Batam Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Batam
Batam
Batam
Photo by Botak Jon
Photo by Botak Jon

One of the largest parts of Indonesia’s Riau Islands, this scenic gem features an extraordinary bridge, a gigantic monastery and a picturesque waterfront.

Batam Island, one of the largest fragments in the Riau Islands chain, is home to a picturesque waterfront resort, a renowned Buddhist temple and an iconic bridge. It is among the fastest growing parts of the Indonesia islands. It is also home to many golf courses and an amusement park.

The island’s highlight is the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Buddhist Temple, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia. Explore 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of grounds, which contain five buildings. The main hall, the Graha Maitreya, has a capacity of 2,000 people. Take a guided tour of the complex and learn about its message of universal love.

The Barelang Bridge is a symbol of the emerging prosperity of the island. Visit the chain of six bridges of varied designs, which stretch across 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) of water. Capture photos of the majestic structure from the shops and restaurants on the waterfront.

Take the kids on the giant Ferris wheel by the ocean at Ocarina Park. Swim in the water park. Practise your swing at one of the six golf courses on the island.

Stay at one of the hotels in the Waterfront City complex. Enjoy the view of the ocean from your room. Sample the bars and restaurants of the hotels. Send your taste buds wild with some of the local dishes, such as ayam bawang, a blend of fried chicken, garlic, chilli and rice. Try the bak kut teh soup, made from pork ribs, herbs and soya sauce.

To get to the island, take a domestic flight to Batam’s Hang Nadim International Airport from nearby cities, such as Jakarta. You could also travel by boat to one of the island’s ports. Once on the island, get around by car, bus and taxi. The region remains hot and humid year-round, though it is far drier from May to October.

The enormous temple, fascinating bridge and scenic waterfront reveal Batam Island has much to offer on top of its emerging prosperity.

Montigo Resorts Nongsa
Montigo Resorts Nongsa
5 out of 5
Jl. Hang Lekir, Nongsa, Batam, Batam Island
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Batam. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (460 reviews)
"Tranquility, the view, and the hospitality and service of the staff in the resort. Quite far from city centre, but expensive food (though the food in Pantai is good & worth the money paid) and a lot of mosquitoes and lizards in the property. The state and condition of the furnishing and villa could ..."

Reviewed on 1 May 2025

Montigo Resorts Nongsa
Artotel Batam
Artotel Batam
3 out of 5
Jl Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja, Batam, Riau Islands
The price is NZ$76 per night from 5 Jun to 6 Jun
NZ$76
includes taxes & fees
5 June - 6 June
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Batam. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
Overall good but need to improve check in process.
"Comfy bed and clean room. The toilet is big too. Only thing that need to improve is the check in process. Should try to limit each check in to 5 mins. Otherwise it will be a long wait for guests to check in."

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2025

Artotel Batam
Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam
Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam
4 out of 5
Jl. Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Batam, Kepulauan Riau
The price is NZ$119 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
NZ$119
includes taxes & fees
17 June - 18 June
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Batam. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Hotel is right across from the Grand Batam mall which is argulably the newest and best mall in Batam. There are multiple massage and spa establishments nearby, and it is about a 15 minute cab ride from the ferry terminal. Hotel is new and feels that way. Only gripe I had was that the aircon didn't ..."

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam
Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam
4 out of 5
Jl. Pembangunan, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Batam, Kepulauan Riau
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Batam. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Hotel is right across from the Grand Batam mall which is argulably the newest and best mall in Batam. There are multiple massage and spa establishments nearby, and it is about a 15 minute cab ride from the ferry terminal. Hotel is new and feels that way. Only gripe I had was that the aircon didn't ..."

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam
Meisterstadt Pollux Habibie
Meisterstadt Pollux Habibie
3.5 out of 5
Pollux Habibie Apartment, Tower A1, Batam
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Batam. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Batam Centre Ferry Terminal and Harbour Bay ...
"We arrive early from the ferry and no one was speaking English in our tower. Rafa was receptionist in tower 1 and was Amazing helping us move in. She explain the deposit issue and the wait for our move in. She found us a guide Lonbam and made our trip excellent. Later on akbar in tower 2 was also ..."

Reviewed on 10 Nov. 2024

Meisterstadt Pollux Habibie
Woda Villa & Spa
Woda Villa & Spa
3 out of 5
Jl. Bengkong Laut, Tj. Buntung, Kec. Bengkong, Batam, Batam Island
Stay at this 3-star spa villa in Batam. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Batam Centre Ferry Terminal and Harbour Bay ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (31 reviews)
"Clean property and friendly staff!"

Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2025

Woda Villa & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Batam

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 75%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quality Golf courses and an authentic Indonesian experience.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

up grade the security

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We thought the beds were very comfortable and very good breakfasts with lots of choice. We had a great view and have no complaints with the staff whatsoever.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Taxi from Harbour Bay to Nagoya flat rate 30,000rp.

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