We recently went on a short 3D2N trip to Batam, Indonesia so we would like to share some of the preparations, food and places you may want to check out if you are planning to go there as well.
How To Get To Batam?
— Horizon Fast Ferry
To get to Batam from Singapore, we would recommend getting Ferry Tickets (Business Class) from Horizon Fast Ferry which cost around SGD58 per person. Note that you can enjoy Business Class Services like Priority Boarding and Departing as well as Lounge Service only during the Return Trip (Batam to Singapore)
Getting Around In Batam & Traffic Conditions
— Getting Around
Our suggestion is for you to hire a Private Driver for the duration of the trip and to get around you just need to share the places that you want to go or show the location on Google Map. Additionally, your driver may help you with the local language.
— Traffic Conditions
During our stay there, the traffic got really congested by around 6pm local time and every car tried to squeeze through with each other to get in front. So, plan your evening trip properly. In the day, traffic was okay and a good time to appreciate the driving skills of the locals there. Remember not to unwind the car windows as the roads tend to be dusty.
Currency Rate, WIFI & Payment Modes
— Currency Exchange Rate
Average exchange rate is 1 SGD to 11200000.00 IDR. You can make your exchanges at the shopping centres or you can make your exchanges first at the local money exchanges.
— Payment Modes
Cash is still widely accepted and at most commercial places like shopping centres, you may want to pay using Cards in Local Currency. For Multi-Currency Cards, you may want to consider using the ones from Wise or YouTrip. Note that local bank credit cards would usually charge an extra 3.25% Bank Fees.
— WIFI
Some of the stalls may offer Free WIFI Connection but may not be so secure and strong. We would suggest getting your own WIFI Hotspot for the duration of your trip. You may also need it in your car trip to show the Map Location.
>> Lazada: [Yoowifi] Indonesia 4G WiFi Rental Unlimited Data for Travel (Redeem By email)
Hotels To Stay In Batam
— Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay
We stayed at their Deluxe King Room for 2 nights. Average Price was at SGD 275 per night with Breakfast included. Location is near to the Harbour Bay Mall and there’s Sea View too for certain rooms. Clean and Comfortable Room and comes with all amenities. Buffet Breakfast was good as well!
>> Book Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay with Agoda
Videos
Key Video Highlights of our recent 3D2N Trip to Batam:
Food To Try In Batam
— Lee’s Cafe
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram
If you are into Teddy Bears, Lee’s Cafe is a place to visit and at the same time to try out their Korean, Western and Indonesian Food. We tried their Soup Kimchi Ramen with Egg (38K), Korean Boneless Chicken Mozzarella (78K), Japchae (45K), Hot Kopi Gula Aren (20K) and Ice Lemon Yakult Drink (35K). We liked the tender chicken meat taste and the japchae. Ramen soup was a bit on the saltier side. saltier. Coffee was a bit on the sweeter side as well (because of the word Gula).
— Teras Cafe
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram
Tera’s Cafe is a good place to have steaks especially in the evening where the whole place is dimly lit except for candles on each table. We tried their Sirloin Cafe De Paris (288K) and Tomyam Soup (68K). A good show was put on for the Sirloin Steak where they set the whole plate on fire when served and it burnt like for 10 good seconds. Meat and sauce were quite tasty and the Tomyam soup taste was quite authentic.
— Montato (Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall)
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram | Website
Montato is a popular food brand under the Dum Dum Group and is known for its Crunchy and Tasty Japanese Fries. We tried the Seaweed Mayo Byte Fries (27K) which was prepared on the spot so it took some time. The Byte Size made it easier for us to eat on-the-go and the seaweed mayo combination was nice. Potato was not oily and the crunchiness level was like a 5/10.
— Marugame Udon (Grand Batam Mall)
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram | Website
Marugame Udon is a popular Halal Japanese Udon and Tempura Restuarant with many outlets across Indonesia. We were lucky to be there early as there was a huge crowd during Lunch Hour. We tried their Teriyaki Abura Udon (58K), Nori Tempura (15K) and Ebi Tempura (19K). Serving size was rather small. We liked the crunchiness of their Tempura bits, the tender teriyaki chicken and the smoothness of their hand-crafted Udon.
— Harbour Bay Seafood Restaurant
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram
Harbour Bay Seafood Restaurant is good place to try out a variety of dishes while glancing out to the sea and listening to live music (after 7 pm). We tried their Fish Maw Soup (110K), Kailan (50K), Gong-Gong (90K), Steamed Shell (90K), Bintang Beer Can (25K) and Watermelon Juice (32k). Food was fresh, serving size generous enough but taste could be better for some of the dishes.
— Lamoist Layers Cake & KFC Perkedel
Lamoist is one of their famous local brands and their Original Lamoist Layer Cake is a must-try. Website
KFC in Indonesia also offers something different and that’s their Perkedel, a kind of Vegetable Fritters made from Mashed Potatoes. Website
Places To Visit In Batam
— Level Up Coffee and Floating Bar
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram | Website
Level Up Coffee and Floating Bar is a good place to chill with friends by sitting around their mini Bean-Bags and listen to local music while enjoying drinks and snacks. We were there in the afternoon and we tried their Banana Honey Bee (35K) and Kopsus Level Up (25K). Drinks were pretty much okay. We managed to sit around the bean bag table (mosquitoes…) before changing to their high-chairs area overseeing their Floating Bar (and a good place to see the setting Sun). The stay was rather short as it suddenly rained heavily and there’s not much of a shelter around.
— Vihara Budhi Bhakti (大悲佛堂)
Find them on: Google Maps
Vihara Budhi Bhakti (大悲佛堂) is believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist Temples in Batam. A big place to visit with many serenity and photogenic spots.
— Coastarina
Find them on: Google Maps
Coastarina is a Theme Park-like place with Rides, Playgrounds and Shops but most were closed when we were there. Nonetheless, we still managed to spend like an hour over there enjoying the windy breeze along the coastline, the sea view and attempting to go up this staircase that’s shaped like a Hand. The going up part was okay except for the doing down the narrow staircase when there were no handles to hold on to. Note that there’s an entrance fee of around 10K per person. Cash only.
— Sport Massage Center & Spa
Find them on: Google Maps
Sport Massage Center & Spa is a great massage outlet where you can find good (clean) services at reasonable pricing and many Singaporeans. We went there twice on separate days – once for Foot Massage (around 180k, 1.5 hrs per person) and the second for Shoulder & Back. It would be good to reserve a timeslot with them (ask your driver to call and book) else you may need to wait for quite some time if they are fully booked.
— Altitude Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Find them on: Google Maps | Instagram | Website
Altitude Rooftop Bar & Lounge is located at the rooftop level (Level R) of Batam Marriott Hotel Harbour Bay and a good place to get a city view of Batam. They serve wide range of drinks and small bites. We tried their Vacation Vibes Drink (Bacardi, Malibu, Triple Sec, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice and Rosella Extract) (148K) & Muhallabia (85K) – a kind of milk pudding.