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Voykit pocket guide · Indonesia
Tretes
Skip Tretes unless you live in Surabaya and need a quick weekend escape: one night is enough for the waterfall and mountain views.
Tretes is a hill resort 1.5 hours south of Surabaya, popular with domestic tourists for its cool air, pine forests and views of Mount Welirang. The town has little public transport, limited nightlife and no alcohol in restaurants. It works as a single-night stop for a waterfall hike and horse ride, but offers less than nearby Trawas or Pacet.
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best months
- Apr–Oct (dry season)
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (rainy season, roads can be slippery)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IDR
- Money
- Rupiah (Rp) in small notes for warungs, parking, offerings and drivers; large cards are common in tourist restaurants but not everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget Rp200,000–350,000 excl. bed · Mid Rp350,000–600,000 excl. bed · High Rp600,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telkomsel, XL and Indosat sell tourist SIMs at airports; foreign phones must be IMEI-registered if staying over 90 days — check.
- Emergency
- General emergency 112 · Police 110 · Ambulance 118
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · European round pins.
- Tipping
- Warung: Nothing.; Restaurants: Often 10% service + tax on the bill; nothing more needed.; Drivers and guides: Rp50,000–100,000 a day.; Spa: Rp20,000–50,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations common in Bali.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop elsewhere; paper in the bin.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Rabbit satay (at market stalls) | Rp15,000–25,000 |
| Grilled corn on the cob | Rp10,000–15,000 |
| Fruit (per kg at market) | Rp10,000–30,000 |
| Car from Surabaya (one-way, ride-hailing) | Rp250,000–400,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SUB · Juanda International Airport (Surabaya)
- About 1.5 h by car; no direct public transport
Typical fares
- Surabaya (Juanda) → Tretes by car
- about Rp250,000–400,000, 1.5 h (check)
- Horse ride (main street)
- about Rp50,000 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car or scooter is essential. Horse rides are available on the main street for short trips. No public transport within town.
See and do
Known for
- Kakek Bodo Waterfall
- Mount Welirang views
- Horse rides on the main street
- Rabbit satay
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Taman Safari II | Car, about 30 min | About 30 min |
| Trawas | Car, about 10–15 min | About 15 min |
| Pacet | Car, about 10–15 min | About 15 min |
Sleep
- Main street
- Budget hotels and villas for rent; close to market and horse rides.
- Prigen (on the approach road)
- 15 min before Tretes; quieter, with some mid-range hotels.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Halohah-loh |
| Thank you | Terima kasihtuh-ree-mah kah-seeh |
| How much? | Berapa?buh-rah-pah |
| Too expensive | Mahalmah-hahl |
| Where is the waterfall? | Di mana air terjun?dee mah-nah ah-eer tair-joon |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Light handshake then hand to chest; smile; avoid: Firm grips
- Left hand: Give and receive with the right; avoid: Passing anything with the left
- Temples: Sarong and sash; step around offerings; avoid: Standing higher than priests
- Keeping calm: Patience; indirect requests; avoid: Anger in public
- Pointing: Thumb; avoid: Index finger
Scams and watch-outs
- Road to Kakek Bodo Waterfall is extremely steep: check conditions before driving.
- Restaurants do not serve alcohol; larger hotels may have a bar — bring your own if needed.
- Bargain at the fruit and vegetable market.
- Telephone area code: 0343 (+62-343).
Tretes is safe for tourists, but the steep road to Kakek Bodo Waterfall and slippery conditions in the rainy season are the main hazards. Keep valuables out of sight when parking.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tretes yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kakek Bodo Waterfall
- Mount Welirang views
- Horse rides on the main street
- Rabbit satay
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Tretes, revision 4637281 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4637281
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tretes). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.