Notes on Belitung Travel Insights

Introduction

• Final day in Belitung, currently at Lebong Island.
• Sharing 12 key things to know before visiting Belitung after a 4-day trip.

1. Arrival at Belitung

• Small airport experience:
  • Single runway, walked out on tarmac.
  • Only one baggage claim area.

2. Tourism Before and After COVID

• Previously popular with Malaysian tourists due to cultural similarities.
• Current tourism levels are low, but the island remains beautiful.

3. Driving Conditions

• Easy driving experience with minimal traffic.
• Good road conditions, only 20% under construction.

4. Transportation Options

• No Grab, only Gojek available.
• Recommend saving driver’s number for easier transportation.
• Rental car from Fairfield Marriott costs IDR 250k per day.

5. Limited Shopping & Dining

• No malls or movie theaters; only local warungs.
• Fast food options limited to KFC and A&W.
• No Indomaret or Alfamart stores available.

6. Pricing for Tourists

• No "bule prices" (foreigner pricing) encountered.
• Local prices were cheaper than expected.

7. Friendly Locals

• Extremely friendly and welcoming locals.
• Generosity shown in pricing and interactions with tourists.

8. Low Tourist Traffic

• Few foreign tourists seen, possibly due to COVID impacts.
• Encouragement for more travelers to visit Belitung.

9. Renting Motorbikes

• Easy process, rented from a local's house with minimal requirements.
• Costs: IDR 50k for 2 hours or IDR 75k for a full day.

10. Local Home Aesthetics

• One-story homes well-maintained, colorful gardens.
• Money spent more on cars and jewelry than on housing.

11. Island Hopping

• Islands resemble the Maldives in beauty.
• Seafood is a must-try, especially calamari.

12. Language Barrier

• English spoken at hotels like Fairfield Marriott.
• Limited English communication among locals, learning basic Indonesian helpful.
• Google Translate recommended for ease of communication.

Conclusion

• Highly recommend visiting Belitung for a unique experience away from Bali.
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