Making the most of Probolinggo
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Probolinggo stands on East Java's north coast in Indonesia, a 1.5 km walk south from the port. Its Java Sea harbour is heavily used by brightly coloured fishing boats. Taxis are unavailable, but numerous Becak/Pedicap can carry passengers to the city centre for only Rp. 50.000 / US$ 5.
Berthing infrastructure has been built, including a finger jetty approximately 1km long and a pier measuring 173m.
Larger vessels use tenders at Probolinggo.
Probolinggo is one area of East Java whose population includes Javanese, Maduranese, Pendalungan, descended from Javanese and Maduranese people, and Tenggerese communities. The Tenggerese have maintained a strong attachment to their traditions and customs for many centuries.
The city is renowned for excellent mangoes, while rice, corn, sugar, rubber and coffee are grown in the surrounding area.
Visitor attractions in Probolinggo City, East Java, Indonesia include Red Church, Museum of Probolinggo, Gotong Royong Traditional Market, Tri Dharma Temple, Batik Center, Java Ceramic, Fish Traditional Market and the shops of Dr. Sutomo street. Travel between them by Becak/Pedicap.
Distinctive attractions include an Angklung instrument performance by pupils from the local Mater Dei Elementary School. It is an absolutely engaging performance.
Getting around
While in port, hire a jeep or private minibus for the 45 km, 90 minutes’ drive to Mt. Bromo in Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, perhaps Indonesia's best-known volcano. Sunrise is the ideal viewing time, but the landscape is so dramatic that it remains a ‘must-see’. Include Madakaripura Waterfall during the park visit.
Walk through Probolinggo to observe the lifestyles of some of the 136 million residents of Java, the world's most populous large island.
Nearby places
Jabung Temple is 26 km east of Probolinggo. This interesting red-brick Buddhist funerary monument was completed in 1354.
Food and shopping
Probolinggo is also recognised as a centre for colourful, varied handicraft industries. Local craftspeople make every item by hand, including bamboo crafts, ceramics, garments, home decorations, bags and more.
Money
ATMs are widespread in Indonesia's major cities.
Exercise care with credit cards because cloning and fraud are serious problems in Indonesia. Visa and Mastercard are accepted widely, while American Express can prove difficult to use. Smaller businesses commonly add a surcharge of 2-5% compared with cash.
Staying connected
Indonesia's only official language is Indonesian, known as Bahasa Indonesia.
Internet prices vary considerably and, as usual, quality tends to reflect cost, but expect to pay about Rp 5,000 per hour. Large cities have free hotspots in certain shopping centres, McDonald restaurants and Starbucks cafés, while some hotels offer free lobby hotspots.
The emergency number for mobile phones is 112.