Most outsiders know Bintan only for its resort row, where a weekend getaway usually involves sleepy days on a beach. But Bintan isn’t just about banana boats and seaside margaritas – beyond the pristine luxury retreats (mostly situated on the northern side of the island), there’s an entire island that’s also the largest land mass in Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago, a shipping hub and home to over 300,000 locals.
To get a taste of the authentic local life, the best place to start is the busy regional capital, Tanjung Pinang, located on the island’s west coast. It’s the port for most visitors coming from Singapore via the convenient 90-minute ferry ride from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (located near Changi Airport). But rather than hopping straight onto a shuttle ready to whisk you off to your resort, stick around for a bit and get a glimpse into everyday life at Tanjung Pinang, with its interesting blend of local Indonesian colour and good old grit.
The downtown area is easy to navigate on foot, but ojeks (motorbike taxis) can take you on short trips between destinations in town for as little as IDR2,500 ($0.25). Longer trips outside downtown require proper taxis, which can cost around IDR20,000 ($2) for a five-minute drive. You’re no longer in Singapore, so be sure to haggle tenaciously.
Here are some sights to check out around Tanjung Pinang – welcome drinks not included.
