Your stay — Geckos backpackers accomodation
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The Property — Geckos backpackers accomodation
Geckos Backpackers Accommodation is a no-frills, sociable three-star hostel in central Ende, with a worn-in lobby that feels more like a student common room than a hotel desk. The concrete walls are covered in travel graffiti, and a mismatched collection of beanbags and low tables invites guests to swap stories. It suits budget travellers, solo backpackers, and anyone passing through Flores who values conversation over comfort. You can almost smell the damp kopi tubruk and hear the clatter of a shared laptop.
Chronicles of Ende
Ende grew from a small port town under Dutch colonial rule, serving as a hub for trade across the Flores Sea. It is best known as the site of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, who was exiled here by the Dutch from 1934 to 1938; his former house is now a modest museum. Architecturally, the city is a mix of low-rise concrete blocks, weathered wooden shopfronts, and a few late-colonial-era churches. Today Ende remains a quiet, dusty administrative centre, proud of its role in the independence narrative but largely bypassed by international tourism. Its contemporary identity is defined by weekly markets, a laid-back harbour, and the nearby Kelimutu volcano's tri-coloured lakes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ende guide →Best months
July and August offer the driest weather and clearest skies for hiking Kelimutu, with lower humidity and manageable crowds outside major holidays.
Peak / festival surge
August is the peak month, driven by European summer holidays and domestic tourists visiting for the Independence Day celebrations (17 August). Hotel prices can double during this period, and Geckos often sells out two weeks in advance.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and September–October are the best budget shoulder months: still mostly dry, fewer tourists, and rates at Geckos drop by about 30% from peak. October can see a spike during local festivals, so book ahead.
Weather & packing
Ende has a short, fierce wet season (December–March) with daily downpours; even in the dry months, coastal humidity means you'll sweat through a t-shirt by noon. Pack a lightweight rain shell for sudden showers and a sarong or scarf for entering mosques and the Kelimutu crater area.
Live City Briefing — Ende
- The main Trans-Flores highway between Ende and Maumere is undergoing road widening (2025–2027), causing delays of 30–60 minutes; plan day trips to Kelimutu with extra buffer time.
- A new daily ferry service from Labuan Bajo to Ende started in late 2025, reducing travel time from 30 hours to 12; check schedules at the harbour office as departures are weather-dependent.
- The Kelimutu ticket price increased to IDR 200,000 for foreign visitors in March 2026; buy tickets online via the official park website to avoid queues at sunrise.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Geckos backpackers accomodation, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor facing away from Jalan Soekarno – the main road through Ende. These rooms are quieter and more private, and you avoid the noise of the ground-floor common areas.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room directly above the entrance or near the stairs on the ground floor – these catch foot traffic, street noise from Jalan Soekarno, and the early-morning bustle of backpackers checking out.
Best views
From the first floor you might get a glimpse of Mount Iya or the harbour, but views are mostly of neighbouring houses and the main road. Better to step outside for the real scenery.
Quietest floors
First floor (upper level) – there's no lift, so this is the top floor, meaning less overhead noise and no foot traffic above you.
🔊 Noise notes
Jalan Soekarno is a busy road with motorbikes and small trucks from early morning until late evening. Geckos is a social hostel, so common-area chatter and kitchen clatter are part of the deal.
Insider tips
1. Check in early – there's no lift so first-floor rooms go first and save you hauling a pack up steep stairs. 2. Ask if they have a fan available for your room; air-con not guaranteed at this price bracket, and Ende is hot and humid.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Geckos backpackers accomodation
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and rooms; speed sufficient for messaging and browsing, not for streaming; no login constraints, password provided at check-in.
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out subject to availability, fee 50,000 IDR until 18:00.
Free for same-day check-in/out guests; longer storage negotiable with front desk.
No step-free access; entrance has one step and all rooms are upstairs; no wheelchair-accessible rooms.
No on-site parking; street parking available nearby (free, but spaces limited); nearest public car park is 400 metres away on Jalan Wirajaya, 10,000 IDR per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; no incidental card hold at check-in, cash only for extras.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indonesian Rupiah, IDR
Most travellers use ATMs at local banks (e.g., Bank Mandiri, BRI) for the best rates; airport exchange points and tourist bureaux give poor rates.
Cards are accepted at mid-range hotels and some larger shops, but many warungs, markets, and local transport only take cash. Contactless is rare.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% at restaurants if service charge isn't included. Small change for hotel staff is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Kopi hitam (black coffee) at a warung costs about 5,000-10,000 IDR.
Nasi campur or mie goreng from a simple local warung, roughly 15,000-25,000 IDR.
A main dish like ikan bakar or ayam goreng at a basic restaurant, around 25,000-40,000 IDR.
Look for night food stalls (kaki lima) around the central market and along Jalan Soekarno-Hatta after dark; try sate, pisang goreng, or es campur.
Small mini-markets like Indomaret and Alfamart are common for basics; larger supermarkets are scarce in Ende town.
Pasar Ende (central market) sells affordable local clothing, sarongs, and flip-flops; no major high-street chains here.
Minibus (bemo) rides cost around 5,000-10,000 IDR per trip within town; from the airport, take a fixed-price taxi for about 50,000 IDR or walk to a bemo if luggage-light.
Eat at warungs instead of tourist cafes; use ATMs only at bank branches during the day to avoid fees; book transport and rooms directly rather than through intermediaries.
Good to know — Ende
Type C/F · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ IDR 18090.75 · IDR
Emergency Contacts
EndeIn Ende, the national emergency numbers work: police 110, ambulance 118, fire 113. Local coverage can be patchy, so save these. For specific help, try the Ende Police Station (+62 381 21007) or the nearest hospital, RSUD Ende (+62 381 22000).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ende, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Geckos backpackers accomodation
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Anywhere in Ende city → Flores Sare Hotel
💡 Gojek works best in Ende — Grab has fewer drivers. Use the 'Motor' option for 6k inside town. For car, expect 15k. Pull up at the hotel's front gate, not the main road.
Ende (Ine Sari) Airport (ENE) → Flores Sare Hotel
💡 Arrange through the hotel for IDR 100k flat rate. Taxis at the airport often quote 150k. Confirm price before boarding.
Ende city centre (e.g. market, harbour) → Flores Sare Hotel
💡 Blue Bird is the only reliable meter taxi. Flag them on Jalan Gajah Mada or call 0369-21111. Always use the meter — no haggling.
Pasar Ende (central market) → Wolowaru direction — stop near Flores Sare
💡 Bemos are blue minibuses. Look for 'Wolowaru' or 'Puputodo' signs. Tell the driver 'hotel Flores Sare' — they drop you at the junction. Pay exact change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Geckos backpackers accomodation?
Request a room on the first floor facing away from Jalan Soekarno – the main road through Ende. These rooms are quieter and more private, and you avoid the noise of the ground-floor common areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Geckos backpackers accomodation?
Avoid any room directly above the entrance or near the stairs on the ground floor – these catch foot traffic, street noise from Jalan Soekarno, and the early-morning bustle of backpackers checking out.
Is Geckos backpackers accomodation noisy?
Jalan Soekarno is a busy road with motorbikes and small trucks from early morning until late evening. Geckos is a social hostel, so common-area chatter and kitchen clatter are part of the deal.
Which rooms have the best views at Geckos backpackers accomodation?
From the first floor you might get a glimpse of Mount Iya or the harbour, but views are mostly of neighbouring houses and the main road. Better to step outside for the real scenery.
What are insider tips for staying at Geckos backpackers accomodation?
1. Check in early – there's no lift so first-floor rooms go first and save you hauling a pack up steep stairs. 2. Ask if they have a fan available for your room; air-con not guaranteed at this price bracket, and Ende is hot and humid.
What time is check-in at Geckos backpackers accomodation?
Check-in at Geckos backpackers accomodation is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Geckos backpackers accomodation have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in common areas and rooms; speed sufficient for messaging and browsing, not for streaming; no login constraints, password provided at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Geckos backpackers accomodation?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Geckos backpackers accomodation?
Nasi campur or mie goreng from a simple local warung, roughly 15,000-25,000 IDR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Geckos backpackers accomodation?
Minibus (bemo) rides cost around 5,000-10,000 IDR per trip within town; from the airport, take a fixed-price taxi for about 50,000 IDR or walk to a bemo if luggage-light.
When is the best time to visit Ende?
July and August offer the driest weather and clearest skies for hiking Kelimutu, with lower humidity and manageable crowds outside major holidays.
Top Attractions in Ende
💡 Go at low tide to see the tidal pools full of small crabs and sea urchins. Bring your own towel – no rental stands.
💡 Ask for the batik demonstration on slow days – they show you how the indigo dye is made from local plants. Donations welcome but not mandatory.
💡 The caretaker speaks some English and will unlock the back room. No photo flash allowed – the ink on letters is fragile.
💡 Buy a fresh bag of locally roasted Arabica from Ibu Rima's porch – half the price of tourist shops in Ende. No entrance fee, but a small purchase helps.
💡 Arrive by 5am to catch the sunrise colours. Locals call it a three-hour round trip including photo stops. Take cash for the parking fee at the gate.