One of the reasons many people choose
Singapore as a travel destination is that it’s a great place to sample Asia but
with zero hassle. All the transport works, English speakers don’t face a
language barrier and prices are still very reasonable compared to Western countries.
All that plus its strategic location makes it the perfect jumping off point for
other countries in the area.
The closest part of Indonesia to Singapore
is Batam. At only around 40 minutes boat ride from Singapore, this is one of
the most popular weekend destinations for Singaporeans. The island of Batam is
roughly the same size as Singapore but with about 4 million less people. One of
Indonesia’s big attractions is that it’s cheap. If the nightlife in Singapore
is destroying your bank balance, a night out in Batam could be the answer. With
cheap hotels and food you can have a huge night and not go broke. If a night on
the town is your objective then head to Nagoya where bars, clubs, restaurants
and small hotels are abundant. If you’re after something a little more
wholesome, on Batam you’ll have the opportunity to partake in any water sport
you can think of. Or if you prefer dry
land how about a round of golf at Talvas Golf and Country Club. One thing you
have to do in Batam is try some seafood. Caught daily in the surrounding
waters, all the prawns, lobsters and local fish are fresh as can be.
If you have a bit more money to spend and
feel like just kicking your feet up in a lush resort then Bintan Island is the
place to go. A 45-50 minute boat ride from Singapore will get you to the
northwest of the island, where beachfront resorts abound. At different times
during its long history, Bintan has been ruled by the Portuguese, the Dutch,
the Arabs, and the British. Although the culture left behind by these foreign
powers has left its mark; Bintan is more of a relaxation destination than a
cultural one. Another main attraction however, is the local fauna. Out of the
seven species of sea turtle in the world, six of them can be found in Indonesia,
with many frequenting Bintan. Also living on the island are eagles, kites and
monkeys. As mentioned most people come to Bintan to relax in one of the many
resorts. Although probably considered
not too expensive by world standards, most of the resorts aren’t cheap. However
they do provide world class luxury in a beautiful setting. So if you’re in
Singapore and really feel like treating yourself, a little bit of decadence is
only a short boat trip away.
These are the two closest locations in
Indonesia to Singapore. But getting to other places is hardly a stretch. With
many budget airlines it’s cheap and easy to get to most places. In fact Jakarta
is only a three hour flight from Singapore making a visit to the Indonesian
capital very feasible. Just remember to carry a US$10 note when arriving
anywhere in Indonesia as you’ll need that for your visa. Of course that’s
subject to change and there are different rules for different nationalities so
you should of course read up on all that stuff before you head off.
Boats to Batam leave Singapore from
HarbourFront while boats to Bintan leave from Changi.
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