Essentials
- City
- Sabang (Pulau Weh), Aceh, Indonesia
- Population
- Approximately 40,000
- Internet Speed
- Variable; 20-30 Mbps on fiber (Indihome), 4G LTE is reliable in Iboih and Sabang Town
- Currency & Banking
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR); 1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR, 1 EUR ≈ 17,000 IDR
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled or filtered water (Aqua 1.5L ≈ 6,000 IDR)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Telkomsel (Best coverage), XL Axiata; 15GB data ≈ 75,000 IDR
- Banking for Expats
- Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) is dominant; Wise and Revolut work at ATMs (Note: Sharia Law applies)
- Accommodation
- Beachfront bungalows in Iboih or Gapang; guesthouses in Sabang Town
- Cashless Friendly
- No; very cash-heavy. QRIS (local e-wallet) works in some shops, but cards are rarely accepted outside large hotels
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; local homestays (e.g., Olala Bungalows) are common
- Budget Accommodation
- Iboih Inn or Freddie’s Santai Sumurtiga (approx. 250,000–450,000 IDR/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Iboih Beach (for diving and snorkeling) or Sumurtiga (for beaches)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sumurtiga (quieter, better power stability) or Sabang Town (best internet access)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; The Stepping Stone in Iboih offers a nomad-friendly vibe with decent Wi-Fi
- Best Cafe for Work
- Freddie's Santai Sumurtiga (reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets with ocean views)
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at diving schools like Rubiah Tirta Divers or Monster Divers
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly community dinners at Bixio Cafe
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Maxim or Grab (very limited); traditional 'Becak' (motorized sidecars) are the standard
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals in Iboih; approx. 70,000–100,000 IDR per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Gapang Beach (scuba) or Sumur Tiga (white sand)
- Top Regional Airline
- Wings Air (flies to Banda Aceh/BTJ)
- Top International Airline
- AirAsia (international gateway via Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh)
- Highway Access
- Main island ring road (Jalan Lingkar) connects the port to all major beaches
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Balohan Ferry Terminal (Fast boat to Banda Aceh: 80,000-100,000 IDR)
- Public Transport Passes
- N/A; transportation is negotiated per trip or daily rental
- Regional Travel
- Fast ferry (Express Bahari) or Slow Ferry (KMP BRR) to Banda Aceh
Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 2,800,000 IDR per m²
- Corporate Tax
- 22% (Standard Indonesian rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents, 20% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (over 5 billion IDR)
- VAT
- 11%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Indonesian tax residents
- Property Tax
- Yes, PBB (Land and Building Tax), approx. 0.1% to 0.2% annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% for buyer (BPHTB), 2.5% for seller
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- B211A Social Visa (Remote work tolerated but not officially tax-free); New 5-year 'Remote Worker' visas are evolving
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,000,000 IDR per m² (Local ownership only; Land approx. 300M IDR for small plot)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,500,000 IDR per m²
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 60 m² ≈ 270,000,000 IDR)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,000,000 IDR per m²
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² ≈ 320,000,000 IDR)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- RSUD Kota Sabang (General Hospital) in Sabang Town
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Stone Park (Iboih) occasionally hosts sessions; mostly informal at resorts
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gedung Merah Putih (Public sports center) in Sabang Town
- Laundry Services
- Local 'Loundry' shops in Sabang Town; approx. 8,000 IDR per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Maxim Food (limited availability in town)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mie Jalak (Fish noodle soup at Toko Jalak, Sabang Town)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Bixio Café (Italian-run, offers Gnocchi and salads); local Gado-Gado
- Best Dessert Spots
- Toko Kopi Hapseng (Traditional pastries and Aceh coffee)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pasar Tradisional Sabang (Sabang Traditional Market)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Shopee Indonesia and Tokopedia (Shipping takes 7-10 days from Jakarta)
- Grocery Delivery
- None; local markets are the main source
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Non-existent due to Sharia Law; some resorts sell beer discreetly
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol restricted); local beverage is Sanger (Acehnese coffee with milk)
- Wine Bars
- None (Alcohol is strictly regulated in Aceh)
- Street Food Stalls
- Night market in Sabang Town near the 'Sabang-Meurauke' monument
- Popular International Cuisine
- Freddie's (Pizza and European steaks); Bixio (Authentic Italian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Zero Kilometer Monument (The northwest tip of Indonesia)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Sabang-Merauke Monument area
- Historical Sites
- Japanese Bunkers (Anoi Itam) and the old Dutch colonial buildings in town
- Religious Sites
- Masjid Agung Babussalam (The Great Mosque of Sabang)
- Annual Events
- Sabang Marine Festival (usually in April/May)
- Cultural Districts
- Sabang Town colonial district
- Theater Venues
- N/A; outdoor cultural stages during festivals
- Local Markets
- Pasar Atas Sabang (Upper Market)
- Music Scene
- Acoustic performances at beach cafes in Iboih
- Street Art
- Zero Kilometer murals
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes at local homestays like Mama's in Iboih
- Art Galleries
- Local handicraft shops selling driftwood art in Iboih
- Historic Buildings
- Hospital complex and old port warehouses from the Dutch era
- Local Heritage
- Strong Acehnese Islamic influence; modest dress required
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Rubiah Island Marine Park (World-class snorkeling)
- National Parks Nearby
- Hutan Lindung Pria Laot (Protected forest with a waterfall)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The hilly roads between Iboih and Gapang (Challenging but scenic)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Balohan Hill (View of the harbor) and Thousand Islands Lookout
- Birdwatching Locations
- The forest around Jaboi Volcanic Area
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Limited to private resort beaches upon request
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- JNE Sabang or J&T Express Sabang
- Tech Repair Services
- Small phone repair shops in area of Jalan Perdagangan
- Table Tennis Spots
- Sabang Community Center (Gedung Olahraga)
- Language Classes
- Informal tutoring via local teachers (Banda Aceh has more formal options)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Perpustakaan Umum Daerah (Regional Library) in Sabang Town
- Community Centers
- Sabang Fair Area (Park and community space)
- Gaming Lounges
- N/A
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Strictly prohibited (Illegal in Indonesia)