Shopping Tips

Unlike other destinations in this meandering archipelago, Surabaya boasts no truly unique art or craft items aside from some locally inspired batik patterns.

However, if Surabaya is your only stop in Indonesia, you can find a wide range of products from Bali, Irian Jaya, Jogjakarta, Sumatra, Sumba etc. all reasonably priced and readily available, including batik clothing, placemats, tablecloths.

Also available are wood carvings, masks, wooden utensils, wayang puppets, decorative items, rattan furniture etc. Larger stores and reputable dealers accept credit cards; however read the caveat in the main section of this page. For smaller purchases it better to use cash.

Shopping:
Most shopping is "centered" as in Mega Mall shopping centres. The largest, most comprehensive of these is without question, the centrally located, Tanjungan Plaza. This five story mega mall in city centre is neatly divided into two sections: international brand name fashion and food featuring a Sogo Department Store (from Japan), and budget retailers and food stalls anchored by Indonesian retailing giants Rimo and Matahari.

As well there are child and adult amusement centres complete with a variety of "rides", a Cinema 21 movie theater complex. Western brand coffee shops and fast food outlets are scattered throughout the plaza. Brand name and discount clothing outlets, electronics, appliances, jewelry, beauty parlors all in one convenient location. An internet station is in the basement nearest the Plaza Tunjungan entrance.

Using Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted in Surabaya. Cards accepted by merchants are usually displayed on the front door or near the cashier.

You are well advised to use your credit cards very selectively. Also it's a good idea to keep all receipts for verification.

Unfortunately Indonesia is a source of a great deal of credit card fraud. Thieves insert small memory chips into those devices used to swipe the card, then return to 'service' the device, take out the chip and then start making illegal cards. Many times you will be long gone before fraudulent charges start showing up on your statement.

Many expats living in Surabaya use their credit cards at ATMs to get cash and then pay cash for their purchases - a good habit to get into while in Indonesia.

In addition, it is common practice to add 3% to the cost of your purchase for the privilege of using plastic. You do not have to accept this, but arguing with the shop keeper is not going to help. But if you want to get this 3% back make sure the retailer or restaurant writes this surcharge down as an extra charge for using the card and then claim it from your month end billing.