WHERE IS BO’A VIDA LOCATED?

Bo’a Vida’s biggest advantage is its location. Situated 15 minutes away from Nembrala by car, it is away from the centre of town and secluded from the main roads. It is also directly in front of a world-class wave on an unfrequented beach, so our guests are able to enjoy a peaceful vacation.
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WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE BO’A VIDA?

Our location atop a cliff provides unparalleled views of the beach and surf break right in front of the property. But that’s not all – Boa Beach is one of the only spots on this coast where you can swim during any tide of the month.

WHAT TYPE OF GUESTS LOVE BO’A VIDA?

At Boa Vida Rote, we cater to adventurous travellers who love to discover unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations. If you enjoy the simple things in life and a laid back atmosphere you will truly love Bo’a Vida.

IS ROTE A SAFE ISLAND?

Boasting a low crime rate, this Indonesian island offers a sense of tranquillity that’s hard to come by in today’s world. Families with children can rest easy knowing that Rote is one of the safest places on earth to run and play.

In terms of geographical location and natural disasters, the island is situated on the opposite side of Indonesia from where most tsunamis occur, in fact, the island has never experienced a tsunami before.

HOW DO I ARRIVE TO BO’A VIDA ROTE?

Getting to Bo’a Vida Rote is easy with several travel options available. To buy plane tickets within Indonesia you can do it through websites such as traveloka.com or tiket.com.

If you’re coming from outside Indonesia, the fastest and most economical way to travel is to fly into Jakarta airport. And, if you’re planning to visit Bali on this trip, you can easily explore Bali after Rote and fly back to your country from Bali airport with a one-way ticket.

If you arrive in Jakarta in the afternoon or evening, you’ll find many hotels close to the airport with a range of prices to choose from. These hotels offer various amenities such as rooms with refreshing showers, gyms, spa treatments, and restaurant, giving you time to relax before taking the Kupang flight.

Jakarta (CGK) to Kupang (KOE)

There are several flights Jakarta Kupang however we recommend the Batik Air flight from Jakarta to Kupang that departs at 2:00 am and arrives at 6:10 am. This flight allows you to take either the daily fast ferry to Rote Island at 9 am or the Susi air flight at 7:30 am that operates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

If you choose the Susi Air flight, we’ll share the contact details of their reservation agent as you may not find it online.

Susi air do not charge for surfboards if you bring one surf-bag with maximum two boards inside. The weight allowance for the surfboard bag is 20 kg, if more than that there will be extra charge. If you need to bring extra boards it will cost 774.250 IDR. Please be aware there is size restrictions 1,80 cm. If your board is bigger than that and they it is not allowed on the plane we can help you sending it with the ferry.

Lion air charge 200.000 IDR per surf board and there is no size restriction.

If you opt for the fast ferry, we can arrange for a driver to pick you up from Kupang airport, take you to a nearby hotel for breakfast, and drop you off at the harbour. The driver will assist you throughout the journey and help you purchase ferry tickets. The ferry ride takes an hour and a half, and you’ll reach Bo’a vida by lunchtime.

Bali (DPS) to Kupang (KOE)

If you are arriving from Bali, there are several flights available from Bali to Kupang. However. we recommend choosing the Lion Air flight that departs at 11:05. am and reaches Kupang at 12:45 pm. Once you arrive in Kupang, you can either stay overnight and take the 7:30 am Susi Air flight or the daily 9 am ferry the next day. Please remember that Susi Air flights on Monday, Wednesday and. Friday at 7:30 am.

Alternatively, if you are interested in reaching Boa Vida on the same day and don’t mind a longer journey, you can catch the daily slow ferry at 2:00 pm. The slow ferry ride takes about three and a half to four hours and arrives at the north of the island (Pantai Baru Harbour). It cost 64,000 IDR for adults and 41.000 IDR for kids. From there, it takes around two hours to reach Boa Vida. You will arrive at Boa Vida around 9.30 pm, and dinner will be ready when you arrive.

DEPARTING ROTE:

Rote (RTI) to Kupang (KOE)

Susi Air flight departs Rote (RTI) at 8:10 am and arrives in Kupang (KOE) at 8:30 am. This flight is very convenient as you can connect with any Jakarta or Bali flight of your preference.

We always recommend that our guests travel with travel insurance, because remote Indonesia is quite weather dependent. Additionally, we advise our guests to leave a minimum of 24 hours spare time to catch their onward international flights, to have enough time to reach Bali, Jakarta or Surabaya for your onward flight.

BAHARI FAST FERRY

Kupang – Rote

  • Monday to Sunday at 9:00 am
    We suggest you to double check the schedule on their instagram page bahari Kupang or at their website expressbahari.com

Rote – Kupang

  • Monday to Sunday at 12:00 pm

Fast ferry bahari ticket costs 245.000 IDR VIP Class or 172.000 IDR Executive Class one-way and takes about 1.5 – 2 hours.

DO I NEED ANY SPECIFIC VISA?

Citizens of many countries, including the United States, European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, can enter Indonesia for up to 30 days without a visa as long as they are visiting for tourism purposes.

If you plan to stay in Indonesia longer than 30 days, you can request a visa on arrival at the airport upon arrival. You will have additional 30 days to enjoy the beauty this country.

WHAT FOOD IS SERVED AT BO’A VIDA ROTE?

At Bo’a Vida Rote, we take great pride in offering our guests a unique and unforgettable culinary experience. Our menu is carefully crafted to ensure that every dish is fresh, balanced, and healthy, with a focus on sourcing organic and locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. As a result, our guests can expect a dining experience that is both delicious and nourishing.

Our kitchen team creates many of our items in-house, including wholegrain bread, gluten free bread, banana bread, gluten free tortilla wraps, coconut milk, pesto, hummus, and peanut butter. For breakfast, guests can start their day with a refreshing coconut water, fruit salad or smoothie bowl with homemade granola. We also offer a selection of eggs cooked to your preference, pancakes and banana bread..

For lunch and dinner, we offer a variety of Indonesian and international dishes to choose from. Our guests can select from two options, or let us surprise them with a varied menu that allows them to try all of our signature dishes during their stay. Our culinary team is happy to accommodate any dietary requirements, so please let us know in advance if you have any special requests.

To sum up, when you stay at Bo’a Vida Rote, you can expect to indulge in a culinary journey that is both delicious and healthy.

DOES BO’A VIDA CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT?

At Bo’a Vida, we are proud to be primarily powered by the sun. Our solar panels generate 80% of the electricity we use for our operations. To ensure uninterrupted power supply, we also have a backup connection to the grid. We take a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment, using pre-assembled septic tanks and grease traps. Our treated wastewater is then filtered into our hydro-gardens, which not only contributes to environmental protection but also promotes healthy growth.

IS THERE INTERNET?

Each house at Bo’a Vida is equipped with wifi, so you can stay connected with friends and family. However, we recommend you to get a prepaid Telkomsel sim-card upon arrival at either Jakarta or Bali airport. By doing so, you can have internet access throughout your entire trip, regardless of where you go.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO ROTE ISLAND?

Prepare yourself for a remote tropical beach destination. Your swimming suit, sandals and a book would be enough, but here is a list of some things you might need:

  • medical and travel insurance
  • if you have light sleep and are sensitive to the sound sea remember to bring ear plugs
  • boards
  • fin keys, extra leg-rope
  • torch
  • light sweatshirt for the cooler nights and for traveling
  • sneakers for walking excursions
  • good pair of sandals as the terrain in Rote is quite rocky
  • books for lazy afternoons and evenings
  • camera
  • specialty foods that might be unavailable in Rote
  • a long sleeve shirt or rash guard and long pants – leggings can also work for high sun exposure

WHAT CAN I FIND IN ROTE ISLAND?

When it comes to packing for your Rote Island adventure, we have you covered. At our store and coffee shop Indika Rote, we offer a variety of essentials that will make your beach vacation a breeze. From sunscreen and reef booties to surf huts, beach tents, wax and zinc (water-resistant total skin sunblock), we have everything you need to enjoy the sun and surf safely.

But that’s not all – we also carry 100% organic clothes made from bamboo, which are perfect for the warm summer temperatures and will keep you feeling cool and comfortable all day long. If you want to order any of these items and have them ready for your arrival in your room, just let us know and we will be more than happy to prepare them for you.

At Indika Rote, we take pride in offering high-quality products that are both eco-friendly and sustainable. So not only will you be able to enjoy your vacation to the fullest, but you can do it with a clear conscience, knowing that you are supporting a responsible and ethical business.

We invite you to check out our Instagram page @Indika.rote to see all of our items and to get a taste of the beauty and adventure that awaits you in Rote Island.

HOW DO I GET AROUND ON THE ISLAND?

In order to be mobile and independent during your stay, we offer the choice of renting motorbikes with or without board-racks. This enables you travel around the island to look for secluded hidden beaches, traditional villages or the other surf breaks around.

If you decide to do any of the activities we offer (inland tours, kayaking the mangroves, diving tours etc), our driver is also available to transport you to any specific location at an additional cost.

IS THERE SURFBOARD RENTALS AND SURF SCHOOLS IN ROTE?

There is two surfboard rental services in Nemberala. Boards are also available from various surf instructors around the island. If you wish to rent boards or go for a surf lesson, we are happy to arrange it for you.

WHAT CAN MY KIDS DO DURING THE MORNINGS IF WE ARE STAYING FOR A LOND VACATION?

If you’re planning a long vacation with your family, we’ve got you covered! We offer a variety of activities for kids during the morning hours, including a kindergarten and primary school that caters to traveler kids. Our school boasts a team of experienced teachers from Indonesia, Switzerland, and the United States, all with a Montessori background. The school is small, yet features a welcoming and lively international atmosphere.

Our school is open during the months of June, July, and August, as the students take their holidays during Christmas. This means that parents can take advantage of the free time to read, surf, practice yoga, or simply relax while their children are engaged in fun and educational activities.

ARE THERE HOSPITALS IN ROTE?

There is a basic health center in Nembrala and a hospital in Ba’a, but there would be any serious accidents, you are likely to be sent to Siloam in Kupang, which is a reputable chain of hospitals here in Indonesia.

WE STRONGLY ADVISE ALL OUR GUEST TO COME WITH A VALID HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE PLAN AS PULAU ROTE IS STILL A REMOTE PLACE.

ARE THERE MOSQUITOES?

One of the biggest advantages of Rote Island is its dry climate, which makes it a haven for travellers seeking a mosquito free vacation. The only time when you might encounter mosquitoes is during the rainy season, which typically falls between January and March. But even then, the mosquito population is relatively low, and there is no need to worry about diseases like Zika or dengue fever.

IS THERE ANY NIGHTLIFE IN ROTE?

Yes! Rote is full of fun activities to do at night – you can stargaze, go for a midnight beach-walk, tsnight-swim or have a deep and relaxing sleep listening to the sound of waves… just to name a few.

ARE THERE ATM MACHINES AND MONEY CHANGERS ON ROTE ISLAND?

We advise you to do all your banking in Bali/Jakarta/Kupang, as the ATMs on the island are unreliable and do not accept many foreign cards.

In Nembrala, a town just 10 minutes away by car, you can find a mini market that offers a convenient solution for cash withdrawals. Whether you have an Indonesian or foreign card, you can withdraw money with ease. However, it’s important to note that there is a 5% interest rate for this service, and you’ll receive the money on the following day. Nonetheless, this is a great option to have on the island, particularly for those who prefer to carry minimal cash.

CAN I PAY WITH BITCOIN?

Yes we do accept bitcoin payment at Bo’a Vida Rote.