Travel Tips in Batam

BATAM NIGHT LIFE
Batam nightlife’s scene features bars, nightlifes, karaokes and discotheques. Nightclubs are mainly to be found in the bigger quality hotels usually with live bands and performers. Live music is occasional, but more likely disco or cable TV showing the sports channels. Most are aimed at ex-pats and visitors but some also attract regular local patronage. Some are popular spots for meeting local..

Shopping
Don’t expect to find such sophistication you may find in Singapore, though they are only some miles away. But Batam is duty free and the prices can be very cheap, a bit like Singapore and Hong Kong in the “good old days”. You may want to visit some of the shopping centers a little out of Nagoya like the malls at Batam Centre and Pambil (near Muka Kuning). Paintings, wood carvings, pottery, etchings..

Behaviors
Don’t stand in an aggressive manner, like with hands on hips or pointing directly at someone with your index finger) Don’t embarrass people, particularly in front of their subordinates, even in jest. Indonesians are not used to such behaviour and have great difficulty in accepting the loss of face it is considered to cause. Be careful with your ironic humour. This will go down like a lead balloon..