If deer feeding, go-karting, and wakeboarding sound like enjoyable issues to do, this information will make you see Batam in a unique gentle!
I’ve all the time had the impression that Singaporeans go to Batam to eat and store (based mostly on my family members and buddies). But past that, I’m utterly clueless about what to do there.
Since I’ve by no means been there, I assumed: Why not try the island with a bunch of buddies?
To my shock, there are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Batam that don’t contain consuming or purchasing — comparable to climbing, go-karting, and exploring an deserted theme park!
So whether or not it’s your first or nth time, listed below are 9 issues you are able to do to make your subsequent getaway to Batam a bit totally different ????
1) Race Your Friends at Golden City Go-Kart
Calling all aspiring racers, showcase your driving abilities and problem your pals to an exhilarating race at Golden City Go-Kart!
My first go-karting expertise was an exhilarating one — I used to be stunned by how briskly the automobiles may go (as much as 80km/h). Even so, I felt secure as there have been a lot of house for manoeuvring alongside the circuit.
We went for the Gokart Super Car (Rp200,000/pax) however for many who want tandem racing, you possibly can go for a Gokart Double (Rp250,000/automobile) as an alternative.
*Pro-tip: Visit on weekdays to keep away from the gang and have the complete circuit to your self!
Cost: Rp200,000/pax (~S$18.20), Rp250,000/automobile (~S$22.70)
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM (Mon – Fri), 8AM – 9PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: 526R+W44, Jl. Bengkong Laut, Tj. Buntung, Kec. Bengkong, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
2) Explore the ‘Abandoned’ Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam
At Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam, they appear to take the that means of an amusement park actually. I imply, I used to be very amused (pun completely meant) to seek out an ‘abandoned’ amusement park once we arrived!
Of course, this isn’t an actual deserted theme park — we simply occurred to drop by on a day when rides weren’t working. But issues not going to plan is an element and parcel of our travels at The Travel Intern — so, we made essentially the most of getting the whole amusement park to ourselves!
Sit on unmanned rides, take Instagrammable pictures and chill by the shoreline — you identify all of it. All you gotta do is pay an entrance price of Rp25,000/pax (sure, even when rides aren’t working :’D).
But when you’re there for the rides, we heard from an area that it solely operates on some weekends and on particular holidays in Batam. So do verify the official Instagram web page for updates!
Entrance price: Rp25,000/grownup (~S$2.30)
Opening hours: 8AM – 10PM (Mon – Fri), 8AM – 11PM (Sat), 6AM – 10PM (Sun)
How to get there: Drive 12mins from Batam Centre Point International Ferry Terminal
3) Grab a Drink at Altitude Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Located on the very best ground of Batam Marriot Hotel Harbour Bay, Altitude is an open-air, cosy rooftop bar — the best place to spend the night with buddies over some drinks.
For those that like some music, there’s a DJ close to the sheltered Bartender’s nook. But when you want a quieter spot like us, we discovered a secluded open-air seating space on the opposite finish of the bar.
We suggest getting the Bartender’s Signature (Rp138,000/drink) — ours was an Apple Cider Cocktail and a Rum Cocktail. Both had been actually refreshing however what impressed us essentially the most was the aesthetic presentation ✨.
Opening hours: 5PM – 3AM (Tue – Sat), 4PM – 12AM (Sun), closed on Mon
Address: The Promenade, Jl. Duyung Blok 8F, Jodoh River, Batu Ampar, Batam City, Riau Islands 29453, Indonesia
4) Play Your Hearts Out at Belalang Adventure
Belalang Adventure gives among the most fun issues to do in Batam, together with flying fox, ATV experience, paintball wargames, archery and extra!
We wished to strive the flying fox (Rp60,000/pax) however it was closed for routine upkeep. So, we challenged one another to a recreation of archery (Rp60,000/pax for 15 arrows) and paintball taking pictures (Rp100,000/pax for 30 bullets) as an alternative.
*Pro-tip: Bring earplugs when you’re going for paintball taking pictures. The sounds produced by the gun could possibly be fairly loud for some.
FYI, kid-friendly arrows are additionally obtainable, making archery a terrific choice for households with younger youngsters. For good friend teams of as much as six, go for the three vs. three paintball conflict recreation (~S$22.50/pax for 60 bullets) — however be warned, it’s the proper recipe to make or break friendships!
*Pro-tip: Contact Belalang Adventure through WhatsApp at +62 812-7022-8879 earlier than heading down — to keep away from lacking out on actions as we did.
Cost: From Rp60,000 (~S$5.50)
Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM
Address: Golden metropolis, Bengkong Laut, Kec. Bengkong, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
5) Unwind at Absolute Spa
Break away from the stresses of day by day life and pamper your self with a visit to Absolute Spa. It’s solely a 4-minute drive from Grand Batam Mall and has numerous therapeutic massage choices starting from aromatherapy to conventional, foot, and extra.
Disclaimer: It was my first time getting a spa (stunning I do know), so I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. But go huge or go dwelling proper?
So I went straight for the excellent Full Glow Spa Package — an opulent 2-hour expertise which incorporates sauna entry, a milk tub, a foot tub, a physique scrub, and a physique masks!
As a specialty therapy, we may additionally select between ear candling, shoulder and again therapeutic massage, or totok wajah (face therapeutic massage) — my muscular tissues had been feeling tight so I picked the shoulder and therapeutic massage to unwind.
Besides the soothing spa expertise and distinctive therapeutic massage, the hospitality of the woman boss and workers additionally really made me really feel like royalty ????.
Cost: ~S$35.50/Full Glow Spa Package
Opening hours: 10 AM – 9:30PM (Mon – Fri), 10AM – 10PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: Ruko Penuin Blok OA No.12 – 12A, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja, Kota Batam, Kepulauan Riau 29444, Indonesia
6) Swim and Suntan at Sense Coffee and Pool
At Sense Coffee and Pool, you possibly can have a cup of espresso, suntan and swim all underneath a roof! While we didn’t have time to go for a dip within the pool, you should utilize it for an extra Rp50,000.
That mentioned although, we did make use of the free seaside chairs alongside the pool for a brief solar tan and even bought some work accomplished within the cafe (there are charging factors throughout)! Plus, the espresso right here is absolutely reasonably priced. I bought a cup of iced Americano for less than Rp22,000 — it tasted robust however wasn’t bitter.
Needless to say, we favored this place a lot that we in the end spent 2 hours right here suntanning, getting our day by day dose of caffeine and taking a lot of pictures!
Cost: From Rp22,000/cup of espresso (~S$1.90)
Opening hours: 10AM – 8PM (Mon – Sat), 9AM – 8PM (Sun)
Address: Komp. Centre Park No. 3, Taman Baloi, Batam Kota, Batam City, Riau Islands 29432, Indonesia
7) Get Your Dose of Water Sports at Batam Wakepark
Photo credit score: Batam Wakepark through Facebook
Forget dipping in swimming pools, when you’re in search of an exhilarating water exercise, head to Batam Wakepark at Golden City. Both newbie and skilled impediment programs can be found, so prepare for a splashing good time no matter your expertise degree!
This beginner-friendly park even has a two-tower cable system, the place riders are pulled alongside by two parallel ropes, making it simpler for newcomers to be taught the game. (this part is at the moment closed)
Cost: Rp100,000 (~S$9) for a 3hr expertise
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM, closed on Wed
How to get there: 13mins Grab experience from Batam Centre Point International Ferry Terminal
8) Catch the Sunset at Cheryl Signature Cafe
End your day by sitting again, enjoyable and catching the sundown at Cheryl Signature Cafe — a standalone seaside cafe at Golden City.
We cherished the general enjoyable vibe on the cafe, the place we lounged on vibrant bean baggage alongside the shoreline and listened to the waves crashing on the shore. While we had been solely right here for drinks, pasta and rice bowls are additionally served on the cafe.
Photo credit score: Cheryl Signature Cafe through Facebook
*Pro-tip: Remember to verify the climate forecast beforehand to catch the sundown — it was gloomy once we had been there :'(
Cost: From Rp25,000/drink (~S$2.30)
Opening hours: 7AM – 10PM
Address: Cheryl Signature Cafe, Bengkong Laut, Batam City, Riau Islands, Indonesia
9) Hike and Feed Deers at Panbil Nature Reserve
Perhaps essentially the most surprising factor to do in Batam was this — climbing at Panbil Nature Reserve — trek by a country forest, feed sambal deers, and even strive crystal searching within the wild!
Panbil gives 5 climbing packages, however we selected the simple Semar Hiking Trail (Rp250,000/pax) which was appropriate for everybody and even included interactions with sambal deers. Plus, the package deal additionally comes with a free meal voucher!
Our favorite elements on the path had been the surprises. One second it was swinging like Tarzan on a vine. The subsequent, competing in a recreation of throwing branches by a hoop.
But the largest shock was seeing our information pull crystals out of the bottom. He had a bag filled with them however refused to supply us any ideas for locating one… so we ended up buying one from him for Rp50,000 :’)
If you’re up for a problem, go for the Pandan (Rp300,000/pax) or Palawan (Rp350,000/pax) Hiking Trail — these trails have some uphill climbs alongside the best way and also you’ll nonetheless get to work together with sambal deers on the finish! For these with no real interest in feeding the sambal deers, select the Rotan Trail (Rp150,000/pax).
*Note: Contact Panbil by WhatsApp at +62 821-7368-1661 to guide a climbing tour. For extra info, try their Instagram web page.
*Pro-tip: Wear coated pants and a long-sleeve high, and buy an area mosquito repellent earlier than climbing at Panbil Nature Reserve. Repellents from Singapore don’t work towards the mosquitoes right here — we learnt it the onerous method, sadly.
Cost: Rp250,000/pax (~S$22.30) for a 3hr expertise
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10 PM (Mon – Fri), 9AM – 10PM (Sat – Sun)
Address: Jalan Kantong Semar, Panbil, Batam City, Indonesia
Tips for Planning Your Weekend Getaway to Batam
From adventurous hikes to having drinks at an open-air rooftop bar and getting pampered at a spa — we positive had a lot of enjoyable on our Batam getaway! While some issues didn’t go in line with plan (ahem empty amusement park), we tailored and made the many of the state of affairs.
Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless good to be ready. So listed below are some ideas for planning your weekend getaway to Batam:
1) Remember to guide your pre-trip necessities — together with the Sindo Ferry Round Trip Ferry Tickets between Singapore and Batam, and 4G e-SIM.
2) Download the Gojek app in your cellphone — it’s essentially the most handy and reasonably priced mode of transport in Batam. For occasion, a 15-minute journey to a close-by location prices simply Rp30,000 (~S$2.70) on common.
3) Exchange enough money in your journey — most exercise suppliers comparable to Panbil Nature Reserve, Golden City Go-Kart and Belalang Adventures solely settle for money. Money changers can be found at Harbourfront Centre the place you’ll catch your ferry to Batam.
4) Check the climate forecast — particularly when you plan to go for out of doors actions or catch the sundown.
5) Contact the exercise supplier upfront — to verify if the actions can be found throughout your go to. If not, benefit from the state of affairs like what we did at Mega Wisata Ocarina Batam amusement park ????
The subsequent time somebody says Batam is boring or tells you that there’s nothing to do in Batam aside from consuming and purchasing, share this text with them and alter their thoughts!
Looking for different quick weekend getaways? Check out our different guides and itineraries:
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– 5 Exciting Things to Do in Desaru Coast When the New Desaru Link Ferry Service From Singapore Begins on 7 July 2022
– JB Day Trip Itinerary — Where to Eat, Play and Shop Under S$65
– 3D2N Bintan Itinerary — The Perfect Fuss-Free Weekend Getaway
What different thrilling issues to do in Batam would you add to this record? Let us know within the feedback!