denpasar on Kupi.com in advance, from where you can then fly to Labuan Bajo. Most boat expeditions to the dragons and pink beaches depart from here.

Traveler's Checklist

• Cash is king. ATMs on Flores are temperamental and rare. Be sure to withdraw enough millions of rupiah at the arrival airport, otherwise, deep in the island, your plastic will turn into a useless souvenir.
• Transportation nuances. For inter-city travel, it's best to hire a driver with a car. The Trans-Flores Highway is one endless serpentine road. The turns here are sharp, and the views are breathtaking, but if you get motion sickness, stock up on pills.
• Connectivity and internet. In cities, the connection is decent, but in the mountains, traditional villages, and on a boat at sea, you will be out of range. This is the perfect time to take a break from social media.
• Seasonality. Fly from May to September – this is the dry season. From December to March, tropical rains pour here, and many boats simply don't go out to sea due to strong waves.

Flores now strikes that perfect balance between “wild” and “already comfortable.” Hurry to see it before food courts open on every corner and everything turns into a tourist conveyor belt.