What to do in Kupang

Welcome to Kupang

Traveling to Kupang is definitely for those wanting to get away from it all and get back in touch with island living. There is a certain lack of historical sites or even traditional culture within the city itself, but that does not mean you won’t find adventures behind every corner.

The largest city of Western Timor sprawls along the coast of the island. Here you will find many of the same things that you’d see on the tourist havens of Bali or Flores. Restaurants, street food, and markets are brimming with western fusion snacks and local delicacies.

The dirty beaches, lack of accommodation, and crumbling concrete buildings hardly take away from the rugged beauty and hospitality that will make you want to stay in this largely forgotten city in Indonesia.

If you are traveling from Kupang to Dili be sure to read more here!

The Faces of Kupang

The friendliness of the locals of Kupang can be overwhelming at times. While you may not have to worry about being hustled like you would on Java on Bali, hearing the word “mister” and “bule” is sure to get old fast. Being an island that sees little to no foreign tourists, a sense of surprise can be understood.

While walking through the markets or on the beaches, it is not uncommon that some locals may want to strike up a conversation or ask to take a group photo. One could even say that without the warmth of the locals, Kupang would just be another dirty beach town.

Even in some of the more decrepit parts of Kupang, you are sure to stumble upon people fishing, children playing, songs being sung, and even some people practicing boxing. It is the life that is found in every corner of Kupang that will have you jumping out of bed and ready to explore day after day.

Looking for more information on Kupang? You can read more here!

Hitting the Beaches

The first thing any tourist would want to do when traveling to an island nation like Indonesia is hit the beach. Call it both a blessing and a curse, West Timor’s white sandy coast is almost totally devoid of tourists. While in most cases people would see this as a positive, it does also mean that the beaches are extremely dirty.

Even the most popular destinations, such as Tablolong Beach, are covered with a layer of plastic bottles and wrappers. This does not mean you should avoid the mangroves and beaches altogether. After parking your motorbike and wading through the rubbish, leaving the residential areas behind, the closer you will get to the true beauty of West Timor!

You can read more on Tablolong Beach here!

The Catch of the Day

No matter if you decide to hop on a bike and explore the more remote beaches on the island or stay within the city limits of Kupang, you are sure to come across your fair share of seafood. Being a people so close to the sea, it goes without saying that the main livelihood and favorite pastime of the locals is fishing.

Strolling down the piers and docks of Kupang is sure to be an experience in itself. These concrete slabs protruding into the ocean serve as a community park for locals to play, ride bikes, share gossip, and, of course, cast their rods out into the water. To truly understand what it is like to live in Kupang, you have to experience the vibrancy of the piers and harbors.

You can read more on what to do in Kupang here!

The Night Market

After seeing locals reel in enormous fish and heave to shore nets full of seafood, it will cross your mind “where can I taste these local delicacies?” You will find rows upon rows of stalls serving anything from fish to marrons next to Jalan Garuda in downtown Kupang.

Abroad, quality catches such as these are sure to cost an arm and a leg. At this Night Market, you can get a plate full of marron for less than 5 dollars. With everything from squid to chicken available, even if you are not a foodie this is an experience you will not want to pass up!

You can read more on Kupang’s Night Market here!

Oenesu Waterfall

Just a mere 17km outside of Kupang lays a refuge where tourists and locals alike can escape the scorching hot sun on the coast and relax in the chilled pools under the cover of a dense jungle. Oenesu Waterfall is by far one of the most gorgeous waterfalls located on West Timor.

Like much of the rest of the island there is a concern that the beauty of the falls is bogged down by the heaps of trash that accumulate on the edge of the river.  You may find, however, that the cascading falls of Oenesu are mesmerizing enough on its own that you can see past the garbage.

It is everyone’s wish that the natural treasures Timor has been blessed with can be preserved for generations to come, and this can only be accomplished by cleaning up sites such as Oenesu Falls.

You can read more on Oenesu Waterfall here!

The Crystal Cave

When looking up things to occupy your while in Kupang, the Crystal Cave is sure to flash across your screen several times. While the turquoise blue water is beautiful in its own right, I would never go as far as to say it is the highlight of any trip to the largest city of West Timor.

Located not far from Bolok Ferry Port, the signs directing tourists to the Crystal Cave are not obvious. One has to jump a fence or two and wade through tall grass before reaching the entrance to the pool. The opening to the cave is quite difficult to find and you may have to rely on the group of curious locals who will be more than willing to show you the entrance.

If you are not looking to swim, you may find the water underwhelming. Even at the ideal time between 10-2, when the waters are said to sparkle that splendid crystal blue, there is not much to do besides sitting on a rock for a few moments before clambering back up the rocks out of the cave.

You can get more details on the Crystal Cave here!

The Gateway to Timor

After touching down or pulling into the dock in Timor, you will need to know a little bit of the lay of the land to make the most out of your trip. Lavalon Guesthouse is the de facto backpackers hub in the city. This hostel serves as both a  refuge for weary budget travelers and also a tourist information center.

Public transportation and taxis are an expensive and unreliable option when taking heading out to explore the island. For those who have spent some time in South East Asia, you are sure to be no stranger to the thrill of renting a motorbike and having the freedom to stop and go as you please. Rentals are available to Lavalon Guesthouse for just about 10 USD a day.

There are also several traditional villages spread out across the island such as Boti, Saenam, Temkessi, and None. These villages are quite remote and out of the way. You may find some guides willing to take you out to these distant kingdoms but prepared to pay out the nose for the pleasure.

Those who find themselves in Kupang are sure to already have an adventurous spirit, lucky for you West Timor has an abundance of experiences and adventures to be had. Being at the far edge of Indonesia, you will truly feel like you are traveling off of the beaten path.

You can find another complete guide on West Timor here!