Stay in Batam
Batam is located between Singapore (45 min) and Johor, Malaysia (90 min) which makes this city very strategic for international trade. Many local and overseas companies are set up here as this city is determined to be Industrial area by the Indonesia Government. Batam Municipality covers 3,990 km², of which 1,040km² is land including some land reclamation. However, Barelang (Batam, Rempang, Galang) Islands cover roughly 715 km² of that 1,040 km², and Batam island itself covers only about 410 km² out of the total. Most of the Municipal population resides on Batam island. As an Island, the city also has many bays, islets, and peninsulas, that offer a beautiful scenery of ocean.
Culture
Albeit Batam is multi-ethnic, Malay and islamic cultures are still the roots of local culture. Both everyday life and the ceremonies have spiritual and legendary passages that are expressed in dance, music, and various kinds of arts. Some of the most popular conventional dances are the unique Jogi Dance in Batam, the Zapin Dance which reflects a strong Arabic influence, Persembahan Dance to welcome the honorary visitors, and Ronggeng Dance in which visitors are invited to come back and become a part of the dance and song. The Mak Yong drama is a dance and tune efficiency which tells the story of a nation named “Riuh”, generally believed to be the origin of the name of Riau province.
Time Zone
Batam time is UTC / GMT + 7 hours or EST – eleven hours. It’s minus one hour difference to Singapore and Malaysia time.
Electricity Provide Voltage
In Batam, the electrical supply voltage is 220 volts, 50 Hz single part power. The plugs and sockets used are 2 pin or 3 pin, and use the British customary of plug. Plug and socket adaptors are available in retailers, you’re going to get multi-combination plug adaptors which can take nearly all types of plugs from the totally different requirements throughout the world. In case you have appliances from the USA (which use a hundred and ten volts) you could purchase a small transformer adaptor to make use of here.
Currency
The money use in Batam is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and is normally abbreviated to Rp. It is accessible in notes of Rp1,000, Rp.2,000, Rp5,000, Rp10,000, Rp20,000, Rp50,000 and Rp100,000. Singapore dollars (SGD) and United States dollars (USD) are additionally accepted in many of the motels, retailers and some restaurants(not all). Money changers, banks and accommodations can alternate foreign fore for Rupiah, you usually get among the best charges from the money changers. Credit cards are extensively accepted in accommodations, retailers and consuming locations in Batam
Transportation
Batam can be explored by several transportation such as Bus Trans Batam, taxi and Shuttle Bus. Public transport are recognized with yellow-plate-number on the vehicle. The other way to exlplore by using online apps transport such as Go-Jek or Grab.
Estimated Living Cost
Here are the details of estimated living cost, exclude the accommodation/homestay:
| Item | Amount |
| Accomodation (House) | From Rp.1.500.000-Rp.4.000.000/month |
| Accomodation (Room) | From Rp.500.000-Rp.2.000.000/month |
| Meals | Rp.15.000-30.000/Meal |
| Internet Data Package | From Rp.100.000 – Rp.200.000/month |
| Public transport (Trans Batam Bus) | Rp.4000/trip |
| Laundry | Rp.7.000-Rp.9.000/Kilogram |