Shopping in Bintan Island - authentic goods, best outlets, malls and boutiques

In most shops on the island, they accept Singapore dollars as well as Indonesian rupees. To pay for things at a good currency, always have some Indonesian money with you – they won’t have a change in small shops. Bintan is a duty-free zone, so besides souvenirs, you can buy stuff for home, household, work, and leisure. In the shopping malls, you will find clothes and shoes from famous brands at good prices.

Things with the national color you should better buy in Tanjung Pinang or Tanjung Uban. However, you can buy things from the local craftsmen at great prices in small settlements in the jungles. On the opposite, in places, where there are many tourists, you should buy only magnets and postcards. The other things in such places are usually overpriced. Definitely bring back home a cat-shaped statue. They are usually made from wood and are later hand-painted. For the local people a cat is not just a nice and gracious animal, but a true symbol of family and warmth, which is vital for the Indonesians. Besides wooden cats, you will also find stone, ivory, and clay statues of different colors and shapes.

In small remote villages you can buy rattan and grapevine furniture. The seamstresses can buy local fabrics. The most beautiful paintings are painted on the finest silk. If you don’t like to sew yourself, but you like the local outfits, you can buy a silk dress, a pashmina, or a scarf. If you plan to visit a lot of local temples, buy a sarong. You will save money on renting it before entering a temple and you will have something to bring back home. You can also buy quite cheap Indonesian-style jewelry on the island. In some places, you can see the whole process of production of a ring or a necklace from the material you liked. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

However, they also make vases and candlesticks from precious metals. Those, who like natural cosmetics, will like the choice of products for hands, face, and body care. The price for different creams, masks, and shampoos is not high, but you should better buy it in the stores, where the sellers speak English, otherwise there is a chance to misuse the product. If you like sweet things, don’t pass by the local honey. In Bintan, as in the rest of Indonesia, has an unusual taste and creamy consistency. A traditional souvenir is jasmine tea. If you want to buy coffee, especially as a present, try it first yourself. The thing is, Indonesian coffee might be too bitter for some people.

When you first come to the market in Bintan or go to a small shop, you will be unpleasantly surprised with high prices. Remember: the locals always expect people to bargain. The only exception is supermarkets. For the Islanders the bidding is first of all an intellectual competition for a mutual fun. When you debate about a price, don’t raise your voice, over criticize it or insult a seller. A polite smile and a pleasant tome will give more you more benefit. Also remember that if you buy cosmetics and jewelry in small shops or from a person, you increase the chances to spend your money on low-quality goods.