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Batam

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Batam is a small but busy island in Indonesia of 45km x 25km and nearly a million people, hundreds of multinational owned factories, towns, shopping centres and gateway to the Riau Islands.

[edit] Cities

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Located only 20km from Singapore and 25km from Johor in Malaysia, Batam is Indonesia's equivalent to China's SEZ's (Special Economic Zones) - a place where the nation's economic planners test new economic policies and ideas. The island is an industrial hub with electronics factories, a large and growing ship repair industry and an even larger oil service sector. Quite a few expats head there for work, and pubs and golf courses have sprung up to serve them.

Most tourists, on the other hand, used to come from nearby Singapore and were mostly interested in illegal casinos, which have been closed for several years now.

[edit] Talk

Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) is modeled on the version of Malay which originates from Riau on the Sumatra mainland and the Riau Islands. In fact, Riau Malay is regarded as quite similar to the Malay language and visitors from Malaysia will find the Indonesian spoken here very similar to Bahasa Malaysia, which is the version of Malay spoken back home.

Batam also have a large population of ethnic chinese Indonesians, who also can speak Hokkien (Fujian), Teochew and Mandarin. Besides, there are also large population of migrants from various parts of Indonesia who speak many different kinds of Indonesian dialects.

[edit] Get in

[edit] Visa

For detailed information on visas, please refer to the Indonesia page. All Batam ports, namely Harbour Bay (Jodoh), Batam Centre, Nongsapura, Sekupang and Waterfront City (Teluk Senimba) are visa-free and visa-on-arrival ports of entry. Visa-on-arrival would require you to pay a visa fee of USD 10. If you are paying in Indonesia Rupiah, you will pay less.

[edit] By plane

Batam's airport is the Hang Nadim International Airport (BTH). Nearly all flights are domestic where you can get direct connections to Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Pekanbaru, Jambi, Palembang, Pontianak, Yogyakarta and Bandung. Indonesian carriers Merpati, Mandala Airlines [1],Indonesia Air Asia [2], Riau Airlines [3], Kartika Airlines [4], [ [5] Batavia Airlines] and a host of others provide the links. One can travel to Yogyakarta from Batam.

There are also two weekly flights to Johor Bahru in Malaysia by Riau Airlines [6] (Batam airport office Tel: +62-778-761551; Johor Bahru airport office Tel: +60-7-599 4500 Ext 1113). Flights every Friday and Sunday, RM76 one-way from Johor Bahru before taxes. Flights depart Batam at 11AM while on return flights, they depart Johor Bahru at 1315.

If you want to catch flights from Singapore's Changi Airport, you must be on a ferry to Singapore at least three hours before departure time. See "By boat" section below for details.

[edit] By boat

The main ports on Batam are Batam Centre, Sekupang, Waterfront City, Nongsapura and Telaga Punggur. Harbor Bay is now the main international ferry port for those heading for Nagoya, replacing the old Batu Ampar ferry terminal. Batam Center Ferry Terminal has the most frequent ferry connections to/from Singapore and Johor Bahru. Sekupang, with ferries from Singapore is best used for those catching domestic connections to the Sumatra mainland and the Karimun Islands. Waterfront City and Nongsapura mostly serve adjacent resorts while Telaga Punggur is the main ferry terminal for boats to and from Bintan

  • To/From Singapore: Ferries departing from the Harbourfront Ferry Terminal go to Batam Centre, Sekupang and Waterfront City (Teluk Senimba) while ferries from the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal serve Nongsapura.
    • From Harbourfront: Ferry operators include:
      • Penguin [7] (Tel: +62-778-467574 in Batam Centre; +62-778-321636 in Sekupang; +62-778-381280 in Waterfront City; +65-62714866 in Harbourfront). S$23/40 one-way/return (Nov 2009). Virtually hourly ferries to Batam Centre and Sekupang, fewer ferries to Waterfront City.
      • Dino/Batam Fast [8] (Tel: +62-778-467793/464666 in Batam Centre; +62-778-325085/6 in Sekupang; +62-778-381150 in Waterfront City; +65-62700311 in Harbourfront). Also hourly ferries to Batam Centre, fewer ferries to Sekupang and Waterfront City. S$26/40 one-way/return (Oct 2007).
      • Indofalcon [9] (Tel: +65-62783167 in Harbourfront). This company does not operate to/from Sekupang
      • Berlian/Wave Master (Tel: +65-65468830 in Singapore)
    • From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal: Ferries operated by:
      • Dino/Batam Fast [10] (Tel: +62-778-761071 in Nongsapura, +65-65426310 in Tanah Merah FT). Several ferries daily to/from Nongsapura.

  • To/From Malaysia: Ferries link Johor Bahru with Batam Centre. There are virtually hourly departures betweem 0750 and 1840 from JB to Batam, and between 0750 and 1720 from Batam to JB. Tickets cost RM60/95 one-way/return before taxes to/from JB. For more information, call Tenggara Senandung [11] (Tel: +60-7-2211677) in Johor Bahru. Ferries also operate between Batam Centre and Tanjung Belungkor in Johor.

  • To/From Bintan:
    • The main port for ferries between the capital city of Riau Islands Tanjung Pinang at the island Bintan and Batam is Telaga Punggur at the southeastern end of Batam:
    • Baruna (Tel: +62-778-479162 in Telaga Punggur; +62-771-28578 in Tanjung Pinang) and Sentosa operate speedboats between Telaga Punggur and Bintan's main town Tanjung Pinang virtually every 15 minutes during daylight hours. Tickets cost Rp.25,000 - Rp40,000 excluding port taxes (Rp.5,000).
    • Frequent speedboats also run between Telaga Punggur and Tanjung Uban on the western part of Bintan.
    • Getting there/away: Official taxis from Batam Centre to Telaga Punggur cost Rp65.000. On the reverse way, it's Rp. 60.000. You can try and bargain for a lower rate with taxis outside the port area (Batam centre to Telaga Punggur may cost Rp.50.000). Passenger vans or mikrolet (know as Metro Trans by the locals) run between Telaga Punggur and Jodoh/Nagoya. Mind you, they will go back & fro to wait until their van is full before they really depart.
    • Boats to/from Tanjung Pinang also call at Sekupang at the northeastern part of Batam when going to or coming from the Sumatra mainland such as to Dumai and Pekanbaru, as well as Karimun Island. These are however not as frequent as those leaving from Telaga Punggur. To get to Sekupang, please see following section.
  • To/From Sumatra mainland, other Riau Islands: Batam's main domestic port is Sekupang, where you can ferries to/from the Sumatra mainland and other Riau Islands west of Batam. You can also use Sekupang for ferries to/from Bintan but the bulk of ferries to that island leave from Telaga Punggur (see "From Bintan" section above). Getting there/away: Numerous taxis make the run between Sekupang and Nagoya. There is also a public minibus service between Sekupang and Batam Center as well as Nagoya.
    • To/From Karimun Island: Regular ferries operate between Tanjung Balai on Karimun and Sekupang. Some of the ferries originate from the Sumatra mainland or Kundur Island. Boats also stop at Tanjung Balai when going from Sekupang to Sumatra or Kundur.
    • To/From Dumai: Several companies, including Dumai Express operates several ferries daily to/from Sekupang. Most of these ferries originate from Tanjung Pinang, the main town on Bintan, and also make a stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun Island after making a stop at Sekupang.
    • To/From Kundur Island: Several ferry companies run daily between Sekupang and Tanjung Batu on Kundur. These ferries also make a stop at Tanjung Balai on Karimun enroute.
    • Other ferry destinations include Pekanbaru, Selat Panjang, Bengkalis and Tanjung Buton in Riau, and Kuala Tungkal in Jambi province.

  • From other parts of Indonesia: Pelni ships which serve various ports throughout Indonesia call at Sekupang.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By taxi

There are plenty of taxis in Batam but none of them charge using the meter. Two kinds of Taxis are available in Batam - Legal & Illegal - i.e. Licensed and not licensed. Prefer the Yellow plate cabs - they are licensed. You will need to bargain with the drivers. There is no standard price for the taxis in Batam. The taxi drivers are desperate for customers so you always have the bargaining option. I simply made the price half and sometimes even less. They may ask you about Rp. 100.000 but simply say Rp. 40.000 or Rp. 50.000. and then walk on if they don't agree. they will automatically come to you. In fact I went about 5 places in Batam for about Rp. 200.000. The taxi conditions are not that good so don't expect seat belts and a smooth ride.

Sample fares for reference: Telaga Punggur to Batam Centre (Rp. 50.000, 25 min). Nagoya to HarbourBay ferry terminal at Batu Ampar (Rp. 20.000, 8 min). Sekupang to Batam Centre (Rp. 50.000)

Coming soon, taxis will start using meters, in an effort by the mayor to make Batam more tourist-friendly.

[edit] By Minibus (Metro Trans)

Metro Trans in Batam
Metro Trans in Batam

Fixed route plies between Jodoh and Telaga Punggur (Rp. 3.000 - Rp. 4.000). Sample fares for other destinations are as follows:

  • Jodoh to Sembulang via Sukajadi Rp. 9.500
  • Jodoh to Galang Baru via Sukajadi Rp. 12.000
  • Dapur 12 to Mukakuning Rp. 3.000
  • Dapur 12 to Jodoh via Sukajadi Rp. 4.000

[edit] By bus

Recently, Batam local government (known as pemerintah) started a bus service known as "Bus Pilot Project". The blue colour bus plies between Batam Center and Batu Aji for Rp. 4.000 and Batam Center to Sekupang Rp. 4.000. Buy your ticket from the personnel before boarding.

Most hotels run shuttle buses during the day to the ferry ports and to the main shopping mall. It seems that none run a shuttle to airport.

You can hop into a free shuttle bus (yellow in colour) from Megamall Batam Center to the major hotels in Nagoya or Jodoh.

[edit] By car

The Kijang, which is generally everywhere in Indonesia, is strangely absent in Batam. Your hotel may be able to arrange a car and driver for you, but be prepared to pay Rp 100.000 or more, which is almost double the rate in Jakarta.

[edit][add listing] See

There are some places in Batam that are quite beautiful and not-to-be missed.

  • Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque), Beautiful mosque

located at Batam Centre

  • Melur Beach, Nicer beach on Galang, but getting polluted
  • Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya, Buddhist Temple

located in Sungai Panas, on the way from Batam Centre to Nagoya

  • Holiday resorts on Nongsa Beach

[edit][add listing] Do

The Waterfront City area of Batam is on the western side of the island. There are several attractions & activities available in this area, such as water & sea sports activities, a fishing pond, kart racing track, a football field, as well as a beach for swimming or playing with the kid’s. There is also a cable ski park for the adventerous, and just recently in 2009 a flying fox has been installed.

Down at Barelang Islands, connected to Batam by a series of 6 bridges, there are many good beaches, as well as an old Vietnamese refugee camp, that was occupied for 20 years by Vietnamese boat people, and has now been restored as a tourist attraction. This is also a favorite route for cyclists.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Batam has plenty of eating out choices, including great Chinese seafood in the outdoor food courts, such as the Windsor and Nagoya Food Courts and A1 Pujasera.

  • For seafood over the water, try Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant in Bengkong. They are famous for their seafood.
  • In the Nagoya area behind Harmoni Hotel, there are dozens of bars that serve Western pub food; try the pizza at Wallabie's, about Rp. 80,000 for a large.
  • For authentic Balinese roasted pork, visit Warung Bali in Batam Center. They have fresh babi guling every Saturday after 11:00.
  • All of the major hotels have restaurants, some better than others. If you come during Ramadan (In August-September), you have your choice of all-you-can-eat buffets of traditional Indonesian fare from every major hotel; prices range from about Rp. 45,000-75,000.

[edit][add listing] Drink

City authorities claim that Batam's tap water is drinkable, but the rusty color puts some people off. Most people choose to stick with bottled water anyway, about Rp. 10,000 for a 5-gallon jug.

Carlsberg and Guinness are produced locally, as well as Bintang and Tiger beer. Most places have Heineken on tap. Imported beers, such as Corona are available, but prices are high. A normal draft beer should be no more than Rp.23,000.

Wine is available from the duty-free store in Harbor Bay, but not at most bars.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Much of Batam's accommodation is in Nagoya.

Upon arrival in the ferry terminal (Batam Centre) you may chose to go to the Hotel Reservation Counter, they will have numerous options for the 3+ star hotels in on the island. These may give you a slightly better value than booking directly with the hotel itself so it is not a scam. In addition however there are budget options available in the town that will not be represented at this hotel counter and not found anywhere online. Heading into Nagoya Town can give you some opportunity to seek out options like this. For instance, there is a hotel available near the Nagoya Hill shopping center and also the Hotel Astro noted below located not far from that shopping center.

  • Golden View Hotel Batam, Jl. Bengkong Laut, +62 778 771 7777, Fax. +62 778 771 7000, Email: fomanager@hotelgoldenview.com, [12]. From S$82.
  • Holiday Inn Resort Batam, Waterfront City, ☎ +(62-778) 381333 (fax: +(62-778) 381332), [13]. From S$120.  edit
  • Panorama Regency Hotel, Jalan Raja Haji, ☎ +(62-778) 433555 (fax: +(62-778) 433777). S$85.  edit
  • Planet Holiday Hotel, Jalan Raja Haji, ☎ +(62-778) 433555 (fax: +(62-778) 433777), [14]. S$85.  edit
  • Hotel 01, ☎ (+62) 778463633, [15]. Hotel 01 is located at Batam Center. It is an easy access to many interesting places namely Batam Centre Ferry Terminal, Masjid Raya, and Mega Shopping Mall. It offers Superior, Standard, and Deluxe air-conditioned rooms, all of which have cable television, private toilet and bath, and telephone. SGD $23.97+.  edit
  • Sky View Hotel, Palm Spring, Sungai Panas, Batam Center. Standard Room: 140,000-160,000 (All with A/C, Hot Shower, and TV) Take Metro Trans from Mega-Mall towards Bengkong. Good location and nice room. Free breakfast of one choice: nasi kuning and tea or coffee.  edit
  • Hotel Astro, Complex Baloi Kusuma Indah No. 1-2-3 : Penuin Centre, ☎ +(62-778) 431891 (fax: +(62-778) 431892). RP100.000.  edit

[edit] Stay safe

Batam is generally safe during the daytime hours, but at night if you are in the entertainment areas of Nagoya you should exercise caution. Do not walk alone at night, if you want to leave somewhere and it is late, find someone else who is leaving or about to leave, or stay until it closes and then all go together. If you really have to get back to your hotel call the hotel and have them send a car to pick you up. As the taxis are not regulated or owned by a central group (like Bluebird in Jakarta) you may not be safe hiring a taxi off the street either. Walking in groups or two or three is probably okay but do not get into discussions with the locals as you may be asking to have your wallet or purse taken from you. If this happens, don't chase, just walk back to where you were or to the hotel and report to the police later.

Traveling safe is another matter. The roads around Batam are OK, but not maintained to the highest standard. The taxi drivers in particular delight in driving as fast as they can and they really like to overtake on a curve or bend. If you feel at all uncomfortable ask the driver to slow down, tell him you are not in a hurry, usually they are OK, although we did have to yell at one in Indonesian a few times to get him to drive safely.

I was told by our guide, if you have to drink it is always better to do it in your own hotel or a family restaurant-cum-bar. If you have to go to an ordinary bar, you must opt for a VIP room or you might land up in "ecstasy" which is nothing but drugs. There have been instances where drugs were put in one's bag unknowingly and then trap the visitor in the cop net where it will be really tough to "free" oneself unless you are a localite.

[edit] Get out

Batam, with its good ferry connections, is an excellent springboard to the other Riau Islands such as the Tanjung Uban and Kijang Bintan Island and the Sumatra mainland. Good air connections also make Batam a good place to get cheap air tickets to Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia.

[edit] Contact

  • The country code for Indonesia is 62. The area code for Batam is 778. To call Singapore from Wartel phone shop, please dial 007-65 follow by the phone no.
  • The General Post office (known as kantor pos in Bahasa Indonesia) is located at Batam Center, not far from the ferry terminal
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