Building a Dream in Raja Ampat: The Story of Paparisa Homestay

If you had told us a few years ago that we would one day build a homestay on a small island in Raja Ampat, we probably wouldn’t have believed you either.

We actually met in Bali, where life looked very different from how it does now. At one point, Rio got the opportunity to become the manager of a homestay on Kri Island. The plan was simple: stay for 6 months, enjoy the experience, and see what would happen next.

But Raja Ampat had other plans for us.

The longer we stayed, the more we fell in love with this place: the nature, the people, the rhythm of island life, and the feeling of being far away from the rest of the world.

At the same time, we also noticed something interesting: there seemed to be a huge gap between very basic homestays with shared bucket showers and extremely expensive luxury resorts.

There wasn’t much in between.

That’s where the idea for Paparisa Homestay started.

First outline of Paparisa Homestay on our beach. Very local style ;)

A place where travellers could still experience the beauty of Raja Ampat, but with a bit more comfort. Private bathrooms. Comfortable beds. Thoughtful details. Good food. A place that still felt connected to island life, without becoming disconnected from the reality of where you are.

What began as a few sketches slowly turned into reality. And slowly is probably the right word 😅

Construction on a remote island comes with challenges most people never see: delayed materials, changing weather conditions, falling trees, boats breaking down, unstable electricity, and plans changing almost daily. There were moments we questioned everything.

When we welcomed our first guests in December 2024, only part of the homestay was finished. We served meals on bungalow terraces because the restaurant wasn’t ready yet, and some days felt more like survival than hospitality.

How our overwater restaurant started..

But somehow, those first guests understood exactly what Paparisa was meant to be.

Today, Paparisa has grown into a small beachfront homestay with 6 bungalows, an overwater restaurant, our boat Pardidu, and a small team that has become like family to us.

And maybe one of the most meaningful parts of this journey is what it represents personally too.

Rio is originally from Ambon, in Maluku, and definitely didn’t grow up with endless opportunities or financial advantages. In places like Maluku and Papua, it can sometimes feel like the odds are already against you before you even begin.

That’s exactly why Paparisa means so much to us.

Not just because we built a homestay, but because it has become something bigger than ourselves.

Today, it provides opportunities for people from different islands and villages across eastern Indonesia, many of whom remind us of where we started ourselves.

As proud as we are of the homestay itself, what makes us even prouder is the team behind it.

Today, Gill leads our kitchen. As Rio’s younger brother, he had never left Ambon before joining us. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of watching him grow in confidence, take on more responsibility, and become an important part of daily life at Paparisa.

Then there’s Debby, one of Rio’s friends from his Bali days. Born and raised in Papua, she is one of the strongest and most determined women we know. Smart, hardworking, and proud of where she comes from, she chose to build her own path rather than settle for what others expected of her.

And of course, Paparisa would not exist without the rest of our team. Together, they come from islands and villages across Raja Ampat, from Batanta and Fam to nearby Yenbuba. Every person brings their own story, culture, and skills to the table.

Birthday celebrations for Yolan

Creating jobs was never the main reason we started Paparisa, but it has become one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Watching people grow, gain confidence, and build opportunities for themselves and their families is something we are incredibly grateful to be a part of.

The name “Paparisa” comes from the Moluccan language and roughly translates to:

“a small house available for every guest.”

And honestly, that still describes our vision perfectly.

We’re not a luxury resort. We’re not trying to be.

We’re a small, family-run homestay on Kri Island, built with patience, long days, trial and error, and a lot of love for this part of Indonesia.

And while we’re still learning every single day, we feel incredibly grateful that so many travellers from around the world now find their way to our little corner of Raja Ampat.

So if you ever stay with us: thank you.

Not just for booking a room, but for becoming part of the story too 🌴🐚

xo Team Paparisa