Ambon is an island in the Maluku region of Indonesia and also the name of its largest city: Ambon City. The island consists of two regions: Ambon City and Central Maluku Regency.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, is built on a hillside overlooking the bay. It has a number of interesting historical and cultural sites, among them the remnants of forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the heyday of the spice trade. The ruins of the Portuguese fort at Hila are almost entirely hidden beneath the contorted roots of a giant banyan tree. The ANZAC War Cemetery near Ambon town is the site of services held every year on April 25, to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during World War II. The origin of the name Ambon is also very difficult to trace.
If you want to go to the city from the airport you can use the bus operated by DAMRI, it's located on the right side of the arrival hall and will only cost you Rp50,000 - cheaper than taking a taxi which can cost you approximately Rp150,000/trip. The DAMRI bus stops on 1 Lapangan Merdeka in the heart of the city. The taxi is like a private car, with no taxi sign above the car. It can be found mostly outside the airport. Angkot (public transport minivans, locally called Oto) with fixed routes take people around the island. There are no fixed stops, just wave your hand on the side of the road to stop the vans and get into it.
1 Ambon War Cemetery, Pandan Kasturi, Sirimau, Ambon City. 09:00-17:00. The cemetery contains Australian soldiers who died during the Japanese invasion of Ambon and Timor in World War II (updated Jul 2022) 2 Fort Amsterdam (Benteng Amsterdam), Kaitetu, Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency. 06:00-18.00. A fort and a blockhouse in Hila town, Leihitu. Before the fort was built, a trade lodge was established here by Francisco Serrão in 1512, a Portuguese explorer and a cousin of Ferdinand Magellan. (updated Jul 2022) 3 Siwalima Museum, Jl. Dr. Malaiholo, Taman Makmur, Nusaniwe, ☏ +62 911 341652. 08:00-16.00. Maritime and traditional object of Ambonese and Moluccas.
Snorkeling and diving on various beautiful beaches. 1 Lubang Buaya Morela Beach (Pantai Lubang Buaya Morela), Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency. A diving and snorkeling spot with many fish dan enormous coral reefs. Sometimes you can see the wild dolphins from the beach. (updated Jul 2022) 2 Hukurila Beach (Pantai Hukurila), Hukurila, Ambon City. One of the best dive spot in Ambon. (updated Jul 2022) Bathing in a natural hot spring. 3 Hatuasa Hot Spring (Air Panas Hatuasa Tulehu), Salahutu, Tulehu, Central Maluku Regency. A natural hot spring in the middle sago forest. There are various pools based on the level of heat of the water. Rp10,000.
Ambon is a city that has a variety of foods including local Ambonese cuisine, Javanese cuisine like Ayam Penyet or locals called Ayam Lalapan, Buginese-Makassarese cuisine like Coto Makassar, and Chinese-Indonesian cuisine like Mie Ayam. Also, there are some western fast-food chains, like KFC, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut. As a port city, Ambon provides a variety of dishes from seafood, both soupy and grilled. Actual Ambonese food is common on the island.
Ambon was wracked by sectarian violence between the Muslims and Christians during the turn of the 21st century and much of its first decade. As of 2024, things are much more peaceful. There is a Gong Perdamaian Dunia (World Peace Gong) monument that was built on 25 November 2009 as a symbol of world peace. Also, in 2022, Ambon received an award as among the Top 10 most tolerant cities in Indonesia by the Setara Institute.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Ambon typically sees ~26°C daytime highs and 31 rainy days.
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