The complete guide to Belitung Island – an affordable island paradise you never knew existed

Versi Bahasa Indonesia:

Photo by prithawibisono

You’ll find the taste of home here, as staff go out of their way to match your every need. Better yet, the hotel is also situated a mere 500 metres away from downtown and a short distance from the beach, so you won’t have to worry about having a lack of options to please those fussy little ones.

There’s even a kids’ club and games room in the compound itself – who says you have to go out to have fun? At Rahat Icon Hotel, even staying in is an enjoyment in itself.

You might have to book two rooms because there are no large rooms here, but for what they are offering you and the cutthroat price, we think it’s completely worth it.

While interconnecting rooms are available here, you can opt for the larger suites and buy extra bed space for the benefit of a family room, where the whole family can gather and bond at nights.

Rahat Icon Hotel

From USD $26.90++
Address: Jl. Depati Rahat No. 21, Tanjung Pandan, Belitung, Indonesia 33416
Contact: +62 71923855
Website

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For couples:

4-3. Escape to a beachside sunset haven – Bukit Berahu Resort (from USD $37)

Running away from real life with a loved one? Why not escape to this little beachside haven and enjoy some private time with each other?

Photo by rina sihotang

The first resort to introduce the concept of beachside wooden cottages in Belitung Island, Bukit Berahu resort is conveniently located on the beach – and not just any beach. At this beach, you’ll be able to catch some of the loveliest sunset views around. Better yet, you can do that right from the comfort of your own terrace.

Photo by gilanghamidy

Snuggle up in these snug wooden cabins and open the door to a miraculous view every day. You can’t escape from the view here, when even the restaurant features a sweeping vista of the white sand and rocky beach.

Photo by perfectessa

And if you’re imagining all the mosquitos and discomfort you’ll face living out in a cabin, let them go poof! All cottages are fully air-conditioned and even have cable TV!

Perfect views, perfect comfort and perfect price… where else can you find a better worry killer?

Bukit Berahu Resort

From USD $37++
Address: Jl. Kampung Bugis | Tanjung Binga Villages, District Of Sijuk, Belitung Island 33412, Indonesia
Contact: (0719) 9223305

Website

4-4. Teleport to another world – Billiton Hotel and Klub (from USD $49)

Travel back to the past at Billiton Hotel and Klub, a stately Dutch Colonial style building in the heart of Belitung’s main city, Tanjung Pandan.

Your escape from modern day worries will be made complete as this gorgeous hotel transports you into another world entirely. Marvel at the many antiques from days gone by adorning this place, and chill out in spacious, sunlight-filled rooms with gorgeous garden views.

Photo by travellingwithal

From regular-sized comfort to a gigantic suite with a separate living room and pantry, Billiton Hotel offers different levels of luxury to suit your needs. They even offer a Honeymoon Package that includes aromatherapy in the privacy of your room, and a swoony candlelight dinner at Verandah, the poolside in-house restaurant.

The hotel is also only 14 minutes away from the nearest beach, Pantai Tanjung Pandem, perfect for the re-enactment of that favourite drama scene. For more island-y fun, you can also head to Billiton’s Beach Club at the private Kepayang Island, and kick-start your island-hopping journey there.

It’s time to throw away the 21st century – an entirely new world is waiting for you!

Billiton Hotel & Klub

From USD $49++
Address: Jl. Depati Gegedek no. 50, Tanjung Pandan, Belitung, Indonesia 33411
Contact: +62 719 22887 (Tel) / +62 819 2922 2887 (Mobile)
Website

Check Rate on Agoda Check Rate on Booking.com

5. Where to eat:

As much as we’d like to lie around all day and photosynthesize in the sun, biological needs can’t be ignored.

While there are admittedly not a lot of dining choices you can find here (most of the restaurants are all within resorts), rest assured, for it’s quality over quantity. Here are some unique dining/drinking spots where you can fill your bellies up in Belitung!

5-1. Experience Belitung’s finest seafood on the beach – Sahang Beachfront Cafe & Resto

Part of the Arumdalu resort, Sahang Beachfront Cafe & Resto sits on the beachfront in South Belitung. This area is known for the freshest seafood on the island, which mean your tastebuds are in for a treat!

Photo via alfonst, elisa eliz

Sahang Beachfront Cafe & Resto combines freshly-caught seafood, edible wild plants and their own organic farm products to create unique international dishes. Don’t miss out on the famous Zori-ebi slipper prawn, and the Japanese-inspired Kaiseki Bird in a Cage! There’s also the signature Arumdalu mocktail, which is made with handpicked ingredients from the resort’s organic farm.

Photo via arumdaluresort

Are the dishes that we’ve mentioned already whetting your appetite? Well, this restaurant may be big on the food, but it’s not all just about eating here. If you favour atmosphere, this beachfront restaurant may have exactly what you’re looking for. Although the restaurant’s scenic location is already prime for a romantic dinner, you can also request for a private dinner setup to surprise your loved one!

If seafood isn’t really your thing, fret not – Sahang Beachfront Cafe & Resto offers a variety of international, Chinese and local cuisine, so there’ll always be something for everyone.

Photo via 27vakantiedagen

Sahang Beachfront Cafe & Resto

Address: Jl. Batu Lubang 33452, Membalong, Belitung Island, Indonesia
Opening hours: 8am – 7pm
Price: USD $26 – USD $30 per pax
Contact: +62 81927607626

Website

5-2. Have a taste of traditional local coffee – Warung Kupi Kuli

This traditional coffee shop is situated within Museum Kata Andrea Hirata – the perfect pick-me-up when you’re tired from all the reading.

Photo by abi 85

The aged wooden building and its wooden stools and tables create a vintage atmosphere, which is complemented by some of the tastiest local coffee around and a fried banana or two. You’ll even get to watch the whole process of traditional coffee-making!

Photo by Steven Edwin, rudierha, r djangkaru

If you really love the taste of this coffee, you can also choose to buy it packaged in lovely little bottles. We’d say that it would be a great souvenir if this is your last stop, but we fear you’ll end up drinking it all before you even step out of the museum.

Warung Kupi Kuli

Address: 10 Jalan Laskar Pelangi | Gantung, Belitung Island 33462, Indonesia
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm
Price: IDR $5,000 (USD $0.40) per cup

5-3. Have a relaxing meal on a private beach – Kampong Dedaun

A short 5-min drive away from Tanjung Tinggi beach, Kampong Dedaun offers a local fine-dining experience, along with the comfort of a private beach.

Photo by fidomfs,anggapermadi

Here’s where you can laze away in a lounge chair right on the beach, watching the waves crash soothingly onto the shore. Or, you could (or should) try out their seafood dishes, including the Gangan Ketarap, Kampong Dedaun’s signature fish head soup dish.

Photo by er.pertiwi

Good food, good views, what else could you possibly need? If your answer is fun… Kampong Dedaun has that too. Bicycles are provided for you to burn off those calories, and you can even kayak or play with fireworks on the beach!

Photo by evasilviana 2

How’s that for a wholesome meal?

Kampong Dedaun

Address: Jalan Tanjung Pandan – Tanjung Kelayang, Sijuk, Kabupaten Belitung, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung, Indonesia
Opening hours: Fridays to Sundays, 10am – 6pm
Price: —
Contact: +62 812-7847-9677

Website

5-4. Sing, eat and jam to live music – Unique Bistro

Since you’re here in Belitung, why not meet some locals and have a smashing time together? If that sounds like your type of fun, Unique Bistro might be your ideal dinner choice.

This open-air beach restaurant is where everyone hip gathers for a fun time. Local bands jam out here starting from 8pm, but if you’ll prefer to sing yourself, the bistro also has karaoke available for its guests.

Unique Bistro is much raved about for the great coffee that it serves (from legendary coffee maker Kong Djie), as well as its selection of yummy and cheap Indonesian dishes. For those of you who tend to get homesick, a series of Western dishes, such as fries, french toast and calamari rings are also part of the restaurant’s menu.

Better yet, you’ll get to enjoy all these to a great view of the beach and the sun as it goes down. And after the sun sets, well, it’s only time for more partying!

Unique Bistro

Address: Tanjung Pendam, Tanjung Pandan, Belitung Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia
Opening hours: 11am – 11pm (opens from 4pm during Ramadan period)
Price: IDR $15,000 – IDR $40,000 (USD $1.13 – USD $3)
Contact: +62 877-8874-4666

Website

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Now that we’ve got everything down pat, all there’s left to do is to pack your bags for next weekend! If you’d really like to avoid the weekend crowd, you can even opt for taking leave during the weekdays. Or, we don’t know, you could go take an MC…

You didn’t hear that from us.

Are there any more fun things in Belitung that we’ve missed out? Let us know in the comments below!

*Edit: Thank you to those who informed us of the dangers of picking up starfishes for photos!