Ambon

Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, is built on a hillside overlooking the bay. It has a number of interesting historical and cultural sites, among them the remnants of forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the heyday of the spice trade. The ruins of the Portuguese fort at Hila are almost entirely hidden beneath the contorted roots of a giant banyan tree. The ANZAC War Cemetery near Ambon town is the site of services held every year on April 25, to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during World War II.

Pattimura Airport (IATA: AMQ) has multiple daily flights from Jakarta, with stopovers in Surabaya or Makassar, as well as direct flights from Manado, Ternate, and Sorong. Alternatively, PELNI ships sail from Makassar, Jakarta, and Surabaya to Yos Soedarso Port. A DAMRI bus from the airport to the city costs Rp50,000, cheaper than a taxi at about Rp150,000.

Angkot (public minivans, locally called Oto) run fixed routes around the island for Rp3,000 per short trip—just wave them down and pay when you get out. Becak (bicycle rickshaws) are good for short downtown distances. Ojek (motorcycle taxis) and Gojek are also available. The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly, and a map is available at Toko Buku Dian Pertiwi near Trikora Monument. Renting a bike or car is another option.

Ambon has a tropical rainforest climate with no real dry season. The driest month is November (114 mm), while the wettest month is June (638 mm). Temperatures are fairly constant year-round, averaging around 26°C. The months from November to April are relatively drier.

Accommodation ranges from budget hotels like LeGreen Suite Waihaong (from Rp208,415) and Imperial Inn (from Rp274,000) to mid-range options like Hotel Mutiara (from Rp331,300) and Manise Hotel (from Rp500,000), to resorts such as Maluku Resort and Spa (from Rp860,000) and The Natsepa (from Rp764,846). Many are located in the city center or along the coast.

Ambon offers a variety of cuisine including local Ambonese, Javanese, Buginese-Makassarese, and Chinese-Indonesian. Seafood is abundant. Try Rujak Natsepa (spicy fruit salad) at Natsepa Beach, tumis bia (a stir-fry) at Rumah Makan Akbar, or traditional food like papeda and ikan kuah kuning at Rumah Makan Dedes. Sibu-Sibu Cafe serves Ambonese coffee and cakes. Many restaurants are halal but some also serve non-halal.

Attractions include the Ambon War Cemetery, Fort Amsterdam, Siwalima Museum, Wapauwe Old Mosque (the oldest mosque in Indonesia, 1414), Christina Martha Tiahahu Monument (good for sunset views), Merah Putih Bridge (longest in eastern Indonesia), and beaches like Liang Beach and Pintu Kota Beach. For activities: snorkeling and diving at Lubang Buaya Morela Beach and Hukurila Beach, bathing at Hatuasa Hot Spring (Rp10,000), and showering under Taeno Waterfall (Rp5,000).

Ambon was wracked by sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians in the early 2000s, but as of 2024 the situation is much more peaceful. The city has been recognized as one of the Top 10 most tolerant cities in Indonesia by the Setara Institute in 2022. The World Peace Gong monument stands as a symbol of peace.

A backpacker can get by on a budget of around Rp200,000-400,000 per day, including a cheap hotel (from Rp208,415), local meals (Rp10,000-50,000), and transportation (angkot Rp3,000 per trip). Entry fees for attractions like hot springs and waterfalls are minimal (Rp5,000-10,000).

Ambon is a hub for destinations in Maluku and Papua. Direct flights and ships connect to Banda Islands (1 hr flight, 8-16 hr ship), Buru (45 min flight, 8-10 hr ship), Kei Islands (1.5 hr flight), Masohi (2-3 hr ship), Saparua (2 hr ship), Sorong (1.5 hr flight, day by ship), and Ternate (1.5 hr flight). PELNI and local airlines serve these routes.