Singapore’s Best Secret Cheap Getaway (Batam, Indonesia 2023 Update)

Batam is an island in Indonesia just a short ferry ride from Singapore, and it’s popular with local Singaporeans and Malaysians for a quick budget getaway. When I first researched Indonesia, I was surprised that there was not a ton of info about Batam on KZbin, so I see this as Singaporean's best-kept secret getaway.
My husband and I liked it for several reasons mentioned in this video. Batam Island is perfect for travelers who want to relax, eat, and do some shopping. We were not looking for major landmarks or exciting excursions per se with this trip, but we loved our visit! Watch this to see if it's right for you.
MY TRAVEL WORKSHOP (UPDATE):
The workshop was already held, and I had a great time with you guys! I don't have other workshops planned this year, but I'm working on an online course for new travelers, so tell your friends, and stay tuned!
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[@toademperor407]

What is the name of that resort? It's beautiful.

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Batam View Beach Resort - I did a full review of this resort in this video with price and address: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joKvfmVpq6mUhrs

[@toademperor407]

@@TheNomadicFoodie thank you! Gonna visit there one day 😁

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

You’re welcome, I hope you get to enjoy it. Happy travels! ✈️

[@juniorjeanpierre9218]

Another awesome video, great job Cat!!

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Thanks so much bro!

[@RIZFERD]

Time to visit beloved belated Maternal Grandma's Grave in Batam, East Sumatra next to Singapore 2011 the last time I spoke to Her through the phone while I was living in Bali, Miss You Grandma Fun facts: Indonesia, leader of G20 (Great 20 nations worldwide) 2022 and ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asia's Nations. Real size of present day Indonesia is Huge as Russia, The Real Global Superpower, World's Richest Natural Resources even only Our Oil and Gas are much more than whole Middle East. World Map is Inaccurate since Mercator projection 1569. Indonesia was much much bigger before Western world came originally covering present day 78 years old Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia (Man on Ringgit Malaysia is one of our Forefathers, One of Kings of Our Minangkabau West Sumatra Indonesia settled Negeri Sembilan Kingdom Malaysia), Singapore (also the Man on Singaporean Dollar, and Singaporean National Anthem Writer and Composer from my beloved belated Mother's birth place Bukittinggi West Sumatra), Brunei, The Philippines (Mindanao and Manila City were founded by our Forefathers Kings of Minangkabau Sumatra Indonesia before Spaniards came), South Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and Madagascar Africa.

[@fnm249sawtoo]

Grand Batam is not a new mall. It's a new building, but in the same spot. Basically Grand Batam got renovated from a supermarket called Top 100 and that old building is my childhood. It got renovated because the old buildings wall is cracked and the crack is so dangerous that they have to shut down the building until the crack is fixed. And because the crack fix is more expensive than to renovate, so they just Kool-Aid Man-ned that old building, rebuild it, and here we go, modern day Grand Batam

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Interesting background, thanks for sharing! We enjoyed shopping and eating there 😋

[@user-it8yn5zg2t]

Nope, the old Top 100 was 2 storey building. It was totally demolished and the new Grand Batam Mall is built in the same place and expanded much bigger and more floors. Totally brand new building on old Top 100 small building mall

[@fnm249sawtoo]

@@user-it8yn5zg2t as I said, a new building, but on an old spot

[@Bashirachakzai]

Great info

[@tainaphua1901]

thanks for the helpful information....this will encourage me to make a trip to Batam in my next visit home.

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Always welcome! ☺️ I can see why it’s popular with local Singaporeans and Malaysians, we really enjoyed our visit.

[@RIZFERD]

Time to visit beloved belated Maternal Grandma's Grave in Batam, East Sumatra next to Singapore 2011 the last time I spoke to Her through the phone while I was living in Bali, Miss You Grandma Fun facts: Indonesia, leader of G20 (Great 20 nations worldwide) 2022 and ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asia's Nations. Real size of present day Indonesia is Huge as Russia, The Real Global Superpower, World's Richest Natural Resources even only Our Oil and Gas are much more than whole Middle East. World Map is Inaccurate since Mercator projection 1569. Indonesia was much much bigger before Western world came originally covering present day 78 years old Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia (Man on Ringgit Malaysia is one of our Forefathers, One of Kings of Our Minangkabau West Sumatra Indonesia settled Negeri Sembilan Kingdom Malaysia), Singapore (also the Man on Singaporean Dollar, and Singaporean National Anthem Writer and Composer from my beloved belated Mother's birth place Bukittinggi West Sumatra), Brunei, The Philippines (Mindanao and Manila City were founded by our Forefathers Kings of Minangkabau Sumatra Indonesia before Spaniards came), South Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and Madagascar Africa.

[@gennasantos9231]

Wow

[@LA-ct7hg]

Hi, do you have the list of restaurants you’ve visited on this vlog? Thanks!

[@csneo8482]

Great video 🎉

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Thank you so much! Feel free to share this with anyone traveling to SE Asia ☺️

[@user-it8yn5zg2t]

Actually, there is no flight from Johor or Singapore to Batam. Do you know why? Because the plane will have to descent straight away after take off, as the distance is really close. Anyway, you can fly to Batam from Subang Malaysia

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Thank you for the tip. I think it's a great trip to do the three countries together since they're so close. We're loved our travels there!

[@jimikerwinlorio8438]

How did you book your hotel?

[@rahimsumadi5107]

Distinction. Basic travel to Batam expression. ☺️. With confidence and without fearful and energy enjoyment unlimited. 😅😅

[@KironManuelCards]

I took my first unaccompanied flight when I was 11 years old. I have lived in India, Malaysia and Singapore. I never knew about Batam. Soon I will visit Batam

[@RIZFERD]

Time to visit beloved belated Maternal Grandma's Grave in Batam, East Sumatra next to Singapore 2011 the last time I spoke to Her through the phone while I was living in Bali, Miss You Grandma Fun facts: Indonesia, leader of G20 (Great 20 nations worldwide) 2022 and ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asia's Nations. Real size of present day Indonesia is Huge as Russia, The Real Global Superpower, World's Richest Natural Resources even only Our Oil and Gas are much more than whole Middle East. World Map is Inaccurate since Mercator projection 1569. Indonesia was much much bigger before Western world came originally covering present day 78 years old Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia (Man on Ringgit Malaysia is one of our Forefathers, One of Kings of Our Minangkabau West Sumatra Indonesia settled Negeri Sembilan Kingdom Malaysia), Singapore (also the Man on Singaporean Dollar, and Singaporean National Anthem Writer and Composer from my beloved belated Mother's birth place Bukittinggi West Sumatra), Brunei, The Philippines (Mindanao and Manila City were founded by our Forefathers Kings of Minangkabau Sumatra Indonesia before Spaniards came), South Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and Madagascar Africa.

[@coolprinceofbaroda]

How to get the visa?

[@julianchi30]

Beautiful place

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

Yes we loved it there! ☺️ Indonesia has so many beautiful islands to explore, and this is a good starting point when coming from Malaysia or Singapore.

[@RIZFERD]

Time to visit beloved belated Maternal Grandma's Grave in Batam, East Sumatra next to Singapore 2011 the last time I spoke to Her through the phone while I was living in Bali, Miss You Grandma Fun facts: Indonesia, leader of G20 (Great 20 nations worldwide) 2022 and ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asia's Nations. Real size of present day Indonesia is Huge as Russia, The Real Global Superpower, World's Richest Natural Resources even only Our Oil and Gas are much more than whole Middle East. World Map is Inaccurate since Mercator projection 1569. Indonesia was much much bigger before Western world came originally covering present day 78 years old Republic of Indonesia, Malaysia (Man on Ringgit Malaysia is one of our Forefathers, One of Kings of Our Minangkabau West Sumatra Indonesia settled Negeri Sembilan Kingdom Malaysia), Singapore (also the Man on Singaporean Dollar, and Singaporean National Anthem Writer and Composer from my beloved belated Mother's birth place Bukittinggi West Sumatra), Brunei, The Philippines (Mindanao and Manila City were founded by our Forefathers Kings of Minangkabau Sumatra Indonesia before Spaniards came), South Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and Madagascar Africa.

[@antoniomorais1503]

Hello, Great video ! Few questions: 1) How many days do you recommend to spend in Batam ? 2) Can I buy a SIM Card at the harbor upon arrival in Batam ? 3) Are the nice beaches far from the the Batam Nagoya area ? Thank you so much for your help. Take care !

[@ocibala]

Do we need to exchange Indonesia Rupiah cash, or top up ewallet during the trips?

[@TheNomadicFoodie]

We had to exchange cash, which I would recommend just to be safe. Also, most of the vendors told us they prefer Singapore dollars more than American dollars. Hope that helps!

[@CitiZenFree-pz8ts]

I'm sorry the coffee tasted just like Starbucks. That's pretty bad.