Indonesia is a very big country, and to see every part of it requires a lot of time, which not all of us have the luxury of having. If there are just two places you should visit here, especially if you’re coming from Singapore, then the answer is Bali and Bintan. One is recommended due to its unique cultural offerings compared to the rest of Indonesia, and the other for its sheer proximity to Singapore. Let’s learn a little bit about each destination.
Bali is arguably Indonesia’s most popular tourism centre, with most travellers at least coming here even if they have not ventured to other parts of the nation. Compared to the rest of Indonesia, Bali’s people are mostly Hindu, whereas the main religion is Islam in the rest of Indonesia. While Hinduism is a religion that is practised elsewhere in the world as well, Bali’s blend of Hinduism with ancient local rituals is different from the rest and this is apparent from many of Bali’s tourist attractions.
Bali offers not only exquisite cultural tourist attractions such an abundance of temples and dance performances; it also has nature offerings of many types. Climb the majestic Mount Agung, take a long walk at Campuhan Ridge, immerse yourself in the beauty of the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, and more. If you are bringing family and want to do active things together, the water sports at beaches and a variety of parks to visit such as the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park, Bali Safari and Marine Park, Bali Zoo, and other similar Bali tourist attractions are sure to keep the entire family entertained.
With such a wide range of things to do, it should be no surprise why Bali is a must-visit for anyone visiting Indonesia. At the very least, are you not curious what the hype is about? Because you should be!
For Singaporeans not to visit Bintan is a waste, as this island paradise is located so close by! Just an hour’s ferry’s ride away (yes, you don’t even need a flight) from Singapore, Bintan may not be the most hyped place in the world, but it really does have its own quaint charm. The list of things to do in Bintan is definitely not as long as Bali, but this is actually a good thing; Bintan’s chill vibe is perfect for just destressing through beach visits, food, drink, and just having a laidback time getting to know the culture here.
However, that doesn’t mean that there are no things to do in Bintan; in fact, they are plenty of history-rich places to visit in this part of Indonesia too. Take a tour around Senggarang Village, which seems to have stopped in a moment in time decades ago, and is home to several interesting Buddhist temples. There’s also Penyengat Island, where you can explore attractions that are a remnant of the Johor-Riau sultanate of the past. Of course, there are plenty of seafood restaurants for you to eat in, and natural attractions for you to breathe in some fresh air. If you’re a golf enthusiast, then the multiple beautiful golf courses around Bintan are sure to keep you happy. As we said, there’s still plenty of things to do in Bintan!
We’re not denying that there are many other great parts of Indonesia that travellers can visit, but we feel that these two should definitely be on your bucket list. When you come to visit these two islands, consider staying with us in Club Med Bintan and Club Med Bali. Our all-inclusive package ensures that your needs are taken care of when you are on your getaways, and at the same time, you can expect the same level of warm hospitality at both our resorts. New experiences are great, but some consistency is wonderful too no matter where you go! We hope to see you soon!