Pangandaran
Discover Pangandaran
Pangandaran is a small town and a subdistrict in on the south coast of Java in Indonesia, in the East Parahyangan region. With its black beaches, Pangandaran, will never stand a chance compared to Bali when it comes to attracting the big crowds. However, this is exactly the appeal of this remote town of beach resorts. Even though it is a popular tourist destination with the locals on national holidays for its fine sand beaches (considered to be of the finest in Java), you will not feel overrun by the tourism. In the natural park you have also a beautiful white sand beach with monkeys where you can snorkel.
What to Experience in Pangandaran
Taste of Pangandaran...
Seafood comes fresh to the fish market on the eastern side of the city every day. Here you can have your pick from one of the many cheap restaurants. Pick your live seafood (fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns etc.) and watch while they cook it in front of you. On the west side (the beach side), western style cafes and restaurants line the beachside road. The government has moved the beach cafes and restaurants 3 kilometers away further to the west from the longstanding former spot. (05/2018) Often a bonfire on the beach and drinks and snacks from the closest Warung is the definition of a night out in Pangandaran. The government has moved the beach cafes and restaurants 3 kilometers away further to the west from the longstanding former spot. (05/2018) There are plenty of hotels to fit every budget, scattered around the town. Most are on the street along the beach, or in an alley just off that street. The price for a clean and equipped room is Rp150,000 with fan and Rp200,000 with aircon (2014). On national holidays prices go up and you should book ahead. There are some internet places by the beach, but the cheapest (Rp1,000 per 15 minutes) is near the bus terminal. They don't have wifi, but you can plug your laptop into their LAN for the same price. The main routes out of Pangandaran are either east towards Yogyakarta, or west towards Bandung:
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsSusi Air flies from Jakarta (with a short stop in Bandung) on small 12 passenger Cessnas, but the plane will fly only with minimum 8 passengers. -7.720389108.4898991 Nusawiru Airport (CJN, also known as Pangandaran Airport) is a small airfield near Cijulang (along the road to Batu Karas), about 25 km west of Pangandaran. The -7.685062108.6536822 bus terminal stops at the market just 500 m from the beach where you can find plenty of accommodation. It is close enough to walk, but if you are lazy or laden with heavy bags it will not take you long to spot a bicycle rickshaw (more likely, they will spot you) ready to help you empty your wallet. Local buses run frequently from Pangandaran’s bus terminal to Tasikmalaya (Rp30,000, three hours), Ciamis (Rp20,000, 2½ hours), Banjar (Rp25,000, 1½ hours), Kalipucang or Majingklak (Rp5,000, 40 minutes) and to Cilacap (Rp25,000, 2½ hours). Buses also run along the west coast as far as Cijulang (Rp7,000, 40 minutes)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Pangandaran’s becak (tricycle) starts at around Rp10,000 and requires heavy negotiation. Bicycles can be rented for Rp25,000 per day, and motorcycles cost around Rp50,000 per day, excluding petrol. Petrol costs Rp8,500 per litre at petrol stations, but 9,500 - 10,000 per litre outside petrol stations. Costs for becaks from the main bus station are price-fixed at Rp30,000. This is primarily due to that local hotels will provide the becaks a Rp30,000 commission for bringing in tourists who have not previously booked. It is less than 1 km from the bus station to the centre where all the hotels are. In short; beach, sun, surfing and kicking back is the image of Pangandaran. However, there is so much more in this yet unspoilt paradise. Hire a motorbike and explore the surrounding area. Not far from the beach you will encounter the life of the unimpressed locals tending to their crops and livestock.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of hotels to fit every budget, scattered around the town. Most are on the street along the beach, or in an alley just off that street. The price for a clean and equipped room is Rp150,000 with fan and Rp200,000 with aircon (2014). On national holidays prices go up and you should book ahead. There are some internet places by the beach, but the cheapest (Rp1,000 per 15 minutes) is near the bus terminal. They don't have wifi, but you can plug your laptop into their LAN for the same price. The main routes out of Pangandaran are either east towards Yogyakarta, or west towards Bandung:
Money & Budget
ATMs are available near the bus terminal, nearby -7.70252108.656761 Nyiur Indah Resort and at the bus station area, there are 3 ATMs, but none at the beach area. Seafood comes fresh to the fish market on the eastern side of the city every day. Here you can have your pick from one of the many cheap restaurants. Pick your live seafood (fish, crabs, lobsters, prawns etc.) and watch while they cook it in front of you. On the west side (the beach side), western style cafes and restaurants line the beachside road. The government has moved the beach cafes and restaurants 3 kilometers away further to the west from the longstanding former spot. (05/2018) Often a bonfire on the beach and drinks and snacks from the closest Warung is the definition of a night out in Pangandaran.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Pangandaran
a group of people on a beach with boats in the water
View of Batu Hiu Beach, Pangandaran
a group of people standing on a beach next to a body of water
a boat with a flag is in the middle of the ocean
a group of people standing on top of a beach next to the ocean
a group of people standing on top of a beach next to the ocean
a group of people standing on a beach next to a boat
a group of people standing on top of a sandy beach
a person taking a picture of a boat in the water
a group of people standing on top of a beach
a group of people on a beach with boats in the water
View of Batu Hiu Beach, Pangandaran
a group of people standing on a beach next to a body of water