Find your inner peace in the sunshine and waves
Batam Travel Guide:
1. How to Get to Batam
• Transportation: The main way to get to Batam from Singapore is by ferry. Ferries depart from Singapore's Harbourfront Ferry Terminal and the journey takes approximately 1 hour.
• Ticket Purchase Advice: You can book ferry tickets online through platforms like easybook and sindoferry. After purchasing tickets online, you need to exchange them for physical tickets offline. The ticket exchange location is one floor above the departure point.
2. Accommodation in Batam
• Hotels: Relatively close to the city center, convenient transportation, easy access to food and night markets, but the surrounding environment is average.
• Resorts: Located further from the city center, requiring a 30-40 minute drive, but with beautiful surroundings, beaches, swimming pools, water sports facilities, and more.
3. Batam Attractions
• Barelang Bridge: Batam's landmark, consisting of six bridges connecting several islands in Batam. The sunset view is particularly captivating.
• Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall: Batam's largest shopping mall, integrating shopping, dining, and entertainment.
• Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple: One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, featuring beautiful statues, gardens, and a vegetarian restaurant.
• Nongsa Beach: Known for its white sandy beach and clear waters, suitable for sunbathing and swimming. Nearby resorts also offer water sports activities.
• Tua Pek Kong Temple: An important cultural site in Batam, a Chinese temple dedicated to the God of Wealth, with exquisite architectural style.
4. Batam Cuisine
• Otak-otak: Grilled fish cake wrapped in banana leaves, a popular street food in Batam.
• Mie Tarempa: Noodles from nearby Anambas Islands, served with spicy sauce.
• Sup Ikan Batam: A rich fish soup, perfect for a rainy day.
• Ayam Penyet: Javanese-style smashed fried chicken, served with chili sauce, cucumber, and fried tofu.
5. Water Activities in Batam
• Water Sports: Batam has a long coastline and beautiful beaches, making it a popular destination for water sports. You can experience banana boats, parasailing, water skiing, and other activities.
• Diving: The waters around Batam are suitable for diving, with shallow reefs and abundant marine life.
6. Transportation in Batam
• Car Rental: Suitable for groups or families, allowing for flexible itinerary arrangements.
• Taxis: Batam has both official taxis and unofficial "black cars." It is recommended to choose official taxis.
• Ride-hailing Apps: Gojek and Grab operate in Batam and can be booked through their mobile apps.
• Public Transportation: TransBatam is a government-operated bus system, affordable but with limited coverage.
7. Important Notes
• Health: Sanitary conditions in Indonesia are generally average. It is recommended to avoid drinking tap water or drinks with ice. Bring plenty of bottled water and stomach medicine.
• Safety: Take care of your personal belongings and avoid going to areas with poor security.
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Batam!