Until recently, visiting Komodo Island and getting a glimpse of its famed dragons would cost you a flight to Indonesia, a cruise or tour to Komodo National Park, and a small $10 USD admission fee. That’s about to change, though, as local authorities say the entrance fee may soon skyrocket to a shocking $1,000, as part of a new membership system designed to limit who is able to visit Komodo Island. Under the new rules, tickets to the national park will be sold as annual memberships in two tiers. Premium memberships—sold for a reported $1,000 USD per year—will offer access to the entire park, including Komodo Island itself. Non-premium membership, on the other hand, will limit travelers to the surrounding islands (some, like Rinca Island, are also home to Komodo dragons) but not include visits to Komodo Island.
