Batam, Indonesia was a quiet coastal backwater, far from central Jakarta, at the forgotten edge of Indonesia. This dramatically changed in 1989, when the duty free and export zone was established. Although Batam has lost some of its economic luster to the Chinese and Vietnamese in the 2000s, the 80s and 90s was a period of dramatic transformation. The new Hang Nadim Airport, good class hotels, restaurants and entertainment complexes mushroomed all over Batam island. Batam became the Singaporeans’ playground. The golf courses are busy on every weekend, and the huge hawker centre at Pujasera teems with fresh seafood and Singaporeans alike.

Batam has a deserved reputation for its seafood restaurants. Prawns, lobsters, green clams, and the local specialty “Gong Gong” are on offer at many restaurants. Gong Gong is a conch-shaped mollusc, boiled, extracted on a toothpick, and dipped into spicy hot sambal sauce.

Nights are usually spent at a discotheque or a karaoke bar. Alternatively, take time out from eating, shopping and your massage. You might find an interesting cultural performance at “Desa Seni” in Sekupang.

Most travelers to Batam stay around either Nagoya or Waterfront City. Sekupang is the usual port of entry if you are arriving by the ferries from Singapore’s WTC. Ferries to other domestic destinations leave from the pier next door. It is a 30min taxi ride to downtown Nagoya.

Nagoya (yes, it is named after the Japanese city), is the effective centre for the Batam traveler. You will find the best hotels in town, the inimitable Pujasera Hawker Centre, and of course numerous Spas offering sports massage.

Waterfront City on the west coast of Batam, south of Sekupang, is a magnet for thrill seekers. Thrills include bungee-jumping, and even indoor skiing. By night, the area comes alive with more than a handful discos and karaoke pubs. Not suitable for the faint hearted. Batam is a duty free zone. Alcohol and cigarettes are ridiculously cheap.

Overall, there is a distinct cowboy vibe to the whole Batam experience. Still, it’s a fun stopover for your Visa Run to and from Singapore.

Batam is also a busy port and industrial centre. Consequently, there are several good midpriced hotels in the city. Far better than you would find anywhere else in Sumatra.

It is also a great place to swing your golf clubs. Several fine courses are available at a fraction of Singapore prices. Do note that beach lovers will be disappointed. Swimming here is best done in the hotel pools.

The illegal casinos run by the syndicates have also shut down.

PRICE GUIDE    Hotel rooms under USD $ 50    Hotel rooms between USD $ 50 - $ 100     Hotel rooms above USD  $ 100 Book Batam Hotels at Discount rates online OUR CHOICE BATAM HOTEL LIST Planet Holiday (Jl. Raja Ali Haji - Sei Jodoh Batam-Batam-Other) The Planet Holiday Hotel Batam offers some of the best accomodation in Bata ...more Discounted luxury rooms in Batam from only $ 88 per night. Save 35% off rack rates. Nagoya Plasa Hotel Batam (Jl. Imam Bonjol, Lubuk Baja,Batam - Indonesia-Batam-Other) Hotel Nagoya Plasa in Batam is a conveniently located Nagoya Hotel that sti ...more Discounted hotel rooms in Batam for only $ 59 per night. Save 40% off rack rates. I Hotel (Jl. Teuku Umar Bukit Nagoya, Batam Indonesia-Batam-Other) The I hotel in Batam, Indonesian does a good job providing chic, stylish ro ...more Discounted luxury rooms in Batam from only $ 83 per night. Save 40% off rack rates. Grand Majesty Hotel (Jodoh Boulevard, Nagoya, Batam, Indonesia-Batam-Other) The Grand Majesty is starting to show its age Thankfully, the management is ...more Heavily discounted hotel rooms in Batam from nolly IDR 395.000 per night.Save 65% off rack rates Batam View Beach Resort (Jalan Hang Lekir, Nongsa, Batam Island - Indonesia-Batam-Other) The Batam View Beach Resort is only a few minutes from the Nongsa Ferry Ter ...more Discounted hotel rooms in Batam from only SGD 95 per night. Save 45% off rack rates Select Other Hotels that you like Java Hotels Bandung Hotels Bogor/Puncak Hotels Bromo Hotels Cirebon Hotels Jakarta Hotels Jepara Hotels Jogja Hotels Krakatau Hotels Malang Hotels Pangandaran Hotels Semarang Hotels Solo Hotels Semarang Hotels Bali Hotels Candi Dasa Hotels Jimbaran Hotels Jimbaran Hotels Legian Hotels Lovina Hotels Nusa Dua Hotels Nusa Lembongan Hotels Sanur Hotels Seminyak Hotels Tuban Hotels Ubud Hotels Other Island Batam Informations Flores Informations Kalimantan Informations Lombok Informations Papua Informations Sulawesi Informations Sumatra Informations Home Term & Condition About Us Traveler Tool Kit Getting Here Art And Culture Food Visa Money Geography Climate Site Map PT. Itrip Indonesia. Sampoerna Strategic Square, South Tower # 18 – 00 Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 45 – 46 Jakarta 12930 Copyright © 2009 PT. Itrip Indonesia All Rights Reserved.