Where to stay
Most of the accommodation on the Banda Islands is simple guesthouses or homestays but the choice is slowly starting to grow. Bandaneira and Hatta have the lion's share, but it is possible to stay on any of the six main islands listed below. Here's where to stay:
Bandaneira
With a liberal sprinkling of guesthouses and homestays, Bandaneira offers the most choice of accommodation. Most places to stay are located to the southwest of the island. They tend to be basic, though there are a couple of midrange hotels in former colonial buildings, too.
Hatta Island
Hatta has an increasing number of places to stay on the island. Most of its homestays line the north coast beaches, and there is a simple beach hotel on the west coast. All stays are basic.
Ai Island
Ai has five homestays on the island, each dotted along the north coast.
Gunung Api Island
There is only one guesthouse on Gunung Api Island on the east coast.
Run Island
On Run, you can choose from two homestays or a brightly-painted guesthouse.
Banda Besar Island
There are three simple places to stay on Banda Besar, all on the north coast beaches.
Best restaurants and bars
The Banda Islands don't have any restaurants. Only Bandaneira has a handful of very simple Indonesian restaurants. All of the islands offer food as part of your stay. This usually means three meals a day.
On Banda Besar Island and Hatta Island, you will find local food markets and small barbecue stalls.
Nightlife is also non-existent on the Banda Islands.