Rinca Island is part of the Komodo National Park in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. Boats from neighboring isle of Flores can be rented to get to Rinca for about $33, according to TravBuddy. The trip takes about two hours. Or you can do a tour package like this one from Flores Komodo which includes roundtrip boat rides (wouldn't want to leave you with the komodos!), lunch, park entrance fees, and a tour guide for about $200 per person.
However you get there, all visitors entering the park must pay a Contribution to the Conservation Fund which depends on how long your stay is. If you plan on staying 1-3 days, that contribution is $15. Plus you need to pay a park entrance fee which is about $1.69 dollars.
Aside from komodo-spotting, the island is also home to buffalos, deers and several other types of reptiles. There's also several spots to dive along the way between the islands of Komodo National Park. It's truly an adventure traveler's paradise. And if you're the type to say, "No way, I will not visit an island full of venomous lizards" well consider Sharon Stone's ex-hubby, Phil Bronstein, who got bit by a Komodo dragon at the San Fran zoo.
Related Stories:
· Komodo dragon kills man in Indonesia [Asia One]
· Komodo National Park [Official Site]
[Photo: nkenji]
