General Info
Location

Bintan is the largest island in the Riau Province, area 1.140 sq. km with a coastline of about 105 km. It is truly an unique paradise. Simple life, beautiful beach, friendly people which bring us the leisure. The island gives the refreshment to our mind and body. Tanjung Pinang, Kijang, Kawal, Trikora Beach, Senggarang, Tanjung Uban and Lagoi / Bintan Resort sites, are places that should not be missed when you are in Bintan.

The island has a population of about 200.000, and like the rest of Riau this is a true mix of cultures like Malay, Bugis, Chinese and the Orang Laut (sea people).

GMT + 7 hours. Just set your watch one hour behind Singapore Time.

Bahasa Indonesia is the national language but English is widely used. Nirwana Gardens has Customer Relations Officers who can speak the various languages - Japanese, Korean & Mandarin.

In Bintan island, most of the resorts accept Singapore Dollars (SGD) & US Dollars (USD). However if you plan to take a trip to Tanjung Pinang city, all the transactions are in Indonesia Rupiah (IDR) so you're required to exchange your currency to Indonesia Rupiah when you plan to visit Tanjung Pinang city. You can also find many money changers are available in Tanjung Pinang city.

Bintan is very close to the equator and have a tropical climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 21° to 32°, with an average of 26° Celsius. Humidity ranges from 61 to 96 percent. The period between October to March is characterized as the north monsoon season with more rainfall and stronger winds, but the weather is generally sunny all year around. Bintan Monsoon period starting from November to March.

You can reach Bintan From Singapore, Malaysia (Johor Bahru) or Indonesia (Batam) by Ferries. Most international travelers arrive from Singapore and Johor Bahru. Bintan is also the major domestic seaport for the Riau Islands and is a port of call for Indonesia's major passenger shipping company Pelni.

Duty free concessions for visitors entering Indonesia include a maximum of one litre of spirits (brandy,whisky, gin, rum, vodka...etc), one litre of wine, one litre of beer, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100gm tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume. Photographic equipment, typewriters, recorders and computers must be declared at customs upon entry. Television and radio sets, drugs, arms and ammunition, printed matter in Chinese characters, Chinese medicines, transreceivers (without advance approval), all uncensored movie films and video cassettes, fresh fruits, plants and animals without quarantine permits are prohibited.