This Batam travel guide will give you an idea of what to expect in this small island located in the north east of Riau province. Batam is a wonderful place to explore. Here are a few tips to make your holiday a memorable one.

Getting In and Around

This little island is accessible by air, land and water. Batam is served by the Hang Nadim International Airport (BTH). You also have the option to take a boat ride and enter Batam through its main ports and the Batam Center ferry terminal. These ports offer ferry routes to Johor Bahru, Singapore, Sumatra, Karimun Island and Bintan. Getting around the island is easier if you rent a vehicle. You can also make use of the local transport. The bus or the Metro Trans Mini-Bus that are routed to Jodoh and Telaga Punggur are good options. Taxis are also available, though they may be a bit more expensive.

Accommodations

Batam has several options when it comes to accommodation. You can choose either budget, 3-star or luxury accommodation. Several places offer accommodation for less than $100. You can try Golden View Hotel that offers rooms for $80 per night. The Panorama Regency Hotel and the Planet Holiday Hotel both offer rooms for $85 per night. Groups or couples may wish to use resort apartments which offer great value and can reduce the price to around $20 each when sharing, check out  Coconut-Golf, or Batam holiday apartment for more info.

Attractions

There are lots of things to do and places to visit in Batam. One of the most popular attractions is the Waterfront City area, which offers great water sports activities, as well as go-kart racing and more. The Barelang Island and the Ocarina Water Park are two places worth visiting. If you are looking for great architecture and historical spots you can go to the Batam center. The Mesjid Raya (Grand Mosque) and the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya (Buddhist Temple) are places that are interesting.

Night Outs

If you are looking for nightlife and entertainment, you can go to the Nagoya district in Batam. Several karaoke bars such as Lucky Plaza, Permata Indah and Kompleks Cipta Utam are located here. If you like to dance and party, popular pubs and nightclubs such as Jungle Diskotik, Ice Club, Ozon Discotheque and Planet Ozon are great spots where you might want to go.

Dining

Batam has several fine restaurants where you can enjoy some great cuisine. If you want to enjoy the Batam fast-food experience, the best places are the A1 Pujasera, Windsor and the Nagoya Food Courts. If you want fine dining then don't miss out on going to the Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant in Bengkong, for some fresh seafood dishes.