Batam Island in Indonesia: what to see, where to stay

One of the best places to visit in Indonesia. But to go to this corner of paradise is best from Singapore. What do you find interesting in this remote corner of the country?

Batam is an amazing island. Local resorts are not crowded with tourists like on Bali. It is a paradise away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, where you can enjoy authenticity, tranquil beaches, pristine reefs and low prices. Batam is located just 20 kilometers from Singapore, in northern Indonesia.

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What You Need to Know Before Traveling to Batam

• Weather. Batam has a tropical climate all year round. The best time to visit is the dry season, from April to October.
• Money. Batam is located near Singapore, mainly in Singapore dollars and Indonesian rupees. You can pay by card, phone or withdraw cash from an ATM.
• Language. Although Bahasa Indonesia is widely spoken, English is generally well understood in tourist areas.
• Communication. SIM cards and Wi-Fi are widely available, with most hotels offering free internet.
• Clothes. Respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting temples and religious sites.
• What to take with you. Light clothing, swimsuits, sunscreen and comfortable footwear for hiking. Don’t forget your camera to capture beautiful scenery!

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How to get to Batam

Batam can be reached in 45-60 minutes by ferry from Singapore. Ferries run often, so they are the most convenient option. The cost of a two-way trip from Singapore is about $70-80. You can also choose a direct flight from Jakarta to Hang Nadeem Airport in Batam.

Attractions of Batam

Batam is both an island and a city with more than a million people. A region with magical landscapes and rich history. What you should definitely see while traveling:

Turi Beach

Batam has several famous beaches, but Turi Beach is the best beach with beautiful white sand and all amenities. A variety of sea entertainment, a large selection of hotels and restaurants. On weekends and holidays, tourists from Singapore and Jakarta come to Batam to enjoy their vacation, so Turi Beach is often crowded.

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Batam City Square

Batam City Square is a popular tourist destination that everyone should visit. There are many shopping centers, entertainment, restaurants and food courts. You can walk, buy souvenirs, try tropical sweets during tea, have lunch or dinner in an ethnic style on a food court or in a restaurant.

Pantai Melur

Pantai Melur is located on the western side of a small island, south of Batam. This beautiful white sand beach is most popular with Western tourists. It is known as the most photogenic in the region. Numerous hotels and restaurants are built around the beautiful beach.

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Tua Peck Kong Temple

Tua Pek Kong Temple is the most popular Buddhist temple in Nagoya, also known as Vihara Budhi Bhakti. The oldest Chinese temple has a red facade. There are many colorful frescoes and statues on the territory. The building in the Chinese architectural style is impressive, it is very different from most other temples of Batam.

Statue of the Cheng Ho cruise ship

The Cheng-Ho Cruise Replica is a copy of the original Chinese treasure ship. It was led by Admiral Cheng-ho during seven legendary expeditions in the 15th century. The Golden Cheng Ho II has three decks. The lower and middle ones are used as dining rooms. They are decorated in traditional Chinese style with carvings of dragons and other ornaments of the Ming dynasty. The top deck provides a great opportunity for selfies!

Kampung Vietnam

Or a Vietnamese village. Previously, it was home to thousands of Vietnamese refugees who fled to Batam during the war. Now it is a ghost village, which is abandoned and dotted with the remains of houses, churches, Buddhist temples and historical museums. This walk will impress you! The village is located on a small island called Pulau Galang, south of Batam.

Bukit Senyum

The Indonesian name translates as "Hill of Smiles". The picturesque peak with beautiful landscapes has become one of the most popular tourist places in Batam.

The best cityscape opens here and even the skyscrapers of Singapore are visible! And from this mountain there is a view of the airport and planes taking off and landing in the distance.

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Barelang Bridge

One of the most iconic architectural symbols of Batam. It is a chain of 6 bridges and connecting roads that span several islands in Riau. The length from the first bridge to the last one is about 50 kilometers! This is a real card of Batam, which is on all postcards, and a mandatory tourist location. The best time to visit the bridge is in the evening when the lights are lit.

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What to do in Batam

• Water sports. On the island you will find everything from banana riding to water skiing and parasailing. A popular spot on the island is Batam Wakepark, where you can ride a wakeboard on Batam's only clockwise rope system! Don’t miss a trip to Waterfront City. Here you will find a lot of water entertainment.
• Snorkeling on Abang Island. A small local island that can be reached quickly by boat. An ideal place to dive with a mask and tube, with countless species of coral. You can easily book a one-day snorkeling package on Abang Island.
• Shopping. Shopping at Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall, Batama’s largest shopping mall. Here you will find many shops, diners and entertainment facilities.
• Waterparks. Since the island is humid both day and night, why not refresh yourself in the water park? The most popular is Batu Ajji Waterpark in the Top 100 shopping mall. It is so big that you can spend all day here. Another popular water park is Ocarina Waterpark, on the east coast of Batam Center.
• Karting. The Marina Circuit Go-Kart is one of the first and largest karting tracks in Batam. Here you will find a difficult track that will make the race exciting and full of adrenaline.
• Ranoch Island. It is only 20 minutes by boat from the ferry terminals of Batam. There is a stunning beach resort on the island, which offers an all-inclusive holiday.

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Where to Stay in Batam

The island offers accommodation options for any budget. For luxury living, the best choice will be Montigo Resorts Nongsa. Budget travelers can choose HARRIS Hotel Batam Center, Nongsa Point Beach and KTM, which offer comfortable rooms at affordable prices.

Montigo Resorts Nongsa