[tangoten0]

Batam is really quite safe if you take some precautions. Thought I share some of my tips as I always go alone (post covid).

1. Keep a "going out" wallet with 1 credit card + spending cash. If going booking joint, I usually bring 2-3m cash. Split the cash and put in different pockets. If pickpocketed, you only lose some. Worse case if robbed, give them everything. Your backup passport, CCs and cash are still in hotel.

2. Book a hotel that's usually recommended in this thread. Personally I like Pacific Palace Hotel. A bit pricier than your regular budget hotel. Older and not so crowded. The backend of the hotel has the Octopuss spa. And its 5 mins to/from Harbourbay if need to rush. Night time i think got KTV but i never tried it. It was my backup plan if case I am stuck without a woman.

3. Walk around during the day time e.g. looking for booking joints. I don't usually walk down dark streets at night. Keep to lighted areas. Night time travel is always via grab/gojek and direct to the joint/KTV.

4. When catching cab, I almost always call grab and charge it to my card. That way, the taxi driver can claim they got no change. But I also try keep some loose changes e.g. some 2k, 5k, 10k and 50k notes.

5. When you walk around during day time and lost, you will likely be approach by touts. Some looks like they ready to rob you and they are super persistent. In my many encounters with them, they have never tried to rob me. They basically want to take me and visit all the joints until i select a woman and they get their cut and I usually tip them as well. They are usually happy. Some touts walk me all over town (during daytime). Not uncommon to visit like 5-6 places. Don't have to be overly friendly but don't need to be nasty. If you take their services, at the end just give them some tips. End on a high note. You are going to get an even happier time soon with their help. So sometimes i just tip 100-150k. Starting 50k lol. I think of it as tour guide services direct to joints rather walk there walk there and looking at google maps.

6. When in the room with girl, always assume they might rob you so don't hang in bathroom too long alone. Or better, shower together etc.

7. Ferry tickets can be changed. So e.g. on return trips i will book say 2pm. If i arrive ferry terminal at 11am, i will ask/change to next available ferry e.g. 12 noon. If you missed your ticket timing, then likely gone. I haven't missed yet though. Anyway, book a time that is later than your expected departure time.

8. If you need to bring your girl out to dinner, I usually look for Nagoya Foodcourt. I think its the newest and generally clean.

9. Go alone. Try as many things as possible. Even I don't know everything.... Batam is really quite a safe town if you don't act like a totally blur tourist.