Ambon

Understand

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.

Get in

thumb|Pattimura Airport terminal

Get around

If you want to go to the city from the airport you can use the bus operated by DAMRI, it's located on the right side of the arrival hall and will only cost you Rp50,000 - cheaper than taking a taxi which can cost you approximately Rp150,000/trip. The DAMRI bus stops on in the heart of the city. The taxi is like a private car, with no taxi sign above the car. It can be found mostly outside the airport.

Angkot (public transport minivans, locally called Oto) with fixed routes take people around the island. There are no fixed stops, just wave your hand on the side of the road to stop the vans and get into it. Look at the sign on top of the vans and ask the driver to make sure it's the route you want. Each cost Rp3,000 for a short trip - pay when you get out. Sitting up front is fine if it's empty and you'd rather not squish into the back. To stop where you want to get out, say minggir. Becak (bicycle rickshaws) are good for shorter distances downtown. There are many ojek (passenger motorcycles) around the island. Also, an online ojek called Gojek is available there. Getting around Ambon is easier by renting a bike or a car. Google Maps are all capable of figuring out the tourist or public destination. A map of the city is available on the second floor of the bookstore , near Trikora Monument.

The downtown of Ambon City is very pedestrian-friendly. Strolling around is one of the best way to chill the afternoon. In the evening, a dancing water fountain showed up there.

See

thumb| The gate of Fort Amsterdam thumb|Liang Beach

Do

Snorkeling and diving on various beautiful beaches. Bathing in a natural hot spring. Showering under waterfalls.

Buy

You may buy oleh-oleh, souvenirs, and merchandise from Ambon.

Eat

Ambon is a city that has a variety of foods including local Ambonese cuisine, Javanese cuisine like Ayam Penyet or locals called Ayam Lalapan, Buginese-Makassarese cuisine like Coto Makassar, and Chinese-Indonesian cuisine like Mie Ayam. Also, there are some western fast-food chains, like KFC, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut. As a port city, Ambon provides a variety of dishes from seafood, both soupy and grilled.

Sleep

There are many resorts and hotels in Ambon including:

Stay safe

thumb|World Peace Gong monument in Ambon Ambon was wracked by sectarian violence between the Muslims and Christians during the turn of the 21st century and much of its first decade. As of 2024, things are much more peaceful. There is a Gong Perdamaian Dunia (World Peace Gong) monument that was built on 25 November 2009 as a symbol of world peace. Also, in 2022, Ambon received an award as among the Top 10 most tolerant cities in Indonesia by the Setara Institute.

Go next

Ambon has become a hub city. There are some direct flights and sails to various destinations in Maluku and Papua. The flight uses a small-capacity propeller airplane served by some local Indonesian airlines, such as SAM Air, Trigana Air, and Wings Air. For the sails, PELNI provides some ships like KM. Pangrango and KM. Nggapulu to Banda Islands, KM. Dobonsolo to Sorong and so on. The ticket can be bought at or ticket agent alongside Jl. A.M. Sangaji (A.M. Sangaji street) near port of Yos Soedarso. Another port is also operated, including to Saparua and Masohi and to Buru.

Banda Islands — The Spice Islands are known for the Spice Wars. 1 hr by plane, 8–16 hr by ship. Innumerable historical sites, spice plantations, and dive spots. Buru — A historic island with cajeput oil plantations. 45 min by plane, 8–10 hr by ship. Kei Islands — An archipelago with numerous white-sand beaches. 1.5 hr away by plane. Masohi — The capital of Central Maluku Regency is the nearest city to Manusela National Park and the most popular sights in Seram Island, Ora beach also the highest mountain in the Moluccas, Mt. Binaiya. 2–3 hr by ship. Saparua — An island with Dutch colonial era historical sites and beaches. 2 hr away by ship. Sorong — The nearest city to go to Raja Ampat. 1.5 hr by plane. A day by ship. Ternate — A volcanic island with a vibrant city, beautiful lakes, several snorkeling spots, fortress, a…