Travel Tips in Batam

DOs & DONTs
Do ensure your passport and valuables are placed in a safe or safety box at your hotel. Carry a photocopy of your passport identification pages and your entry/departure card in case you are asked for ID by the police or some other authority. Don’t carry or displaying large sums of cash and be a little wary when using and leaving ATM machines (take a look at who might be watching and waiting – if..

Dining
Batam is an island so it is not surprising that seafoods play a major part in most local cuisines. Try the local fare – it is different, very cheap and very tasty. Be aware too that the Chinese or Thai dishes with which you think you are familiar may be somewhat different here, often delightfully so. Pujasera are outdoor food courts with a number of warung (small stall-like kitchens) serving meals..

GETTING AROUND
The main modes of travel are taxis (“official” and “unofficial”), ojeks (motor cycle taxis which you can hire to take you to your destination as a pillion passenger), privately operated mini-buses and walking. There are no becaks or bemos, so common in some Indonesian towns and cities. If you are bold enough and maybe just a little crazy, there's also driving yourself! Step out your hotel door,..