National Parks to Visit in 2026: Komodo, Indonesia

It’s the park’s first long-term response to tourism pressures flagged by organizations such as UNESCO. Now, visitors need to make an advance booking on the Siora app to lock in a time and location to visit, choosing from three 333-person sessions: 6-11 AM, 11 AM-3 PM, or 3-6 PM. The App will debut in January 2026 as a trial and become permanent in April. Labuan Bajo’s recent airport expansions and new piers (planned for early 2026) will make reaching the park faster and serve as entry points for sailing trips, dive liveaboards, and day trips.

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Photo: Goinyk Production/Shutterstock

Photo: Goinyk Production/Shutterstock

Photo: Iryna Shpulak/Shutterstock

Overall, this should make the experience of seeing the world’s largest lizards (up to 10 feet long) feel more natural and personal, especially as the smaller crowds will likely make them feel less disturbed. After seeing them, Komodo National Park’s islands also have plenty to see, like the red coral sands of Pink Beach (ideal for snorkeling) and the short-but-steep hike to the Padar Island viewpoint. Divers and snorkelers can choose from 26 sites, including a manta cleaning station with reliable sightings between December and March, and Crystal Rock’s walls known for schooling gray reef and bamboo sharks.

While getting to Komodo isn’t cheap, the fees to enter the park are at least more accessible, following the reversal of some 2025 price hikes. Foreign visitors will pay an entrance fee of IDR 250,000 per day (about $16), plus IDR 75,000 (about $4.50) for a guide and mere IDR 25,000 ($1.50) for conservation contributions. That means you can do an inclusive, comfortable day trip that includes access, guides, and transportation usually for about $50 to $75 per day. Fortunately, all park fees are paid via the app, eliminating on-site haggling and long lines.

How to reach Komodo National Park

To reach Komodo National Park, you’ll need to fly into Labuan Bajo Airport on Flores Island, the main gateway to the park. Most people fly there from Bali, which takes about one hour, though you can also fly there in about 2.5 hours from Jakarta. From Labuan Bajo Airport, it’s a 20–30 minute taxi to reach the harbor. As there’s no road access to the park, all visitors need to arrive by boat from Labuan Bajo Harbor.