Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara is a special destination where you can see gorgeous sunrise and sunset almost every day. It’s not only about the scenery that attracts people to come there, but also about the people, culture, and natural attractions.
One of the ways to experience the authentic culture of Labuan Bajo is by visiting villages. The place where locals live. When traveling in Labuan Bajo, you can visit a green tourism village called Batu Cermin (Mirror Rock) village. It is a unique village with lots of tourist spots!
Guide to Explore Batu Cermin (Mirror Rock) Village
To explore this enchanting village, you can follow our guide about how to get there, things to do, handy tips, and the best accommodations to stay. Here’s our curated guide to the village’s finest experience!
How to Get There?
Start by booking a flight ticket to Komodo Airport (LBJ) from anywhere you are. Using tiket.com is a simple way to search for flights online.
There are many ways to reach Batu Cermin Village. You can prepare ahead of time by renting a car in Labuan Bajo using tiket.com. The price for renting a car is about 780,000 IDR, which you can use for up to 12 hours. We recommend you rent a car because it is more convenient to get from one point to another.
Another way to reach Batu Cermin village is by renting a motorcycle or by taking a taxi. It’s easy to find local transportation from the airport. By the way, the journey from the airport to Batu Cermin Village is about 15 minutes.
Fun Activities to Do at Batu Cermin Village
Although the village only has basic minimum facilities, you can enjoy the natural attractions and watch dance performances from the locals there.
1. Observe What’s Inside Batu Cermin (Mirror Rock) Cave
Are you curious to know more about Batu Cermin Cave? This cave was discovered by Theodore Verhoven, an archeologist from the Netherlands, in 1951. The cave has a total area of 19 hectares with a height of 75 meters.
To enter the cave, you need to pay a small cost of 10,000 IDR/ person* You can hire a local guide if you want to know more about the history of the cave.
Before you enter the cave, you must wear a safety helmet. You will go through a quite challenging path. It’s a rocky terrain; be prepared to walk up and down all the way, in the darkness!
Your effort will be paid off once you see marine fossils attached to the cave walls, stalagmites, stalactites. If you’re lucky, you can see bats as well.
Come in the morning around 9.00 – 10.00 WIT, you can witness the rays of the sun shine through the hole and goes into the cave. Snap some pics, it’s a beautiful natural occurrence!
2. Batu Payung (Umbrella Rock)
Around the Batu Cermin Village, you can find Batu Payung (Umbrella Rock). Just like its name, the rock shaped like an umbrella. Locals said that this is a natural rock that has been there for a long time ago. Don’t forget to take some pictures with the rock on your background!
3. Watch Caci Dance
Caci Dance is a traditional war dance from West Manggarai, Labuan Bajo. It involves two male dancers who dance and fight each other by using a shield and a whip. The dance follows the rhythm of traditional acoustic instruments.
At Batu Cermin Village, the Caci Dance is usually scheduled. You can watch the performance only if there is a special event.
Tips You Need to Know Before Going to Batu Cermin Village
- Don’t go there when it’s raining. You don’t want to get stuck in the cave with wet and muddy clothing, right?
- Use comfortable shoes and clothes
- The best time to visit Batu Cermin Cave is in the morning. The weather is usually not too hot during that time and you can see the beautiful sun rays coming into the cave.
- Prepare your camera because you’ll be able to see stalactites and stalagmites with different forms there.
- As a way to support sustainable tourism, you can give tips to the guide after you’re done exploring the cave.
- You can find a few facilities around the village such as a restroom and a cafe.
Hotels Near Batu Cermin Village
Now, it’s time to select a cozy accommodation to stay at. Here are our picks for you:
1. Ayana Komodo
When you come to Batu Cermin Village, you must think about where to stay. Usually, people come to Labuan Bajo for a few days, not only to explore Batu Cermin Village, but also to see the komodo dragons, the pink beach, Padar Island, and so forth.
You deserve a good rest after a long and tiring day exploring Labuan Bajo. We recommend you staying at Ayana Komodo, which is located about a 10-minute drive from Batu Cermin Cave. It is a luxurious resort located at a strategic location. Besides its complete facilities, you can also see a beautiful sunset from the open bar!
Price: starts from 3,480,000 IDR/ room/night*
Facilities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, meeting facilities, swimming pool, InDOnesia CARE
Address: Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai
2. L Bajo Hotel
Wanna stay in an affordable hotel with a clean room? Book your stay at L Bajo Hotel. This hotel is about 10 minutes away from Batu Cermin Village. You can enjoy a modestly designed room with wooden furnishings.
On-site restaurants are available if you want to enjoy Indonesian dishes. Lots of activities are available around the hotel, including cycling and trekking. Sounds fun, right?
Price: starts from 475,000 IDR/ room/ night*
Facilities: Wi-Fi, restaurant, meeting facilities
Address: Labuan Bajo, Jl. Kasimo No, 99, Wae Kelambu, Komodo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara 86554, Indonesia
Appreciate the Natural Wonders at Batu Cermin Village
Labuan Bajo has endless mesmerizing spots to enjoy. Apart from visiting the green tourism village, you can explore its underwater world, as well as its hilly area. Even a week won’t be enough! Ready for the trip? Book your flight to Labuan Bajo at tiket.com here.
When traveling in Labuan Bajo, always follow the health protocols. Take care of your health first, so you can enjoy what Labuan Bajo has to offer to the fullest. Happy holidays!
going anywhere, tiket.com!
*Prices are valid at the time of publishing