🇮🇩 Ternate,
Indonesia
#2659
Nomad Score
5.4
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0.7852043, 127.3832342
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ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Ternate, North Maluku, Indonesia |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 205,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | 20-40 Mbps on Telkomsel 4G; fixed fiber (IndiHome) up to 100 Mbps available in central hotels. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Indonesian Rupiah (IDR); 1 USD ≈ 15,700 IDR. ATMs like BNI and Mandiri are plentiful in the center. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; use branded bottled water like Aqua (approx. 6,000 IDR per 1.5L). |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets (European standard). |
| 📶 SIM Card | Telkomsel is the only reliable provider for the region; starter packs cost ~50,000 IDR for 10GB. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | BCA and Mandiri for locals; Expats use Wise or Revolut at ATMs for best rates. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Mix of business hotels and local guesthouses; prices range from 250,000 to 900,000 IDR per night. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Moderate; QRIS (local QR pay) and cards accepted in hotels and supermarkets, but cash is king for transport and markets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Limited Airbnb presence; monthly rates at hotels like Gaia Hotel are negotiable (approx. 7,000,000 IDR/month). |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Aini Homestay near the airport; basic rooms from 200,000 IDR per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Ternate City Center (near the port) for easy access to food and boat transfers. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | South Ternate (near Kayu Merah) for a quieter vibe and better views of Tidore island. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | No formal coworking spaces; the lobby lounge at Sahid Bela Ternate is the de facto hub for laptop workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Jarod (Jalan Roda); a coffee street with many stalls. 'Rotasi Coffee' offers reliable Wi-Fi and air conditioning. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Informal gatherings at 'Cofe' (Central Coffee) where local entrepreneurs and government officials meet. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Very small expat community; most socializing happens at the 'Diving Centers' near the coast. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Maxim is the dominant ride-hailing app in Ternate. Gojek/Grab have limited presence. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local rentals via guesthouses; approx 75,000 - 100,000 IDR per day for a Honda Vario. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Sulamadaha Beach; crystal clear black sand bay, 20 mins from town (Entry: 5,000 IDR). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Wings Air (Lion Air Group) for short island hops. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Garuda Indonesia (via Jakarta or Makassar) or Lion Air. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The 'Ring Road' encircles the entire volcano island; travel time around the whole island is 1 hour. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | No trains. Bastiong Port is the main hub for ferries to Tidore and Halmahera. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No passes; 'Angkot' (blue minivans) cost a flat 5,000 IDR per trip. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Speedboats to Tidore leave every 10 mins from Bastiong (15,000 IDR, 10-minute ride). |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | RSUD Dr. H. Chasan Boesoirie (State hospital with the most facilities). |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | No dedicated yoga studios; wellness is focused in high-end hotel spas like Sahid Bela Ternate. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Galaxy Gym near the city center; basic weightlifting equipment for ~25,000 IDR daily pass. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Many 'Laundry Kiloan' shops; approx. 8,000 IDR per kg for 24-hour service. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Maxim Food & Shop is the primary delivery service. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Papeda (sago congee) with Ikan Kuah Kuning (yellow fish soup). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Gado-Gado (peanut salad) available at most Warungs; ask for no shrimp paste (terasi). |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Bagea (sago cookies) found at 'Toko Oleh-Oleh' (souvenir shops) throughout the city. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Pasar Gamalama for fresh tropical fruits and spices like cloves and nutmeg. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Shopee and Tokopedia (Delivery takes 5-10 days from Jakarta). |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | No dedicated grocery apps; use Maxim 'Delivery' to have drivers shop for you. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Ternate is conservative; nightlife is limited to hotel bars like the lounge at Muara Hotel. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | No local alcohol production due to regional regulations; Air Guraka (ginger tea) is the popular local drink. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Non-existent. Alcohol is expensive and restricted to specific licensed hotels. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Swering (Waterfront) area at night; dozens of stalls selling grilled fish and fried rice. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Royal Resto for a mix of Indonesian, Chinese, and basic Western steak/pasta dishes. |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Fort Oranje (Former VOC headquarters) and the Sultan's Palace (Kedaton). |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Sultan’s Palace Museum houses historic crowns and clove-related artifacts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Fort Tolukko, a restored 16th-century Portuguese/Dutch fort with views of Mount Gamalama. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Al-Munawwaroh Great Mosque, built on the edge of the sea. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Legu Gam (April), a festival celebrating the Sultan's birthday with local dances. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Kampung Arab, known for its history as a spice trading hub. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Outdoor performances at Fort Oranje during city festivals. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Pasar Higienis for the freshest seafood landing in the mornings. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local acoustic bands perform nightly at 'Cofre' and 'Rotasi Coffee'. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Limited; mostly found in small volcanic rock carvings and murals near the waterfront. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Informal classes can be arranged with local guesthouse owners to learn Spice Island cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Primarily local handicraft shops selling sea shells and ironwood carvings. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Fort Kalamata, an arrowhead-shaped fort built by the Portuguese in 1540. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Clove culture; Ternate was once the world's only source of cloves. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Tolire Lake; a deep green volcanic crater lake with myths of invisible crocodiles. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park (located on the neighboring Halmahera island). |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The walk from Batu Angus (lava flow field) offers dramatic volcanic landscapes. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Ngade Hill, providing the iconic view of the 1,000 IDR banknote (Maitara and Tidore islands). |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | High altitudes of Mount Gamalama for endemic Maluku parrots. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Camping on the black sands of Kastela Beach is common for locals. |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | J&T Express and JNE are the most common (Jalan Pahlawan Revolusi). |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Many small stalls in Gamalama Plaza for smartphone and laptop screen fixes. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Found in local community halls (Gedung Serbaguna) and some schools. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | No formal centers; tutoring found via the English Department at Khairun University. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The North Maluku Provincial Library (Perpustakaan Daerah) on Jalan Jogugu Bololo. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Fort Oranje courtyard acts as an open-air community and youth event space. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Warnet (Internet Cafes) near the university are popular for e-sports. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Gambling is illegal in Indonesia; no casinos available. |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 12,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 480,000,000 IDR / $30,500) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 8,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 320,000,000 IDR / $20,400) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 11,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 660,000,000 IDR / $42,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 7,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 420,000,000 IDR / $26,700) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 10,000,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 800,000,000 IDR / $51,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 6,500,000 IDR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 520,000,000 IDR / $33,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard rate is 22% in Indonesia. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Standard 10% for residents, 20% for non-residents unless treaty exists. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income for residents (>183 days), territorial for non-residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 35% for income over 5 billion IDR. |
| 🧾 VAT | 11% on most goods and services. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Indonesia has specific rules for offshore companies owned by residents. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | PBB (Pajak Bumi dan Bangunan) is approx. 0.1% to 0.5% yearly. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | BPHTB (Buyer's Tax) is 5% of property value. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Indonesia's B211A (Digital Nomad visa) allows certain remote work with 0% tax on foreign-sourced income. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING TERNATE