If you are looking for a destination that combines natural beauty, cultural diversity, and adventure opportunities, then Maumere is the place for you. Maumere is a town and a bay in Flores, Indonesia, that is often overlooked by tourists who flock to the more popular Komodo Island or Labuan Bajo.
However, Maumere has a lot to offer for those who are willing to explore its hidden gems. From diving in the coral reefs, hiking to the tri-colored lakes of Mt. Kelimutu, witnessing the Easter celebration in Larantuka, to learning about the local weaving and fishing traditions, Maumere will surprise and delight you with its rich and varied attractions. In this article, we will show you why you should visit Maumere and how to plan your trip with some practical tips and advice.
Why Visit Maumere?
Maumere is a destination that will appeal to travelers who love nature, culture, and adventure. Here are some of the reasons why you should visit Maumere:
Maumere Bay:
Maumere Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Indonesia, with clear blue water, white sandy beaches, and lush green hills. The bay is home to a diverse marine life, including coral reefs, dolphins, turtles, sharks, rays, and whales. You can enjoy diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or sailing in the bay, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun.
Mt. Kelimutu:
Mt. Kelimutu is one of the most iconic attractions in Flores, and a must-see for anyone visiting Maumere. Mt. Kelimutu is a volcano that has three crater lakes, each with a different color: turquoise, brown, and black. The colors change depending on the season, the weather, and the volcanic activity. The lakes are considered sacred by the local people, who believe that they are the resting place of the souls of the dead. You can hike to the summit of Mt. Kelimutu and enjoy the stunning views of the lakes, especially at sunrise or sunset. You can also explore the Kelimutu National Park, which is home to many endemic animals, such as the Flores hawk-eagle, the Flores giant rat, and the Javan rusa deer.
Easter Celebration:
If you happen to visit Maumere during the Easter season, you will have the opportunity to witness one of the most unique and colorful religious festivals in Indonesia. The Easter celebration in Larantuka, a town near Maumere, is a Catholic pilgrimage that attracts thousands of devotees from all over the country and the world. The festival involves a procession of statues of Jesus and Mary, accompanied by prayers, chants, and songs. The festival lasts for a week, culminating in the Good Friday, when the statues are taken to the sea and blessed by the priests. The festival is a testament to the strong faith and culture of the people of Flores, who have been practicing Catholicism since the 16th century.
Local Traditions:
Maumere is also a great place to learn about the local traditions and customs of the people of Flores, who are known for their hospitality and friendliness. You can visit the villages of Watublapi and Sikka, where you can see the process of making the traditional ikat weaving, which is a form of textile art that involves dyeing and weaving threads to create intricate patterns and motifs. You can also visit the Wuring Fishing Village, where you can see the traditional stilt houses of the Bugis people, who are originally from Sulawesi. You can also visit the Bikon Blewut Museum, which displays various artifacts and relics from the history and culture of Flores, such as pottery, weapons, musical instruments, and costumes.
How to Plan Your Trip to Maumere?
Planning a trip to Maumere is not difficult, but it does require some preparation and research. Here are some practical tips and advice for planning your trip to Maumere:
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Maumere is during the dry season, which lasts from April to October. The weather is sunny and pleasant, and the visibility for diving and snorkeling is good. The rainy season, which lasts from November to March, is not recommended, as the weather is wet and humid, and the roads and trails can be muddy and slippery. However, if you want to see the Easter celebration, you will have to visit Maumere in March or April, depending on the date of the festival.
How to reach:
The easiest way to reach Maumere is by flying to the Frans Seda Airport, which is located about 6 km from the town center. The airport has daily flights from Bali, Jakarta, Kupang, and Labuan Bajo. You can also reach Maumere by bus or boat from other towns in Flores, such as Ende, Moni, Riung, Bajawa, or Ruteng, but the journey can be long and uncomfortable. Once you are in Maumere, you can get around by taxi, motorbike, or bicycle, or hire a car or a driver for a day or a week.
Where to stay
Maumere has a range of accommodation options, from budget guesthouses and homestays, to mid-range hotels and resorts, to luxury villas and bungalows. Some of the best places to stay in Maumere are:
Sao Wisata Resort:
This resort is located on the beachfront of Maumere Bay, and offers spacious and comfortable rooms, cottages, and bungalows, with air-conditioning, hot water, and Wi-Fi. The resort also has a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and a dive center, where you can book diving and snorkeling trips in the bay. The resort is ideal for families, couples, and groups, who want to enjoy the beach and the sea.
Kelimutu Crater Lakes Eco Lodge:
This eco lodge is located near the entrance of the Kelimutu National Park, and offers cozy and rustic rooms, cabins, and cottages, with fan, mosquito net, and private bathroom. The eco lodge also has a restaurant, a garden, and a library, where you can relax and enjoy the nature. The eco lodge is ideal for solo travelers, backpackers, and nature lovers, who want to explore the Mt. Kelimutu and the national park.
Capa Resort Maumere:
This resort is located on a hill overlooking the Maumere Bay, and offers luxurious and elegant rooms, suites, and villas, with air-conditioning, TV, minibar, and balcony. The resort also has a restaurant, a spa, a gym, and a swimming pool, where you can pamper yourself and enjoy the views. The resort is ideal for couples, honeymooners, and business travelers, who want to experience the best of Maumere.
What to eat and Where?
Maumere has a variety of food options, from local delicacies to international cuisines. Some of the best places to eat in Maumere are:
Tanjung Beach Restaurant:
This restaurant is located on the Tanjung Beach, and serves delicious and fresh seafood, such as fish, crab, shrimp, squid, and lobster, cooked in various ways, such as grilled, fried, or steamed. The restaurant also serves other dishes, such as chicken, beef, vegetables, and rice, as well as drinks, such as beer, wine, and juice. The restaurant has a cozy and casual atmosphere, with wooden tables and chairs, and a view of the beach and the sea.
Sikka Weaving Village Restaurant:
This restaurant is located in the Sikka Weaving Village, and serves authentic and traditional food of Flores, such as jagung titi, which is a corn cake, ayam rica-rica, which is a spicy chicken dish, and bunga pepaya, which is a papaya flower salad. The restaurant also serves other dishes, such as noodles, soup, and fried rice, as well as drinks, such as coffee, tea, and water. The restaurant has a simple and rustic atmosphere, with bamboo tables and chairs, and a view of the village and the weaving process.
Alok Market Food Court:
This food court is located in the Alok Market, and serves a variety of street food, such as bakso, which is a meatball soup, soto, which is a chicken or beef soup, and martabak, which is a stuffed pancake. The food court also serves other snacks, such as fried bananas, cakes, and ice cream, as well as drinks, such as soda, juice, and milk. The food court has a lively and bustling atmosphere, with plastic tables and chairs, and a lot of people and vendors.
What to Do Next After Maumere?
Maumere is not only a destination in itself, but also a gateway to other amazing places in Flores and beyond. Here are some of the destinations and activities that you can explore after Maumere:
Komodo Island:
Komodo Island is one of the most famous and popular attractions in Indonesia, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Komodo Island is home to the largest and heaviest lizard in the world, the Komodo dragon, which can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh up to 150 kg. You can see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, along with other wildlife, such as deer, buffalo, monkeys, and birds. You can also enjoy the stunning scenery of the island, with its rugged hills, savanna, and beaches. You can reach Komodo Island by boat from Labuan Bajo, which is about 6 hours from Maumere by bus or car.
Labuan Bajo:
Labuan Bajo is a town and a port in the western tip of Flores, and the main hub for exploring the Komodo National Park and the surrounding islands. Labuan Bajo has a lot to offer for travelers, such as diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, fishing, and island hopping. You can also visit the Cunca Wulang Waterfall, the Batu Cermin Cave, the Rangko Cave, and the Wae Rebo Village, which are some of the attractions near Labuan Bajo. Labuan Bajo has a range of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options, from budget to luxury, to suit your needs and preferences.
Ende:
Ende is a town and a district in the south-central part of Flores, and the former capital of the island. Ende is a historical and cultural center of Flores, as it was the place where the first Catholic missionaries arrived in the 16th century, and where the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, was exiled in the 1930s. You can visit the Bung Karno Museum, which displays the memorabilia and artifacts from Sukarno's life and struggle, and the Bung Karno House, which is where he lived during his exile. You can also visit the Wolotopo Village, which is a traditional village of the Lio people, who are known for their ancestral worship and megalithic culture. You can see the ancient stone monuments, the traditional houses, and the weaving process of the Lio people.
Moni:
Moni is a village and a district in the east-central part of Flores, and the closest base for visiting the Mt. Kelimutu and the Kelimutu National Park. Moni is a charming and peaceful village, surrounded by rice fields, hills, and forests. You can stay in one of the guesthouses or homestays in Moni, and enjoy the hospitality and friendliness of the locals. You can also visit the Moni Market, which is a colorful and lively market that sells fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and handicrafts. You can also try the local delicacies, such as the jagung bose, which is a corn porridge, and the tuak, which is a palm wine.
Maumere is a hidden gem in Flores, Indonesia, that offers natural beauty, cultural diversity, and adventure opportunities. Maumere is a destination that will surprise and delight you with its rich and varied attractions, such as the Maumere Bay, the Mt. Kelimutu, the Easter Celebration, and the local traditions.
Maumere is also a gateway to other amazing places in Flores and beyond, such as the Komodo Island, the Labuan Bajo, the Ende, and the Moni.
If you are looking for a destination that combines nature, culture, and adventure, then Maumere is the place for you. Contact Tripoto today and book your trip to Maumere, and experience the best of Flores, Indonesia.