Territory capital · Indonesia
AmbonKota Ambon
Give Ambon 2–3 nights: one day for the city and war cemetery, one for the Leihitu coast forts, and a half-day for a dive or waterfall.
Ambon is the capital of Maluku province, built on a hillside above a bay on the island of the same name. It is a small, walkable port city with Dutch and Portuguese fort ruins, a World War II cemetery, and some of the least-visited reefs in Indonesia. Most travellers pass through on the way to the Banda Islands or Raja Ampat; two or three nights is enough to see the city and the Leihitu coast, and divers add more.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IDR
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (drier; November is the driest month)
- avoid May–Aug (wettest; June is the peak)
- Airport
- AMQ
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ambon112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ambon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.Indonesia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckTelkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.Indonesia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.Indonesia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.Indonesia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Indonesia-wide
- SafetyAmbon is calm and generally safe for visitors today, with a low crime rate.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.Indonesia-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 110 police · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysBali shuts completely for Nyepi; government offices close Friday midday for prayer; Lebaran slows the country for two weeks.Indonesia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAMQ Pattimura Airport (About 35 km (22 mi) west of the city; DAMRI bus to Lapangan Merdeka, or a taxi.).AMQ Pattimura Airport (About 22 mi (35 km) west of the city; DAMRI bus to Lapangan Merdeka, or a taxi.).
- Getting aroundAngkot minivans (locally called oto) run fixed routes for a flat fare; wave them down and pay on exit.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (kopi rarobang)Rp15,000–30,000
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner at a Sam Ratulangi hawkerRp50,000–150,000
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRp100,000–200,000
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personRp100,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomRp500,000
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomRp1,200,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget Rp350,000 · Mid Rp700,000 · High Rp1,500,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AMQ Pattimura Airport (About 35 km (22 mi) west of the city; DAMRI bus to Lapangan Merdeka, or a taxi.)AMQ Pattimura Airport (About 22 mi (35 km) west of the city; DAMRI bus to Lapangan Merdeka, or a taxi.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (87°F)87°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: May–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Dec (32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)), coolest Aug (23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ambon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Feb
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Apr
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jun
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
24°C (74°F)74°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
0 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (74°F)74°F (23°C)
0 rd
Oct
30°C (87°F)87°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Dec
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
24°C (76°F)76°F (24°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Angkot minivans (locally called oto) run fixed routes for a flat fare; wave them down and pay on exit. Becak and ojek cover short hops, and Gojek works in the city. Renting a scooter or car is the easiest way to reach the Leihitu coast and the beaches. The downtown core around Pattimura Park is walkable.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Leihitu coast (Fort Amsterdam and Wapauwe Old Mosque)
goDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Scooter or car north around the bay, about 1.5 h
Fort Amsterdam and the 15th-century Wapauwe mosque are 1 km (0.6 mi) apart; go early and take water.Fort Amsterdam and the 15th-century Wapauwe mosque are 0.6 mi (1 km) apart; go early and take water.
Liang Beach
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or scooter east along the coast, about 1 h
White sand and food stalls; a half-day trip.
Natsepa Beach and Rujak Natsepa
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or scooter east, about 45 min
Famous fruit rujak stalls; combine with Liang.
Hatuasa Hot Spring, Tulehu
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or scooter east, about 1 h
Small entry fee; pools vary in heat. Check access after heavy rain.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre (around Lapangan Merdeka and Pattimura Park)
Walkable to the waterfront, markets and cafés; best for a short stay without a car.
Near Pattimura Airport
Useful for a very early flight; otherwise a long way from the sights.
Leihitu coast (north of the bay)
Guesthouses near the forts and beaches; needs a scooter or car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- Rp300,000–500,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- Rp500,000–1,000,000 excl. bed
- High
- Rp1,000,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 2 nights × Rp500,000 | Rp1,000,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × Rp700,000 | Rp2,800,000 |
| DAMRI bus, airport to Lapangan Merdeka2 × Rp50,000 | Rp100,000 |
| Angkot short trip2 × Rp3,000 | Rp6,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × Rp150,000 | Rp300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | Rp421,000 |
| Trip total≈ Rp1,157,000 per person per day, bed included | Rp4,627,000≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in rupiah; flights and dive courses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (kopi rarobang) | Rp15,000–30,000 |
| Nasi kuning or a plate of rice with sides | Rp10,000–30,000 |
| Seafood dinner at a Sam Ratulangi hawker | Rp50,000–150,000 |
| Angkot short trip | Rp3,000 |
| DAMRI bus, airport to city | Rp50,000 |
| Taxi, airport to city | about Rp150,000 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | Rp100,000–200,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ambon has no real dry season: rain can fall any month, heaviest May–August.
- Some roads and paths to forts, waterfalls and beaches are rough or unlit; go in daylight and agree the fare before you set off.
- The city is calm today after the sectarian violence of 1999–2002; avoid discussing religion and politics with strangers.
- Reefs and dive sites are not all marked; dive with a local operator rather than alone.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 118
- Fire
- 113
Pocket card
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AmbonKota Ambon
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, pakTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Police110
- Ambulance118
- Fire113
Embassy
No embassies in Ambon; most countries are represented in Jakarta, with consulates in Bali or Makassar.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- DAMRI bus, Pattimura Airport → Lapangan Merdeka: Rp50,000, about 1 h
- Taxi, Pattimura Airport → city centre: about Rp150,000
- Angkot short trip: Rp3,000, pay on exit
Say or show
- Permisi / Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (per-mee-see / ma-af)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (te-ree-ma ka-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (be-ra-pa har-ga-nya)
- Minggir, pak — Stop here, please (ming-geer pak)
- Bisa bayar pakai kartu? — Can I pay by card? (bee-sa ba-yar pa-kai kar-too)
- Di mana toilet? — Where is the toilet? (dee ma-na toy-let)
Ambon is in the UTC+9 zone, one hour ahead of Bali.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ambon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (drier; November is the driest month) · avoid May–Aug (wettest; June is the peak) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for AMQ: DAMRI bus times, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters for the centre: Pattimura Park, the war cemetery, Pasar Mardika and the Sam Ratulangi seafood strip.
- Place pages with verified hours (war cemetery, Siwalima Museum, Fort Amsterdam) and eat pages with last orders.
- Dive-operator and reef pages with season and visibility notes.
Sources
- officialAmbon city government
- officialMaluku provincial tourism office
- officialPattimura Airport
- officialPELNI (national ferry operator)
- officialDAMRI (airport bus)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Ambon, revision 5323093 (CC BY-SA 4.0)