This vibrant and bustling metropolitan capital city of East Java in Indonesia is often considered to be a business town, and thus overlooked by tourists as a destination for travel. But there is much more to this charming city than busy marketplaces. For example, Surabaya is also known for its authentic Javanese cuisines.

From natural wonders to architectural marvels, here are Surabaya’s top things to do for travelers. Just don’t forget to first purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance.

Surabaya Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers — FAQs

You may be thinking that travel medical insurance is something that you can skip out on. It saves money, and medical emergencies seldom happen, right? That sort of thinking could be an expensive mistake. 

Injuries and illnesses happen even when we’re at home. You certainly aren’t immune to them on a trip abroad. In fact, the chances of getting sick or hurt only increase in an unfamiliar place. Therefore, it’s essential to have travel medical insurance to help pay for treatment. 

Do I need travel medical insurance for Surabaya?

There is no longer a legal requirement to buy travel medical insurance in order to travel to Indonesia. However, due to potentially high healthcare costs, it is strongly recommended that all visitors have coverage.

Why buy travel medical insurance for Surabaya?

If you get the flu or COVID-19, or break your leg while visiting Surabaya, do you know how you’d pay for treatment? You’ll likely have to seek treatment at a private hospital, and they are extremely expensive. Don’t get stuck with a medical bill you cannot afford to pay. Buy travel medical insurance so you are protected.

Surabaya Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers — FAQs

Even the best-laid travel plans can get derailed due to something unexpected. An illness, family emergency, natural disaster, or government pandemic rules can suddenly make that long-planned trip impossible. These unfortunate situations are why it is extremely important to have trip cancellation insurance. 

Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Surabaya?

When you book a trip to a place like Surabaya, there will likely be a few flights involved, at least one hotel booked, and tickets purchased for attractions and other things. These expenses are almost always prepaid, and they’re often nonrefundable. 

But what would happen if you were unable to take your trip? The charges can’t be refunded, and you don’t want to lose all of that money. With trip cancellation insurance, you don’t have to be put in such a situation. It can help you get reimbursed for your prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses if your trip must be cancelled for a covered reason. 

What all is covered under trip cancellation insurance for Surabaya?

In your travel insurance plan for Surabaya, make sure you include the following coverages:

• Trip cancellation
• Travel delay
• Loss of baggage
• Trip interruption
• The option to cancel for any reason, if applicable

Travelling is expensive enough as it is. Make sure you don’t pay anything more than what you have to. Get travel insurance.

Things To Do for Travelers in Surabaya

Mount Bromo

The #1 thing to do in Surabaya: visit Mount Bromo, a majestic volcano located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

You can reach Mount Bromo by going to Cemoro Lawang, a nearby village. From here, you can either walk or take a guided jeep tour. You can also book a slot on the Bromo Midnight Tour which leaves from Surabaya.

Before leaving, check for any news from the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Disaster Mitigation. They sometimes issue a warning to not visit Mount Bromo (the volcano is — technically — still an active one).

Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque

One of the key religious sites in Surabaya, the Cheng Hoo is a mosque built in the traditional Chinese architectural style. It combines Muslim religious symbols with vivid Oriental decorations. The pagoda-style build and red, green, and yellow colors make the mosque both picturesque and a cultural site worth visiting.

House of Sampoerna

A tobacco museum and historical site, the House of Sampoerna is the headquarters of the Sampoerna in Surabaya. The Dutch Colonial-style architecture makes the main building unique and beautiful.

The central auditorium contains a museum and a shop. The east side of the house has a café and an art gallery.

Surabaya Submarine Monument

While in Surabaya, don’t forget to visit Asia’s largest submarine monument. The Monumen Kapal Selam was earlier a Russian submarine that was decommissioned by the Indonesian government in 1990; they then set it up as a museum in the city.

Climb aboard to tour the monument. This submarine is more than a marvel to look at. Here, you’ll also learn a lot about the nation’s maritime history.

Majapahit Hotel

Indulge in royalty at the Majapahit Hotel. This elegant structure was constructed by the Dutch, and the Colonial-style architecture has contributed to making it one of the city’s major landmarks. Enjoy your high tea amidst lush green, manicured gardens; non-staying guests are allowed, too.

Travel Risks for International Travelers in Surabaya

Heat

Indonesia is a hot country. Being situated in the tropics, it faces extreme heat in the daytime — the average highs during the day are 32–36°C. Tourists who are used to a milder climate may have some difficulty in Surabaya.

Pack casual and light clothes. Wear sandals instead of shoes. Carry sunscreen along with you to avoid tanning and sunburns.

Floods

Tourists planning to travel in November–April must be prepared for heavy rains — and even thunderstorms. Pack accordingly. Raincoats and galoshes might come in handy.

The rainy season in Surabaya is relentless. Sometimes, flash floods occur due to rising water levels. Always watch for information about floods on the local news, and plan your day accordingly. Follow the advice of the local authorities if any disaster were to occur.

Traffic

The roads of Surabaya can be dangerous, and flash floods often result in traffic jams. Drivers are aggressive, and traffic laws are often disregarded by motorists.

As a foreigner and a tourist, you may find it difficult to drive on the roads of Surabaya. So instead of renting your own car and driving around, opt for taxi services.

Alcohol

Arak is a locally produced spirit in Indonesia, made from rice and palm. But this type of alcohol may contain poisonous methanol which can cause death due to alcohol poisoning. To avoid consuming this drink, only go to reputable bars to imbibe. Be wary of any vendor that is offering alcohol at questionably low prices.

Pollution

The dense population of Surabaya leads to two problems: large amounts of traffic, and large amounts of pollution. The air is filled with particulate matter that is harmful to your lungs. To avoid breathing the polluted air, wear an N-95 mask while roaming outdoors.

Before You Travel to Surabaya — Do This

Pack the following

• Sunscreen (SPF 35+)
• Raincoat and galoshes (if you’re traveling in between November and April)
• An N-95 mask

Learn Indonesian

Learning a few basic phrases and words in Indonesian will help you converse with locals better.

Buy insurance

To protect your finances in case of any mishaps, purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.

The insurance plans available on this website are not specifically targeted towards the destination mentioned in this article. They can provide coverage while traveling away from home, according to the terms and conditions and geographic restrictions applicable to the specific plan.