How To Spend 48 Hours On Bintan Island Indonesia

Those looking for more than idling by the beach, here is a great 48 hour-itinerary to explore Bintan Island, Indonesia.

For Singaporeans, Bintan is a convenient island getaway. For Indonesians, it’s an upscale resort destination unlike anywhere else in the country. This spot in Indonesia’s Riau Islands has something for everyone, whether you booked that ferry ride for outdoor adventures or fascinating cultural experiences. Here’s everything you need to try on a short weekend getaway to Bintan.

Day 1

08.00: ATV your way along the beach

Start the day right by getting yourself acquainted with Bintan’s amazing landscape at the helm of an ATV. Tourists can sign up for a session of this adventurous ride at most resorts, driving through jungles, hills and coastlines. This wild ride is perfect for couples, groups and even families. Tourists can start with an instructor before venturing off to conquer the muddy, challenging trails themselves.

2. 14.00: Leisure time at Crystal Lagoon

Amusement Park

Head to Treasure Bay, where endless activity options await. If you feel like chilling, lounge on the daybed or hover around on a unicorn float while sipping on cold drinks at Crystal Lagoon, a 60-hectare artificial saltwater pool. More energetic travellers can swim or try one of the watersports activities on-site.

3. Bintan Center Traditional Market

Farmers' Market, Market, Indonesian, Asian

In Bintan, tourists do not need to go further than the market to find scrumptious local food to try. A melting pot of cultures and communities, the island’s market has everything from street nasi goreng to Chinese dumplings. If you’re feeling adventurous, try to find gonggong: a delicious meal of snails native to Bintan.

Day 2

4. 06.00: Trikora Beach

Natural Feature

Trikora comprises four adjacent beaches with powdery white sands and turquoise waters. Tourists can try catching the glimmering sunrise early morning or simply aim for a casual stroll and chillouts at the beach cabana, sipping coconut ice and munching some traditional seaweed dodol. The beach is also popular for swimming, snorkelling and diving. Once Bintan’s main tourist hub, the nearby villages are inhabited by local fishermen and boat-makers.

5. 10.00: Visit the Thousand Face Temple

Buddhist Temple

a thousand statues, Buddist temple ksitigarbha bodhisattva

Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known for its magnificent statue garden, showcasing some 500 life-size figures. A grand Chinese-style Buddhist temple sits on the other side, occupied by even more impressive and gigantic statues. The shrines are open to those who come to pray, while other tourists are welcome to admire the unique statues and majestic architecture.

6. 12.00: Shop and eat at Tanjung Pinang

Building, Natural Feature

Beach at sunset, Bintan, Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, Indonesia

The capital city of the Riau Island archipelago makes a splendid spot to hunt for local crafts, sample traditional dishes and visit historical sites. The city is home to old colonial and traditional buildings, as well as landmarks and houses of worship scattered around the main strip of the town. Penyengat Island, an 18th century Sultanate fort town with the Grand Mosque, palace complex and historical monuments, is only 15 minutes boat ride from Tanjung Pinang’s coast.

7. 16.00: Sunset and dinner at Lagoi

Natural Feature, Shopping Mall

Lagoi is the new hip tourist hub on Bintan Island, dotted with modern establishments like shopping malls, restaurants, resorts and attractions. Waiting for sunset is a blast, whether you choose to stroll down the beach, chill at one of the beachside cafés, or canoe around the coastline. Fresh seafood dinner can be had at the famed Kelong Seafood Restaurant, followed by drinks and music at the Caribbean-style Calypso Floating Bar.

8. Lagoi Bay Lantern Park

Park

When the sky goes dim, this lantern park turns on the lights in the form of beautiful things: marine creatures, landmarks, and more. The vibe can be as romantic or magical as you want, accompanied by the rumbling sounds of the sea just steps away from the park.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.